Postnatal development and metal contamination of nestlings of Great tit (Parus major) from experimental study area - Ružomberok
Abstract
We examined the appearance of trace metals from three body parts - liver, muscle and bone of 46 juveniles of Great tit (Parus major, Linnaeus 1758) collected at the study area Minch, Ružomberok nearby the pollution source. Our aim was to determine the metal accumulation level, distribution among body parts and age related variations. Bird sampling was conducted in May and June 2012 and 2013. Due to lack quantity of early - age samples, we were unable to do intended comparison with research from the reference area in High Tatra in 1996. In view of frequency and abundance of measured elements, the major pollutants are considered as follows: Pb, Rb, Sr, Sr, and Ni. The others have emerged in a larger extend and are perceived as essentials: P, K, Cl, S, Ca, Fe, and Zn. A remarkable trend was observed in decreasing concentration of most heavy metals in relation to increasing age. This phenomenon may be explained as the result of exogenous environmental influences - less contaminated food items in a greener spring. As well as the metabolic activity of young organism to deal with a certain level of exposure to pollutants. Beyond one abandoned brood and two dead nestlings at an early stage of development, we did not notice any visible abnormalities.© PRUNELLA Publishers
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