西安市大气颗粒物PM2.5与降水关系的探讨

对西安市2011年的降水及PM_2.5进行采样，并对其进行了pH及无机水溶性离子测定。结果表明，西安市酸雨的污染类型以硫酸型污染为主，连续性降水对大气颗粒物的去除效果明显，pH随降水量的增加而减小。对采样日降水前和降水后3 h的PM_2.5监测结果表明降水对PM_2.5质量浓度与其中的离子有一定去除作用。西安市的PM_2.5呈酸性，并且与降水的pH有着很好的相关性；另外降水前PM_2.5的质量浓度、SO₄^2-浓度与降水pH呈负相关，NO₃^-与降水pH的相关性不明显。近几年PM_2.5和降水中的SO₄^2-/NO₃^-当量值变化趋势表明西安市大气污染已步入煤烟和机动车尾气混合型污染类型，且机动车污染对大气污染和酸雨的贡献比例有所增加。     

1997—2010年北京市大气降水离子特征变化趋势研究

依据北京市环境保护监测中心1997—2010年降水监测资料,分析北京地区降水中离子特征及变化趋势,阐明北京市降水污染现状及变化特征。结合北京市特有的气象条件、地形地貌和工业分布情况,分析污染物来源及污染变化趋势。研究表明:年度降水电导率呈现波动变化,降水污染严重程度依次为南部郊区>市区>北部背景点。北京地区大气降水中的主要阳离子成分是Ca²⁺和NH₄⁺,主要阴离子成分是SO₄^2-和NO₃^-。近年来[SO₄^2-]/[NO₃^-]比值逐步下降,污染类型由典型硫酸型发展为硫酸+硝酸混合型。阳离子[Ca²⁺]/[NH₄⁺]比值下降,碱性离子缓冲能力降低。9种离子各季节浓度变化趋势基本一致,由高到低依次是春季>秋季>冬季>夏季,这种季节变化特征与气象因素密切相关。相关性及聚类分析表明:NO₃^-与SO₄^2-存在很强相关性,说明其前体物SO₂和NO_X在大气中经常一同排放且进入降水途径相同;H⁺浓度不是由某个离子决定,是所有致酸离子和中和离子相互作用的结果,而NH₄⁺来源不同于其它离子,北京地区的氨存在其单独排放源。     

2003—2018年全国酸雨状况变化趋势研究

基于2003—2018年全国291个城市降水监测结果的分析表明:全国降水酸度明显降低,其中,2003—2006年有所升高,2006年之后呈降低趋势；酸雨区面积呈减小趋势,共减少约97万km²,酸雨发生频率超过5%的面积减少了20.9个百分点；全国酸雨城市比例为21.3%～40.9%,2009年开始总体呈下降趋势,2018年降为21.6%,重酸雨城市比例在2005年之后总体呈下降趋势；全国平均酸雨频率为11.7%～25.6%,2006年之后总体呈下降趋势,2018年酸雨频率在50%以上的城市比例较2006年下降了13.9个百分点。基于174个城市的降水离子组分分析结果显示:我国降水中的主要阴离子为硫酸根,其离子当量浓度占比为19.4%～32.9%,2003年以来年平均降低0.6个百分点；降水中的主要阳离子为钙离子和铵离子；硫酸根沉降通量年平均下降0.68 t/km²,硝酸根沉降通量年平均降低0.05 t/km²,全国SO₂浓度变化趋势与硫酸根沉降通量变化趋势基本一致；我国降水中的硝酸根与硫酸根离子当量浓度比值总体呈升高趋势,表明硝酸根离子对降水酸度的影响逐渐增加,酸雨类型正由硫酸型向硫酸-硝酸混合型转变。     

2018年长三角一次持续重污染过程分析

利用常州市6个环境空气质量评价点PM_2.5、PM₁₀、SO₂、NO₂、CO和水溶性离子数据，结合后向轨迹、激光雷达探空资料、气象资料等，分析了2018年1月29日—2月2日长三角区域一次持续重污染过程。结果表明，重度污染时次高达94 h，PM_2.5最高值达235 μg/m³，由外来输送污染物与本地排放的污染物叠加而成，在不利气象条件影响下，污染物在长三角区域长时间滞留；重污染期间，污染物日变化规律显示，PM_2.5受外来源影响更显著，而SO₂、NO₂受本地污染源影响更显著，水溶性粒子组分与常州市本地源存在较大差异，其中NO₃^-、NH₄⁺、K⁺、Mg²⁺和SO₄^2-值增加最为明显，较污染前分别增加了9.1，5.9，4.3，4.2和4.1倍；K⁺值升高较快，说明污染期间也受到了生物质燃烧的影响。此外，NO₃^-和SO₄^2-在空气质量较好时，在水溶性离子中的占比日变化幅度较大，而在重污染期间，NO₃^-和SO₄^2-日变化幅度明显减小。     

春节期间烟花爆竹燃放对海口市空气质量的影响

基于2018年与2019年春节期间常规空气污染物数据、2019年细颗粒物PM_2.5中水溶性离子和OC/EC的化学组分数据，结合气象资料，分析了春节期间烟花爆竹燃放对海口市空气质量的影响。结果表明：春节期间烟花爆竹燃放对海口市初一的空气质量影响较大，主要影响污染物为PM₁₀、PM_2.5和SO₂，对NO₂、CO和O₃影响相对较小；实施烟花爆竹严格管控后空气质量明显改善，2019年除夕夜PM₁₀、PM_2.5和SO₂质量浓度峰值较2018年分别下降67.4%、68.5%和66.7%；烟花爆竹集中燃放主要造成K⁺、Cl^-、Mg²⁺和SO₄^2-快速上升，其中K⁺影响最为显著，K⁺短时上升了16.21 μg/m³，增加17.01倍；对于NO₂^-、Na⁺、F^-、NO₃^-、Ca²⁺、NH₄⁺等6种离子和OC/EC影响较小。     

乌鲁木齐近十二年(1997~2009)降水中化学组分变化趋势分析

通过对乌鲁木齐市近12年(1997~2009)降水的化学组分分析,表明大气环境中的年际pH值在6.04~7.42间波动。∑阴离子所占百分比约为∑阳离子2倍。SO^2-₄和Ca²⁺分别是阴离子和阳离子中占比重最大的离子,直接影响降水的化学性质。近年来,SO^2-₄在阴离子中所占比重呈下降趋势,而NO^-₃则逐年增加,说明乌鲁木齐市在控制燃煤型污染方面采取的措施取得了一定效果,而机动车尾气污染日益加重,大气环境中各阴离子的组分比例在不断变化。     

天津市PM2.5中水溶性离子组分特征

2006年8—12月连续采集PM_2.5样品,分析其中水溶性无机离子浓度特征。结果表明,采样期间,天津市PM_2.5日均浓度均不同程度超过美国EPA日均浓度标准(35 μg/m³);SO₄^2-、NO₃^-、NH₄⁺和Cl^-为无机离子的主要成分,占全部无机离子的88.6%;各离子均表现出不同季节变化特征。对NH₄⁺和NO₃^-、SO₄^2-进行相关性分析发现,NH₄⁺和NO₃^-相关性最好,相关系数为0.795。SOR和NOR的平均值分别为0.16和0.23,均为8月最高,表明前体物二次转化夏季最明显。     

天津市PM2.5中水溶性无机离子污染特征及来源分析

2008年1、4、7月和10月在天津大气层边界站,利用中流量采样器对大气中的细粒子进行了滤膜样品采集,应用离子色谱检测技术分析了8种水溶性无机离子(Na⁺、NH₄⁺、K⁺、Mg²⁺、Ca²⁺、SO₄^2-、NO₃^-和Cl^-)的含量。结果表明,天津市大气PM_2.5中总水溶性无机离子平均浓度为47.3 μg/m³,其中,SO₄^2-、NO₃^-、NH₄⁺和Cl^-是最主要的水溶性无机离子,占总离子质量分数共计87.3%,表明了天津市细粒子中的主要水溶性无机离子的特征。/2 平均比值接近1.0,显示硫酸氨是细粒子中硫酸盐的主要存在形式。NO₃^-/SO₄^2-浓度比的平均值为0.65,反映了燃煤污染与机动车尾气污染并存的复合型大气污染特征。并通过对PM_2.5中8个水溶性离子成分的主成分分析进一步揭示了其来源。     

杭州秋冬季PM2.5污染特征分析

为研究杭州PM_2.5污染来源特征，利用2013—2019年杭州市PM_2.5监测数据和气象观测数据，分析了杭州市2013—2019年PM_2.5浓度变化，选取本地积累型和输入型2种PM_2.5污染过程，结合单颗粒气溶胶飞行时间质谱仪（SPAMS）和在线离子色谱数据，探讨杭州市PM_2.5化学组分和污染来源。结果表明：每年秋冬季（11月至次年3月）杭州以东北风、西北风及偏南风为主，风速低于4 m/s时，大气扩散条件差，受本地污染物积累影响，PM_2.5浓度容易出现超标；风速较大且为东北风和西北风时，受上游污染输入影响，易出现PM_2.5重度污染。本地积累型和输入型案例中，PM_2.5化学组分中占比最大的为NO₃^-、SO₄^2-和NH₄⁺；PM_2.5浓度上升过程中，二次NO₃^-和SO₄^2-转换率明显上升，其中NO₃^-上升更为显著，二次气溶胶污染严重。2次案例中，PM_2.5来源贡献占比前3位均为机动车尾气源、燃煤源和工业工艺源，其中本地积累型PM_2.5浓度上升阶段，机动车尾气源占比会明显上升；输入型案例中，输入阶段机动车尾气源占比显著上升，燃煤源贡献也小幅上升。     

南京大气细颗粒物中水溶性组分的污染特征

为了解南京城区大气细颗粒物中水溶性组分的污染特征,在国控点草场门进行了连续一年的PM_2.5采样与分析。6种离子日均浓度为5.29~67.6 μg/m³,其中SO₄^2-、NH₄⁺、NO₃^-是PM_2.5的主要组成成分,6 种离子约占PM_2.5总质量的31%,SO₄^2-、NO₃^-和NH₄⁺相关性较好,NH₄⁺是PM_2.5中硫酸盐和硝酸盐中居于主导地位的离子。     

An investigation on biological stability of product water generated by lab-scale and pilot-scale distillation systems

Material Disposal Area G is the primary low-levelradioactive waste disposal site at Los Alamos NationalLaboratory, New Mexico, and is adjacent to Pueblo of SanIldefonso lands. Pueblo residents and Los Alamos scientists areconcerned about radiological doses resulting from uptake of AreaG radionuclides by mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) andRocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus), then consumption ofdeer and elk meat by humans. Tissue samples were collected fromdeer and elk accidentally killed near Area G and were analyzedfor ³H, ⁹⁰Sr, total U, ²³⁸Pu, ^{239, 240}Pu,²⁴¹Am, and ¹³⁷Cs. These data were used to estimatehuman doses based on meat consumption of 23 kg y^-1. Humandoses were also modeled using RESRAD, and dose rates to deer andelk were estimated with a screening model. Dose estimates tohumans from tissue consumption were 2.9 × 10^-3 mSv y^-1and 1.6 × 10^-3 mSv y^-1 from deer and elk, respectively,and RESRAD dose estimates were of the same order of magnitude. Estimated dose rates to deer and elk were 2.1 × 10^-4 mGyd^-1 and 4.7 × 10^-4 mGy d^-1, respectively. Allestimated doses were significantly less than established exposurelimits or guidelines.     

Metal concentrations in deciduous tree leaves from urban areas in Poland

Accumulation of metals in deciduous tree foliage fromurban areas in western-south Poland was monitored duringthe vegetation season of 2000 year. Concentrations of Al,Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti and Znwere measured in birch, willow, linden and maple leavesusing the ICP-AES method. Seasonal variations of metalconcentrations and their relations with sampling sitewere investigated. The most dynamic accumulation of Al,Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb was observed for examined species. Thehighest differences in element concentrations forinvestigated sites were found for Ba, Cd, Mn and Ni.Interelement correlations were investigated. In allfoliar samples synergistic relationships between Al–Crand Ca-Sr were found. Statistically significant negativecorrelations were observed only for Cd and Ti in birch leaves.     

Varying Stable Nitrogen Isotope Ratios of Different Coastal Marsh Plants and Their Relationships with Wastewater Nitrogen and Land Use in New England, USA

The stable nitrogen isotope ratios of some biota have been used as indicators of sources of anthropogenic nitrogen. In this study the relationships of the stable nitrogen isotope ratios of marsh plants, Iva frutescens (L.), Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin ex Steud, Spartina patens (Ait.) Muhl, Spartina alterniflora Loisel, Ulva lactuca (L.), and Enteromorpha intestinalis (L.) with wastewater nitrogen and land development in New England are described. Five of the six plant species (all but U. lactuca) showed significant relationships of increasing δ ¹⁵N values with increasing wastewater nitrogen. There was a significant (P < 0.0001) downward shift in the δ ¹⁵N of S. patens (6.0 ± 0.48‰) which is mycorrhizal compared with S. alterniflora (8.5 ± 0.41‰). The downward shift in δ ¹⁵N may be caused by the assimilation of fixed nitrogen in the roots of S. patens. P. australis within sites had wide ranges of δ ¹⁵N values, evidently influenced by the type of shoreline development or buffer at the upland border. In residential areas, the presence of a vegetated buffer (n = 24 locations) significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the δ ¹⁵N (mean = 7.4 ± 0.43‰) of the P. australis compared to stands where there was no buffer (mean = 10.9 ± 1.0‰; n = 15). Among the plant species, I. frutescens located near the upland border showed the most significant (R ² = 0.64; P = 0.006) inverse relationship with the percent agricultural land in the watershed. The δ ¹⁵N of P. australis and I. frustescens is apparently an indicator of local inputs near the upland border, while the δ ¹⁵N of Spartina relates with the integrated, watershed-sea nitrogen inputs.     

Effect of heavy metal contaminated shooting range soils on mycorrhizal colonization of roots and metal uptake by leek

We grew leek (Allium porrum) in soils of two shooting ranges heavily contaminated with heavy metals in the towns of Zuchwil and Oberuzwil in Switzerland as a bioassay to test theactivity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in these soils.Soil samples were taken from (1) front of the shooting house(HOUSE), (2) the area between house and target (FIELD) and (3) the berm (BACKSTOP). Samples of Ribwort plantain (Plantagolanceolata) growing naturally within the shooting ranges werealso collected and the colonization of its roots by mycorrhizalfungi was measured. The number of AM spores in the soils wassignificantly reduced concomitant with the increase in thedegree of soil contamination with metals. In Zuchwil,mycorrhizal fungi equally colonized roots of Ribwort plantainsampled from BACKSTOP and HOUSE. In Oberuzwil, however, plantsfrom BACKSTOP had lower colonization when compared with thosesampled from HOUSE. Colonization of leek was strongly reducedin the BACKSTOP soil of Zuchwil and slightly reduced in theBACKSTOP soil of Oberuzwil when compared with plants grown inrespective HOUSE soil. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb andZn in the leaves of leek grown in the BACKSTOP soil was withinthe range considered toxic for human consumption. This pointsto the high degree of bio-availability of these metal in thesesoils. Significant decrease in the number of mycorrhizal sporesin the BACKSTOP soils in Zuchwil and the low colonization ofleek roots grown in these soils point to possible changes inthe species diversity of mycorrhizal fungi in these soils.     

Radionuclide Concentrations in Benthic Invertebrates from Amchitka and Kiska Islands in the Aleutian Chain, Alaska

Concentrations of 13 radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs, ¹²⁹I, ⁶⁰Co, ¹⁵²Eu, ⁹⁰Sr, ⁹⁹Tc, ²⁴¹Am, ²³⁸Pu, ^239,249Pu, ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁶U, ²³⁸U were examined in seven species of invertebrates from Amchitka and Kiska Islands, in the Aleutian Chain of Alaska, using gamma spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, and alpha spectroscopy. Amchitka Island was the site of three underground nuclear test (1965–1971), and we tested the null hypotheses that there were no differences in radionuclide concentrations between Amchitka and the reference site (Kiska) and there were no differences among species. The only radionuclides where composite samples were above the Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) were ¹³⁷Cs, ²⁴¹Am, ^239,249Pu, ²³⁴U, ²³⁵U, ²³⁶U, and ²³⁸U. Green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus polyacanthus), giant chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri), plate limpets (Tectura scutum) and giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) were only tested for ¹³⁷Cs; octopus was the only species with detectable levels of ¹³⁷Cs (0.262 ± 0.029 Bq/kg, wet weight). Only rock jingle (Pododesmus macroschisma), blue mussel (Mytilus trossulus) and horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) were analyzed for the actinides. There were no interspecific differences in ²⁴¹Am and ^239,240Pu, and almost no samples above the MDA for ²³⁸Pu and ²³⁶U. Horse mussels had significantly higher concentrations of ²³⁴U (0.844 ± 0.804 Bq/kg) and ²³⁸U (0.730 ± 0.646) than the other species (both isotopes are naturally occurring). There were no differences in actinide concentrations between Amchitka and Kiska. In general, radionuclides in invertebrates from Amchitka were similar to those from uncontaminated sites in the Northern Hemisphere, and below those from the contaminated Irish Sea. There is a clear research need for authors to report the concentrations of radionuclides by species, rather than simply as ‘shellfish’, for comparative purposes in determining geographical patterns, understanding possible effects, and for estimating risk to humans from consuming different biota.     

Kelp as a Bioindicator: Does it Matter Which Part of 5 M Long Plant is Used for Metal Analysis?

Kelp may be useful as a bioindicator because they are primary producers that are eaten by higher trophic level organisms, including people and livestock. Often when kelp or other algae species are used as bioindicators, the whole organism is homogenized. However, some kelp can be over 25 m long from their holdfast to the tip of the blade, making it important to understand how contaminant levels vary throughout the plant. We compared the levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, mercury and selenium in five different parts of the kelp Alaria nana to examine the variability of metal distribution. To be useful as a bioindicator, it is critical to know whether levels are constant throughout the kelp, or which part is the highest accumulator. Kelp were collected on Adak Island in the Aleutian Chain of Alaska from the Adak Harbor and Clam Cove, which opens onto the Bering Sea. In addition to determining if the levels differ in different parts of the kelp, we wanted to determine whether there were locational or size-related differences. Regression models indicated that between 14% and 43% of the variation in the levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, manganese, mercury, and selenium was explained by total length, part of the plant, and location (but not for lead). The main contributors to variability were length (for arsenic and selenium), location (mercury), and part of the plant (for arsenic, cadmium, chromium and manganese). The higher levels of selenium occurred at Clam Cove, while mercury was higher at the harbor. Where there was a significant difference among parts, the holdfast had the highest levels, although the differences were not great. These data indicate that consistency should be applied in selecting the part of kelp (and the length) to be used as a bioindicator. While any part of Alaria could be collected for some metals, for arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and manganese a conversion should be made among parts. In the Aleutians the holdfast can be perennial while the blade, whipped to pieces by winter wave action, is regrown each year. Thus the holdfast may be used for longer-term exposure for arsenic, cadmium, chromium and manganese, while the blade can be used for short-term exposure for all metals. Cadmium, lead and selenium were at levels that suggest that predators, including people, may be at risk from consuming Alaria. More attention should be devoted to heavy metal levels in kelp and other algae from Adak, particularly where they may play a role in a subsistence diets.     

Assessing Potential for Recovery of Biotic Richness and Indicator Species due to Changes in Acidic Deposition and Lake ph in Five Areas of Southeastern Canada

Biological damage to sensitive aquatic ecosystems is among the most recognisable, deleterious effects of acidic deposition. We compiled a large spatial database of over 2000 waterbodies across southeastern Canada from various federal, provincial and academic sources. Data for zooplankton, fish, macroinvertebrate (benthos) and loon species richness and occurrence were used to construct statistical models for lakes with varying pH, dissolved organic carbon content and lake size. pH changes, as described and predicted using the Integrated Assessment Model (Lam et al., 1998; Jeffries et al., 2000), were based on the range of emission reductions set forth in the Canada/US Air Quality Agreement (AQA). The scenarios tested include 1983, 1990, 1994 and 2010 sulphate deposition levels. Biotic models were developed for five regions in southeastern Canada (Algoma, Muskoka, and Sudbury, Ontario, southcentral Québec, and Kejimkujik, Nova Scotia) using regression tree, multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses to make predictions about recovery after emission reductions. The analyses produced different indicator species in different regions, although some species showed consistent trends across regions. Generally, the greatest predicted recovery occurred during the final phase of emission reductions between 1994 and 2010 across all taxonomic groups and regions. The Ontario regions, on average, were predicted to recover to a greater extent than either southcentral Québec or the Kejimkujik area of Nova Scotia. Our results reconfirm that pH 5.5–6.0 is an important threshold below which damage to aquatic biota will remain a major local and regional environmental problem. This damage to biodiversity across trophic levels will persist well into the future if no further reductions in sulphate deposition are implemented.     

Nitrogen Content of Letharia vulpina Tissue from Forests of the Sierra Nevada, California: Geographic Patterns and Relationships to Ammonia Estimates and Climate

Nitrogen (N) pollution is a growing concern in forests of the greater Sierra Nevada, which lie downwind of the highly populated and agricultural Central Valley. Nitrogen content of Letharia vulpina tissue was analyzed from 38 sites using total Kjeldahl analysis to provide a preliminary assessment of N deposition patterns. Collections were co-located with plots where epiphytic macrolichen communities are used for estimating ammonia (NH₃) deposition. Tissue N ranged from 0.6% to 2.11% with the highest values occurring in the southwestern Sierra Nevada (range: 1.38 to 2.11). Tissue N at 17 plots was elevated, as defined by a threshold concentration of 1.03%. Stepwise regression was used to determine the best predictors of tissue N from among a variety of environmental variables. The best model consisted only of longitude (r ² = 0.64), which was reflected in the geographic distribution of tissue values: the southwestern Sierra Nevada, the high Sierras near the Tahoe Basin, and the Modoc Plateau, are three apparent N hotspots arranged along the tilted north–south axis of the study area. Withholding longitude and latitude, the best regression model suggested that NH₃ estimates and annual number of wetdays interactively affect N accumulation (r ² = 0.61; % N ∼ NH₃ + wetdays + (NH₃ × wetdays)). We did not expect perfect correspondence between tissue values and NH₃ estimates since other N pollutants also accumulate in the lichen thallus. Additionally, other factors potentially affecting N content, such as growth rate and leaching, were not given full account.     

Spatial Relationships Between Water Quality and Pesticide Application Rates in Agricultural Watersheds

Pesticide applications to agricultural lands in California, USA, are reported to a central data base, while data on water and sediment quality are collected by a number of monitoring programs. Data from both sources are geo-referenced, allowing spatial analysis of relationships between pesticide application rates and the chemical and biological condition of water bodies. This study collected data from 12 watersheds, selected to represent a range of pesticide usage. Water quality parameters were measured during six surveys of stream sites receiving runoff from the selected watershed areas. This study had three objectives: to evaluate the usefulness of pesticide application data in selecting regional monitoring sites, to provide information for generating and testing hypotheses about pesticide fate and effects, and to determine whether in-stream nitrate concentration was a useful surrogate indicator for regional monitoring of toxic substances. Significant correlations were observed between pesticide application rates and in-stream pesticide concentrations (p < 0.05) and toxicity (p < 0.10). In-stream nitrate concentrations were not significantly correlated with either the amount of pesticides applied, in-stream pesticide concentrations, or in-stream toxicity (all p > 0.30). Neither total watershed area nor the area in which pesticide usage was reported correlated significantly with the amount of pesticides applied, in-stream pesticide concentrations, or in-stream toxicity (all p > 0.14). In-stream pesticide concentrations and effects were more closely related to the intensity of pesticide use than to the area under cultivation.     

Heavy Metals and Selenium in Herring Gulls (LARUS ARGENTATUS) NESTING IN COLONIES FROM EASTERN LONG ISLAND TO VIRGINIA

With increasing interest in assessing the health or well-being ofcommunities and ecosystems, birds are being used asbioindicators. Coloniallynesting species breed mainly in coastal areas that are alsopreferred for humandevelopment, exposing the birds to various pollutants. Inthis paper concentrations of heavy metal and selenium in the feathers ofHerring Gulls(Larus argentatus) nesting in several colonies fromMassachusetts toDelaware are reported. There were significant differencesamong colonies forall metals, with metal concentrations being two to nearly fivetimes higher atsome colonies than others. Selenium showed the leastdifference, and cadmium showed the greatest difference among sites. Concentrations of lead werehighest at Pralls Island; mercury was highest at Shinnecock,Huckleberry andHarvey, and manganese was highest at Captree.