A Comparative Study of Heavy Metal Accumulation in Tissues of the Crested Tern, Sterna bergii, Breeding Near Industrialized and Non-Industrialized Areas

Abstract

Tissues taken from crested terns were analysed for cadmium, lead, copper, chromium, manganese, zinc and iron. The birds were taken from a breeding colony in a non-industrialized region (North Solitary I., NNE. of Coffs Harbour, N.S.W.) and from one near an industrialized region (Big I., Port Kembla, N.S.W.). The birds from the industrialized region did not show any consistent evidence of significant heavy metal contamination when compared to those of the non-industrialized region. The individual tissues were also compared to assess the distribution of the various metals, and the relative degree to which each tissue accumulates the metals. Some accumulation of chromium, copper, manganese, lead and, to a lesser degree, cadmium and zinc was found in the salt glands. The kidneys had a relatively large cadmium content.