Effect of embedded shot on trace element concentrations in livers of Anseriformes species

•Cadmium, Pb, Cr, Al, Cr, Mn and Zn differed among Anseriformes species.•White-fronted geese without embedded shot had the lowest concentrations for all elements.•All element concentrations were much greater in waterfowl species with embedded shot than without shot.•12.5% for Cd and 25.0% for Pb waterfowl exceeded a threshold level of Cd (> 3.0 ㎍/g dw) and Pb (> 5.0 ㎍/g dw).•All geese and ducks for Cr were within the background level (<4.0 µg/g dw).

Trace elements were analyzed in the liver of white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons, n=15), mallards (Anas platyrhynchos, n=4) and spot-billed ducks (Anas poecilorhyncha, n=13) found dead in Gimpo, Korea. All mallards and eight spot-billed ducks had embedded lead shot. Embedded shot could be affected elevated trace element concentrations on geese and ducks. Element concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), aluminum (Al), copper (Cr), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) differed among species and white-fronted geese without embedded shot had the lowest concentrations for all elements (geomean 0.36, 0.43, 0.07, 1.46, 7.60, 2.61 and 13.5 µg/g dw, respectively). Cadmium in four (3.27–7.77 µg/g dw) of 32 individuals and Pb in eight (5.07–9.72 µg/g dw) of 32 individuals exceeded a tentative threshold effect level of Cd (>3.0 µg/g dw) and Pb (>5.0 µg/g dw) for birds; all geese and ducks for Cr (0.07–0.43 µg/g dw) were within the background level (<4.0 µg/g dw). All trace element concentrations were much greater in waterfowl species with embedded shot than without shot. Essential trace elements such as Cr, Al (geomean 1.46–37.3 µg/g dw), Cu (7.60–57.1 µg/g dw), Mn (2.61–27.6 µg/g dw) and Zn (13.5–176 µg/g dw) were within the normal range and were probably maintained by normal homeostatic mechanisms.