52 Organic pesticides in feathers of three species of migratory birds overwintering in the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

We determined the levels of 52 organic pesticides (OPs), including 17 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), 14 organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), 8 organic nitrogen pesticides (ONPs), and 13 pyrethroids (PYRs) for four types of contour feathers (breast, tail, back, and wings) from three species of migratory birds overwintering in the Tibetan Plateau. The studied species included the Pacific golden plover (Pluvialis fulva), a long-distance migratory omnivore; common snipe (Gallinago gallinago), a mid-distance migratory omnivore; and bar-headed goose (Anser indicus), a short-distance migratory herbivore. The primary and emerging pollutants included malaoxon and paraoxon from the OPP group, and alachlor and metalaxyl from the ONP group, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the levels of OP from different types of feathers, suggesting the suitability of contour feathers for biomonitoring. Significant species-level differences were observed between the levels of OP, with common snipe > Pacific golden plover > bar-headed goose. Pesticide levels were generally higher for feathers from omnivorous species. Additionally, species with longer migration distances tended to have higher pesticide levels for feathers, indicating migratory birds could influence the global transport of pollutants.

Keywords

• Feathers
• Migratory birds
• Organic pesticides
• Bio-indicators
• Environmental monitoring