Spatial and interspecific variation of accumulated highly toxic trace elements between fifteen bird species feathers from Antarctic, Arctic and China

• DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2022.102479
• Publication Date: 2022-03-18T18:00:53Z
• Authors: Yayue Sun; Zhibo Lu; Kaiyan Xiao; Lingyun Zeng; Juan Wang; Yanyun Zhang; Geir Wing Gabrielsen
• Keywords: Trace element; Guano; Mercury

To assess the impact of human activities and other factors on levels highly toxic trace elements in environment, contents eight (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) zinc (Zn)) feathers 15 bird species from Prydz Bay region Antarctic, Ny-Alsund Arctic, eastern China were evaluated this study. Results showed that collected Antarctic highest As, Cu, Hg (1.65–2.85, 9.58–18.56, 4.77–8.76 μg/g dw, respectively) different study areas, whereas Arctic exhibited mean Pb (1.82–3.19 dw), significantly lower accumulations Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn compared with two areas. Overall, most studied element densely populated polluted area than those remote polar regions, which are negligibly affected by activities. In addition, did not show higher more Antarctic. These results thus inferred to reflect differences dietary structure birds habitats, as well historical climate change. Carbon (δ13C) nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope ratios also measured evaluate relationship between diet elements. increase increasing trophic levels. Moreover, methylmercury content accounted for 87.57%–98.59% total all feather samples, regardless location species, confirming entering is methylated. This finding suggests form changes during process transference internal tissues feathers, improves our understanding mechanism excrete mercury, behavior greatly reduces harm health caused mercury. confirms measuring contaminants a long-term effective method monitoring pollution particular environments, making future typical convenient.