Large-scale geographical variation in eggshell heavy metal and calcium content in a passerine bird (Ficedula hypoleuca)

S. Ruuskanen, J. Morales, T. Laaksonen, J. Moreno, R. Mateo, E. Belskii, A. Bushuev, A. Jarvinen, A. Kerimov, I. Krams, C. Morosinotto, R. Mand, M. Orell, A. Qvarnstrom, F.M. Slater, H. Siitari, V. Tilgar, M.E. Visser, W. Winkel, H. ZangT. Eeva

Research output: Contribution to journal/periodicalArticleScientificpeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Birds have been used as bioindicators of pollution, such as toxic metals. Levels of pollutants in eggs are especially interesting, as developing birds are more sensitive to detrimental effects of pollutants than adults. Only very few studies have monitored intraspecific, large-scale variation in metal pollution across a species' breeding range. We studied large-scale geographic variation in metal levels in the eggs of a small passerine, the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), sampled from 15 populations across Europe. We measured 10 eggshell elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Se, Sr, and Ca) and several shell characteristics (mass, thickness, porosity, and color). We found significant variation among populations in eggshell metal levels for all metals except copper. Eggshell lead, zinc, and chromium levels decreased from central Europe to the north, in line with the gradient in pollution levels over Europe, thus suggesting that eggshell can be used as an indicator of pollution levels. Eggshell lead levels were also correlated with soil lead levels and pH. Most of the metals were not correlated with eggshell characteristics, with the exception of shell mass, or with breeding success, which may suggest that birds can cope well with the current background exposure levels across Europe.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3304-3317
JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research
Volume21
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Keywords

  • international

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Large-scale geographical variation in eggshell heavy metal and calcium content in a passerine bird (Ficedula hypoleuca)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this