Doo-Pyo Lee

Monitoring for lead pollution using feathers of feral pigeons (Columba livia) from Korea.

We investigated lead exposure conditions using unwashed feathers of feral pigeons as a monitor for lead pollution from rural, central urban, and four industrial complex areas in Korea with different ambient lead concentrations. Overall, the lead levels in the feathers increased when the atmospheric lead levels increased, so that the lead levels in the feathers from urban and industrial areas were two to four times greater than those in the rural area. However, there are no significant differences in the liver lead concentrations between rural and the other areas, suggesting that the lead originated from ingestion are not differences in locations. A positive correlation was found between the concentration of lead in livers and feathers from rural, indicating that the feather lead concentrations in this area seem to mainly reflect the internal tissue lead through the metabolic process. However, there are no significant correlations in the other areas, and we observed a relatively higher lead accumulation ratio of feathers to livers. It, therefore, indicates that external contamination onto the feather surface may be an important source for lead levels in feathers rather than transfer from internal tissue lead.

Population declines and heavy metal exposure of Swinhoe’s Storm Petrels (Oceanodroma monorhis) breeding on the southwest coast of Korea

We investigated the population dynamics of globally near-threatened Swinhoes Storm Petrels on Kugul and Chilbal islets where >90% of the world breeding population have resided for >25 years. We also determined the levels of six heavy metals in the seabird species as a possible factor affecting reproduction. Of the 892 and 307 marked burrows since 1986, the breeding density of Swinhoes Storm Petrels has changed significantly, based on a 55% decline at Kugul islet, and a 39% decline at Chilbal islet, suggesting that this species has suffered an extensive population decline. Of the individuals studied, five Swinhoes Storm Petrels and two Streaked Shearwaters had >8.0 μg/g Pb in tissues, which is a potentially lethal level in avian species. Given that substantial changes in their breeding populations may occur in a limited breeding colony, ecological threats including environmental pollutants warrant attention for global conservation of these birds.

Current Status and Importance of Grus vipio Coming to Hangang Estuary

Abstract This study was conducted to understand the arrival trends of Grus vipio, which wintered in the Hangang estuary, from October to March next year from 2004 to 2008. During four wintering periods, the number of individuals of Grus vipio arriving at the estuary was average 507.5±10.8 (n=4). The arriving sites were Seongdong IC and Janghang IC. Seongdong IC was a stopover while Janghang IC was a final destination for wintering. In Seongdong IC, 424.3±149.4 (n=4) individuals on average arrive while 153.8±63.3 (n=4) individuals arrive at Janghang IC. The number of individuals arriving at the Hangang estuary accounts for 8.6 percent of the living total and 2.0 percent of the total wintering individuals.

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Tissues of Feral Pigeons(Columba livia) from Urban Areas in Korea

The present study was to investigate Pb and Cd concentrations in tissues of feral pigeons in urban areas. The Pb levels in bones and livers did not differ between Seoul and Kwangju areas. However, there were significant differences in kidney and liver Cd concentrations between the study sites. These are thought to be a reflection of the metal exposure conditions in the local environment. In particular, metal levels from Seoul were compared with those obtained in the same area between 1991 and 2000 in terms of the long-term biomonitoring approaches. The mean Pb concentrations in bones decreased from 59.1 g/wet g in 1991 to 29.5 g/wet g in 2000, totaling a reduction in concentrations of approximately 50 percent. However, there were no significant differences in the liver Pb concentrations. Concentrations of Cd in livers and kidneys did not differ between 1991 and 2000.