Mercury, cadmium, lead, and selenium in three waterbird species nesting in Galveston Bay, Texas, USA

King KA; Cromartie E

Mercury, cadmium, lead, and selenium in three waterbird species nesting in Galveston Bay, Texas, USA

Date

1986

Authors

King KA

Cromartie E

Abstract

Heavy metal and selenium concentrations were determined in Olivaceous Cormorants (Phalacrocorax olivaceus ), Laughing gulls (Larus atricilla ), and Black Skimmers (Rynchops niger ) nesting in Galveston Bay, Texas, during 1980-81. Lead was detected at low levels in a small proportion of the liver samples. Mercury was present in all livers sampled, the highest levels being found in cormorants (7.8 ppm) and skimmers (16 ppm). Concentrations were considerably lower than those reported in birds from mercury-contaminated lakes in northern United States and Canada. Cadmium and selenium were detected in 93 and 95% of the kidneys. Cadmium was highest in gulls and skimmers with a maximum value of 16 ppm. Selenium levels were similar among species except for higher concentrations in gulls collected in 1981

Description

pp-94

Keywords

ASW,Galveston Bay, Birds, Cadmium, D 04801 Pollution monitoring and detection, Galveston Bay, Gulls, H SE1.21 WILDLIFE, Heavy metals, Lakes, Larus atricilla, Laughing gull, Lead, levels, liver, Marine birds, Marine pollution, Mercury, Nesting, O 4020 POLLUTION - ORGANISMS, P 1000 MARINE POLLUTION, Phalacrocorax olivaceus, Q1 01504 Effects on organisms, Rynchops niger, Selenium, Texas, USA, USA,Texas,Galveston Bay, X 24166 Environmental impact