Mercury in the body of the most commonly occurring European game duck, the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos L. 1758), from northwestern Poland

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2013 May;64(4):583-93. doi: 10.1007/s00244-012-9860-6. Epub 2013 Jan 24.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of mercury (Hg) in liver (L), kidney (K), breast muscle [BM (musculus pectoralis major)], breast feathers (BF), and stomach contents (SC) of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos L. 1758). Among the edible parts of mallard, the greatest concentrations of Hg were observed in K and L, although they did not exceed 1.5 mg/kg dry weight (dw). Average concentrations in K, L, and BM were 0.27, 0.25, and 0.13 mg/kg dw, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between Hg concentrations in BM and K and in BM and L (r s = 0.92) as well as between Hg concentrations in these tissues and BF. In addition, we found significant correlations between Hg concentrations in SC and BM (r s = 0.72) and in L and K (r s = 0.55). In conclusion, mallard exhibits a measurable response to environmental Hg pollution and meets the requirements of a bioindicator.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ducks*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Female
  • Food Contamination / analysis*
  • Male
  • Mercury Compounds / analysis
  • Mercury Compounds / metabolism*
  • Poland
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / metabolism*

Substances

  • Mercury Compounds
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical