SREL Reprint #2550

Mercury concentrations in post-fledging wood storks

A. L. Bryan, Jr.1, C. H. Jagoe1, H. A. Brant1, J. C. Gariboldi1, and G. R. Masson2

1Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802 USA
2U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4270 Norwich Street, Brunswick, GA 31520 USA

Abstract: Mercury concentrations were measured in blood, down and feather samples collected from 20 post-fledging Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) captured in the coastal zone of Georgia to establish a reference level for free-ranging storks utilizing this region and assess if mercury is present in potentially hazardous concentrations. Blood concentrations ranged from 0.04-1.57 µg Hg/g (wet weight) and down and feather concentrations ranged from 1.23-18.05 µg Hg/g (dry weight). Comparisons of observed concentrations with published levels of concern suggest that some free-ranging storks may be at risk of sublethal effects due to mercury contaminations. Observed concentrations are generally higher than those reports for Wood Stork nestlings in this region from the same time period, possibly resulting from differences in diet and patterns of down/feather growth and molt.

Keywords: Feathers, mercury, molt, Mycteria americana, post-fledging, Wood Storks

SREL Reprint #2550

Bryan, A. L., Jr., C. H. Jagoe, H. A. Brant, J. C. Gariboldi, and G. R. Masson. 2001. Mercury concentrations in post-fledging wood storks. Waterbirds 24:277-281.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).