FEATHER OF BOOTED EAGLE (<i>HIERAAETUS PENNATUS</i>) AS BIOMONITOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE TO CADMIUM AND LEAD.
Abstract
The measurement of lead and cadmium in blood and tissues of raptors allow us to obtain useful information on the health status from the individuals, species and environment. Also, their systematic control in toxicovigilance programs are important in the risk assesment and environmental management. The aim of this study was to evaluate the raptor feathers as biomonitoring units of the environmental exposure to cadmium and lead in an, a priori, no-contaminated area from Murcia Region (Lavia and Burte Mountains, NW of Murcia). Blood and feather samples of nestlings and adults, respectively, of booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) were collected during June and July of 1999 and 2000. In order to eliminate the atmospheric metal deposition on the feather surface and previous to the analytical determination of these metals, an optimised washing process of the fetaher was performed. All blood samples, except two, had cadmium and lead concentrations lower than 0.5 y 5 ug/dl, respectively, being these results compatible with background environmental contamination and exposure. The cadmium and lead concentrations in feathers were also low (16,5 y 750 ug/kg for cadmium and lead, respectively). The relationships between concentrations in blood and feather were significant at level of p<0,05 for cadmium and p<0,01 for lead. We concluded that the feather of booted eagles could be considered in the heavy metals biomonitoring and toxicovigilance programs.Downloads
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