Concentrations of heavy metals in American Woodcock harvested in Connecticut

Hiller, BJ; Barclay, JS

HERO ID

626030

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2010

Language

English

PMID

20411249

HERO ID 626030
In Press No
Year 2010
Title Concentrations of heavy metals in American Woodcock harvested in Connecticut
Authors Hiller, BJ; Barclay, JS
Journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Volume 60
Issue 1
Page Numbers 156-164
Abstract The American woodcock is an important migratory species to both consumptive and nonconsumptive users throughout the species range. Woodcock populations have been declining steadily since surveys began in 1968. Laboratory and field studies have demonstrated several adverse effects associated with metals in other species, which has led to their inclusion as potential contributing factors to the woodcock population decline. We investigated the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and selenium (Se) in pectoral muscle (n = 100), livers (n = 108), and kidneys (n = 104) and Pb in wing bones (n = 53) from woodcock harvested in Connecticut. Cd concentrations were elevated in 99% of woodcock livers and kidneys; 30% of kidneys were above 100 μg/g dry weight, a Cd level of reported adverse tissue and reproductive effects in other species. Hg and Cr concentrations were below current biologically significant thresholds. Asc, Pb, and Se in soft tissues were associated with lead shot use in collection. Se in 24% of livers was above 10 μg/g dry weight, the reported threshold for avian health. Wing-bone Pb was elevated above 20 μg/g in 61% of adults and 23% of juveniles examined. Our findings indicate that woodcock are being exposed to potentially damaging levels of at least two metals with known effects in other species.
Doi 10.1007/s00244-010-9525-2
Pmid 20411249
Wosid WOS:000286600500016
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments |WOS:000286600500016
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Is Qa No