title: Biomonitoring of coastal areas in Tunisia: stable isotope and trace element analysis in the Yellow-legged Gull.
abstract: We used Yellow-legged Gull (YLG) chicks to monitor trace elements in Tunisian areas subject to different pollution stresses: urban contamination (Chikly), industrial pollution (Thyna) and an unpolluted area (Kneis). We measured trace element concentrations (Hg, Se and Pb) in chick feathers. We also assessed their feeding ecology by analyzing both regurgitates and stable isotopes (SIA) in chick feathers and in their prey, to determine the main entry route of pollutants. SIA revealed that YLG feed mainly on aquatic resources from the Lake of Tunis (Chikly colony) and the Gulf of Gabès (Thyna and Kneis colonies). Moreover, the enriched delta(15)N found in feathers from Chikly are attributed to the eutrophication of the Lake of Tunis. Hg and Se were higher in Kneis and Thyna colonies, in agreement with the higher consumption of marine resources and the greater availability of these elements resulting from the impact of the industrial activity in the area. Pb concentrations were higher in Chikly, related to the heavier traffic around the Lake of Tunis and the use of leaded gasoline.
authors.affiliation: Dept. Biologia Animal, Universitat de Barcelona, Diagonal 645, 08028 Barcelona, Spain. aida_abdennadher@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdennadher
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: Mohamed Salah
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Romdhane
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: Lluis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jover
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanpera
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002947:Cities; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005241:Feathers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis; D033321:Isopoda / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D007554:Isotopes / Q000378:metabolism; D007854:Lead / Q000378:metabolism; D008628:Mercury / Q000378:metabolism; D012643:Selenium / Q000378:metabolism; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism*; D014416:Tunisia
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007220:Industrial Waste; D007554:Isotopes; D014131:Trace Elements; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury; D012643:Selenium