Organic and total mercury in muscle tissue of five aquatic birds with different feeding habits from the SE Gulf of California, Mexico

We measured organic and total Hg in muscle tissue of five species of aquatic birds from the south-eastern gulf of California region, Mexico. Concentrations of total and organic Hg measured in Pelecanus occidentalis were the highest (2.85 and 2.68 μg g−1); lowest values of organic Hg (0.20 μg g−1) and total Hg (0.47 μg g−1) were detected in Anas discors and Anas clypeata, respectively. Differences of Hg levels were related to feeding habits, being concentrations in birds of piscivorous habits more elevated than corresponding values in non-piscivorous species.