Tissue distribution of Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, Pb and Hg in Striated Heron Butorides striatus (Aves: Ardeidae) in a fluvial ecosystem

SIMONETTI, PIA; BOTTÉ, SANDRA E.; BELTZER, ADOLFO HECTOR; MARCOVECCHIO, JORGE E.

CHEMISTRY AND ECOLOGY

TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2014 vol. 30 p. 197 - 205

0275-7540

In this study, the Striated heron (Butorides striatus), a species who reproduces in the Middle Paraná river floodplain, was examined for lead, cadmium, chromium, zinc, nickel, mercury and copper concentrations, using liver, kidney, muscle, vertebra and feathers. The results of the investigation showed a low exposure to chromium since all tissue samples presented concentrations below the detection limit. Similar results were obtained for nickel and lead, except for vertebra. This could be associated with a long-term exposure to these metals. Zinc and copper, both essential metals, were found in all tissues and the concentrations were within the ranges reported in the literature. Mercury was also found in all tissues but at very low concentrations and even to lesser concentrations to those that produce negative effects on characteristics in several species of birds (like reproductive success, food intake). These kinds of studies are needed to interpret the role of organism within environment impacted by different human activities.