Metal content of body tissues, diet items, and dung of ruffed grouse near the copper–nickel smelters at Sudbury, Ont.

Abstract

Copper, nickel, and iron levels in the crop items and dung of ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) collected near the copper–nickel smelters at Sudbury, Ontario, during May and September were up to 50-fold higher than those of grouse from an uncontaminated area. Major crop items varied seasonally but did not differ between birds from the two sites. Levels of copper and iron in several body tissues did not differ between birds from the two areas. Mean copper levels in the kidneys, livers, and breast muscle ranged from 11.7 to 24.6, 12.6 to 16.3, and 1.5 to 2.3 μg∙g−1 of ovendried weight, respectively; mean iron levels in these tissues ranged from 254 to 395, 1899 to 3905, and 11 to 20 μg∙g−1, respectively. Nickel levels, however, were elevated in the kidneys and livers of Sudbury area birds; mean nickel levels in these tissues were 2.5 and 2.3 μg∙g−1, respectively, at the Sudbury site, compared with 0.9 and 0.8 μg∙g−1, respectively, at the uncontaminated site. Nickel levels in the breast muscle of birds from the two sites did not differ and ranged from undetectable levels to 1.4 μg∙g−1. Iron and copper levels were higher in the kidneys and muscle of birds collected during May from both sites. Geographical and seasonal differences in metal content of grouse body tissues are discussed in relation to metal-contaminated diet items and the reproductive cycle.