Heavy Metal Distribution in Some Wild Birds from Korea

• Published in: Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 56; no. 2; pp. 317 - 324
• Main Authors: Kim, Jungsoo, Shin, Ju-Ryul, Koo, Tae-Hoe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York New York : Springer-Verlag 01.02.2009; Springer-Verlag; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Animals, Wild - metabolism; Applied ecology; Aves; Biological and medical sciences; Birds; Birds - metabolism; Bones; Cadmium; Contamination; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Pollutants - pharmacokinetics; Food chains; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Heavy metals; Kidney - metabolism; Kidneys; Korea; Lead; Liver - metabolism; Manganese; Metal concentrations; Metals; Metals, Heavy - pharmacokinetics; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Organ Specificity; Physiology; Pollution; Soil Science & Conservation; Species Specificity; Statistical analysis; Studies; Synthliboramphus antiquus; Tissue Distribution; Variance analysis; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution; Zinc; Asia; Korea; Korea, Rep; Cadmium; Wild Bird; Manganese Concentration; Lead Concentration; Cadmium Concentration; Pollutant; Vertebrata; Pollution; Ecotoxicology; Toxicity; Environment; Aves; Heavy metal
• ISSN: 0090-4341; 1432-0703
• DOI: 10.1007/s00244-008-9180-z

This study presents concentrations of heavy metals (manganese, zinc, lead, and cadmium) in tissues in six orders of Korean wild birds (n = 37), 2000-2002. Zinc, manganese, lead, and cadmium concentrations in all tissues were highest in ancient murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus). Essential elements in Korean wild birds were within the normal range for wild birds and are maintained there by a normal homeostatic mechanism. Lead concentrations in livers of almost all birds were within the background levels. Cadmium concentrations in livers and kidneys of ancient murrelets exceeded background levels for wild birds, but other birds were within the normal range. Acute and chronic contaminations of lead and cadmium levels differed among groups (or species). We suggest that differences in lead and cadmium concentrations among groups are because of differences in diet and habitat. In ancient murrelets, zinc and manganese concentrations correlated with their cadmium concentration in livers. Zinc, manganese, and cadmium concentrations in murrelet livers were also higher than in other species. Therefore, we suggest that high zinc and manganese concentrations in ancient murrelets were related to their high cadmium concentrations.