Screening of Mercury Bioaccumulation in Birds (Passeriformes) from a Major Wetland of the Brazilian Cerrado

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Lucas Cabrera Monteiro, Renato Caparroz, Marcelo Lisita Junqueira, Pedro Henrique Vogeley, Ludgero Cardoso Galli Vieira, José Vicente Elias Bernardi
DOI: 10.1007/s00128-026-04186-2
Cited by: 1
References: 14

Abstract

Abstract We quantified total mercury (THg) in feathers of Passeriformes from the Araguaia River floodplain (Brazil) to assess bioaccumulation and biomagnification across trophic guilds. Thirty-nine individuals from 22 non-migratory species were analyzed. Feather THg ranged from 0.05 to 2.35 mg kg −1 (d.w.), with highest concentrations in invertivores. Invertivorous birds exhibited consistently high biomagnification factors for all invertebrate prey. Omnivorous birds showed lower and more variable biomagnification, suggesting dietary diversification attenuates Hg transfer. Herbivorous birds also showed significant biomagnification, highlighting basal compartments as relevant exposure pathways. Feathers proved to be effective non-lethal indicators of Hg dynamics in Neotropical riparian food webs.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Mercury impact and mitigation studies Fish biology ecology and behavior Isotope Analysis in Ecology

Publication details

Journal / source
Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Volume
116
Issue
2
Pages
36–36
Publication date
1 February 2026
Language
EN