Acute and/or chronic contaminations of heavy metals in shorebirds from Korea

Abstract

Zinc, copper, lead and cadmium were measured in the livers, kidneys and bones of Terek Sandpipers (Xenus cinereus), Great Knots (Calidris tenuirostris) and Red-necked Stints (Calidris ruficollis) from the Okgu Mudflat, Korea. Zinc concentrations in bones were significantly higher in Terek Sandpipers than the other two species and differed among tissues in Terek Sandpipers. Copper concentrations in kidneys and bones but not livers differed among species. Copper concentrations in Terek Sandpipers and Great Knots differed among tissues. Zinc and copper concentrations from this study were similar to those reported for other shorebirds. Lead concentrations significantly differed among all species for each tissue and among tissues for each species. Cadmium concentrations were significantly different among species for all tissues and among tissues in Great Knots and Red-necked Stints. In Red-necked Stints, lead and cadmium concentrations in each tissue were higher than the background levels for wild birds and both metals were considerably greater that reported previously for shorebirds. Cadmium concentrations in Terek Sandpipers and Great Knots were similar to concentrations reported in other shorebirds. In Terek Sandpipers and Great Knots, lead concentrations showed chronic exposure but not in Red-necked Stints. Cadmium concentrations showed chronic exposure in all three shorebird species.