Abstract
Metal accumulation in three passerine bird species, Great Tit (Parus major), Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia), and Blackbird (Turdus merula), was analyzed in a polluted zone where there is a coal-fired power plant (Cercs, Northeast Spain), and a non-polluted zone located 40 km from the source of pollution. Rainwater from the polluted area was acidic (pH 5.2) but the calcareous composition of the soil in this zone buffered the soil and water pools; there were no significant differences between soil pH in the two areas. Metal accumulation in organs and tissues was dependent upon the species and the diet. Blackbirds did not show any significant difference between sites, but Rock Buntings from the polluted zone had higher levels of Cr in feathers and Al in bone, and lower levels of Mn in muscle. Great Tits from the polluted zone showed significantly higher levels of Cr in feathers than those from the unpolluted area. Concerning interspecific differences, Blackbird accumulated significantly more metals than Great Tit or Rock Bunting: higher levels of Cd and Cu in the liver, higher levels of Cr, Pb, Zn and S in bone, and higher levels of S in muscle.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alvarez JB, Vigil R, Redondo R, Gutierrez Maroto A (1992) Elementos tóxicos en suelos próximos a una central térmica española. Rev Toxicol 9:35–39
Amiard-Triquet C (1991) Exposure to trace elements of flamingos living in a Biosphere Reserve, the Camargue (France). Environ Pollut 69:193–201
Blancher PJ, McNicol DK (1988) Breeding biology of tree swallows in relation to wetland acidity. Can J Zool 66:842–849
Burger J, Gochfeld M (1992) Heavy metal and selenium concentrations in black skimmers (Rynchops niger): Gender differences. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 23:431–434
Burger J, Schreiber EA, Gochfeld M (1992) Lead, cadmium, selenium and mercury in seabird feathers from the tropical Mid-Pacific. Environ Toxicol Chem 11:815–822
Burger J, Laska M, Gochfeld M (1993) Metal concentration in feathers of birds from Papua New Guinea forests: Evidence of population. Environ Toxicol Chem 12:1291–1296
Burger J, Pokras M, Chafel R, Gochfeld M (1994) Heavy metal concentrations in feathers of common loons (Gavia immer) in the Northeastern United States and age differences in mercury levels. Environ Monit Assess 30:1–7
Crete M, Potvin F, Walsh P, Benedetti JL, Lefebvre MA, Weber JP, Paillard G, Gagnon J (1987) Pattern cadmium contamination in the liver and kidneys of Moose and White-Tailed Deer in Quebec. Sci Total Environ 66:45–53
Demente'v GP, Gladkov NA (1954) Birds of the Soviet Union Vol. V (pp 531–535, 867), Vol. VI (p 544). Sovetskaya Nauka, Moskva.
Dietary Allowances (1974) Committee and Food and Nutrition Board: Recommended Dietary Allowances 8th Edition. National Academy of Science, Washington DC
Doisy EJ Jr (1973) Micronutrient control on biosynthesis of clotting proteins and cholesterol. In: Hemphill DD (ed) Proceedings of the University of Missouri's 6th Annual Conference on Trace Substances in Environmental Health. University of Missouri Press, Columbia MO, p 193
Froslie A, Haugen A, Holt G, Norheim G (1986) Levels of cadmium in liver and kidneys from Norwegian Cervides. Bull Environ Contamin Toxicol 37:453–459
Glooschenko V, Downes C, Frank R, Braun HE, Addison EM, Hickie J (1988) Cadmium levels in Ontario moose and deer in relation to soil sensibility to acid precipitation. Science Total Environ 71:173–186
Gochfeld M, Burger J (1987) Heavy metal concentrations in the liver of three duck species. Influence of species and sex. Environ Pollut 45:1–15
Gorriz A, Llacuna S, Durfort M, Nadal J (1994) The ciliar tracheal epithelium on passerine birds and small mammals subjected to air pollution. Ultrastructural study. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 27(1):137–142
Hunter BA, Johnson MS (1982) Food chain relationships of copper and cadmium in contaminated grassland ecosystems. Oikos 38(1):108–117
Llacuna S, Gorriz A, Durfort M, Nadal J (1993) Effects of air pollution in passerine birds and small mammals. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 24:59–66
Ma WC (1987) Heavy metal accumulation in the mole, Talpa europaea, and earthworms as an indicator of metal bioavailability in terrestrial environments. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 39:933–938
Maugh TH (1984) Acid rains's effects on people assessed. Science 26:1408–1410
Nyholm NE (1981) Evidence of involvement of aluminium in causation of defective formation of eggshells and of impaired breeding in wild passerine birds. Environ Res 26:367–371
Ormerod SJ (1988) Egg mass and shell thickness in Dippers Cinclus cinclus in relation to stream acidity in Wales and Scotland. Environ Pollut 55:107–121
Pilastro A, Cogiu L, Tallandini L, Turchetto M (1993) The use of bird feathers for the monitoring of cadmium pollution. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 24:355–358
Scheuhammer AM (1991) Effects of acidification on the availability of toxic metals and calcium to wild birds and mammals. Environ Pollut 71(2–4):329–375
Schreider RK, Newman JR (1988) Acid precipitation effects on forest habitat: Implication for wildlife. Conserv Biol 2.249–259
Thompson M, Walsh JN (1989) Handbook of inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, 2nd edition. Blackie, Glasgow-London
Wellburn A (1988) Air pollution and acid rain: The biologic impact. Longman, NY
Weyers B (1988) Investigation of the significance of heavy metal contents of blackbird feathers. Sci Total Environ 77:61–67
Wren CD, Fisher KL, Stokes PM (1988) Levels of lead, cadmium and other elements in mink and otter from Ontario, Canada. Environ Pollut 52:193–202
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Llacuna, S., Gorriz, A., Sanpera, C. et al. Metal accumulation in three species of passerine birds (Emberiza cia, Parus major, and Turdus merula) subjected to air pollution from a coal-fired power plant. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 28, 298–303 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00213105
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00213105