Saeki K.O., Y. Kim, E.Y. Tanabe, S, Fukuda & Tatsukawa M.
Mercury and cadmium in common cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo).
Environmental Pollution, 108(2). 249 - 255.
Abstract: Mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) in common cormorants (Phalacrocorox carbo) co llected in Lake Biwa, Japan and Tokyo, Japan, were investigated to elucidat e the biological behaviors of these elements, and to assess exposure to the se pollutants of wild, fish-eating birds. Hg and Cd concentrations were hig hest in the liver and kidneys, respectively. The lowest levels of both elem ents were observed in chicks. Hg concentrations in all tissues except brain increased significantly with growth from chicks to juveniles (p < 0.05, U- test). Cd concentrations in the kidneys and liver also increased significan tly during growth from juvenile to adult (p < 0.005, U-test). When comparin g hepatic Hg and Cd in adult birds between 10 samples from Lake Biwa and ni ne samples from Tokyo, the Cd concentrations in the Lake Biwa samples (1.4 +/- 0.37 mu g/g dry wt) (mean +/- SD) were significantly higher than those from Tokyo (0.32 +/- 0.16 mu g/g dry wt) (p < 0.005, U-test), while no stat istically significant difference was found in the Kg concentrations. Possible causes of these differences were discussed in relation to their prey.
Address: (Saeki, K.) Oita Univ, Fac Educ, Dannoharu 700, Oita 8701192, Japan Oita UnivDannoharu 700 Oita Japan 8701192 , Oita 8701192, Japan