Mercury exposure in birds of prey from Norway: relation to stable carbon and nitrogen isotope signatures in body feathers
Gomez-Ramirez, P.; Bustnes, J.O.; Eulaers, I.; Johnsen, T.V.; Lepoint, G.; Perez-Garcia, J.M.; Garcia-Fernandez, A.J.; Espin, S.; Jaspers, V.L.B. (2023). Mercury exposure in birds of prey from Norway: relation to stable carbon and nitrogen isotope signatures in body feathers. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 110(6): 100. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00128-023-03740-6
In: Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. Springer: New York, NY. ISSN 0007-4861; e-ISSN 1432-0800, more
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| Keywords |
Accipiter gentilis (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]; Haliaeetus albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
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| Author keywords |
Biomonitoring; Feather; Erythrocytes; Red blood cells; Metals |
| Authors | | Top |
- Gomez-Ramirez, P.
- Bustnes, J.O.
- Eulaers, I.
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- Johnsen, T.V.
- Lepoint, G., more
- Perez-Garcia, J.M.
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- Garcia-Fernandez, A.J.
- Espin, S.
- Jaspers, V.L.B.
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| Abstract |
Mercury (Hg) and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were analysed in body feathers from nestlings of white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) (WTE; n = 13) and Northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) (NG; n = 8) and in red blood cells (RBC) from NG (n = 11) from Norway. According to linear mixed model, species factor was significant in explaining the Hg concentration in feathers (LMM; p < 0.001, estimate (WTE) = 2.51, 95% CI = 1.26, 3.76), with concentrations higher in WTE (3.01 ± 1.34 µg g−1 dry weight) than in NG (0.51 ± 0.34 µg g−1 dry weight). This difference and the isotopic patterns for each species, likely reflect their diet, as WTE predominantly feed on a marine and higher trophic-chain diet compared to the terrestrial NG. In addition, Hg concentrations in RBCs of NG nestlings were positively correlated with feather Hg concentrations (Rho = 0.77, p = 0.03), supporting the potential usefulness of nestling body feathers to biomonitor and estimate Hg exposure. Hg levels in both species were generally below the commonly applied toxicity threshold of 5 µg g−1 in feathers, although exceeded in two WTE (6.08 and 5.19 µg g−1 dry weight). |
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