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Background and purpose: The Common Coot (Fulica atra) is an abundant aquatic bird in North of Iran and is anticipated to be a good indicator for metal pollution on north wetlands of Iran. The aim of this study was to determining metals concentration in water, sediment samples and two organs of Common coot (liver and kidney). Materials and methods: This study was tested on water, sediment and 30 Common coot samples, in winter 2009. The water and sediment samples were respectively collected by Rotner bottle and Ekman grab within six sites of Gomishan and Khalij Gorgan wetland. The concentration of heavy metals in samples (Bird tissues, water and sediment) was measured by GF-AAS and Flame-AAS. Results: The data indicated that maximum heavy metals concentration in water belongs to lead (0.154 ± 0.02 ppm) and in sediment to Zn (2.04 ± 0.42 ppm). There was a significantly high correlation among heavy metals in water and sediment samples (P<0.01). The metals (Cd, Pb, Zn) level in both water and sediment samples was below standard level, whereas Cr concentration in water sample was almost higher. The highest concentrations of cadmium and lead found in liver (2.2 , 9.1 µg/g) and kidney (2.1, 8.9 µg/g) of Common coots, respectivly. Among the metals, the highest concentration in liver was Zn element (14.9 ± 7.24 ppm) and the lowest level in kidney belongs to Cr (0.76 ± 0.56 ppm). Moreover, the data pshowed no any significant difference in both liver and kidney organs of both sexes. Conclusion: The result indicated that lead concentration in kidney and liver tissues of Common coot was at exposure level and cadmium found below toxicity level. Other elements were also below toxicity level.

Keywords: Wetland, Common coot, heavy metals, Sediment

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