The great egret (Ardea alba) as a bioindicator of trace element contamination in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Region, Brazil

To investigate great egret as a possible bioindicator of trace element contamination, the concentrations of Br, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Se and Zn were determined in livers of great egrets (Ardea alba) by the methods of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. It was observed that the levels of trace elements found in their livers may indicate contamination of the studied region. Thus, the livers of this species can be considered as a suitable bioindicator of contamination of the aquatic systems in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region. (author)