• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.539-543
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• 2006

We investigated Cd and Pb accumulation levels in tissues of 25 individuals of three species of loons wintering in coastal areas of Busan, Korea. Their liver, muscle, kidney and bone tissues were analyzed for Cd and Pb concentrations. Significant difference of Cd and Pb concentrations was not found among the three species (p>0.05). Individual Cd values ranged from 0.02 to $18.3{\mu}g/g$. Cd concentrations were highest in kidney and lowest in bone. Levels (3.45$\sim$6.34 ${\mu}g/g$) of all the analyzed liver Cd were similar in comparison with those (ND$\sim$7.11${\mu}g/g$) reported for the loons in different areas. All but one (Gavia arctica) of kidney Cd levels were lower than the exposed level (>30 ${\mu}g/g$). Individual Pb values ranged from 0.03 to 1.49 ${\mu}g/g$. Pb concentrations were highest in bone and lowest in muscle. Liver Pb levels in this study were similar to those of normal loons reported from different countries. Based on hepatic Pb levels, almost all of the samples were classified as background level (0.15$\sim$3.0 ${\mu}g/g$).