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Related Experiment Videos

Trace element distribution in growing feathers: additional excretion in feather sheaths.

J Burger1, M Gochfeld

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08855.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
|July 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

Feather analysis reveals higher lead and mercury in fully formed bird feathers, indicating partially grown feathers underestimate heavy metal exposure. Birds also excrete lead and cadmium in feather sheaths during molting.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Ornithology

Background:

  • Feathers offer a non-invasive method for biomonitoring trace elements in birds.
  • Understanding trace element distribution in growing feathers is crucial for accurate biomonitoring.
  • Partially grown feathers may introduce bias in heavy metal and selenium assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine heavy metal and selenium distribution in growing common tern feathers.
  • To assess potential bias from sampling partially grown feathers.
  • To investigate excretion of trace elements in sloughed feather sheaths.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of trace element levels (lead, mercury, cadmium, selenium) in different sections of growing flight feathers from young common terns.

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  • Comparison of element concentrations between proximal (with blood supply) and distal (fully formed) feather portions.
  • Analysis of element concentrations in feather sheaths versus whole feather blades.

    • Main Results:

    • Lead and mercury levels were significantly higher in the fully formed feather portions compared to the growing portions.
    • Cadmium and selenium showed no significant difference between proximal and distal feather parts.
    • Feather sheaths contained higher lead and cadmium concentrations but lower mercury than the feather blade.

    Conclusions:

    • Using partially grown feathers can underestimate lead and mercury exposure in birds.
    • Birds sequester higher levels of lead and mercury in feathers than present in blood.
    • Common terns excrete significant amounts of lead and cadmium via feather sheaths during molting, a previously underestimated pathway.