101
|
Ishii C, Ikenaka Y, Nakayama SMM, Kuritani T, Nakagawa M, Saito K, Watanabe Y, Ogasawara K, Onuma M, Haga A, Ishizuka M. Current situation regarding lead exposure in birds in Japan (2015-2018); lead exposure is still occurring. J Vet Med Sci 2020; 82:1118-1123. [PMID: 32554936 PMCID: PMC7468064 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.20-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Birds of a number of species have died as a result of lead (Pb) poisoning, including many Steller's sea eagles (Haliaeetus pelagicus) and white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. To address this issue, the use of any type of Pb ammunition for hunting of large animals was prohibited in Hokkaido in 2004. However, Pb poisoning is still being reported in this area, and there are few regulations regarding the use of Pb ammunition in other parts of Japan, where it has been reported that eagles and water birds have been exposed to Pb. This study was performed to accurately determine the current level of Pb exposure of birds found dead in the field or dead in the wild bird centers in Japan (June 2015-May 2018) and to identify the sources of Pb. Pb exposure was found to still be occurring in raptors and water birds in various parts of Japan. Twenty-six point five % and 5.9% of the recorded deaths of Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed sea eagles, respectively, were found to have been poisoned by Pb. In addition, Pb isotope ratio analysis showed that both Pb rifle bullets and Pb shot pellets cause Pb exposure in birds, and these endangered eagles are also exposed to Pb in Hokkaido due to the illegal use of Pb ammunition. Changing to Pb-free ammunition, such as copper (Cu) rifle bullets, steel shot pellets, or bismuth shot pellets, will be essential for the conservation of avian species in Japan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Ishii
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita18, Nishi9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Yoshinori Ikenaka
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita18, Nishi9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan.,Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, 11 Hoffman Street, Potchefstroom, 2531, South Africa
| | - Shouta M M Nakayama
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita18, Nishi9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kuritani
- Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Kita10, Nishi8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Nakagawa
- Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, Kita10, Nishi8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0810, Japan
| | - Keisuke Saito
- Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan, 2-2101 Hokuto, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido 084-0922, Japan
| | - Yukiko Watanabe
- Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan, 2-2101 Hokuto, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido 084-0922, Japan
| | - Kohei Ogasawara
- Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan, 2-2101 Hokuto, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido 084-0922, Japan
| | - Manabu Onuma
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Atsushi Haga
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
| | - Mayumi Ishizuka
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita18, Nishi9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
102
|
Han B, García‐Mendoza D, van den Berg H, van den Brink NW. Modulatory Effects of Pb 2+ on Virally Challenged Chicken Macrophage (HD-11) and B-Lymphocyte (DT40) Cell Lines In Vitro. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2020; 39:1060-1070. [PMID: 32124477 PMCID: PMC7277059 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Elevated levels of lead have been found in waterfowl, due to human activities. Lead may cause immunomodulatory effects, but the mechanisms are largely unknown, especially after viral challenges. To characterize avian immunomodulatory hazards of lead (Pb)2+ , we used chicken macrophage (HD-11) and B-lymphocyte (DT40) cell lines, as in vitro models for the innate and adaptive immune systems, respectively. The cells were activated via toll-like receptor-3 by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid sodium salt (poly I:C), mimicking viral infections. Our results indicate that Pb2+ is cytotoxic to both cell lines, macrophages being more sensitive. De novo synthesis of glutathione plays an important role in protecting macrophages from Pb2+ intoxication, which might also be closely involved in the induction of nitric oxide after Pb2+ exposure. Stimulatory effects on cell proliferation were noticed at noncytotoxic Pb2+ concentrations as well. Exposure to Pb2+ could also affect the inflammatory status by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory interferon (IFN)-γ while promoting the production of anti-inflammatory type I IFNs in both macrophages and B-cells, and increasing intracellular IgM levels in B-cells. These results suggest that the immunomodulatory effects of Pb2+ in birds are probably closely associated with disruption of immune cell proliferation and cytokine production, potentially causing disorders of the avian immune system. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1060-1070. © 2020 SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Biyao Han
- Division of ToxicologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Diego García‐Mendoza
- Division of ToxicologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Hans van den Berg
- Division of ToxicologyWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
103
|
Lohr MT, Hampton JO, Cherriman S, Busetti F, Lohr C. Completing a worldwide picture: preliminary evidence of lead exposure in a scavenging bird from mainland Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 715:135913. [PMID: 31837857 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lead toxicity from ammunition has been shown to be a threat to scavenging birds across the globe. Despite decades of research in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa, there have been no studies to investigate this phenomenon in Australia despite that continent having many species of scavenging birds and widespread shooting practices. We present preliminary evidence of lead exposure in Australia's largest bird of prey, the wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax) through analysis of bone and eggshell samples from south-western Australia. From 11 bone samples, three birds (27%) had lead levels exceeding literature thresholds for elevated levels (>6.75 ppm). From 36 eggshell samples, no samples had lead levels >0.5 ppm, suggesting some limitations for this matrix as an indicator of lead exposure. Isotope ratios suggested ammunition as a likely source of the lead found in bone samples with elevated lead levels but other potential sources of lead require further investigation. Our preliminary results demonstrate that lead exposure is occurring in scavenging birds in Australia, and like the rest of the world, is likely to be derived from ammunition. This study supports an urgent call for further research into this worldwide phenomenon in Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Lohr
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027, Australia
| | - Jordan O Hampton
- Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
| | - Simon Cherriman
- Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
| | - Francesco Busetti
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027, Australia
| | - Cheryl Lohr
- Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, 37 Wildlife Place, Woodvale, Western Australia 6026, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
104
|
Lam SS, McPartland M, Noori B, Garbus SE, Lierhagen S, Lyngs P, Dietz R, Therkildsen OR, Christensen TK, Tjørnløv RS, Kanstrup N, Fox AD, Sørensen IH, Arzel C, Krøkje Å, Sonne C. Lead concentrations in blood from incubating common eiders (Somateria mollissima) in the Baltic Sea. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 137:105582. [PMID: 32086081 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Here we investigate if lead may be a contributing factor to the observed population decline in a Baltic colony of incubating eiders (Somateria mollissima). Body mass and blood samples were obtained from 50 incubating female eiders at the Baltic breeding colony on Christiansø during spring 2017 (n = 27) and 2018 (n = 23). All the females were sampled twice during early (day 4) and late (day 24) incubation. The full blood was analysed for lead to investigate if the concentrations exceeded toxic thresholds or changed over the incubation period due to remobilisation from bones and liver tissue. Body mass, hatch date and number of chicks were also analysed with respect to lead concentrations. The body mass (mean ± SD g) increased significantly in the order: day 24 in 2018 (1561 ± 154 g) < day 24 in 2017 (1618 ± 156 g) < day 4 in 2018 (2183 ± 140 g) < day 4 in 2017 (2359 ± 167 g) (all p < 0.001). The lead concentrations increased significantly in the opposite order i.e. day 4 in 2017 (41.7 ± 67.1 μg/L) < day 24 in 2017 (55.4 ± 66.8 μg/L) < day 4 in 2018 (177 ± 196 μg/L) < day 24 in 2018 (258 ± 243) (all p < 0.001). From day 4 to 24, the eider females had a 1.33-fold increase in blood lead concentrations in 2017 and a 1.46-fold increase in 2018. Three of the birds (13%) sampled in 2018 had lead concentrations that exceeded concentrations of clinical poisoning (500 μg/L) and eleven (48%) had concentrations that exceeded the threshold for subclinical poisoning (200 μg/L). In 2017, none of the birds exceeded the high toxic threshold of clinical poisoning while only one (4%) exceeded the lower threshold for subclinical poisoning. Three of the birds (6%) sampled in 2018 had lead concentrations that exceeded those of clinical poisoning while 12 birds (24%) resampled in both years exceeded the threshold for subclinical poisoning. In addition, lead concentrations and body mass on day 4 affected hatch date positively in 2018 (both p < 0.03) but not in 2017. These results show that bioavailable lead in bone and liver tissue pose a threat to the health of about 25% of the incubating eiders sampled. This is particularly critical because eiders are largely capital breeding which means that incubating eiders are in an energetically stressed state. The origin of lead in incubating eiders in the Christiansø colony is unknown and it remains an urgent priority to establish the source, prevalence and mechanism for uptake. The increase in lead from day 4 to day 24 is due to bone and liver remobilization; however, the additional lead source(s) on the breeding grounds needs to be identified. Continued investigations should determine the origin, uptake mechanisms and degree of exposure to lead for individual birds. Such research should include necropsies, x-ray, lead isotope and stable C and N isotope analyses to find the lead sources(s) in the course of the annual cycle and how it may affect the population dynamics of the Christiansø colony which reflects the ecology of the Baltic eiders being suitable for biomonitoring the overall flyway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Su Shiung Lam
- Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Biomass Value-added Products, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; Pyrolysis Technology Research Group, Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP) & Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development (Bio-D Tropika), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Molly McPartland
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Brenley Noori
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Svend-Erik Garbus
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Syverin Lierhagen
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Peter Lyngs
- Christiansø Scientific Field Station, Christiansø 97, DK-3760 Gudhjem, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | | | - Rune Skjold Tjørnløv
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Niels Kanstrup
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Grenåvej 14, DK-8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | - Anthony D Fox
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Grenåvej 14, DK-8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | | | - Céline Arzel
- University of Turku, Vesilinnantie 5, FI-20014 Turku, Finland; Wetland Ecology Group, P.O. Box 27, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Åse Krøkje
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Biomass Value-added Products, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China.
| |
Collapse
|
105
|
Meissner W, Binkowski ŁJ, Barker J, Hahn A, Trzeciak M. Relationship between blood lead levels and physiological stress in mute swans (Cygnus olor) in municipal beaches of the southern Baltic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 710:136292. [PMID: 32050362 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lead is one of the non-essential metals that can become a serious environmental threat to the human population and wildlife causing various toxic impairments and pathologies. Waterfowl are especially sensitive to lead exposure as they stay in areas with a high risk of lead pollution due to hunting and fishing pressures. This study aims to determine recent blood lead levels in 45 live mute swans in the southern Baltic, in the Gulf of Gdańsk and to test the hypothesis that birds with elevated lead levels have a higher physiological stress. Mean concentration of lead in blood was 0.239 μg/g (range 0.028-0.675 μg/g). Almost half of the individuals examined in this study had increased blood Pb levels above the threshold level (0.23 μg/g), however none of them showed behavioural signs of Pb poisoning. Although the dominant food of mute swans staying at municipal beaches is bread delivered by people, which has low lead levels, lead was found in all blood samples taken from mute swans. In the study area, another possible source of lead poisoning, other than from ammunition, is connected with various anthropogenic activities, such as municipal sewage works. Moreover, poor diet results in greater susceptibility to absorption of lead and this may have an additional influence on elevated lead levels in blood of these birds. The Pb level was increased with heterophils to lymphocytes (H/L) ratio, which is used as a measure of longer-term physiological stress. The mean lead level in blood was higher in young birds than in adults, which may be a consequence of adults forcing them to take less calorific food from water plants containing elevated levels of lead in the area studied. However, it is difficult to disentangle this from other factors that may influence sensitivity to lead poisoning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Włodzimierz Meissner
- Avian Ecophysiology Unit, Department of Vertebrate Ecology & Zoology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Łukasz J Binkowski
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland
| | - James Barker
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, KT1 2EE Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, UK
| | - Andreas Hahn
- School of Engineering and the Environment, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, KT1 2EE Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, UK
| | - Marta Trzeciak
- Avian Ecophysiology Unit, Department of Vertebrate Ecology & Zoology, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 59, 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
106
|
French AD, Shaw K, Barnes M, Cañas-Carrell JE, Conway WC, Klein DM. Bioaccessibility of antimony and other trace elements from lead shot pellets in a simulated avian gizzard environment. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229037. [PMID: 32045468 PMCID: PMC7012451 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies have used grit (in the form of lead (Pb) pellets) presence in avian gizzards as an indicator of Pb shot exposure. However, due to nearly complete pellet absorption in gizzards or rapid passage of pellets, the absence of Pb shot presence in a gizzard does not confirm lack of Pb shot exposure. This study provides the basis for an additional technique to identify if elevated tissue Pb concentration is due to Pb shot exposure. Bioaccessibility of Pb and trace elements (Sb, As, and Sn) present in Pb shot were quantified to determine if any of these elements would be useful as a secondary marker of Pb shot exposure. An avian physiologically based extraction test (PBET) was used to determine pellet dissolution rate and bioaccessible concentrations of Pb, Sb, As, and Sn in a simulated gizzard environment. Of the three trace elements, only Sb concentrations (44–302 μg/mL) extracted into the gizzard solution were greater than environmental background levels (US soil average 0.48 μg/g); thus, no natural source likely provides this amount of Sb. Therefore, there is evidence that Sb can be extracted from Pb shot in bird gizzards at detectable concentrations (above natural background). While further studies are needed to delineate the mechanisms of absorption and distribution, this study lends credence to the hypothesis that Sb may be a useful marker of Pb shot exposure in biological tissues, particularly when Pb pellets are not present nor observed in avian tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda D. French
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Katherine Shaw
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Melanie Barnes
- Department of Geosciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jaclyn E. Cañas-Carrell
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - Warren C. Conway
- Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| | - David M. Klein
- Department of Environmental Toxicology, The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
107
|
Romero D, de José A, Theureau JM, Ferrer A, Raigón MD, Torregrosa JB. Lead in terrestrial game birds from Spain. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:1585-1597. [PMID: 31755055 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06827-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
We analysed exposure to Pb and its relationship with lead-based ammunition in seven species of terrestrial game birds-common woodpigeon (Columba palumbus), rock dove (Columba livia), stock dove (Columba oenas), European turtle-dove (Streptopelia turtur), red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa), Barbary partridge (Alectoris barbara) and common quail (Coturnix coturnix)-from rural and urban areas in different parts of Spain (Valencia, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Madrid, Islas Canarias and Navarra). A total of 530 liver samples were analysed, and the presence of Pb pellets was studied in the crop, gizzard and intestine; the state and appearance of these organs were also analysed. The number of specimens suspected to have ingested Pb shot was 28 (5.6%), and the geometric mean concentration of hepatic Pb was 0.054 μg g-1 (wet weight, ww). A low percentage of samples (4.8%) were above the abnormal exposure threshold (0.65 μg g-1 ww), and, in these specimens, renal Pb concentrations were determined. Common woodpigeons and rock doves from Madrid were found to have high concentrations of Pb in their livers, and, so, both species can be considered to be good bioindicators of Pb contamination in rural (common woodpigeons) and urban (rock doves) environments. Partridges bred for hunting may be more prone to ingesting pellets from the environment, a fact that should be taken into account in management decisions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego Romero
- Área de Toxicología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia, Campus Regional de Excelencia Internacional "Campus Mare Nostrum," E-30071 Espinardo, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Antonio de José
- Alectoris, Ingeniería y Gestión, La Iglesia, 4, Zamora, 49162, Palacios del Pan, Spain
| | - Juan M Theureau
- Departamento de Ingeniería Rural y Agroalimentaria, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrés Ferrer
- Departamento de Ingeniería Rural y Agroalimentaria, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - María D Raigón
- Departamento de Química, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan B Torregrosa
- Departamento de Ingeniería Rural y Agroalimentaria, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica y del Medio Natural, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
108
|
Kanstrup N, Chriél M, Dietz R, Søndergaard J, Balsby TJS, Sonne C. Lead and Other Trace Elements in Danish Birds of Prey. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2019; 77:359-367. [PMID: 31214747 PMCID: PMC6731194 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-019-00646-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Lead is a widely used and toxic heavy metal that poses a serious hazard to wildlife species and their ecosystems. Lead is used for production of hunting ammunition. Via gunshot or rifle projectiles, it spreads in ecosystems and may end up in predators and scavengers feeding on wounded or dead animals shot with lead-based ammunition. To assess to what degree Danish raptors are subject to lead contamination, we measured the content of lead in liver tissue from Danish birds of prey (n = 137). Additionally, the study included values for 54 other trace elements. In our analysis, emphasis was put on interpretation of lead levels. Levels of cadmium, mercury and selenium were also discussed, while data for the remaining elements were provided for reference purposes. Bismuth was included to assess if lead originated from bismuth gunshot used as an alternative to lead shot. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury and selenium were generally below the levels in similar studies of birds of prey in other northern European countries and none exceeded known and generally accepted threshold values for adverse health effects. As for lead, this is possibly related to the phase out of lead shot for hunting since 1986. The study confirms results from other studies showing that bismuth shot contains traces of lead that is deposited with bismuth in the target animal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niels Kanstrup
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 12, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | - Mariann Chriél
- National Veterinary Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jens Søndergaard
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
109
|
Pain DJ, Dickie I, Green RE, Kanstrup N, Cromie R. Wildlife, human and environmental costs of using lead ammunition: An economic review and analysis. AMBIO 2019; 48:969-988. [PMID: 30879269 PMCID: PMC6675822 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01157-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
A proposed European Union (EU)-wide restriction on the use of lead gunshot for shooting in and over wetlands estimated that the societal benefits of a restriction outweighed costs, despite few identified benefits being quantified economically. A subsequent Annex XV Investigation Report on the evidence of impacts of lead ammunition in terrestrial environments concluded that additional measures to control its use are warranted, although to date this has not been further evaluated. To help inform this process, we review the literature and undertake new analyses to estimate the costs of continued use of lead ammunition associated with impacts on wildlife, people and the environment. We estimate minimum annual direct costs across the EU and Europe of c. €383 million-€960 million and €444 million-€1.3 thousand million respectively. The value that society places on being able to avoid these losses, estimated using a 'willingness to pay' approach, was c. €2.2 thousand million for wildfowl alone. Our estimated costs of the continued use of lead ammunition across the EU appear to be considerably greater than the likely costs of switching to non-toxic alternative ammunition types, although these have not been formally estimated in full.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J. Pain
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ UK
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT UK
| | - Ian Dickie
- eftec - economics for the environment, 4 City Road, London, EC1Y 2AA UK
| | - Rhys E. Green
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ UK
| | - Niels Kanstrup
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | - Ruth Cromie
- Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge, Gloucestershire GL2 7BT UK
| |
Collapse
|
110
|
Kanstrup N, Balsby TJS. Danish pheasant and mallard hunters comply with the lead shot ban. AMBIO 2019; 48:1009-1014. [PMID: 30771205 PMCID: PMC6675824 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01152-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Denmark implemented a total ban on the use of lead shot for hunting and clay target shooting in 1996. Compliance was not studied systematically until recently. However, sporadic police checks and individual studies indicated that compliance was far from complete in the early years after regulation. To assess current levels of compliance with Danish regulations, we purchased 730 carcasses of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and a further 690 mallard gizzards were obtained from > 14 shooting events distributed across > 10 local authority districts throughout East and West Denmark in the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 hunting seasons. All carcasses and gizzards were subject to radiography and those that contained shot were examined, pellets removed by dissection and identified to shot type. In all, 3589 pellets (intact or fragmented) were found in 1420 carcasses/gizzards, of which 799 pellets (some fragmented) were identified. Among the sample of pheasants with embedded shot (N = 447), 1.8% (in 2016) and 2.2% (in 2017) were lead shot. Among 148 mallards in 2017 with embedded shot, 3.1% had lead shot. None of the 2017 mallard gizzards had embedded lead shot. We conclude that Danish pheasant and mallard shooters mostly comply with the lead shot regulations. Steel was the most used non-lead alternative. The majority of ingested shot was non-lead, indicating that lead shot is not generally available to pheasant and mallard and suggesting compliance with regulations in recent years/decades. The study showed that the possibility to predict the metal composition of shot pellets from X-ray images alone was highly inaccurate, confirming the necessity of necropsy to determine shot type.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Niels Kanstrup
- Institute for Bioscience – Kalø, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde, Denmark
| | | |
Collapse
|