Mercury in little birds

August

Songbirds along the New England coast – including in nearby Westport, Conn. – have been found to have elevated levels of mercury. The toxic chemical can affect humans and wildlife and has long been known as an environmental contaminant.

Freshwater fish are a well-known reservoir of mercury. The salt marsh sharp-tailed sparrows that were studied had mercury levels well above the levels found in loons and bald eagles, which feed on such fish. Researchers from the Biodiversity Research Institute in Maine said the study showed mercury wasn’t just a problem limited to freshwater areas and birds that eat fish. The sparrows eat seeds and insects.

It also points to the need for aÃ‚Â national mercury monitoring program, which is being pushed for by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. has signed onto the effort.

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 30th, 2007 at 1:20 pm by Mike Risinit.
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