Trace elements in three marine birds breeding on Reunion Island (Western Indian Ocean): Part 1 - Factors influencing their bioaccumulation

Type Article
Date 2007-04
Language English
Author(s) Kojadinovic Jessica1, 2, Le Corre M1, Cosson R.P.2, Bustamante Paco3, 4
Affiliation(s) 1 : Univ La Reunion, ECOMAR, F-97715 St Denis, France.
2 : Univ Nantes, EMI, EA 2663, F-44322 Nantes 3, France.
3 : Univ La Rochelle, IFREMER, CNRS, CRELA,UMR 6217, F-17042 La Rochelle, France.
Source Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology (0090-4341) (Springer), 2007-04 , Vol. 52 , N. 3 , P. 418-430
DOI 10.1007/s00244-005-0225-2
WOS© Times Cited 44
Abstract This work aimed to use seabirds as bioindicators of trace element levels in the tropical waters and food webs of the Western Indian Ocean. The accumulation patterns of selected toxic (Cd and Hg) and essential (Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, and Zn) elements were determined in liver, kidney, and pectoral muscle of 162 marine birds belonging to 3 species collected in Reunion Island between 2002 and 2004. These pelagic seabirds belong to the following species: Barau's Petrel (Pterodroma baraui), Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri bailloni), and White-Tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus). Hg levels were also measured in breast feathers. Highest mean kidney Cd and liver Hg levels (respectively, 27.79 +/- 13.78 mu g.g(-1) dry weight (dw) and 24.31 +/- 14.13 mu g.g(-1) dw) were found in the squid-eating Barau's Petrel. Barau's Petrel feather Hg levels fell in the range of 0.6 to 2.7 mu g.g(-1) dw previously reported for other petrels and shearwaters. The values of the other elements were also in the same range as those previously reported in the published literature concerning related seabirds, although Se and Zn burdens in the Reunion birds were among the highest values. Levels of Zn, Fe, and, to a lesser extent, Cu appeared to be regulated in seabird tissues. Uptake and pathways of metabolism and storage seemed to be similar for the five essential elements. The reproductive status of the bird did not seem to affect element levels, which, moreover, were not significantly different between male and female birds. However, trace elements in sampled birds varied according to the tissue considered, the age of the animal, and its species. Diet was seemingly a major influencing factor. Health status also appeared to have an impact on element levels.
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Kojadinovic Jessica, Le Corre M, Cosson R.P., Bustamante Paco (2007). Trace elements in three marine birds breeding on Reunion Island (Western Indian Ocean): Part 1 - Factors influencing their bioaccumulation. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 52(3), 418-430. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-005-0225-2 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/2488/