Comparison of Heavy Metal Concentration and Reproduction of Feral Pigeons (Columba livia) between Urban and Industrial Complex Areas from Korea

Abstract

Pb and Cd concentrations and reproductive progress of feral pigeons were investigated in urban (Seoul) and industrial complex (Ansan) areas from November 2000 to May 2001. Results of the Pb analysis for the feral pigeons from the Ansan industrial complex (egg contents: 1.13 <TEX>$\mu$</TEX>g/wet g, bones of adult: 10.5 <TEX>$\mu$</TEX>g/wet g) and Seoul (1.64 <TEX>$\mu$</TEX>g/wet g, 29.5 <TEX>$\mu$</TEX>g/wet g, respectively) indicated that the Pb level of eggs and bones of adults were significantly different between the two colonies (p<0.05). Cd concentrations in liver and kidney of adult pigeons were also significantly different between the Ansan (liver: 0.14 <TEX>$\mu\textrm{g}$</TEX>/wet g, kidney: 0.43 <TEX>$\mu$</TEX>g/wet g) and Seoul (liver. 0.24 <TEX>$\mu$</TEX>g/wet g, kidney: 1.05 <TEX>$\mu$</TEX>g/wet g) colonies. (p<0.05). However, egg size and thickness, incubation period and nestling growth rates did not differ between the study areas. Also, clutch size, number of young hatched per nest and number of young fledglings per nest did not significantly different in the noted areas. Considering the lead and cadmium concentrations of pigeons, these were not as high as those considered as results in toxic effects in other species, and the biological significance from these level differences is uncertain.