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Concentrations of Trace Elements in Adult and Nestling Black-Tailed Gulls (Larus crassirostris)

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Abstract

Trace element concentrations (Cd, Pb, Cr, Al, Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe) were measured in the liver of black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris) adults (n = 10) and nestlings (n = 10) collected at Chilsando Island, Jellanam-do, Korea, in June 2011. Adults gulls, when compared to nestlings, accumulated higher concentrations of all trace elements; Cd, 0.53 and 0.04 µg/g dry weight (dw), respectively, Pb, 0.47 and 0.21 µg/g dw, Cr, 0.08 and 0.05 µg/g dw, Al, 6.56 and 3.94 µg/g dw, Cu, 5.57 and 3.88 µg/g dw, Mn, 3.71 and 1.99 µg/g dw, Zn, 34.1 and 22.9 µg/g dw and Fe, 279 and 171 µg/g dw. No individuals of either adults or nestlings exceeded the threshold level for toxic effects for Cd (>3.0 µg/g dw), Pb (>6.0 µg/g dw) and Cr (>4.0 µg/g dw). Cd, Pb and Cr concentrations were comparable or lower than reported in other gull studies worldwide. None of the other elements present in the liver of black-tailed gull adults and nestlings were at toxic levels.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful on Thomas W. Custer (USGS) for critical reading and comments on the manuscript.

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  1. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University, 1732, Deogyeong-daero, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, 17104, Republic of Korea

    Jungsoo Kim & Jong-Min Oh

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  1. Jungsoo Kim
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  2. Jong-Min Oh
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Correspondence to Jong-Min Oh.

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Kim, J., Oh, JM. Concentrations of Trace Elements in Adult and Nestling Black-Tailed Gulls (Larus crassirostris). Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 98, 619–623 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-017-2053-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-017-2053-2

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