Heavy metal concentration in tissues of Puffinus gravis sampled on the Brazilian coast

The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Mn and Ni were determined in liver and kidney samples of adult and juvenile Puffinus gravis by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The average Cd concentration in adult livers were significantly different from juveniles. Cu concentration averages were significantly different between liver and kidney, as well as in between the liver of adults and juveniles. Average Mn concentrations in liver and kidney did not differ between adults and juveniles, whereas Ni concentrations in liver and kidney of adults were significantly higher than in juveniles. For Pb concentrations in liver were significantly higher in adults than in juveniles. The concentrations of essential trace elements in P. gravis were generally comparable to values reported in other studies. With non essential metals (Cd, Pb and Ni), P. gravis had smaller values than those reported for their northern Atlantic counterparts