Mercury concentrations vary within and among individual bird feathers: A critical evaluation and guidelines for feather use in mercury monitoring programs
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
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- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Release: USGS data release - Variability of mercury concentrations among whole bird feathers, feather homogenates, and feather components quantified in California in 2017-2018
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Abstract
Feathers are widely used to represent mercury contamination in birds. Yet, few recommendations exist that provide guidance for using bird feathers in mercury monitoring programs. We conducted a literature review and 5 experiments to show that mercury concentrations vary substantially within (vane >100% higher than calamus) and among (>1000%) individual feathers from the same bird. We developed a research tool and guidelines for using bird feathers for mercury studies based on three components: 1) variability of feather mercury concentrations within an individual bird (coefficient of variation [CV]), 2) desired accuracy of the measured mercury concentration, and 3) feather and bird mass. Our results suggest a general rule that if the goal is to limit analytical and processing costs by using whole feathers in only one sample boat, then to achieve an accuracy within 10% of a bird’s overall average feather mercury concentration a bird with a CV≤10% must be <190 g (size of large shorebird). To achieve an accuracy within 20%, a bird with a CV≤10% must be <920 g (size of large duck). When >1 sample boat is needed to fit the required number of feathers to achieve the desired accuracy, results suggest homogenizing feathers and analyzing an aliquot of ≥20 mg for mercury. This study indicates increasing the number of feathers typically used per bird to assess mercury concentrations.
Suggested Citation
Peterson, S.H., Ackerman, J., Toney, M., Herzog, M.P., 2019, Mercury concentrations vary within and among individual bird feathers: A critical evaluation and guidelines for feather use in mercury monitoring programs: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, v. 38, no. 6, p. 1164-1187, https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4430.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Mercury concentrations vary within and among individual bird feathers: A critical evaluation and guidelines for feather use in mercury monitoring programs |
| Series title | Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| DOI | 10.1002/etc.4430 |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Publication Date | March 29, 2019 |
| Year Published | 2019 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Ecological Research Center |
| Description | Article: 24 p.; Data release |
| First page | 1164 |
| Last page | 1187 |