Cadmium concentrations in tissues of willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) and rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in Nunavik, Northern Québec.
Willow and rock ptarmigan were obtained from Northern Québec. Willow ptarmigan were found to have mean cadmium concentrations of 179.7 microg/g (dw) in the kidneys and 25.8 microg/g (dw) in the liver; these levels were three times higher than those found in the rock ptarmigan. The cadmium levels in the ptarmigan were below the threshold above which adverse effects can be observed in birds. The difference between the two ptarmigan species in cadmium content is explained by the diet. A comparison of their diet showed that willow, which stores cadmium, is an important food resource for willow ptarmigan but not for rock ptarmigan. Because there is limited information available on the consumption of ptarmigan kidneys and liver by the Inuit, and the fact that this is a traditional way of life and provides nutritional benefits to the Inuit population, no consumption guidelines are proposed.
Rodrigue
Jean
J
Environment Canada, Service canadien de la faune, 1141 Route de l'Eglise, Sainte-Foy, Québec, Canada. jean.rodrigue@ec.gc.ca
Champoux
Louise
L
Leclair
Daniel
D
Duchesne
Jean-François
JF
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis*; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D046094:Galliformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D011792:Quebec; D032108:Salix / Q000737:chemistry
D000393:Air Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium