ACCUMULATION OF HEAVY-METALS BY BIRDS IN THE SOUTHWEST OF RUSSIA

Accumulation of heavy metals (chromium, lead, arsenic, nickel, copper, and manganese) in the bones, food, and feces of 24 bird species in th e southwest of Russia, the Rostovskaya oblast and Kalmykia, was studie d. Differences in the lead accumulation in the bones of terrestrial an d aquatic birds, as well as in the arsenic accumulation in the bones o f birds belonging to different trophic levels, were demonstrated. An i nverse linear relation between the lead concentration in bird bones an d the body mass was found. Heavy metal content in the food (earthworms ) and excrement of rooks from suburban and urban colonies are discusse d. Worms and rook excrement from urban habitats are more polluted with heavy metals.