Contents of Various Elements in the Organs of Seabirds Killed by an Oil Spill around Tsushima Island, Japan

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Twenty nine oil-soaked birds were collected from around the Coast of Tsushima Island. The contents of eight elements in the livers and kidneys of the birds were investigated. Statistically higher concentrations of vanadium and thallium in the liver and of titanium in the kidney were found in the birds that were found dead compared with those that died after rescued. A significant correlation (r=0.695, P<0.01) was observed only for the molybdenum content between the kidneys and livers from the birds found dead. Although the controls of the eight elements of birds investigated in the present study remain unexplained, some of lower concentration in rescued birds can be blamed on a decrease in food intake of birds. The relation between oil contamination and concentration of elements need to be further explored.