Post-breeding dispersal of frigatebirds increases their exposure to mercury

Migration and dispersal can expose wildlife to threats in different parts of their range, particularly for localized anthropogenic threats. Wildlife exposure to metal contaminants may correlate with local anthropogenic emissions. Feather mercury concentrations of adult and juvenile Lesser Frigatebir...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2017-06, Vol.119 (1), p.204-210
Main Authors: Mott, Rowan, Herrod, Ashley, Clarke, Rohan H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Artisanal small-scale mining
Bioindicator
Birds
China
Environmental Exposure
Environmental Pollutants
Feeding Behavior
Female
Foraging ecology
Indian Ocean
Male
Mercury
Reproduction
Seabirds
Southeast Asia
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Summary:Migration and dispersal can expose wildlife to threats in different parts of their range, particularly for localized anthropogenic threats. Wildlife exposure to metal contaminants may correlate with local anthropogenic emissions. Feather mercury concentrations of adult and juvenile Lesser Frigatebirds (Fregata ariel) and Great Frigatebirds (F. minor) were determined for individuals breeding in the eastern Indian Ocean. Low mercury concentration in juveniles relative to adults, higher mercury concentration in adult females than adult males, and a trend for Lesser Frigatebirds to have higher mercury concentration than Great Frigatebirds implicate non-breeding ground exposure as the major influence on mercury burden. Aspects of foraging ecology are congruent with high exposure occurring in inshore waters of the non-breeding range, particularly in the South China Sea. These findings highlight the need for tighter mercury emission regulations in southeast Asia to minimise the potential threat to frigatebirds and other species dependent on marine resources including humans. [Display omitted] •Frigatebirds accumulate low mercury burden from prey caught near breeding grounds.•High mercury exposure in southeast Asia is inferred from non-breeding ecology.•Mercury emission policy and enforcement must improve in southeast Asia.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.050