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Volume 49, No. 2

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Trace elements in feathers and eggshells of two tropical seabirds from Malaysia


Authors

ABDULMAULA HAMZA1,2, ALYA SYAKIRIN HISHAM1, SUHAIMI SURATMAN3*, JOSEPH ANAK BIDAI3 & NOOR AZHAR BIN MOHAMED SHAZILI3
1Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21300 Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
2Current address: Nature Conservation Department, Ministry of Environment, PO Box 13793, Tripoli, Libya
3Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), 21300 Kuala Nerus, Malaysia *(miman@umt.edu.my)

Citation

HAMZA, A., HISHAM, A.S., SURATMAN, S., BIDAI, J.A. & SHAZILI, N.A.M. 2021. Trace elements in feathers and eggshells of two tropical seabirds from Malaysia. Marine Ornithology 49: 335 - 341

Received 18 February 2021; Accepted 06 July 2021

Date Published: 2021/10/15
Date Online: 2021/10/14
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Key words: trace metals, seabird feathers, bioaccumulation, South China Sea

Abstract

Seabird feathers and eggshells are used as bio-monitors for trace metal contamination. Eleven trace element concentrations in wing primaries (n = 21) and eggshells (n = 8) are reported herein for two resident seabirds, Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus and Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana, at Pulau Ling and Pulau Tokung Burung, Malaysia. Metal concentration followed the pattern Zn > Cr > Mn > Sr > Cu > Se > Ba > Pb > Cd > Ga > Li. Significant positive correlations existed among all trace metals, except for Cr in Black-naped Tern and Li and Cd in Bridled Tern feathers. We also analyzed metal concentrations in eggshells, and for Bridled Tern, the concentration pattern was Zn > Mn > Se > Sr > Ba > Pb > Co > Cu > Cd, whereas for Black-naped Tern it was Cr > Zn > Mn > Ba > Sr > Se > Cu> Co > Pb. A pairwise positive correlation was significant among most trace metals in feather samples, indicating synergistic effects of two or more elements. More studies are needed to build a baseline database of trace metal concentrations in seabirds of Southeast Asia, as little research on this subject has been conducted in this region.

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Volumes > 38 (2010-->)

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Volumes 5-17 (1978-89) a.k.a 'Cormorant'