Dauwe Tom, Janssens Ellen, Eens Marcel
Department of Biology, Campus Drie Eiken, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
Environ Pollut. 2006 Mar;140(1):71-8. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2005.06.024. Epub 2005 Sep 16.
We examined the possible effects of heavy metal exposure on the quality and health of adult great tits (Parus major) at four study sites along a pollution gradient near a non-ferrous smelter in Belgium. Tarsus length, wing length, body mass and condition of great tits were compared with respect to study site, age (first-year and older great tits), sex and season (birds caught in winter and during breeding). Tarsus length did not differ significantly among study sites. The wing length of great tits was larger at the study site furthest from the smelter, especially for older great tits. The length of the outermost tail feathers, however, did not differ significantly among study sites. We found no signs of loss of body mass or condition towards the pollution source. The body mass and condition was lowest for female great tits at the site furthest from the smelter, especially during winter. Haematocrit values did not differ significantly among sites. Overall, we found no clear significant effects of heavy metal pollution on morphological measurements and health parameters of great tits.
我们在比利时一家有色金属冶炼厂附近沿污染梯度的四个研究地点，研究了重金属暴露对成年大山雀（Parus major）质量和健康的可能影响。比较了大山雀的跗跖长度、翅长、体重和身体状况，涉及研究地点、年龄（第一年和成年大山雀）、性别和季节（冬季和繁殖期捕获的鸟类）。跗跖长度在各研究地点之间没有显著差异。在距离冶炼厂最远的研究地点，大山雀的翅长更大，尤其是成年大山雀。然而，最外侧尾羽的长度在各研究地点之间没有显著差异。我们没有发现朝着污染源体重减轻或身体状况下降的迹象。在距离冶炼厂最远的地点，雌性大山雀的体重和身体状况最低，尤其是在冬季。血细胞比容值在各地点之间没有显著差异。总体而言，我们没有发现重金属污染对大山雀的形态测量和健康参数有明显的显著影响。
