title: Species- and age-related variation in metal exposure and accumulation of two passerine bird species.
abstract: We measured the concentration of several elements (arsenic [As], calcium [Ca], cadmium [Cd], copper [Cu], nickel [Ni], lead [Pb], selenium [Se] and zinc [Zn]) in adult and nestling pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) and great tits (Parus major) at different distances to a Cu-Ni smelter in 2009. Feces of nestlings generally failed to correspond with internal element concentrations but reflected the pollution exposure, indicating an increased stress by removal of excess metals. The uptake of Cu and Ni were regulated, but As, Cd, Pb and Se accumulated in liver tissue. Pied flycatchers had generally higher element concentrations than great tits. The higher accumulation of As and Pb in pied flycatcher livers was explained by a more efficient absorption, whereas the higher Cd concentration was primarily due to different intake of food items. Age-related differences occurred between the two species, though both Cd and Se accumulated with age.
authors.affiliation: Section of Ecology, 20014 University of Turku, Finland. asa.berglund@emg.umu.se
authors.forename: Å M M
authors.initials: ÅM
authors.lastname: Berglund
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Koivula
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eeva
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008670:Metals