PARENT SESSION
PM9 - Arsenic Fate & Effects
Monday, 18 November 2002
8:00 AM to 6:30 PM
Exhibit Hall
(P291) Characterization of arsenic in terrestrial and marine Sub-Arctic birds.
Mace, Jessica*,1, Koch, Iris1, Ollson, Christopher1, Lee, Ellen1, Reimer, Kenneth1, 1 Royal Military College, Kingston, ON, Canada
ABSTRACT- The differences in total arsenic and its species in terrestrial and marine sub-arctic birds are currently being investigated. Two terrestrial bird species, gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis) and American tree sparrow (Spizella arborea) were collected on arsenic contaminated mine sites in Yellowknife, NWT. Two species of marine birds, great black-backed gull (Larus marinus) and black guillemots (Cepphus grylle) were collected in Saglek, Labrador. Arsenic concentrations in this area are typical of those found in the Canadian marine environment. The terrestrial birds contained higher arsenic levels than those previously reported in the literature. Gray jays had arsenic concentrations of 9 +/- 4 ppm/dry weight in the livers, 2 +/- 1 ppm in the breast tissue, and 12 +/- 9 ppm in the feathers. Even higher levels were found in the American tree sparrows, which had arsenic concentrations of 45 ppm in the liver, 8.6 +/- 0.3 in the breast tissue, and 15 +/- 12 ppm in the feathers. Similar arsenic concentrations were found in the tissues of both marine species. Total arsenic concentrations were lower than those found in the terrestrial species. Average arsenic concentrations were 4 +/- 3 ppm/dry weight in the livers, and 2 +/- 1 ppm in the breast tissue. Eggs of both species were analyzed and found to contain an average of 1.4 +/- 0.2 ppm total arsenic. The results of methanol/water extraction followed by HPLC-ICP-MS will be presented to establish the speciation of arsenic in the various tissues. In addition, the use of feathers as a biomarker of total arsenic body burden is being evaluated. If a good correlation exists, then it is possible that only feathers need be collected instead of sacrificing the birds.
Key words: arsenic , speciation, birds, biomarker