Blood mercury levels in mute swans (Cygnus olor) are not related to sex, but are related to age, with no blood parameter implications. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kucharska, Katarzyna; Binkowski, Łukasz J.; Batoryna, Marta; Dudzik, Krzysztof; Zaguła, Grzegorz; Stawarz, Robert
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 252(2019):Part A
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: Waterfowl -- Waterbirds -- Pollution -- Hg -- GSH; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.075
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Concentrations of mercury (Hg) were examined in the blood of mute swans from rural breeding sites and urban wintering areas in southern parts of Poland, Europe. The birds were classified into three age groups: cygnets, juveniles and adults. To investigate the potential impact of Hg on birds, hematocrit (Ht), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and morphometric measurements were taken. Using morphometric parameters, we stated that all mute swans sampled were in good condition. The mercury concentrations found were rather low and differed between birds from industrialized wintering areas and rural breeding areas (means 7 ng/mL and 2 ng/mL, respectively). We found no difference in Hg concentrations between the sexes, but concentrations varied significantly between age groups (cygnets 2 ng/mL, juveniles 7 ng/mL and adults 6 ng/mL). A similar trend was observed for hematocrit levels. GSH levels did not differ between any of the groups studied. We found no significant relationship between blood parameters (Ht, GSH) in relation to Hg concentrations. We conclude that the Hg concentrations in blood may be influenced by industrialization, season and age, but generally low concentration such as those found by us do not affect Ht and GSH levels. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Blood Hg concentrations found were generally low. Blood parameters (Ht, GSH and Hg levels) did not differ in respect of sex. Only levels of Ht and Hg differed according to age group (the lowest in cygnets). No correlations were found between the blood parameters studied. Abstract : Variability of low mercury levels in blood of mute swans is linked to age and season factors, but it is unrelated to blood parameters and sex.