BIOACCUMULATION OF HEAVY METALS IN ROBINS VIA EARTHWORMS - IDENTIFYING POLLUTION SOURCES AND PATHWAYS

Earthworms have been previously used as biomonitors for environmental contamination, but the concept has yet to be applied extensively to larger organisms such as Turdus migratorius, the American robin. This pilot study aims to characterize the pathways of urban heavy metal contamination in colocated soil, worms, and robins in Bloomington, IN. Bloomington historically has had a diverse industrial presence ideal for heavy metal research. Through partnerships at Indiana University-Bloomington and with the Bookworms Community Science Initiative, heavy metal content of robin blood samples will be measured using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry and compared to colocated soils and worms measured via portable X-ray fluorescence. This will produce geospatial characterizations of heavy metal concentrations across the city of Bloomington, Indiana. Understanding biomagnification of pollutants through direct and indirect ingestion along trophic chains will strengthen the understanding of how heavy metals are accumulating in American robins and provide a critical foundation for future studies into avian health, contamination at higher trophic levels, and methods of remediation.