Study on elements concentrations on seabird feathers by instrumental neutron activation analysis.

Carolina Yume Sawamura Theophilo,Edson Gonçalves Moreira,Fernanda Imperatrice Colabuono,Rubens Cesar Lopes Figueira,Rosalinda Carmela Montone

doi:10.15392/bjrs.v7i2a.599

Abstract

Seabirds are very sensitive to environmental changes and due to their large longevity they are also sensitive to cumulative impacts. These birds usually occupy the higher trophic levels. White-chinned petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) and black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) are Procellariiformes, which is a seabird order, composed of 4 families. In the last years, researches are being done and actions are being taken to reduce the mortality of albatrosses and petrels caused by human activities. Due to the great ecological importance of these birds and the developed work with Procellariiformes, this study purpose was to quantify the Br, Cl, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Na and V elements in white-chinned petrel and black-browed albatross feathers. Bird specimens were killed accidentally by pelagic longline fisheries operating off southern Brazil. Feathers were cleaned with acetone and then milled in a cryogenic mill. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) was used for quantification of the element concentrations and measurements of induced activities were performed in a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector for gamma ray spectrometry. The obtained results on feathers showed that concentrations in these birds are not higher than others studies with the same species and, with exception of Br, there are no significant differences between elements mean concentrations in the two seabirds.

Highlights

IntroductionChemical and biological variations are intrinsic characteristics of the ecosystems, so their conservation and management depend essentially on the correct interpretation of such modifications and their effects on the fauna and flora
Physical, chemical and biological variations are intrinsic characteristics of the ecosystems, so their conservation and management depend essentially on the correct interpretation of such modifications and their effects on the fauna and flora
As seabirds are generally top predators with a long life and prolonged breeding cycles, they tend to accumulate pollutants, due to the great importance of these birds and the developed work with Procellariiformes, the main aim of this study was to propose the quantification of the elements: Br, Cl, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Na and V in White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) and Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris) feathers

Summary

Introduction

Chemical and biological variations are intrinsic characteristics of the ecosystems, so their conservation and management depend essentially on the correct interpretation of such modifications and their effects on the fauna and flora. Procellariiformes is a seabird order, composed of 4 families, and several countries with important breeding and feeding areas have shown interest in the conservation of these birds in the last decades and have invested in research and actions that reduce the mortality of albatrosses and petrels caused by human actions. One of these initiatives was the creation of the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP), which Brazil has been a signatory since 2001. Among the actions suggested for conservation are the continuous monitoring of populations, permanent research in the main reproductive colonies and the study of dispersion and migration of the species [5]

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