Burger J, Nisbet I C, Gochfeld M
Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08855.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 1994 Apr;26(3):351-5. doi: 10.1007/BF00203562.
Concentrations of five metals and selenium in the breast feathers of known-aged common terns (Sterna hirundo) were examined at a breeding colony in Massachusetts, USA. Concentrations of selenium, chromium, and manganese increased significantly with age among adults (2-21 years old), whereas concentrations of mercury, cadmium, and lead did not. Concentrations of cadmium, selenium and manganese were lower in fledglings (20-23 days old) than in adults. Concentrations of mercury, however, were higher in fledglings than in adults, and concentrations of chromium were higher in fledglings than in young adults, probably reflecting higher exposure to these metals in the breeding area than in the winter quarters where the adults' feathers were grown. At least for mercury, excretion of metals into the feathers at each molt was an efficient protective mechanism, preventing continued accumulation in the body with increasing age.
在美国马萨诸塞州的一个繁殖地，对已知年龄的普通燕鸥（Sterna hirundo）胸羽中的五种金属和硒的浓度进行了检测。成年燕鸥（2至21岁）体内，硒、铬和锰的浓度随年龄显著增加，而汞、镉和铅的浓度则不然。雏鸟（20至23日龄）体内镉、硒和锰的浓度低于成年燕鸥。然而，雏鸟体内汞的浓度高于成年燕鸥，雏鸟体内铬的浓度高于年轻成年燕鸥，这可能反映出繁殖地的这些金属暴露量高于成年燕鸥羽毛生长的越冬地。至少对于汞而言，每次换羽时金属排泄到羽毛中是一种有效的保护机制，可防止随着年龄增长体内金属持续积累。
