CONCENTRATIONS OF HEAVY-METALS IN ORGANS AND TISSUES OF THE REDKNOBBED COOT

We measured the concentrations of lead, nickel, zinc, chromium, iron, manganese and copper in organs and tissues of six Redknobbed Coot Fuli ca cristata, collected from a polluted wetland region on the Transvaal Highveld. Highest values for most metals were recorded from the gonad s of both male and female specimens, with the next highest levels in t he excretory and secretory organs. Concentrations of iron and zinc wer e much higher than those for lead, nickel, manganese, copper and chrom ium. Marked variations in the concentrations of metals between the sam e organs and tissues from different individuals suggest that a variety of factors may affect the absorption of these metals.