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Heavy metals and selenium in feathers of three shorebird species from Delaware bay

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Abstract

Concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, chromium and manganese were examined in breast feathers of shorebirds migrating north through Cape May, New Jersey in 1991 and 1992. Although we predicted that metal levels would be positively correlated with weight, this was only true for mercury in red knots (Calidris canutus). Selenium was negatively correlated with weight in red knots. No other significant correlation of metal concentrations with weight were found. Lead and mercury were highest in sanderlings (C. alba). Selenium and manganese were highest in red knots, while chromium and cadmium levels were highest in semipalmated sandpipers (C. pusilus). For 1991, interspecific metals differences were significant for all metals except lead. For semipalmated sandpipers, cadmium and chromium concentrations were significantly higher in 1991 while managese concentrations were significantly higher in 1992.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, 08855, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA

    Joanna Burger, Susan Seyboldt & Neil Morganstein

  2. Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 08855, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA

    Joanna Burger

  3. NJ Department of Fish, Game and Wildlife, Endangered and Nongame Species Program, 08625, Trenton, New Jersey, USA

    Kathleen Clark

Authors
  1. Joanna Burger
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  2. Susan Seyboldt
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  3. Neil Morganstein
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  4. Kathleen Clark
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Burger, J., Seyboldt, S., Morganstein, N. et al. Heavy metals and selenium in feathers of three shorebird species from Delaware bay. Environ Monit Assess 28, 189–198 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00547037

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00547037

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