Elevated mercury concentrations in the feathers of grey-faced petrels (Pterodroma gouldi) in New Zealand. Issue 1 (15th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lyver, P.O'.B.; Aldridge, S.P.; Gormley, A.M.; Gaw, S.; Webb, S.; Buxton, R.T.; Jones, C.J.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 119:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 195
• Page End: 203
• Publication Date: 2017-06-15
• Subjects: Trace elements -- Fluttering shearwater -- Little shearwater -- Common diving petrel contaminants -- New Zealand; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Our objective was to measure the concentrations of Hg, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb, V and Zn in the body feathers of grey-faced petrel ( Pterodroma gouldi ), fluttering shearwater ( Puffinus gavia ), little shearwater ( Puffinus assimilis ) and common diving petrel ( Pelecanoides urinatrix ) from breeding colonies in New Zealand between 2006 and 2013. The mean Hg concentration (36.48 ppm; SD = 9.59) in grey-faced petrel feathers was approximately 8.5 to 14 times that detected in the other three species sampled. We detected no trend or differences in Hg concentrations in grey-faced petrels over the 8 years of this study, but Hg concentrations varied between breeding colonies although there was no strong relationship with latitude. The elevated Hg concentrations detected in grey-faced petrels could pose a risk to the breeding performance of grey-faced petrels and the customary harvest of chicks by Māori (New Zealand's indigenous peoples). Highlights: Cu, Hg and Zn were the only trace elements above the detection limits in the body feathers of our four study species. Mean Hg concentration in grey-faced petrel feathers approximately 8.5 to 14 times higher than other three species sampled. Hg concentration in grey-faced petrel feathers varied between breeding colonies. Elevated Hg concentrations detected in grey-faced petrels could potentially affect their breeding performance.