METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN FEATHERS OF BIRDS FROM PAPUA-NEW-GUINEA FORESTS - EVIDENCE OF POLLUTION

We used the feathers of seven species of birds from New Guinea highland forests to examine concentrations of heavy metals and selenium. We tested the null hypotheses that there were no species, food type, or elevation differences in the concentrations of mercury, lead, cadmium, selenium, chromium, and manganese in the feathers of adults. All species had nondetectable levels of mercury (< 10 ppb). There were significant species differences in cadmium, lead, chromium, selenium, and manganese. Common smokey honeyeaters (Melipotes fumigatus, a fruit and flower feeder) had the lowest levels of all metals; blue-grey robin (Peneothello cyanus, mainly insectivorous) had the highest cadmium and manganese; and several species of birds of paradise (mainly frugivorous) had the highest lead levels. Lead levels were relatively high compared to those reported from feathers of other birds, attributable to the use of leaded gasoline.