Lead isotope ratio measurements as indicators for the source of lead poisoning in Mute swans (Cygnus olor) wintering in Puck Bay (northern Poland).
Lead (Pb) poisoning is most commonly linked amongst anthropogenically-caused deaths in waterfowl and this is often associated with hunting and fishing activities. However, the exact identification of the source may be difficult with commonly-used techniques. We have studied isotope ratios using Inductively-Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) to investigate the source of Pb in the blood of Mute swans (n = 49) wintering in northern Poland. We compared the values of isotopic ratios from blood and ammunition pellets available on the Polish market. The mean Pb concentrations found was 0.241 μg/g (w/w) and nearly half of the blood specimens had elevated Pb levels (higher than the cited 0.23 μg/g w/w threshold of poisoning). Only the mean 208/206 Pb isotope ratio was similar in blood and pellet samples. Mean ratios of isotopes 206/204, 206/207 and 208/207 in swans' blood and in pellets differed significantly. Moreover, coefficients of variation were higher in blood samples than in pellets. These discrepancies and significant differences in abundance of204Pb and207Pb isotopes in both materials indicated that pellets available today on the Polish market were not the source of Pb in the blood of Mute swans wintering in northern Poland.
Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Podbrzezie 3, 31-054 Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: ljbinkowski@gmail.com.
Łukasz J
ŁJ
Binkowski
Avian Ecophysiology Unit, Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland. Electronic address: w.meissner@ug.edu.pl.
Włodzimierz
W
Meissner
Avian Ecophysiology Unit, Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland. Electronic address: trzecmart@gmail.com.
Marta
M
Trzeciak
School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, KT1 2EE Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, UK. Electronic address: izevbekhaikelvin@yahoo.com.
Kelvin
K
Izevbekhai
School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, KT1 2EE Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, UK. Electronic address: J.Barker@kingston.ac.uk.
James
J
Barker
D000818:Animals; D046090:Anseriformes / Q000502:physiology*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000097:blood*; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood*; D007855:Lead Poisoning / Q000662:veterinary; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D011044:Poland
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes; D007854:Lead
Ammunition; Isotope; Mute swan; Pb; Pellet; Poisoning