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Trace element concentrations in feathers from three seabird species breeding in the Timor Sea
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 10:16 authored by Jennifer Lavers, Humphreys-Williams, E, Crameri, NJ, Bond, ALMobile marine predators, such as seabirds, are frequently used as broad samplers of contaminants that are widespread in the marine environment. The Timor Sea off remote Western Australia is a poorly studied, yet rapidly expanding area of offshore development. To provide much needed data on contamination in this region, we quantified trace element concentrations in breast feathers of three seabird species breeding on Bedout Island. While adult Masked Boobies Sula dactylatra exhibited some of the highest concentrations, values for all species were below toxicology thresholds for seabirds and were comparable to those reported in other closely related species. The low concentrations detected in the birds provide a valuable baseline and suggest that the local marine environment around Bedout is in relatively good condition. However, careful monitoring is warranted in light increasing anthropogenic activity in this region.
History
Publication title
Marine Pollution BulletinVolume
151Article number
110876Number
110876Pagination
1-6ISSN
0025-326XDepartment/School
Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesPublisher
Pergamon-Elsevier Science LtdPlace of publication
The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England, Ox5 1GbRights statement
© 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.Repository Status
- Restricted