The Use of Feathers to Monitor Heavy Metal Contamination in Herons, Korea

This study measured concentrations of iron, manganese, zinc, copper, lead, and cadmium in environmental substrates (water and sediment) as well as in the diet and feathers of Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax and Grey Heron Ardea cinerea chicks from Pyeongtaek heronry, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Zinc and cadmium concentrations in sediment were relatively high, but lead was low. In the diet, only copper concentrations were higher in Black-crowned Night Herons than in Grey Herons. Cadmium concentrations in the diet of two heron species from a Pyeongtaek heron colony were also higher than reported in other studies. In feathers, iron, copper, and lead concentrations were significantly different between heron species. Iron and copper concentrations were higher in Black-crowned Night Heron chicks than in Grey Heron chicks, but lead concentrations were not. Therefore, with the exception of lead, heavy metal concentrations in feathers were not related to concentrations in the diet. Zinc, iron, and lead concentrations in heron feathers were within the ranges reported by other heron studies, but manganese, copper, and cadmium were much higher. Lead and cadmium concentrations in feathers of Black-crowned Night Heron and Grey Heron chicks were elevated to lead and cadmium concentrations in the diet. Therefore, we suggest that lead and cadmium concentrations in heron feathers reflect contamination of breeding sites and are useful bioindicators of local contamination. An erratum to this article is available at .     

Body mass and caloric value of the ground beetle (Pterostichus oblongopunctatus) (Coleoptera, Carabidae) along a gradient of heavy metal pollution

At five sites located along a metal-pollution gradient in southern Poland, we collected, during the spring and summer of 2000, more than 1,200 individuals of the ground beetle (Pterostichus oblongopunctatus) to examine the relationship between pollution level and body mass. Animals from one additional sampling in May 2001 were used to measure body caloric value to verify whether metal pollution has an effect on the energy content of the body. The study sites were located in an area with a history of zinc and lead mining and smelting dating back to medieval times. Metal concentrations in the humus layer ranged from 200 to 9,600 mg/kg of zinc, 120 to 1,600 mg/kg of lead, and 3 to 82 mg/kg of cadmium. We found a significant increase in body mass with increasing pollution level. The beetles from all sites collected near the end of the season were lighter. However, no statistically significant trend in body caloric value was detected. We suggest that the high metal tolerance of the species, combined with altered interspecies competition at the polluted sites, is responsible for the positive correlation between soil metal concentration and body mass.     

Gender and spatial patterns in metal concentrations in brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) in southern Florida, USA

Comparatively little is known about heavy metal levels in reptiles, particularly for lizards. Yet lizards often are common predators that could serve as bioindicators of contamination on a small spatial scale. This study examined the differences in metal concentrations of adult brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury, and selenium in six locations in southern Florida, USA, from Lake Okeechobee (Pahokee) south to Key West. We predicted that levels of contaminants would be higher in the industrialized ports (Port Everglades, Port of Miami) and at a landfill (in Key West) compared to a campground, tropical garden, and marine laboratory. Males were significantly larger than females, as expected. Although there were significant locational differences in metal concentrations, they did not fit a consistent pattern, either among sites or between reference and study sites. However, the lowest levels were generally found at Everglades Marina and Campground (except for selenium) and at Fairchild Tropical Garden (except for manganese). For females, size was significantly correlated with cadmium, lead, and mercury levels, while for males, there were significant correlations between length and arsenic, chromium, and manganese concentrations. Where there were gender differences in metal levels, females had significantly higher levels than males even though they were smaller. We attribute these gender differences to differences in diet due to microhabitat differences in foraging locations. Females spend more time feeding near the ground and males spend more time feeding on tree trunks and branches where they consume more flying insects. This is the first study that examines concentrations of metals in lizards in the United States, and suggests that nonnative lizards may be useful in toxicological studies.     

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Feathers of Korean Shorebirds

This study presents concentrations of zinc, manganese, copper, lead, and cadmium in the feather of five shorebird species from Yeongjong Island, Korea in the East Asian–Australian migration flyways. The objectives of this study were to determine levels of heavy metal concentrations in the feathers of shorebirds, to evaluate the pattern of heavy metal concentrations in the feather and the liver, and to examine the correlation between heavy metal concentrations in the feathers and livers. We hypothesized that difference of heavy metal concentrations will show by the breeding ground of shorebirds. Lead concentrations in dunlins (geomean = 14.8 μg/g wet weight) and great knots (20.8 μg/g wet weight) feathers were significantly higher than Terek sandpipers (3.32 μg/g wet weight); other metals were not different among shorebirds. Zinc, lead, and cadmium concentrations in the feather were correlated with the liver concentrations, but manganese and copper concentrations were not. Zinc, manganese, copper, lead, and cadmium concentrations in the feather from this study were within the range of earlier studies for wild birds, but cadmium concentrations in dunlins were higher than other studies. Because lead concentrations in livers and feathers of the Terek sandpiper were lower than in other shorebirds, we suggest that Terek sandpipers were exposed to lower lead concentrations than Kentish plovers, dunlins, and great knots on their breeding ground. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Heavy metals in mosquito larval habitats in urban Kisumu and Malindi, Kenya, and their impact

Concentrations and distribution of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese and zinc in mosquito larval habitats in urban Kisumu and Malindi, Kenya and their effect on the presence of Anopheles gambiae, Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles funestus larvae were investigated. Manganese and iron were the most prevalent heavy metals in water of larval habitats in urban Kisumu and Malindi, respectively. Iron was the most prevalent heavy metal in bottom sediments in larval habitats in both cities. The highest concentrations of all heavy metals, except cadmium and iron, were recorded in the poorly planned-well drained stratum in the two cities. All heavy metals were more concentrated in human-made than in natural larval habitats. Copper was positively associated with the presence of Ae. aegypti, and lead was associated with the presence of An. gambiae and Ae. aegypti in urban Kisumu. Absence of significant correlation between the other metals and mosquito species in both cities, despite relatively high concentrations, suggest that the local larval populations, including key malaria vectors have adapted to the detected levels of these metals.     

Accumulation of lead and cadmium in wild populations of the commensal rat,Rattus norvegicus

Lead and cadmium concentrations were analyzed in the tissues ofRattus norvegicus captured from a variety of urban and rural habitats in Houston, Texas. Variations in tissue metal concentrations were expected to reflect differences in metal contamination among habitats. Tissue lead levels of urban rats were higher than those reported in the literature for other small mammal species while cadmium concentrations were lower. Lead accumulated with age in liver, kidney, and lung tissue of urban rats, and cadmium accumulated in liver and kidney tissue of female rats. Urban populations had more lead in their muscle, bone, liver, and kidney tissues as well as more cadmium in their liver tissue than did rural populations. Higher fecal lead and cadmium concentrations found among urban rats probably reflect higher levels of soil lead and cadmium contamination within urban environments. Wild rats may be ideal indicators of differences in both the levels of metal contamination within the human environment and the relative human health risks associated with these levels.     

Chronic exposure of sheep to a zinc smelter in Peru

Liver levels of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, manganese, and zinc were assessed in adult female sheep living in the vicinity of a zinc smelter in Peru. The study was conducted on a large sheep-raising cooperative divided into seven management units, operated under a standardized husbandry system. Soil samples were analyzed for the same metals at varying distances from the smelter. A gradient of concentration of heavy metals in soil was found between 1 and 56 km from the smelter. Soil concentrations for all metals except manganese decreased significantly with increasing distance from the smelter. The strongest correlations were found for copper, lead, and zinc (P less than 0.001). Topographic features and prevailing wind direction appeared to play a role in the dispersion of pollutants. Liver samples were obtained from 153 sheep on five units of the cooperative. The centers of the units sampled were between 13 and 56 km from the smelter. Hepatic concentrations of arsenic, lead, manganese, and zinc decreased significantly with increasing distance from the smelter. Liver arsenic and liver zinc were significantly related to soil concentrations. Liver levels of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and manganese in sheep from the cooperative were significantly higher than those detected in control sheep from southern Peru. Sheep populations may serve as biological monitors for heavy metal accumulation and environmental carcinogenesis.     

Developmental Toxicity of Three Carrier Solvents Using Embryos of the Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio

Herons and egrets are ideal organisms to use as indicators of heavy metal exposure in an ecosystem because different species feed at different levels of the food chain and live in both coastal and inland habitats. This paper reports on the concentration of heavy metals and selenium in the feathers of cattle egrets Bubulcus ibis that were examined from nesting and roosting sites in Bali and Sulawesi, Indonesia, and in feathers of little egrets Egretta garzetta and intermediate egrets E. intermedia from the same colony in Bali. Mercury and manganese concentrations were significantly higher in cattle egrets from Bali compared to Sulawesi, but otherwise there were no significant differences. There were significant differences in lead, cadmium and mercury among the three egret species nesting on Bali: 1) the cadmium and mercury concentrations related to size and trophic level (insectivorous cattle egrets had the lowest concentrations, fish-eating intermediate egrets had the highest concentrations), and 2) cattle egrets had significantly lower concentrations of lead than the other two species. For cattle egrets, secondary flight feathers had significantly higher levels of cadmium and mercury, and lower levels of manganese, than mixed breast and tertiary feathers, reflecting temporal differences in exposure. Received: 28 May 1996/Revised: 2 August 1996     

大学生尿液金属水平与肺功能的关系

  目的  探讨大学生金属内暴露水平与肺功能的相关性，为开展金属暴露与肺功能损伤的相关研究提供依据。  方法  以2017—2018年在华北理工大学曹妃甸校区招募的45名符合标准的大学生为研究对象，分别于春、夏、秋、冬季进行问卷随访调查和健康体检，测量肺功能参数[用力肺活量(FVC)、1 s用力呼气容积(FEV1)、最大呼气流量(PEF)、FEV1/FVC和用力呼气流量(FEF_25~75)]，同时采集晨尿样本。尿液中15种金属含量使用电感耦合等离子体质谱法(ICP/MS)检测; 采用Kruskal-Wallis H检验比较不同季节尿液中金属含量的差异; 运用线性混合效应模型分析尿液中金属组分暴露浓度与肺功能之间的相关性。  结果  尿液15种金属元素中，铬、铁、镍、铜、锌、砷、硒、钼、镉、锑、铅在4个季节的含量差异均有统计学意义(H=9.79~20.61，P值均 < 0.05)。5项肺功能参数在4个季节的差异均有统计学意义(F值分别为61.72，45.30，47.61，25.47，35.13，P值均 < 0.05)。线性混合效应模型分析结果显示，尿液中钒、锰、铁、钴、镍和锑含量与FEV1呈负性相关(B值分别为0.202，0.192，0.181，0.154，0.131，0.283);尿液中铝、钒、锰、铁、钴、镍、锌、镉和锑的含量与FVC呈负性相关(B值分别为0.252，0.290，0.292，0.271，0.201，0.180，0.171，0.163，0.381);尿液中锰和锑的含量与PEF呈负相关(B值分别为0.291，0.354)(P值均 < 0.05)。  结论  大学生尿液中多种金属含量的增加与肺功能水平下降有关，金属元素的长期暴露有可能造成肺功能的损害，应加强对环境金属污染的控制。     

Metals in Fish along the Southeast Coast of India

Metal concentrations (cadmium, chromium, iron, lead, copper, manganese, zinc and mercury) in the muscle of five fish species (Epinephelus chlorostigma, Lutjanus russelli, Terapon jarbua, Cynoglossus arel and Lagocephalus lunaris) from the six fish landing centres along southeast coast of India were measured. In Cuddalore and Mudasalodai, the level of toxic metals cadmium, chromium and manganese were well above the permissible limits. Concentrations of cadmium, chromium, manganese and mercury in C. arel were above the permissible limit and it is consistent with their habitat and diet. The results showed a relationship between metal concentrations and pollution status of the areas.     

电子线路板粉末浸出液重金属含量分析及其饲养斑马鱼前后鱼体内镍铬水平的变化

目的通过分析电子线路板粉末中主要重金属成分的含量及其浸出液中重金属含量,分析其中可溶性重金属盐类所占的比重,同时通过动物实验初步探讨该废弃物溶出液饲养斑马鱼后镍镉在斑马鱼体内变化的情况。方法通过原子吸收分光光度法分析并对比电子线路板粉末和浸出液中铜、铅、锌、镉、镍、铬、铁、锰的含量,初步分析该粉末中重金属的溶出情况及对水体可能的影响。通过对不同剂量浸出液饲养的斑马鱼体内镍铬含量的分析,探讨其在斑马鱼体内变化的情况。结果电子线路板粉末中含量最高的前3位金属分别是铜、铅和铁,分别达64.1、55.6和25.8 mg/kg;金属铬未被检出。浸出液中含量最高的前3位金属分别是铜、锰和镉,其含量分别达1.440、0.322和0.088 mg/L。在实验室饲养斑马鱼中,虽然对照组、低剂量组和中剂量组检测结果有一些不同,但其差异无统计学意义。结论电子线路板拆解废弃物中铜、锰、镉溶出量较高,应在现场监测中重点关注。用一定浓度的浸出液饲养斑马鱼体,其体内的镍铬水平基本无变化。     

Using environmental concentrations of cadmium and lead to assess human exposure and dose

OBJECTIVES: Using environmental concentrations and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to model human exposure is an emerging tool in environmental epidemiology. To evaluate the usefulness of this, we investigated to what extent cadmium and lead concentrations in soil and moss could be used as potential determinants for cadmium and lead exposure for a population living near a battery plant. METHODS: Cadmium in urine and blood and lead in blood, as well as food, smoking habits, places of residence, occupations and health, were determined for 512 individuals living near a closed down battery factory in Sweden. Cadmium and lead contents in moss were available through previous assessments by the Geological Survey of Sweden. Soil samples had been collected at various distances from the factory, and analyzed for cadmium and lead contents in 1990. Kriging technique in GIS was used to create areas with different metal concentrations based on these measurements. By linking individual address coordinates to mapped concentration levels, each study subject home address received a value of cadmium and lead in moss and soil. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant association between lead in soil and lead in blood, for female subjects eating homegrown vegetables regularly. No significant association was found between cadmium in soil and cadmium in urine for either gender in the study population. No clear associations were found for either gender regarding lead and cadmium in moss and lead in blood or cadmium in urine or in blood. CONCLUSION: In general, environmental concentrations may not be useful surrogates for assessing human exposure to lead and cadmium, but concentrations of metals in soil around emitting point sources can be a complement for estimating the exposure in certain subgroups.     

Heavy Metal Distribution in Some Wild Birds from Korea

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.     

Heavy metal and selenium concentrations in eggs of herring gulls (Larus argentatus): Temporal differences from 1989 to 1994

Concentrations of five metals and selenium in the eggs of herring gulls (Larus argentatus) were examined at a breeding colony on western Long Island, New York from 1989 to 1994. There were significant yearly differences in lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, chromium, and manganese. Chromium and cadmium were significantly higher in 1993 compared to the other years. Lead levels were highest in 1989, and were uniformly lower in the succeeding four years. Manganese showed no clear pattern. Selenium concentrations decreased from 1991 through 1994, whereas mercury increased from 1992 through 1994. Generally, concentrations of cadmium were similar to those reported for avian eggs from elsewhere; mercury and lead were within the range, but were at the high end; and chromium concentrations were higher than elsewhere. For all years combined, there was a positive correlation between lead and cadmium concentrations and between chromium and manganese, and a negative correlation between lead and mercury concentrations. In conclusion, egg contents can be used to monitor heavy metal concentrations, but consecutive years must be examined because concentrations can vary significantly among years. Ideally, data are needed for more than three years before trends, or lack thereof, can be determined.     

Concentration, Distribution, and Comparison of Selected Trace Elements in Bed Sediment and Fish Tissue in the South Platte River Basin, USA, 1992–1993

During August–November 1992 and August 1993, bed sediment and fish liver were sampled in the South Platte River Basin and analyzed for 45 elements in bed sediment and 19 elements in fish liver. The results for aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, selenium, silver, uranium, and zinc are presented here. All 12 trace elements were detected in bed sediment, but not all were detected in fish liver or in all species of fish. A background concentration of trace elements in bed sediment was calculated using the cumulative frequency curves of trace element concentrations at all sites. Arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, manganese, silver, uranium, and zinc concentrations were greater than background concentrations at sites in mining areas or at sites that have natural sources of these elements. Trace element concentrations in fish liver generally did not follow the same patterns as concentrations in bed sediment, although concentrations of aluminum and cadmium were higher in fish liver collected at mountain sites that had been disturbed by mining. Concentrations of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, lead, silver, and zinc increased in bed sediments in urban areas. Iron, silver, and zinc concentrations in fish liver also increased in urban areas. Concentrations of cadmium, copper, silver, and zinc in fish liver increased in the agricultural areas of the basin. Downstream changes in trace element concentrations may be the result of geological changes in addition to changes in land use along the river. Received: 5 April 1996/Revised: 27 July 1996     

Monitoring of Heavy Metal Contamination Using Tissues of Two Ardeids Chicks, Korea

This study presents concentrations of iron, zinc, manganese, lead and cadmium in livers and kidneys of Little Egret Egretta garzetta (n = 10) and Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax (n = 10) chicks from Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Essential element concentrations such as iron, zinc and manganese did not differ between both species chicks in livers and kidneys, but lead and cadmium concentrations were significantly greater in both tissues of Little Egret chicks (lead 2.78 ± 4.06 μg/g wet weight, cadmium 10.3 ± 12.8 kg/g wet weight) than in those of Black-crowned Night-Heron chicks (lead 0.92 ± 0.73 μg/g wet weight, cadmium 1.00 ± 1.00 kg/g wet weight). Lead and cadmium concentrations in livers of Black-crowned Night-Heron chicks were highly related to sediment and/or prey concentrations of their foraging sites in Korean studies. It shows that lead and cadmium concentrations in livers of heron chicks can reflect those of surrounding environment of breeding sites. In this study, cadmium concentrations were higher in kidneys than in livers and it’s not recent high-level exposure but chronic background exposure to cadmium contamination around breeding site. Therefore, we suggest that cadmium concentrations in livers and kidneys can be used as a bioindicator of acute and/or chronic local contamination.     

Heavy metal and selenium concentrations in black skimmers (Rynchops niger): Gender differences

Most studies of heavy metals and selenium have not examined or have failed to find differences in concentrations in the tissues of birds as a function of size or sex. Heavy metal and selenium concentrations were analyzed in breast feathers of adult black skimmers Rynchops niger, a species with marked sexual size dimorphism in which males average 35% heavier than females. Females had significantly higher concentrations of lead and cadmium than males, but there were no gender differences in mercury, selenium, chromium, manganese, and copper despite the marked sexual dimorphism in body size. There were no significant correlations of bird weight or wing length and metal and selenium concentrations, and few correlations among metal and selenium concentrations in the feathers.     

Comparison of Metal Concentrations in Tissues of Blue Crab, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Callinectes sapidus</Emphasis> from Mediterranean Lagoons

This study was performed to investigate the metal concentrations in muscle and gill of blue crab, Callinectes sapidus from Dörtyol Lake, Akyatan Lagoon, Paradeniz Lagoon and Çaml?k Lagoon from the northeastern coastal area of Mediterranean Sea. So, the levels of cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, aluminum and zinc in tissues of specimens from the lagoons were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer. The metal concentrations found in muscle tissue varied for Cd: 0.03–0.08, Cr: 0.05–0.13, Cu: 5.38–11.7, Fe: 21.1–38.2, Mn: 0.15–2.98, Ni: 0.24–0.45, Zn: 13.9–20.1 and Al: 1.2–13.7 mg/kg wet weight. Iron showed the highest levels in both tissues, and generally followed by zinc except gills. On the other hand, cadmium showed the lowest levels from all sites. Followed cadmium; chromium had the second lowest levels. The differences between mean metal concentrations from different sampling sites were statistically significant. Regional changes in metal concentration were observed in the tissues of the crabs, but these variations may not influence consumption advisories.     

Adaptation to soil pollution by cadmium excretion in natural populations of Orchesella cincta (L.) (Collembola)

Population differentiation in Orchesella cincta (L.) (Collembola) populations, from various heavy metal contaminated sites, was studied by comparing cadmium excretion efficiency in first generation (F₁) laboratory individuals. Animals from sites with high metal concentrations in the litter and with a long history of contamination showed significantly higher excretion efficiencies than animals from low pollution, or reference sites. Differences found in the F₁ laboratory animals suggest evidence for genetic differences between the populations.Beneficial and detrimental effects of cadmium excretion were studied in relation to body growth and cadmium concentrations. In chronically exposed animals from an unpolluted site, no physiological acclimation was observed. Excretion efficiency was negatively correlated with body concentrations of cadmium. No detrimental effects were found.Whole-body equilibrium concentrations of cadmium and lead were similar in F₁ animals from the reference site and polluted sites. Significant differences in excretion efficiencies imply that the distribution of toxic metals over body compartments differs, tolerant populations having a higher proportion deposited in the gut. Body concentrations of zinc were consistently higher in animals from the polluted site, during both cadmium and zinc exposure. No detrimental effects of increased cadmium excretion on body concentrations of zinc were observed. Population comparisons of cadmium excretion efficiency data and growth reduction in F₁ laboratory animals showed that both parameters were inversely related. Cadmium and lead contamination were not the sole factors determining tolerance differentiation.     

Metal Kinetics and Respiration Rates in F1 Generation of Carabid Beetles (Pterostichus oblongopunctatus F.) Originating From Metal-Contaminated and Reference Areas

We investigated resistance to metals in carabid beetles inhabiting metal-polluted and reference areas. Chronic multigeneration exposure to toxic metal concentrations may potentially result in adaptation through decreased metal uptake rate and/or increased excretion rate. The cost of resistance to pollution could be associated with increased metabolic rate. To test these predictions, laboratory cultured F₁-generation beetles originating from metal-polluted and reference sites were exposed to food contaminated with zinc and/or cadmium for 10 weeks. After that, uncontaminated food was offered to the animals for another 3 weeks. During the experiment, internal concentrations of Cd and Zn were measured as were respiration rates of the animals. The results obtained show no significant differences in metal accumulation and excretion patterns or respiration rates between the populations. This may suggest that adaptation has not occurred in the beetles chronically exposed to toxic metal concentrations. The possible explanations for the lack of differences between the populations are discussed.