Lead and Cadmium in Three Species of Birds in La Florida Lake, San Luis, Argentina.

CID, F. D.; ANTÓN, R. I.; CAVIEDES-VIDAL E.

Mendoza

Congreso; XXI Reunión Científica Anual de la Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo; 2003

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

Metals may bioaccumulate in organisms and affect reproductive success and survival. We detected variable levels of Pb and Cd in the water of La Florida Lake (33°07?S-66°02?W). Since pollutants are biomagnified along the food chain, their concentrations have been extensively examined in top-level predators, such as raptors and fish-eating birds. The objectives were to determine: (A) if Pb and Cd are accumulated in birds from La Florida and (B) if, organs and species have a differential accumulation pattern of heavy metals. We determined the concentrations of Cd and Pb in organs and tissues (M: muscle, B: bone, L: liver, G: gonad and Br: brain) of 2 strict aquatic fish-eating bird species Podiceps major (Pm) and Phalacrocorax olivaceus (Po) and one terrestrial omnivorous birds Pitangus sulphuratus (Ps). Maximum and minimum levels in ug/g dry mass for: Pb were 62.80-0.25 and for Cd were 2.87-0.01. Concentration among organs (Wilcoxon test, p