[Mercury residues in goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) in 1966 and 1974 (author's transl)]

A comparative study of liver, muscle and kidney specimens from goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) shot in 1966 and 1974 respectively shows that a significant decrease in the mercury levels has taken place. The mean values in the liver specimens have changed from 2.27 mg/kg to 0.50 mg/kg, in the muscle specimens from 0.99 mg/kg to 0.20 mg/kg and in the kidney specimens from 3.06 mg/kg to 0.57 mg/kg. The main cause of this decrease is supposed to depend upon the recommendations since 1969 to avoid alkylmercurials as seed dressing.