Biomonitoring Of Heavy Metal Pollution Research Articles

Screening of seaweeds in the East China Sea as potential bio-monitors of heavy metals.

Seaweeds are good bio-monitors of heavy metal pollution and have been included in European coastal monitoring programs. However, data for seaweed species in China are scarce or missing. In this study, we explored the potential of seaweeds as bio-monitor by screening the natural occurring seaweeds in the "Kingdom of seaweed and shellfish" at Dongtou Islands, the East China Sea. Totally, 12 seaweed species were collected from six sites, with richness following the sequence of Rhodophyta > Phaeophyta > Chlorophyta. The concentration of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb, Cd, As) in the seaweeds was determined, and the bioaccumulation coefficient was calculated. A combination of four seaweeds, Pachydictyon coriaceum, Gelidium divaricatum, Sargassum thunbergii, and Pterocladiella capillacea, were proposed as bio-monitors due to their high bioaccumulation capabilities of specific heavy metals in the East China Sea and hence hinted the importance of using seaweed community for monitoring of pollution rather than single species. Our results provide first-hand data for the selection of bio-monitor species for heavy metals in the East China Sea and contribute to selection of cosmopolitan bio-monitor communities over geographical large area, which will benefit the establishment of monitoring programs for coastal heavy metal contamination.

Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in Water, Sediments, and Tissues and Their Histopathological Effects on Anodonta cygnea (Linea, 1876) in Kabul River, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

The present investigation aimed to assess the concentrations of selected heavy metals in water and sediments and their bioaccumulation in tissues of freshwater mussels and their histopathological effects on the digestive gland, gills, and gonads of Anodonta cygnea. Water, sediments, and freshwater mussel samples were collected at four sites, that is, reference and polluted sites, along the Kabul River, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The polluted sites were receiving effluents from the industrial, agricultural, municipal, and domestic sources. The order of metals in the water was Zn > Pb > Ni > Cu > Mn > Fe > Cr > Cd, in sediments the order was Fe > Zn > Cr > Ni > Mn > Pb > Cu > Cd, and in the soft tissues the order was Fe > Zn > Mn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Ni > Cd. Histopathological alterations observed in polluted sites of Kabul River were inflammation, hydropic vacuolation, and lipofuscin pigments (in digestive gland), gill lamellar fusion, dilated hemolymphatic sinus, clumping, and generation of cilia and hemocytic infiltration (in gills), and atresia, necrosis, granulocytoma, hemocytic infiltration, and lipofuscin pigments (in gonads). The histopathological alterations in the organs of Anodonta cygnea can be considered as reliable biomarkers in biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

Transcriptome analysis and discovery of genes involved in immune pathways from coelomocytes of Onchidium struma after bacterial challenge

Onchidium struma widely distributes in subtidal and low-tidal zones, which is considered to be an economical species with rich nutrition, a valuable biomonitor for heavy metal pollution and a representative species for evolution from ocean to land. However, there is limited genetic information available for O. struma development. This study compared transcriptomic profiles of coelomocytes from normal and bacteria infected O. struma by Illumina-based paired-end sequencing to explore the molecular immune mechanism of O. struma against bacterial infection. After assembly, a total of 92,450 unigenes with an average length of 1019 bp were obtained. Approximately 34,964 (37.82%) unigenes were annotated in the Nr NCBI database and 40.1% of unigenes were similar with that of Aplysia californica. Among them, 7609 unigenes were classified into three Gene Ontology (GO) categories: biological process (3250 unigenes, 42.7%), cellular component (2,281, 30.0%) and molecular function (2078 unigenes, 27.3%). A total of 22,776 unigenes were aligned to the Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG) of proteins and classified into 25 functional categories. Following bacterial infection, 10,623 differently expressed unigenes (DEGs) were identified, including 7644 up-regulated and 2979 down-regulated unigenes. Further KEGG analysis annotated 11,681 DEGs to 42 pathways, and 11 pathways were identified to be related with diseases and immune system. To our knowledge, it was first time to analyze transcriptome profiles of O. struma. Results of the present study will provide valuable theoretical resources for future genetic and genomic research on O. struma. The research results will be helpful for improving the efficiency and quality of artificial breeding, establishing genetic linkage map, and enhancing health management for this species.

The usability of Juniperus virginiana L. as a biomonitor of heavy metal pollution in Bishkek City, Kyrgyzstan

Uncontrolled and unplanned urbanization and industrialization due to increase of population and rapid industrial development have created severe environmental problems in Kyrgyzstan during the last few decades. In this study, Juniperus virginiana, a dioecious species, was employed in order to make assessment of the heavy metal pollution rate in the area and of the heavy metal pollution impact on the mineral nutrient status of the plant. For this study, leaf (washed and unwashed) and bark samples of J. virginiana, and its co-located soil samples were collected from eight different stations, all in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek, in 2012 vegetation period. The standard procedures were used and the determinations of heavy metal and nutrient element contents (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb and Zn) in all samples were done using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy. According to our measurements, J. virginiana was found to be capable of accumulating a considerable amount of metals and the mineral nutrient uptake pattern was altered because of metal deposition in the plant, which showed a contamination risk in the area.

Preconcentration with Bacillus subtilis–Immobilized Amberlite XAD-16: Determination of Cu2+ and Ni2+ in River, Soil, and Vegetable Samples

ABSTRACTSolid-phase extraction (SPE) method was developed for the preconcentration of Cu2+ and Ni2+ before their determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Bacillus subtilis–immobilized Amberlite XAD-16 was used as biosorbent. Effects of critical parameters such as pH, flow rate of samples, amount of Amberlite XAD-16 and biosorbent, sample volume, eluent type, and volume and concentration of eluent on column preconcentration of Cu2+ and Ni2+ were optimized. Applicability of the method was validated through the analysis of the certified reference tea sample (NCS ZC73014). Sensitivity of ICP-OES was improved by 36.4-fold for Cu2+ and 38.0-fold for Ni2+ by SPE-ICP-OES method. Limit of quantitation (LOQ) was found to be 0.7 and 1.1 ng/ml for Cu2+ and Ni2+, respectively. Concentrations of Cu2+ and Ni2+ were determined by ICP-OES after application of developed method. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) were lower than 4.9% for Cu2+ and 7.9% for Ni2+. The Tigris River that irrigates a large agricultural part of Southeast Turkey is polluted by domestic and industrial wastes. Concentrations of Cu2+ and Ni2+ were determined in water, soil, and some edible vegetables as a biomonitor for heavy metal pollution.

Marine sponges with contrasting life histories can be complementary biomonitors of heavy metal pollution in coastal ecosystems

In this study, we compared the usefulness of a long-living sponge (Hymeniacidon heliophila, Class Demospongiae) and a short-living one (Paraleucilla magna, Class Calcarea) as biomonitors of metallic pollution. The concentrations of 16 heavy metals were analyzed in both species along a gradient of decreasing pollution from the heavily polluted Guanabara Bay to the less impacted coastal islands in Rio de Janeiro, SE Brazil (SW Atlantic). The levels of most elements analyzed were higher in H. heliophila (Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Hg, Ni, and Sn) and P. magna (Ni, Cu, Mn, Al, Ti, Fe, Pb, Co, Cr, Zn, and V) collected from the heavily polluted bay when compared with the cleanest sites. Hymeniacidon heliophila accumulates 11 elements more efficiently than P. magna. This difference may be related to their skeleton composition, histological organization, symbiont bacteria and especially to their life cycle. Both species can be used as a biomonitors of metallic pollution, but while Hymeniacidon heliophila was more effective in concentrating most metals, Paraleucilla magna is more indicated to detect recent pollutant discharges due to its shorter life cycle. We suggest that the complementary use of species with contrasting life histories can be an effective monitoring strategy of heavy metals in coastal environments.

Benthic macroalgae as biological indicators of heavy metal pollution in the marine environments: A biomonitoring approach for pollution assessment

Metal pollution in the marine coastline environment is an important topical issue in the context of ecological disturbance and climate change. Heavy metal contaminations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in seawater and surficial sediments, as well as macroalgal diversity, were determined in six different locations along the coast of the Gulf of Kutch in India. The marine coastline environment was found to be enriched with Cd and Zn in comparison to other metals. Significant (p≤0.05) inter-elemental positive-correlations were observed between Fe–Mn, Fe–Cu, Fe–Cr, Fe–Zn, Cr–Cu, Cu–Mn, and Cd–Zn, as well as negative-correlations between Cd–Pb, Ni–Pb, and Zn–Pb. Though genus specific macroalgal responses to heavy metal accumulation were significant, species specific response was insignificant (p≤0.05). The relative abundance of metals in macroalgae followed the order of Fe>Zn>Mn>Cu>Cd>Cr>Ni>Pb. The high uptake of metals in green algae (Ulva lactuca and Enteromorpha intestinalis) and brown algae (Padina gymnospora and Dictyota bartayresiana) suggested that these algae may be used as potential biomonitors for heavy metal pollution. Three pollution indicators, Contamination Factor (CF), Enrichment Factor (EF) and Geochemical Index (Igeo) were calculated to determine the degree of metal pollution in the marine coastline and the contribution of anthropogenic influence.

Morphological abnormalities in periphytic diatoms as a tool for biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in a river

In situ effect of heavy metal enrichment on periphytic diatom community of a river was studied using metal diffusing substrates. Periphytic algae growing on these substrates showed intracellular accumulation of test metals (Cu, Zn and Pb) which inhibited growth, as evidenced by reduced cell number, and increased morphological abnormalities in diatoms. In the case of Cu and Zn, percent deformed diatom frustules showed a strong relationship (r2>0.80) with intracellular metal content and metal release from the substrate. Frustule deformity was evident in 15 of the 19 common diatom taxa, occurring frequently in Fragilaria capucina, Gomphonema parvulum, Nitzschia palea, Pinnularia conica and Ulnaria ulna. Altered pattern of striations and changed outline of frustules were the only deformities in the control; however, raphe modification and mixed deformities (several deformities in the same frustule) were additionally observed under metal stress. Raphe modifications were more frequent in the case of Cu exposure, while abnormalities in striations and mixed deformities were more prevalent in diatoms exposed to Zn or Pb. The present study shows the utility of morphological abnormalities in diatom frustules as an effective tool for biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in waterbodies.

Histopathological effects of zinc (Zn) on mantle, digestive gland and foot in freshwater mussel, Anodonta cygnea (Linea, 1876)

800x600 800x600 Heavy metals are the most important pollutants in aquatic ecosystems that may cause adverse effects on its biota. In this study, histopathological effects of zinc (Zn) and their incidence time on swan mussel, Anodonta cygnea , were studied. Exposure to Zn was done during 18 days and histopathological investigations were conducted in mantle, digestive gland and foot in days 0, 4, 9, and 18. Histopathological changes observed were: damages of epithelium cells with increasing mucous cells (in mantle) , atrophy of digestive tubules and haemocyte aggregation (in digestive gland) , and hypoplasia, increasing mucous cells and myocyte swelling (in foot). Moreover, granuloma and tissue rupture were found in all organs. Primary histopathological changes were observed in fourth day of examination in all of studied organs. Results showed that sensitivity of digestive gland is lesser than mantle and foot in exposure to Zn. Also the results indicated the histopathological alterations in the organs of swan mussel can be considered as reliable biomarkers in biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Table Normal; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0mm 5.4pt 0mm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0mm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;}

Regulation of Metabolites, Gene Expression, and Antioxidant Enzymes to Environmentally Relevant Lead and Zinc in the Halophyte Suaeda salsa

As a pioneer halophyte, Suaeda salsa can grow in the intertidal zones, which are often polluted by heavy metals from both terrigenous wastewater and tidewater containing high concentrations of heavy metals. Therefore S. salsa is potentially suitable as a biomonitor for heavy-metal pollution in the intertidal zones. In this study, regulation of metabolites, gene expression, and antioxidant status of environmentally relevant lead and zinc were characterized using NMR-based metabolomics, real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and antioxidant enzyme activities. In Pb-exposed S. salsa samples, only decreased tyrosine was observed, with statistical significance approaching 0.05. Metabolic biomarkers in Zn-exposed S. salsa samples included increased amino acids (valine, isoleucine, leucine, threonine, asparagine, and phenylalanine), and decreased acetate, glucose, ferulate, and fumarate. Increased succinate, aspartate, and malonate and decreased fructose were uniquely found in mixed Pb- and Zn-exposed samples in addition to the similar metabolic changes such as alanine, glucose, fumarate, and ferulate in Zn-exposed samples. Based on the metabolic biomarkers, gene expressions, and antioxidant enzyme activities, both Zn and mixed Pb and Zn induced significant oxidative stress and disturbances in energy metabolism, photosynthesis/glucogenesis, and protein biodegradation in S. salsa. However, environmentally relevant Pb could induce slight oxidative stress in S. salsa as indicated by increased catalase gene expression levels and catalase activities.

Quantitative proteomics of heavy metal stress responses in Sydney rock oysters

Currently, there are few predictive biomarkers in key biomonitoring species, such as oysters, that can detect heavy metal pollution in coastal waterways. Several attributes make oysters superior to other organisms for positive biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution. In particular, they are filter feeders with a high capacity for bioaccumulation. In this study, we used two proteomics approaches, namely label-free shotgun proteomics based on SDS-PAGE gel separation and gas phase fractionation, to investigate the heavy metal stress responses of Sydney rock oysters. Protein samples were prepared from haemolymph of oysters exposed to 100 μg/L of PbCl(2), CuCl(2), or ZnCl(2) for 4 days in closed aquaria. Peptides were identified using a Bivalvia protein sequence database, due to the unavailability of a complete oyster genome sequence. Statistical analysis revealed 56 potential biomarker proteins, as well as several protein biosynthetic pathways to be greatly impacted by metal stress. These have the potential to be incorporated into bioassays for prevention and monitoring of heavy metal pollution in Australian oyster beds. The study confirms that proteomic analysis of biomonitoring species is a promising approach for assessing the effects of environmental pollution, and our experiments have provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying oyster stress responses.

Baseline trace metals in bivalve molluscs from the Beagle Channel, Patagonia (Argentina)

In order to test the aptitude of individuals of Mytilus chilensis as biomonitors of heavy metals pollution in seawater, several samples of this mollusk together with surrounding seawater samples were collected along 170 km of the coastal area of the Beagle Channel (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) in 2005 and 2007. The study, performed in seven locations strategically selected, involved the determination of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in seawaters and mollusks by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and the calculation of the respective concentration factors (CFs). Obtained data were standardized and analyzed by multivariate techniques in order to establish differences between sampling sites and periods. Obtained results will be shown and the bioaccumulation ability of M. chilensis will be evaluated by comparison with results obtained for Mytilus species in different geographical marine areas. A fully discussion on the possibility of employing the results as background levels for comparative purposes in other marine waters of the world will be provided. The possible harm derived from human consumption of these mollusks will be also assessed.

Lead contamination reduces chlorophyll biosynthesis and genomic template stability in Brassica rapa L.

In recent years, multiple biomarker systems have been frequently used to measure the genotoxic effects of environmental pollutants on living organisms. In this research, fodder turnip ( Brassica rapa L.) seedlings exposed to 0.5–5 mM concentrations of lead nitrate were used to evaluate the alterations in δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) level, δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity, photosynthetic pigments content (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid) and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles. Analytical studies by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) demonstrated that lead (Pb) accumulation in the roots and above ground parts of the seedlings increases with an increase in Pb concentration. Lead-induced toxicity resulted in the build-up ALA and reduced activity of ALAD, and photosynthetic pigments content in the leaves. For the RAPD analyses, 11 RAPD primers of 60–70% GC content were found to produce unique polymorphic band profiles and subsequently were used to produce a total of 126 bands of 189–2928 bp. The changes occurring in RAPD profiles of the leaves following Pb treatment included variation became evident as disappearance and/or appearance of DNA bands compared with the normal seedlings. It was found that the effect of changes was dose-dependent. These results indicated that genomic template stability was significantly affected at all Pb concentrations tested. The general tendency of genomic template stability, ALAD activity and photosynthetic pigments content of the leaves was a gradual decrease with an increase in Pb concentration. We concluded that RAPD analysis in conjunction with chlorophyll biosynthesis would a powerful ecotoxicological tool in biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution.

Assessment of environmental contamination using feathers of Bubulcus ibis L., as a biomonitor of heavy metal pollution, Pakistan

Concentrations of metals such as Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed in the feathers of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) from three breeding colonies in the Punjab province, Pakistan. The mean concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe, Pb and Mn were significantly different between the three study sites (River Chenab, River Ravi and Rawal Lake Reservoir). The mean concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe and Mn were significantly greater at the River Chenab heronry and Cr, Co, Zn, and Pb concentrations at the River Ravi heronry. The feathers of cattle egrets collected from the Rawal Lake Reservoir heronry were least contaminated. Multivariate statistical methods viz., Factor Analysis based on Principal Component Analysis (FA/PCA); Hierarchical Cluster analyses (HACA), and Correlation Analyses identified relatively similar associations of metals and their sources of input. Metals such as Ca, Mg, and K were related with natural input from parent rock material whereas trace metals viz., Cu, Cd, Co, Pb, Ni, and Zn were associated mainly with anthropogenic processes. Metals such as Fe, Mn, and Li were either correlated with natural input or with anthropogenic activities. Concentration of heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, and Cr were well above the threshold level that can cause adverse effects in birds and pose menace to the cattle egrets population in Pakistan. The study suggested that the feathers of cattle egret could be used as a bio-monitor of the local heavy metals contamination.

Evaluation of induction of metallothionein-like proteins (MTLPs) in the polychaetes for biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in marine sediments

Polychaetes are suitable organisms for evaluation of impact of sediment pollution. We evaluated toxicity of cadmium and copper and measured metallothionein-like proteins (MTLPs) in the polychaete Perinereis nuntia. At the same concentration ranges copper was unexpectedly more toxic than cadmium. Copper also caused no significant increase in MTLPs in the polychaetes. When P. nuntia and another polychaete species, Cirratulus cirratus were cultured in the contaminated sediments collected from Lake Sihwa (Korea), a high mortality of 80% was observed on day 6 in P. nuntia in the sediment with the highest metal concentration. However, no mortality was observed up to 35 days in C. cirratus in any sediment. MTLP contents between two species also varied. These findings suggest that MTLP induction response in the polychaetes varies with the metal type and species and it may be used as a biomarker of sediment pollution in the polychaetes after further validation and field trials.

Preliminary studies on the amenability of three marine intertidal gastropods to biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in Ghanaian coastal water body

Preliminary studies on the amenability of three marine intertidal gastropods to biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution in Ghanaian coastal water body

Benthic foraminifera for heavy metal pollution monitoring: A case study from the central Adriatic Sea coast of Italy

Benthic foraminifera are increasingly used as environmental bio-indicators of pollution in coastal and marginal marine settings. Their community structure provides information on the general characteristics of the environment and some species are sensitive to specific environmental parameters. Among various criteria, the occurrence of test abnormalities may represent a useful bioindicator for monitoring environmental impacts in coastal regions. A study of living benthic foraminifera was carried out in 42 sediment samples collected from the central Adriatic coast of Italy. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages from this area are rich, well preserved, and dominated by Ammonia parkinsoniana, and subordinately by Ammonia tepida, Aubignyna perlucida, Eggerella scabra, and Nonionella turgida. Heavy metal concentrations have been analysed which indicate low polluted environmental conditions. Foraminiferal species and heavy metal concentrations were investigated both with bivariate (correlation matrix) and multivariate techniques of principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. Statistical analysis shows a possible control of these pollutants both on the taxonomic composition of the benthic foraminiferal assemblages and the development of test malformations. Increasing heavy metal contents lead to an increase in relative abundance of A. tepida A. perlucida, N. turgida and E. scabra, and a relative concurrent decrease in relative abundance of A. parkinsoniana and higher percentages of deformed specimens (FAI) and species (FMI). Our results confirm that A. parkinsoniana prefers clean to low polluted environments and show that it is a very sensitive and un-tolerant species to heavy metal pollution being deeply affected by heavy metal content even at low concentrations. Our findings also confirm the capacity of the A. tepida to tolerate increasing heavy metal concentrations, and highlights that A. perlucida, N. turgida and E. scabra can be considered as tolerant species at least in low polluted environments. Following this, A. parkinsoniana and A. tepida can be reciprocally considered good bioindicator of heavy metal pollution over the surveyed area. The development of test abnormalities with a variety of malformations is a noticeable feature over the study area where the living deformed assemblages are largely dominated by a few species. The low percentages of deformed specimens (Foraminiferal Abnormality Index up to 4.7, with 2 on average) match well with the low concentrations of heavy metals that lead to low polluted environmental conditions. This study confirms and supports the suitability of studying benthic foraminifera as a technique for the in situ continuous bio-monitoring of heavy metal pollution of coastal marine sediments.

The use of Aleppo pine needles as a bio-monitor of heavy metals in the atmosphere

The needles of Aleppo pine ( Pinus halepensis L.) tree were tested as a possible bio-monitor of heavy metal pollution in Amman City, Jordan. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn were determined in soils, unwashed and washed needles collected from different sites of the city, viz. industrial, residential and on the roadside of a busy high way. The analyte concentrations were compared with that of samples from the control site (uncontaminated area that was 60 km away from Amman City). The results of the investigation indicate that the industrial site has high levels of the metal pollutants except for Pb and Cu which is much higher on samples from the roadside. The highest concentrations were registered for Pb and Zn where 10 and 1210 μg g −1, respectively, were found in soil, thereby leading into the contamination factor of 13 and 17 as compared with samples from the control site. The results obtained indicate that P. halepensis L. needles are useful bio-monitor of the heavy metals in the arid environment.

Testing the use of juvenile Salmo trutta L. as biomonitors of heavy metal pollution in freshwater

Individual specimens of Salmo trutta were captured, from four sampling sites in Galician rivers (NW Spain) affected by different types of contamination: diffuse urban waste, run-off from an unrestored dump at a copper mine and waste from a fish farm. The ages of the captured trouts were established and only those belonging to the 1+ age class were selected for study. The liver and kidney were removed from each fish and analysed to determine the tissue concentrations of Cu, Fe and Zn. The results obtained showed that: (i) the use of 1+ individuals allowed differentiation of contamination scenarios on the basis of the tissue concentrations of metal; (ii) the use of 1+ individuals allowed standardization of the time of exposure, which was sufficiently long for differential uptake to have taken place; (iii) liver tissue provided the best results as, less effort was required than for processing kidney tissue, and significant differences between sampling sites were detected because the intrapopulational variability in metal levels was lower than for kidney, and (iv) the levels of elements detected were not affected by basal tissue concentrations or residual concentrations due to past contamination, which older trouts may have been exposed to. In addition, the use of 1+ trout may provide better results in annual environmental sampling surveys.

The importance of exogenous contamination on heavy metal levels in bird feathers. A field experiment with free-living great tits, Parus major

Feathers have been used extensively as non-destructive biomonitors for heavy metal pollution. Birds excrete heavy metals into growing feathers during moult. After feather formation, the feathers become isolated from the rest of the body, suggesting that the feathers contain information of circulating heavy metal concentrations in the blood at the time of their development. However, heavy metal levels may change due to exogenous contamination, resulting in higher concentrations in feathers that are exposed most to exogenous conditions. We studied the effect of exogenous contamination in free-living adult great tits (Parus major) by measuring--within the same individual--the concentrations of twelve heavy metals (Ag, Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Tl and Zn) in three outermost tail feathers that were exposed to exogenous contamination for different periods of time. In particular, for each individual heavy metal levels in the removed left outermost tail feather were compared with levels in the regrown left and the right outermost tail feather, that were both removed 40 days after removal of the original left feather. This study revealed that, with the exception of mercury, the concentration of all heavy metals was significantly different among the three outermost tail feathers. Our results suggest that concentrations of most heavy metals build up with increasing age of the feather, indicating that exogenous contamination may be an important source of heavy metals in feathers. However, we found no significant differences in Hg concentrations and we found only small differences in Zn concentrations among tail feathers. Consequently, the concentrations of zinc and mercury in feathers are probably primarily due to endogenous deposition.