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Effects of color on cadmium and lead levels in avian contour feathers

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Abstract

The use of feathers has been proposed as a noninvasive tissue for biomonitoring metal levels in birds and their ecosystems. We examined cadmium and lead levels in black and white contour feathers from common (Sterna hirundo) and sooty (S. fuscata) terns, and black skimmers (Rynchops niger) to determine if there were significant differences in metal levels related to the melanin content of the feathers. There were no significant differences in metals in black versus white body feathers in any of the three species; correlations between metal residues from individual birds were low.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental and Community Medicine, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, 08854, Piscataway, New Jersey

    Michael Gochfeld & Tara Shukla

  2. Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, 08854, Piscataway, New Jersey

    Michael Gochfeld, Tara Shukla, Dale Bertrand & Joanna Burger

  3. Biological Sciences and Bureau of Biological Research, Rutgers University, 08855, Piscataway, New Jersey

    Jorge Saliva & Joanna Burger

  4. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Box 491, 00622, Boqueron, Puerto Rico

    Jorge Saliva

  5. 08741, Pine Beach, New Jersey

    Fred Lesser

Authors
  1. Michael Gochfeld
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  2. Jorge Saliva
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  3. Fred Lesser
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  4. Tara Shukla
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  5. Dale Bertrand
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  6. Joanna Burger
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Gochfeld, M., Saliva, J., Lesser, F. et al. Effects of color on cadmium and lead levels in avian contour feathers. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 20, 523–526 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01065843

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01065843

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