title: Blood and feather concentrations of toxic elements in a Baltic and an Arctic seabird population.
abstract: We report blood and feather concentrations of elements in the Baltic Sea and Arctic population of common eiders (Somateria mollissima). The endangered Baltic Sea population of eiders was demonstrably affected by element pollution in the 1990s. While blood concentrations of Hg were higher in Baltic breeding eiders, blood Se, As and Cd concentrations were higher in Arctic eiders. Blood concentrations of Pb, Cr, Zn and Cu did not differ between the two populations. While blood Pb concentrations had declined in Baltic eiders since the 1990s, Hg concentrations had not declined, and were above concentrations associated with adverse oxidative effects in other bird species. Inconsistent with blood concentrations, feather concentrations suggested that Pb, Zn, and Cd exposure was higher in Baltic eiders, and that Hg exposure was higher in Arctic eiders. Our study thus emphasizes the need for comprehensive evaluation of toxic element status, covering the annual cycle of a species.
authors: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, Realfagbygget, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
authors: Anette A
authors: AA
authors: Fenstad
authors: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Framsenteret, Hjalmar, Johansens gate 14, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
authors: Jan O
authors: JO
authors: Bustnes
authors: NTNU, Department of Chemistry, Realfagbygget, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
authors: Syverin
authors: S
authors: Lierhagen
authors: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, Realfagbygget, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
authors: Kristin M
authors: KM
authors: Gabrielsen
authors: Environmental and Marine Biology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Artillerigatan 6, FI-20520 Turku, Finland; Novia University of Applied Sciences (NOVIA), Coastal Zone Research Team, Raseborgsvägen 9, FI-10600, Ekenäs, Finland.
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Öst
authors: Novia University of Applied Sciences (NOVIA), Coastal Zone Research Team, Raseborgsvägen 9, FI-10600, Ekenäs, Finland.
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Jaatinen
authors: Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Framsenteret, Hjalmar, Johansens gate 14, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
authors: Sveinn A
authors: SA
authors: Hanssen
authors: NINA, Høgskoleringen 9, 7034 Trondheim, Norway.
authors: Børge
authors: B
authors: Moe
authors: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, Realfagbygget, 7491 Trondheim, Norway.
authors: Bjørn M
authors: BM
authors: Jenssen
authors: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, Realfagbygget, 7491 Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address: ase.krokje@ntnu.no.
authors: Åse
authors: Å
authors: Krøkje
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D001454:Baltic States; D004372:Ducks / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D056727:Endangered Species; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005241:Feathers / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury
keywords: Common eiders; Environmental exposure; Heavy metals; Pollution; Svalbard