Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Selected radionuclides and heavy metals in skeletons of birds of prey from eastern Poland

  • Published:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Results of determination of 137Cs, 90Sr, 40K, 239+240Pu, and heavy metals: Mn, Zn, Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Co, and Cu in skeletons of 15 species of birds of prey from Eastern Poland were presented. The greatest amounts of 137Cs and 90Sr (70 Bq/kg and 33 Bq/kg, respectively) were found in rough-legged buzzards (Buteo lagopus), winter visitors, coming from former soviet nuclear test places. Concentrations of 239+240Pu in raptors were negligible, only lesser-spotted eagles (Aquila pomarina) revealed slightly higher values. Median concentrations of 137Cs and 90Sr in raptors which feed predominantly on small mammals were higher in comparison to concentrations found in other ones preferring different trophy. The most noticeable was a very high lead concentration (reaching above 600 mg/kg) in birds which utilize un-retrieved hunting casualties as their prey.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kalisinska, E., Salicki, W., Myslek, P., Kavetska, K.M., Jackowski, A.: Using the mallard to biomonitor heavy metal contamination of wetlands in north-western Poland. Sci. Total Environ. 320, 145–161 (2004)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Nam, D.-H., Anan, Y., Ikemoto, T., Okabe, Y., Kim, E.-Y., Subramanian, A., Saeki, K., Tanabe, S.: Specific accumulation of 20 trace elements in great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from Japan. Environ. Pollut. 134, 503–514 (2005)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Sazykina, T., Kryshev, I.I.: Radiation effects in wild terrestrial vertebrates: the EPIC collection. J. Environ. Radioact. 88, 11–48 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hu, Q.-H., Weng, J.-Q., Wang, J.-S.: Sources of anthropogenic radionuclides in environment: a review. J. Environ. Radioact. (2008) doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2008.08.004

  5. Eisenbud, M., Gesell, T.: Environmental Radioactivity, 4th edn. Academic Press, San Diego USA (1997)

    Google Scholar 

  6. UNSCEAR Report, Sources and effects of ionizing radiation, Vol. II, Anex J. United Nations Publication, New York (2000)

  7. Alloway, B.J., Ayres, D.C.: Chemical Principles of Environmental Pollution. Stanley Thornes Publ, London (1998)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kabata-Pendias, A., Pendias, H.: Biogeochemia pierwiastków śladowych. PWN, Warszawa (1993)

  9. Komosa, A., Kitowski, I.: Elevated lead concentration in skeletons of diurnal birds of prey Falconioformes and owls Strigiformes from eastern Poland—ecological approach and review. Ecol. Chem. Eng. S15, 349–358 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Cramp, S., Simmons, K.E.L.: Handbook of Birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Birds of the Western Palearctic, Vol. 2: Hawks to Bustards. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Martin, P.A., Campbell, D., Hughes, K., McDaniel, T.: Lead in the tissues of terrestrial raptors in southern Ontario, Canada, 1995–2001. Sci. Total Environ. 391, 96–103 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Komosa, A.: Physicochemical Problems of Determination and Behaviour of Plutonium Isotopes in the Environment Especially Beta Radiating 241Pu. Maria Curie Sklodowska University, Poland (2003) (in Polish)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Mietelski, J.W.: Nuclear spectrometry in radionuclide bioavailability study of “fuel like hot particles” in forest environment. Nuclear Physics Institute Report 1921/B, 2003, www.ifj.edu.pl/reports/2003.html

  14. Solecki, J., Chibowski, S.: Studies on soil samples mineralization conditions preceding the determination of 90Sr. J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 247, 165–169 (2001)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Solecki, J.: Studies of 90Sr concentration and migration in the soils of the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District. J. Radioanal. Nucl. Chem. 274, 27–38 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Pinta, M.: Absorption Atomic Spectrometry, Applications in Chemical Analysis. PWN, Warsaw (1977) (in Polish)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Burger, J., Gochfeld, M.: Metals and radionuclides in birds and eggs from Amchitka and Kiska Islands in the Bering Sea/Pacific Ocean ecosystem. Environ. Monit. Assess. 127, 105–117 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Gudkov, D., Nazarov, A., Derevets, V., Kuzmenko, M.: The radionuclides in freshwater birds of the water reservoirs within the Chernobyl NPP exclusion zone. Sylvia 36(Suppl 37) (2000)

  19. Mietelski, J.W., Kitowski, I., Gaca, P., Frankowska, P., Tomankiewicz, E., Blazej, S., Kierepko, R.: Radionuclides in bones of diurnal birds of prey and owls from the eastern Poland. Chem. Anal. (Warsaw) 53, 821–834 (2008)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Komosa, A., Kitowski, I., Slepecka, K.: Research on radioisotope and heavy metal accumulation levels in bones and eggshells of selected wetland birds from Lublin region (south-eastern Poland). Ecol. Chem. Eng. 14, 805–818 (2007)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ilyenko, A.: Accumulation of radioisotopes by animals and its effect on population. Nauka, Moscov (1974). (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Krivolutski, D.A., Lebedeva, N.V., Shuktomova, I.I.: Bird as objects in bioindication of radioactive pollution. Acta Biol. Hungarica 50, 145–160 (1999)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Gulson, B., Mizon, K., Taylor, A., Korsch, M., Stauber, J., Davis, J.M., Louie, H., Wu, M., Swan, H.: Changes in manganese and lead in the environment and young children associated with the introduction of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl in gasoline: preliminary results. Environ. Res. 100, 100–114 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Esselink, H., Geld, F.M., Jager, L.P., Posthuma-Trumpie, G.A., Zoun, P.E.F., Baars, A.J.: Biomonitoring heavy metals using the barn owl (Tyto alba guttata): sources of variation especially relating to body condition. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 28, 471–486 (1995)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Jager, L.P., Rijnierse, F.V.J., Esselink, H., Baars, A.J.: Biomonitoring with the Buzzard Buteo buteo in the Netherlands: heavy metals and sources of variation. J. Ornithol. 137, 295–318 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Szefer, P., Falandysz, J.: Trace metals in the bones of scaup ducks (Aythya marila L.) wintering in Gdansk Bay, Baltic Sea, 1982–1983 and 1983–1984. Sci. Total Environ. 53, 193–199 (1986)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Hulse, M., Mahoney, J.S., Schroder, G.D., Hacker, C.S., Pier, S.M.: Environmentally acquired lead, cadmium, and manganese in the cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis, and the laughing gull, Larus atricilla. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 9, 65–78 (1980)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Honda, K., Min, B.Y., Tatsukawa, R.: Heavy metals distribution in organs and tissues of the eastern great white egret Egretta alba modesta. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 35, 781–789 (1985)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Taggart, M.A., Figuerola, J., Green, A.J., Mateo, R., Deacon, C., Osborn, D., Meharg, A.A.: After the Aznalcóllar mine spill: Arsenic, zinc, selenium, lead and copper levels in the livers and bones of five waterfowl species. Environ. Res. 100, 349–361 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Kalisinska, E., Lisowski, P., Czernomysy-Furowicz, D., Kavetska, K.M.: Serratospiculiasis, mycosis and haemosiderosis in wild peregrine falcon from Poland: a case report. Bull. Vet. Inst. Pulawy 52, 75–79 (2008)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Pain, D.J., Sears, J., Newton, I.: Lead concentration in birds of prey in Britain. Environ. Pollut. 87, 173–180 (1995)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Pain, D.J., Bavoux, C., Burneleau, G.: Seasonal blood lead concentrations in marsh harriers Circus aeruginosus from Charente-Maritime, France: relationships with the hunting season. Biol. Conserv. 81, 1–7 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Mateo, R., Taggart, M., Meharg, A.A.: Lead and arsenic in bones of birds of prey Spain. Environ. Pollut. 126, 107–114 (2003)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Kim, E.-Y., Goto, R., Iwata, H., Masuda, Y., Tanabe, S., Fujita, S.: Preliminary survey of lead poisoning of Steller’s sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus) and white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Hokkaido, Japan. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 18, 448–451 (1999)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Falandysz, J., Ichihashi, H., Szymczyk, K., Yamaski, S., Mizera, T.: Metallic elements and metal poisoning among white -tailed sea eagles from the Baltic South Coast. Marine Pollut. Bull. 42, 1190–1193 (2001)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Kenntner, N., Tataruch, F., Krone, O.: Heavy metals in soft tissue of white -tailed eagles found dead or moribund in Germany and Austria from 1993 to 2000. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 20, 1831–1837 (2001)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Mateo, R., Estrada, J., Paquet, J.-Y., Riera, X., Dominguez, L., Guitart, R., Martínez-Vilalta, A.: Lead shot ingestion by marsh harriers Circus aeruginosus from the Ebro delta, Spain. Environ. Pollut. 104, 435–440 (1999)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Kitowski, I.: Trends on parental care in Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus during nestling period in south east Poland. Berkut 12, 112–118 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Pasanen, S., Sulkava, S.: On the nutritional biology of rough-legged buzzards Buteo lagopus lagopus Brunn., in Finish Lapland. Aquilo. Ser. Zool. 12, 53–63 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Reif, V., Tornberg, R., Jungell, S., Korpimäki, E.: Diet variation of common buzzards in Finland supports the alternative prey hypothesis. Ecography 24, 267–274 (2001)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Hutton, M., Goldman, G.T.: Metal contamination of feral pigeons Columbia livia from the London area. Part I: Tissue accumulation of lead, cadmium and zinc. Environ. Pollut. 22, 207–217 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Battaglia, A., Ghidini, S., Campanini, G., Spaggiari, R.: Heavy metal contamination in little owl (Athene noctua) and common buzzard (Buteo buteo) from northern Italy. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 60, 61–66 (2005)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Garcia-Fernandez, A.J., Sanchez-Garcia, J.A., Jimenez-Montalban, P., Luna, A.: Lead and cadmium in wild birds in southeastern Spain. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 14, 2049–2058 (1995)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Sliwa, P.: Common kestrel Falco tinnunculus. In: Gromadzki, M. (ed.) Manual of Species and Site Protection Natura 2000. Methodical Manual, Part 1, vol. 7, p. 260. Ministry of Environment, Warsaw, Poland (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Rogival, D., Scheirs, J., Blust, R.: Transfer and accumulation of metals in a soil-diet-wood mouse food chain along a metal pollution gradient. Environ. Pollut. 145, 516–528 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. McLaughlin, M.J., Tiller, K.G., Naidu, R., Stevens, D.P.: Review: the behavior and environmental impact of contaminants in fertilizers. Aust. J. Soil Res. 34, 1–54 (1996)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Lugon-Moulin, N., Ryan, L., Donini, P., Rossi, L.: Cadmium content of phosphate fertilizers used for tobacco production. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 26, 151–155 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. van Eeden, P.H.: Metal concentration in selected organs and tissues of five red-knobbed coot (Fulica cristata) populations. Water SA 29, 313–322 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Eisler, R.: Chromium Hazard to Fish, Wildlife and Invertebrates: A Synoptic Review, Biological Report 85. Patuxent Wildlife Res. Cent. USFWS, Laurel (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  50. Outridge, P.M., Scheuhammer, A.M.: Bioaccumulation and toxicology of chromium: implications for wildlife. Rev. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 130, 31–77 (1993)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Swaileh, K.M., Sansur, R.: Monitoring urban heavy metal pollution using the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). J. Environ. Monit. 8, 209–213 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Authors wish to thank Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education for financial support by grant No. 3T09D 09129. Authors acknowledge M. Reszka and L. Lata for their help in analysis.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiochemistry and Colloid Chemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Pl. M. C. Sklodowskiej 3, 20-031, Lublin, Poland

    A. Komosa, S. Chibowski, J. Solecki & J. Orzeł

  2. Department of Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033, Lublin, Poland

    I. Kitowski

  3. Department of Animal and Environmental Hygiene, University of Life Science, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland

    P. Różański

Authors
  1. A. Komosa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. I. Kitowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Chibowski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J. Solecki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Orzeł
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. P. Różański
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Komosa.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Komosa, A., Kitowski, I., Chibowski, S. et al. Selected radionuclides and heavy metals in skeletons of birds of prey from eastern Poland. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 281, 467–478 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-0029-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-0029-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation