Age-dependent accumulation of heavy metals in liver, kidney and lung tissues of homing pigeons in Beijing, China

Biomonitoring provides direct evidence of the bioavailability and accumulation of toxic elements in the environment. In the current study, 1-2, 5-6, and 9-10+ year old homing pigeons collected from the Haidian District of Beijing during 2011 were necropsied and concentrations of cadmium, lead, and m...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Ecotoxicology (London, England). - 1992. - 22(2013), 10 vom: 08. Dez., Seite 1490-7
1. Verfasser: Cui, Jia (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Wu, Bin, Halbrook, Richard S, Zang, Shuying
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2013
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:Ecotoxicology (London, England)
Schlagworte:Evaluation Study Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Environmental Pollutants Cadmium 00BH33GNGH Lead 2P299V784P Mercury FXS1BY2PGL
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:Biomonitoring provides direct evidence of the bioavailability and accumulation of toxic elements in the environment. In the current study, 1-2, 5-6, and 9-10+ year old homing pigeons collected from the Haidian District of Beijing during 2011 were necropsied and concentrations of cadmium, lead, and mercury were measured in liver, lung, and kidney tissue. At necropsy, gray/black discoloration of the margins of the lungs was observed in 98 % of the pigeons. There were no significant differences in metal concentrations as a function of gender. Cadmium concentrations in all tissues and Pb concentrations in the lung tissues were significantly greater in 9-10+ year old pigeons compared to other age groups indicating that Cd and Pb were bioavailable. Mercury concentrations were not significantly different among age groups. Cadmium concentrations in kidney and lung tissues of 9-10+ year old pigeons were similar to or exceeded concentrations of Cd reported in pigeons from another high traffic urban area and most wild avian species from Korea suggesting that Cd in this region of Beijing may be of concern. Homing pigeons provide valuable exposure and bioaccumulation data not readily available from air monitoring alone, thus providing information regarding potential health effects in wildlife and humans in urban areas. As environmental quality standards are implemented in China, homing pigeons will serve as a valuable bio-monitor of the efficacy of these actions
Beschreibung:Date Completed 11.06.2014
Date Revised 21.10.2021
published: Print-Electronic
Citation Status MEDLINE
ISSN:1573-3017
DOI:10.1007/s10646-013-1135-0