Comparison of heavy metals from resident Larus dominicanus and migratory Leucophaeus pipixcan collected in Talcahuano, Chile

Abstract

In this study we present data on heavy metal concentrations in feathers from two Chilean sea gull species: the resident kelp gull (n = 54) and the summer visiting Franklin's gull (59) sampled between 2008 and 2009. Average ± SD concentrations for As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Hg were of 0.75 ± 0.21, 0.03 ± 0.04, 19.5 ± 1.7, 5.9 ± 6.0, and 1.1 ± 0.1 μg/g for the kelp gull and of 0.764 ± 0.37, 0.15 ± 0.20, 4.1 ± 1.7, 2.6 ± 5.5, and 1.2 ± 0.2 μg/g for Franklin's gulls. These values are comparable to those reported for these species sampled in Chile and other places and are below levels known to cause adverse effects in seabirds. Differences in metal concentrations between species are likely due to differences in diet and timing of sampling in relation to molting.