Mercury spatial distribution characteristics and its exposure of the endangered Jankowski's bunting. Issue 4 (8th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feng, Zhili; Xiao, Tingting; Zhang, Gang; Zhang, Lishi; Cui, Yufei; Jiang, Yunlei
• Other Names: Miki Takeshi guestEditor.; Nakamura Masahiro guestEditor.; Matsui Kazuaki guestEditor.; Mizoguchi Hazime guestEditor.; Tamaki Emi guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Ecological research. Volume 35:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 650
• Page End: 661
• Publication Date: 2020-06-08
• Subjects: biological magnification factor -- exposure -- Jankowski's bunting -- mercury -- spatial distribution; Ecology -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Japan -- Periodicals; Écologie; Japon; Ecology; Japan; Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1111/1440-1703.12117
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0912-3814

Abstract

Abstract: Mercury (Hg) exposure is a potential reason for the endangered status of birds such as Jankowski's bunting. We measured mercury levels in the feathers and blood of the endangered bird Jankowski's bunting, along with mercury contents in the bird's food sources, nesting plants, nonfood plants, soil and air. Total mercury in feathers ranged from 162 to 489 ng/g (mean: 255 ± 104 ng/g). We observed significant bioaccumulation in the food chain from plants and grasshoppers to birds. The biological magnification factors were similar between four habitats, but significant differences were observed between trophic levels ( p < .05). At all sampling sites, concentrations of total mercury in grasshoppers, nesting plants and food plants correlated with total mercury in bird feathers ( p < .05). A nearby copper‐molybdenum mine influenced Hg exposure and distance from the mine was negatively correlated with mercury levels. Our study establishes the levels of mercury in Jankowski's bunting and in the birds' typical habitats. Abstract : Jankowski's bunting is an endangered species living in Inner Mongolia. We have studied the influences of habitat fragmentation and the physiology of this species for several years. In this study, we considered the environmental pollutant—mercury exposure risk to the population. The aim of this study is to determine the Hg exposure level of the birds and potential risk, and understand Hg spatial distribution characteristics at its four habitats and to provide a reference to protect the endangered species.