Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Conservation, College of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2022 Oct 1;244:114063. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114063. Epub 2022 Sep 6.
Birds are vulnerable to metal pollution, which can serve as indicators of environmental safety monitoring. In this study, we evaluated three non-essential (Pb, Cd, and As) and two essential (Cu and Zn) trace elements of living (only feathers) and deceased (feathers and tissues) Grey-cheeked Fulvetta (Alcippe morrisonia) at a highly polluted mine tailings and a reference site. Five metal concentrations in the feathers of living Grey-cheeked Fulvettas were higher at the mine site. Among these, the levels of Cd and Pb in most feathers exceeded the threshold, resulting in an ecotoxicological concern. The correlation analysis suggested that feathers from Grey-cheeked Fulvettas might be useful bioindicators for local metal contamination assessment. The toxicological effects of trace metals on Grey-cheeked Fulvetta might affect its leadership ability. Therefore, understanding the effects of metal pollution on Grey-cheeked Fulvetta would show important practical implications for the conservation of bird communities.
鸟类易受金属污染影响，可作为环境安全监测的指示物。本研究评估了高污染矿区尾矿和对照区活体（仅羽毛）和死亡个体（羽毛和组织）灰脸鵐体内三种非必需（Pb、Cd 和 As）和两种必需（Cu 和 Zn）微量元素。矿区活体灰脸鵐羽毛中的五种金属浓度更高。其中，大多数羽毛中的 Cd 和 Pb 含量超过了阈值，引发了生态毒理学方面的担忧。相关分析表明，灰脸鵐的羽毛可能是当地金属污染评估的有用生物指示剂。痕量金属对灰脸鵐的毒性影响可能会影响其领导能力。因此，了解金属污染对灰脸鵐的影响对于鸟类群落的保护具有重要的实际意义。
