title: Effects of heavy metal exposure on the condition and health of nestlings of the great tit (Parus major), a small songbird species.
abstract: In this study we examined the possible effects of heavy metal exposure on the condition and health of great tit nestlings (Parus major) at four study sites along a pollution gradient near a large non-ferrous smelter in Belgium during three consecutive breeding seasons. Our results showed that nestlings were indeed exposed to large amounts of heavy metals. Excrements contained significantly higher concentrations of several heavy metals (silver, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead) near the pollution source than at study sites farther away. When taking into account the number of young in the nest at the time of sampling, nestling body mass and condition were significantly reduced at the most polluted site. Nestlings at the two most polluted sites fledged significantly later than at the least polluted site. We also observed growth abnormalities of the legs near the pollution source. Tarsus length, wing length and haematocrit values did not differ significantly among study sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Antwerp (U.I.A.), Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dauwe
authors.forename: Rianne
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pinxten
authors.forename: Lieven
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bervoets
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Blust
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eens
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D001717:Birds / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D008669:Metallurgy; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D012834:Silver / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D012834:Silver; D008628:Mercury; D001151:Arsenic