Mercury in Wetland Birds of Iran and Iraq: Contrasting Resident Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, and Migratory Common Teal, Anas crecca, Life Strategies

• DOI: 10.1007/s00128-009-9637-4
• Publication Date: 2009-01-13T16:48:41Z
• Authors: Rasool Zamani-Ahm...; Abbas Esmaili-Sari; Seyed Mahmoud Gha...; Mozhgan Savabieas...
• Keywords: Mercury; Anas

We document mercury distribution in tissues of two waterfowls; moorhen (Gallinula chloropus; n=6), and Common Teal (Anas crecca; n=6) from Shadegan wetlands in Southwestern Iran. Mean value of mercury in moorhen liver was (0.36 Hg microg g(-1) dry weight), Common Teal had (4.34 Hg microg g(-1) dry weight) mercury. In all tissues, Common Teals had significantly higher mercury concentrations than moorhens (U test, p <or= 0.05). Mercury was 12, 9, 8, and 6 times higher in liver, muscle, kidney, and feather of Common Teals. These birds have comparable diets but Common Teals are migratory and moorhens are residents of Shadegan wetlands.