Title:

Birds as bioindicators of heavy metal pollution: review and examples concerning European species

Subtitle:

Acta Ornithologica, vol. 34, no. 1 ; Ptaki jako bioindykatory skażeń metalami ciężkimi: przegląd i przykłady dotyczące gatunków europejskich

Creator:

Dmowski, Krzysztof (ekologia)

Contributor:

Polska Akademia Nauk. Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii

Publisher:

Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii PAN

Place of publishing:

Warszawa

Date issued/created:

1999

Description:

Bibliogr. p. 18-23 ; P. [1]-25 : ill. ; 27 cm ; Abstract in Polish. Taxa in Latin

Type of object:

Journal/Article

Subject and Keywords:

birds ; effects of heavy metals ; heavy metals ; Europe ; bioindication ; biomonitoring ; biomarkers ; Aves

Abstract:

The following species of sedentary birds with widespread and common occurrence are the most convenient as bioindicators: Magpie Pica pica, Feral Pigeon Columba livia f. domestica, House Sparrow Passer domesticus or Tree Sparrow Passer montanus, Blackbird Turdus merula, Goshawk Accipiter gentilis (feathers) and nestlings of various species. The non-destructive method of feather analysis is suitable mainly for assessment of Pb, Cd, As, Sb, Ge, Tl, Se, and Hg. It cannot be applied for Mn, Ni, Sr, Rb, Mo and Fe that are cumulated in feathers at similar levels in polluted and unpolluted areas. Hg, Zn, Cu, Cr, As and Se have stronger affinity to keratin than others. The method requires strict standardisation, particularly in the way samples are to be collected and prepared for mineralisation. None of feather cleaning procedures removes all contaminants from vane surfaces. With respect to many elements, analysing "concentration in feathers" is a measurement of external deposition therefore metal levels found in feathers correspond more strongly to the data on immission than to the element pool available in food. Mercury is an exception here. In cases of toxic elements as Pb, Cd or Tl it is possible to predict their concentrations in internal tissues on the basis of feather analysis.

Relation:

Acta Ornithologica

Volume:

34

Issue:

1

Start page:

1

End page:

25

Resource type:

Text

Detailed Resource Type:

Article

Format:

application/pdf

Source:

MiIZ PAN, call no. P.257, Vol. 34, No 1 ; MiIZ PAN, call no. P.4568, Vol. 34, No 1 ; click here to follow the link

Language:

eng ; pol

Rights:

Rights Reserved - Restricted Access

Terms of use:

Copyright-protected material. Access only on terminals at the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, may be used within the limits of statutory user freedoms.

Digitizing institution:

Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Original in:

Library of the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Projects co-financed by:

Programme Innovative Economy, 2010-2014, Priority Axis 2. R&D infrastructure ; European Union. European Regional Development Fund

Access:

Closed