Custer, T. W., Franson, J. C., and Moore, J. F., 1986, Reproductive success and
heavy metal contamination in Rhode Island common terns: Environmental
Pollution Series A Ecological and Biological, v. 41, no. 1, p. 33-52.

Abstract:

Common tern (Sterna hirundinae ) clutch size, reproductive success and growth of
young recorded from an  abandoned barge on the Providence River, an area of
heavy metal contamination, were equal to, or greater than,  from less contaminated
areas. Concentrations of copper and zinc were higher in livers of nestling terns
from the  Providence River than from other, less contaminated, areas. However,
concentrations of magnesium,  manganese, and iron and the frequency of nickel
were equal, or lower, at Providence than other, less  contaminated, locations.
Among-colony trends in residues of copper, zinc and nickel in prey samples were 
similar to trends found in nestling livers. Uric acid concentrations in nestling blood
were twice as high in the  Providence River than another colony and may have
resulted from moderate levels of chromium in the diet.

Keywords:

heavy-metals, reproduction, growth, breeding-success, sexual-reproduction,
breeding, pollution-effects, aquatic-birds, freshwater-pollution,
Rhode-Island,-Providence-R., Sterna-hirundinea, USA,-Rhode-Island,-
Providence-R., effects-on; residues