Lead (Pb) in the tissues of Anatidae, Ardeidae, Sternidae and Laridae of the Northern Hemisphere: a review of environmental studies

Jan Korbecki,Izabela Gutowska,Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka,Dariusz Chlubek

doi:10.1007/s11356-019-04799-7

Jan Korbecki, Izabela Gutowska + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04799-7

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Abstract

Due to the ability of birds to travel long distances in the air, the potential feeding area of each individual is much larger than that of typical terrestrial animals. This makes birds a convenient indicator of environmental lead (Pb) pollution over large areas, in particular areas of inland and coastal waters. The aim of this study was to assess the concentrations of Pb in various organs of water birds from a variety of locations. The focus was on ducks, geese and swans (Anatidae); herons and egrets (Ardeidae); terns (Sternidae); and gulls (Laridae). This article describes the level of lead in the most commonly studied tissue types: feathers, bones and the liver. The study also presents data concerning the concentration of lead in the eggs of water birds. The highest levels of lead pollution can be observed in China and Korea, related to their high level of industrialization. In Iran too, environmental lead pollution is high, likely due to the developed petrochemical industry. Lead pollution in Japan, as well as in Western European countries (Spain, France, Italy), seems to be much lower than in China, India or Iran. Nevertheless, the level of pollution in Europe is higher than satisfactory, despite the introduction of a number of bans related to, for example, the use of leaded petrol or lead-containing paints. Finally, the USA and Canada appear to be the areas with the lowest lead pollution, possibly due to their low population densities.

Highlights

The ubiquity and toxicity of lead (Pb) have it ranked as the second most dangerous environmental poison in the world (ATSDR 2007 Substance Priority List)
Feathers are made of proteins rich in sulphur-containing amino acids, which is why they accumulate heavy metals (Burger and Gochfeld 1992; Lodenius and Solonen 2013)
The development of industry and demographic changes of the last 20 years have been accompanied by unfavorable changes in the natural environment, including air, water and soil pollution with heavy metals, such as lead

Summary

Introduction

The ubiquity and toxicity of lead (Pb) have it ranked as the second most dangerous environmental poison in the world (ATSDR 2007 Substance Priority List). The amount of Pb in the environment from anthropogenic sources increased rapidly following the discovery of the anti-knock properties of lead tetraethyl in diesel engines and Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues. Pb ammunition and fishing tackle currently represent a substantial environmental problem due to their widespread use in recreational and subsistence activities in wildlife habitats. This problem is relevant for birds because their mobility and diverse foraging strategies contribute to potential exposure and subsequent toxicological impairment in a broad array of Environ Sci Pollut Res (2019) 26:12631–12647 species (Haig et al 2014; United Nations Environment Programme 2011a, 2011b). Pb in bottom sediments of water reservoirs is a threat to waders collecting food there, especially in industrialized and urbanized regions

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