Home – Home – Jornals – Contemporary Problems of Ecology 2005 number 3

In 2000-2001, the effect of discharges of the Middle-Ural copper-smelting plant (city of Reuda, Sverdlovsk oblast) on haematological indices of adult and young pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca Pall.) was studied. The toxic load index (heavy metals and sulphur dioxide) in the zone of maximal contamination exceeds 3.2-fold the background level. As the contamination is enhanced, a depression of respiratory function of blood- a decrease of haemoglobin concentration and an increase of that of immature erythrocytes - is observed. In local subpopulations of pied flycatcher in contaminated territories the percentage of anemic fledglings is increased. Activation of the immune system is expressed in a change of proportion of various forms of leucocytes. The changes of the leukocyte formula reflect the effects of both intoxication and of infection by parasites.
Affection of young birds by fly larvae is an important factor enhancing the toxic effects. Reactions of blood system to the toxic effects in adult individuals are expressed less than in young ones.