ISSN:
1432-0703
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Soft tissues and body feathers of Common Guillemots (Uria aalge), Brunnich's Guillemots (Uria lomvia), and Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) collected at Hornøya (northern Norway) were analyzed for total mercury, selenium, cadmium, zinc, and copper. Kittiwakes revealed highest cadmium and mercury concentrations in most tissues compared to both guillemot species, whereas interspecific differences in concentrations of essential elements were less obvious. The results are discussed in relation to feeding habits and migration patterns of the different seabird species. Age-dependent accumulation of selenium, mercury, and cadmium was clearly recognizable when comparing trace element contents in fully-fledged Kittiwakes to adult specimens. There was no evidence that the analyzed birds suffered from acute toxicities of heavy metals.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00212971
