Heavy metal bioaccumulation in two passerines with differing migration strategies

- Heavy metal concentrations in songbirds indicate environmental conditions.
- Non-lethal tissue samples were obtained from two passerine species.
- Flycatchers are bioaccumulating higher concentrations some metals during migration.
- Sex-specific concentration differences were not present.
- Analyzed metal concentrations for were not at levels of concern.

Various anthropogenic activities have resulted in concentration of heavy metals and contamination of surrounding environments. Historically, heavy metal contamination at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina has resulted from accidental releases of stored waste generated from nuclear weapon production in the early 1950s. Songbirds inhabiting and using resources from these areas have the potential to bioaccumulate metals but there is limited information on metal concentration levels in areas suspected of contamination as well as uncontaminated sites. Nonlethal tissues samples from avian blood and feathers provide a reliable approach for determining the bioavailability of these pollutants (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn). The objectives of this study were to survey terrestrial heavy metal contamination at the SRS on potentially bioavailable contaminated (PBC) sites through blood and feather samples from resident Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) and migratory Great Crested Flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus) and quantify sex-specific concentrations within species. Samples were collected in April to June of 2016. Cardinals had lower blood concentrations of Hg (β = − 0.17, 85% CL = − 0.26, − 0.09) and Se (β = − 0.33, 85% CL = − 0.50, − 0.16) than flycatchers. Cr feather concentrations were less in cardinals (β = − 1.46, 85% CL = − 2.44, − 0.49) and all feathers of both species from reference locations had significantly less Zn (β = − 67.92, 85% CL = − 128.71, − 7.14). Results indicate flycatchers were exposed to differing heavy metal levels during feather formation on their wintering grounds as compared to their recent exposure (through bloods samples) on their breeding grounds. Sex of individuals did not have a significant impact on bioaccumulation in either species. Overall, metal concentration levels in both species indicate minimal risk for acute toxicity; however, there is limited research on wild passerine populations with similar concentration levels. Therefore, further research on reproductive success of these birds should be explored.

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