LONG-RANGE AIR-POLLUTION AND ITS IMPACT ON HEAVY-METAL ACCUMULATION IN DIPPERS CINCLUS-CINCLUS IN NORWAY

Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead and zinc are deposited in Norway as long-range transported air pollution, while copper deposition is of m ainly local origin. This study examined whether the deposition influen ces the metal concentrations in dippers Cinclus cinclus. The lead conc entration in dippers reflected the deposition pattern of long-range ai r pollution, with higher concentrations in Southern Norway than Centra l Norway and a significant decrease (greater than or equal to 40%) bet ween 1987 and 1994. For cadmium, copper and zinc there were no geograp hical or temporal variations in metal concentrations. For zinc, this l ack of geographic and temporal variation probably reflects the fact th at it is a homeostatically, regulated metal. For both cadmium and copp er, local sources are probably more important than long-range sources. Zinc and copper was at higher level in livers of females than in male s during the egg laying period. The concentrations of zinc and copper in livers were positively correlated. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd.