Ionic alkylleads in avian tissues from aquatic and terrestrial environments

Abstract

Abstract Ionic alkyllead concentrations in soft tissues of pigeons from urban Montreal and environs were appreciably different from the variety and concentrations of alkyllead analytes which characterized mallard ducks culled from a sanctuary in eastern Ontario. The major toxicant in pigeons, triethyllead (Et 3 Pb + ) reflected the exclusive use of tetraethyllead as a gasoline additive in both regions. Urban colonies of pigeons were characterized by significantly greater concentrations of Et 3 Pb + than were specimens from a suburban/rural colony. In contrast, the major toxicant in ducks was trimethyllead although six other alkyllead analytes were also observed. An environmentally mediated methylation of Pb 2+ which is more active in (but not restricted to) aquatic environments is postulated to account for the ubiquity of trimethyllead in ducks.