Risk to breeding success of waterbirds by contaminants in Hong Kong: evidence from trace elements in eggs.
Concentrations of 17 trace elements (As, Se, Rb, Sr, Ag, Sb, Cs, Tl, Pb, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Hg) were determined in eggs of little egrets (Egretta garzetta), black-crowned night herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) and bridled terns (Sterna anaethetus) from northwestern and northeastern coastal areas of Hong Kong. Results indicated significant differences among the three species. Eggs of little egrets and black-crowned night herons appeared to be good bioindicators for monitoring selected elements (As, Pb, Zn Cr, Cu, and V) due to consistent correlations between metal concentrations in eggs and those in coastal marine sediments. Based on limited toxicological information, the predicted no effect concentrations (PNECs) of Hg and Se in the bird eggs were estimated as 0.5 to 1.8 and 0.90 to 1.45 mug g(-1), dry wt., respectively. Hazard quotients (HQs) indicated that Hg and Se might pose some risk to certain waterbirds in Hong Kong.
Lam
James C W
JC
Center for Coastal Pollution and Conservation, Department of Biology and Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
Tanabe
Shinsuke
S
Lam
Michael H W
MH
Lam
Paul K S
PK
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001717:Birds / Q000502:physiology*; D001947:Breeding; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006723:Hong Kong; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012643:Selenium / Q000032:analysis; D013045:Species Specificity; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008628:Mercury; D012643:Selenium