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Metal and trace element burdens in two shorebird species at two sympatric wintering sites in southern California

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
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https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005850112994

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Abstract

In January and November, 1994, ten willets (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) and ten black-bellied plovers (Pluvialis squatarola) were collected at a south-facing sandy beach at the North Island Naval Air Station (NASNI) and ten willets and three plovers were collected at the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge (TSNWR), 16 km to the southeast. Concentrations of 19 inorganic analytes were determined in the livers. Differences between sexes in diet or abilities to retain some analytes are indicated because male willets tend to have greater levels of Cd than females and male plovers tend to have greater levels of Fe, Hg, and Mn than females. Concentrations of Hg and Mg in willets decreased from January to November. If this decrease is a part of an annual cycle, then the birds may be acquiring those elements while at NASNI. The differences between sites shows higher levels of As and Se but lower levels of Mn in willets at NASNI while plovers have lower levels of Cu, Mg and Zn at NASNI. There were no correlations between Hg and Se concentrations in the livers of any sample group of birds.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Metal and trace element burdens in two shorebird species at two sympatric wintering sites in southern California
Series title Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
DOI 10.1023/A:1005850112994
Volume 50
Year Published 1998
Language English
Publisher Springer
Contributing office(s) Western Ecological Research Center
Description 15 p.
First page 233
Last page 247
Country United States
State California
City San Diego
Other Geospatial Naval Air Station North Island, Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge
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