Environmental Exposure and Distribution of Lead in Four Species of Raptors in Southeastern Spain

Abstract.

The purpose of this study was to monitor exposure to lead in four species of raptors in Southeastern Spain (Murcia Region). Samples of liver, kidney, brain, blood, and bone from two species of diurnal raptors (European kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and European buzzard (Buteo buteo)) and two species of nocturnal raptors (Eagle owl (Bubo bubo) and Little owl (Athene noctua)) were obtained during 1994. Relationships were found between size and age of the birds, the nearness to areas of human activity and lead concentrations in tissues. The lead distribution pattern reveals that the bone is the principle organ for accumulation (0.62–43 mg/Kg, dry weight), followed by the kidney (0.03–0.66 mg/Kg, wet weight), and liver (0.017–0.05 mg/Kg, w.w.), and to lesser extent, the brain (0.013–0.223 mg/Kg, w.w.). This distribution pattern indicates that raptors in Southeastern Spain were exposed to environmental low lead levels continuously over an extended period of time. Correlations between lead in bone and lead in soft tissues were higher in European buzzards (r = 0.87–0.95) and Eagle owl (r = 0.71–0.86) than those found in European kestrels (r = 0.53–0.58) and Little owls (r < 0). However, correlations between lead concentrations in soft tissues and in blood were high (r = 0.85–0.99).