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title: "Regional variation in mercury levels in wintering Streaked Shearwaters"
---

# Regional variation in mercury levels in wintering Streaked Shearwaters

Yutaka Watanuki ([Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences](http://www2.fish.hokudai.ac.jp/wwwfish-e/wwwfish-e.html), Hokkaido University, Japan) and colleagues have published in the journal [Marine Ecology Progress Series](http://www.int-res.com/journals/meps/meps-home/) on mercury concentrations in Streaked Shearwaters *Calonectris leucomelas*.

 The paper’s abstract follows:

 “We measured mercury concentration ([Hg]) and nitrogen stable isotope values (δ15N) in tail feathers that were replaced during the non-breeding period of streaked shearwaters *Calonectris leucomelas* that bred on 3 islands in Japan.  The birds’ year-round movements were tracked and their breeding status was monitored.  [Hg] was greater in males than in females, and was greatest in those birds spending their non-breeding period in the South China Sea (3.1 ± 1.5 µg g-1 dry weight), moderate in birds in the Arafura Sea (1.5 ± 0.7 µg g-1), and lowest in birds in the Pacific Ocean north of New Guinea (0.8 ± 0.4 µg g-1).  Adverse effects of feather [Hg] on breeding status were not observed.  This regional variation in feather [Hg] might partly reflect differences in the intake of Hg between these non-breeding areas in addition to accumulation during the late breeding period and the southward migration period.”

 ![](https://acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Shearwaters/Shearwaters/Streaked_Shearwater.jpg)

 Streaked Shearwater at sea

 **Reference:**

 Watanuki, Y., Yamashita, A., Ishizuka, M., Ikenaka, Y., Nakayama, S.M.M., Ishii, C., Yamamoto, T., Ito, M., Kuwae, T. & Trathan, P.N. 2016.  Feather mercury concentration in streaked shearwaters wintering in separate areas of southeast Asia.  [*Marine Ecology Progress Series* 546: 263-269](http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v546/p263-269/).

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 08 August 2016*