Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, POB 65, 00014, Helsinki, Finland,
Ecotoxicology. 2013 Nov;22(9):1319-34. doi: 10.1007/s10646-013-1128-z. Epub 2013 Oct 6.
Published results concerning metal levels in feathers of birds of prey were listed and evaluated. Mercury concentrations have been studied most and the background values normally vary between 0.1 and 5 mg/kg dry weight the highest concentrations being in birds from aquatic food chains. Pollution causes elevated levels of mercury in feathers. The concentrations of cadmium, copper, lead and zinc show reasonable variation between species, areas and time periods. Feathers of birds of prey have proved to be good indicators of the status of environmental heavy metal pollution. Special attention should be paid to clean sampling and preparation of samples. Interpretation of the results requires knowledge on food habit, molting and migration patterns of the species. Several species representing different food chains should be included in comprehensive monitoring surveys. Chick feathers reflect most reliably local conditions.
已列出并评估了有关猛禽羽毛中金属含量的已发表研究结果。汞浓度的研究最多，背景值通常在 0.1 至 5mg/kg 干重之间变化，来自水生食物链的鸟类浓度最高。污染导致羽毛中汞含量升高。镉、铜、铅和锌的浓度在物种、地区和时间段之间有合理的变化。猛禽的羽毛已被证明是环境重金属污染状况的良好指标。应特别注意清洁采样和样品制备。对结果的解释需要了解物种的食性、换羽和迁徙模式。在综合监测调查中，应包括几种代表不同食物链的物种。雏鸟羽毛最能可靠地反映当地情况。
