Audouin's gull chicks as bioindicators of mercury pollution at different breeding locations in the western Mediterranean.

摘要: Mercury levels of Audouin's gull are amongst the highest for Mediterranean seabirds, and have been mainly attributed to its piscivorous habits in these naturally Hg rich waters. Moreover, two additional factors could enhance mercury intake: consumption discarded fish (which attain higher concentrations) and/or feeding areas receiving anthropogenic inputs. In order differentiate relevance both sources we analysed stable isotopes chick feathers from different breeding locations western Mediterranean: one northern part (Ebro Delta) southern (Chafarinas Isl. Alboran Isl.). The results indicate that discards is at Isl., followed by Ebro Delta Chafarinas Thus, found cannot be explained uniquely contribution diet, but local pollution caused river waters accounts differences observed.