Detection of Heavy Metal Concentrations in Feathers of Armenian Gull (Larus armenicus Buturlin, 1934) in Van Lake Basin/TÜRKİYE

Abstract

Birds are the living groups at the top of the food web and most affected by environmental pollutants. The aim of the present study was to detect levels of some heavy metal accumulations in the Armenian Gull (Larus armenicus), which uses the Van Lake basin for breeding and feeding purposes. Samples were taken from the body feathers of adult and juvenile gulls and from the waters in their feeding environments, taking into account the feeding rates, in order to determine at what rate the birds at the top of the food web accumulate toxic substances and how they are affected. In the samples taken, Iron (Fe), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb) and Arsenic (As) concentrations were measured. Metal concentrations were measured using ICAP 6000 Spectrometer. According to the results of the analysis, Cu (6.43 mg kg-1), Pb (4.02 mg kg-1) and Cd (0.14 mg kg-1) concentrations were highest in juveniles, while Fe concentration (94.32 mg kg-1) was found to be highest in adults. Compared with WHO (World Health Organization) and TSE-266 standart; As, Fe, Cd, Cu and Pb concentrations in water were higher than the permissible levels for drinking water. Concentration differences in Juveniles and adults seem to vary depending on the feeding density.