Mercury in wetland birds of Iran and Iraq: contrasting resident moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, and migratory Common Teal, Anas crecca, life strategies

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2009 Apr;82(4):450-3. doi: 10.1007/s00128-009-9637-4. Epub 2009 Jan 14.

Abstract

We document mercury distribution in tissues of two waterfowls; moorhen (Gallinula chloropus; n=6), and Common Teal (Anas crecca; n=6) from Shadegan wetlands in Southwestern Iran. Mean value of mercury in moorhen liver was (0.36 Hg microg g(-1) dry weight), Common Teal had (4.34 Hg microg g(-1) dry weight) mercury. In all tissues, Common Teals had significantly higher mercury concentrations than moorhens (U test, p <or= 0.05). Mercury was 12, 9, 8, and 6 times higher in liver, muscle, kidney, and feather of Common Teals. These birds have comparable diets but Common Teals are migratory and moorhens are residents of Shadegan wetlands.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Migration
  • Animals
  • Ducks*
  • Feathers / chemistry
  • Feathers / metabolism
  • Galliformes*
  • Iran
  • Kidney / chemistry
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Mercury Compounds / analysis
  • Mercury Compounds / metabolism*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Wetlands*

Substances

  • Mercury Compounds