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Heavy Metal Distribution in Some Wild Birds from Korea

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Abstract

This study presents concentrations of heavy metals (manganese, zinc, lead, and cadmium) in tissues in six orders of Korean wild birds (n = 37), 2000–2002. Zinc, manganese, lead, and cadmium concentrations in all tissues were highest in ancient murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus). Essential elements in Korean wild birds were within the normal range for wild birds and are maintained there by a normal homeostatic mechanism. Lead concentrations in livers of almost all birds were within the background levels. Cadmium concentrations in livers and kidneys of ancient murrelets exceeded background levels for wild birds, but other birds were within the normal range. Acute and chronic contaminations of lead and cadmium levels differed among groups (or species). We suggest that differences in lead and cadmium concentrations among groups are because of differences in diet and habitat. In ancient murrelets, zinc and manganese concentrations correlated with their cadmium concentration in livers. Zinc, manganese, and cadmium concentrations in murrelet livers were also higher than in other species. Therefore, we suggest that high zinc and manganese concentrations in ancient murrelets were related to their high cadmium concentrations.

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Acknowledgments

Ancient murrelets samples were provided by Jong-Gil Park (National Park Migratory Birds Center, Korea) and thanks to J.-G. Park and NPMBC. We are grateful to Thomas W. Custer (USGS) for his critical reading of the manuscript and comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, 446-701, Republic of Korea

    Jungsoo Kim & Tae-Hoe Koo

  2. Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Dondaemun-Gu, Seoul, 130-701, Republic of Korea

    Ju-Ryul Shin

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  1. Jungsoo Kim
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Correspondence to Tae-Hoe Koo.

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Kim, J., Shin, JR. & Koo, TH. Heavy Metal Distribution in Some Wild Birds from Korea. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 56, 317–324 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-008-9180-z

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