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Mercury in Wetland Birds of Iran and Iraq: Contrasting Resident Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, and Migratory Common Teal, Anas crecca, Life Strategies

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Abstract

We document mercury distribution in tissues of two waterfowls; moorhen (Gallinula chloropus; n = 6), and Common Teal (Anas crecca; n = 6) from Shadegan wetlands in Southwestern Iran. Mean value of mercury in moorhen liver was (0.36 Hg μg g−1 dry weight), Common Teal had (4.34 Hg μg g−1 dry weight) mercury. In all tissues, Common Teals had significantly higher mercury concentrations than moorhens (U test, p ≤ 0.05). Mercury was 12, 9, 8, and 6 times higher in liver, muscle, kidney, and feather of Common Teals. These birds have comparable diets but Common Teals are migratory and moorhens are residents of Shadegan wetlands.

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Acknowledgments

Many thanks to Morteza Davodi, Alireza Nikvarz, Mostafa Alahverdi, and Mehdi Hosseini for field assistance and Mr. Hossein Pasha-Zanoosi for help with statistical analysis. This work was funded by Tarbiat Modares University of Iran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Science, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 46414-356, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran

    Rasool Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi, Abbas Esmaili-Sari & Seyed Mahmoud Ghasempouri

  2. P.O. Box 7038, Ann Arbor, MI, 48107, USA

    Mozhgan Savabieasfahani

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  1. Rasool Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi
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  2. Abbas Esmaili-Sari
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  3. Seyed Mahmoud Ghasempouri
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  4. Mozhgan Savabieasfahani
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Correspondence to Rasool Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi or Abbas Esmaili-Sari.

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Zamani-Ahmadmahmoodi, R., Esmaili-Sari, A., Ghasempouri, S.M. et al. Mercury in Wetland Birds of Iran and Iraq: Contrasting Resident Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus, and Migratory Common Teal, Anas crecca, Life Strategies. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 82, 450–453 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-009-9637-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-009-9637-4

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