Mecury Concentrations in Ten Species of Australian Waterfowl (Family Anatidae)

Abstract

Total mercury concentrations in wing muscle of 10 species of waterfowl (Anatidae) collected during 1977 and 1978 in south-eastern Australia ranged from 0.08 ± 0.04 (mean ± SD) g g-1 wet weight in Australian shelduck Tadorna tadornoides and Pacific black duck Anas superciliosa, to 0.17 ± 0.08 g g-1 in freckled duck Stictonetta naevosa. No significant differences in concentrations of mercury in muscle were found between sexes or between juvenile and adult birds. Total mercury concentrations in feathers were 3.01 ± 0.09 g g-1 dry weight in Pacific black duck and 3.27 ± 1.11 g g-1 in grey teal Anas gibberifrons. A significant positive correlation (r= 0.7783; P<0.01) was found between mercury concentrations in wing muscles and feathers of Pacific black duck.