Concentrations of lead in bone and other tissues of Victorian waterfowl

Abstract

The concentrations of lead in wing bones of Victorian waterfowl were determined from samples collected mainly during the opening weekend of the 1990 duck-hunting season. Of about 7000 wings collected, 1134 (of 12 species and from wetland collection sites throughout the State) were subsampled for analysis. Although lead concentrations in bone were low in some species (e.g. chestnut and grey teal, freckled duck), higher concentrations were found in some small samples of diving ducks and in Pacific black duck. Tissues of Pacific black duck from one major hunting area indicated exposure to lead. Of 194 gizzards inspected, 28 (14.4%) contained ingested and eroded lead shotgun pellets. Lead concentrations in the livers of some Pacific black duck were also elevated, with 4.6% having more than 2.0mg kg-1. Other studies have found that waterfowl may die after ingestion of lead shotgun pellets; since such pellets may present a similar threat to local waterfowl populations, the use of alternative non-toxic ammunition should be encouraged.