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Grajal-Puche A, Driver EM, Propper CR. Review: Abandoned mines as a resource or liability for wildlife. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 921:171017. [PMID: 38369145 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171017] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Abandoned Mine Lands (AMLs) are areas where previous mineral extraction or processing has occurred. Hundreds of thousands of AMLs exist within the United States. Contaminated runoff from AMLs can negatively affect the physiology and ecology of surrounding terrestrial and aquatic habitats and species and can be detrimental to human health. As a response, several U.S. federal and state agencies have launched programs to assess health risks associated with AMLs. In some cases, however, AMLs may be beneficial to specific wildlife taxa. There is a relative paucity of studies investigating the physiological and ecological impacts of AMLs on wildlife. We conducted a systematic review examining published scientific articles that assessed the negative and positive impacts of AMLs across invertebrate and vertebrate taxa. We also offer suggestions on evaluating AMLs to develop effective mitigation strategies that reduce their negative tole on human and wildlife communities. Peer-reviewed publications were screened across WebofScience, PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Abandoned mine lands were generally detrimental to wildlife, with adverse effects ranging from bioaccumulation of heavy metals to decreased ecological fitness. Conversely, AMLs were an overall benefit to imperiled bat populations and could serve as tools for conservation. Studies were unevenly distributed across different wildlife taxa groups, echoing the necessity for additional taxonomically diverse research. We suggest that standardized wildlife survey methods be used to assess how different species utilize AMLs. Federal and state agencies can use these surveys to establish effective remediation plans for individual AML sites and minimize the risks to both wildlife and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Grajal-Puche
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, United States of America
| | - Erin M Driver
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America
| | - Catherine R Propper
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, United States of America.
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2
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Fernandes IO, Monteiro LC, de Miranda VL, Rodrigues YOS, de Freitas Muniz DH, de Castro Paes É, Bernardi JVE. Mercury distribution in organisms, litter, and soils of the Middle Araguaia floodplain in Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:20925-20940. [PMID: 38379047 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32317-x] [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: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a chemical element that, depending on its concentration, may become toxic to living organisms due to the ability of Hg to bioaccumulate in food chains. In this study, we collected samples of soil, litter, and organisms in the Middle Araguaia floodplain, Brazil. Total mercury (THg) concentrations in litter were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than that in soil, ranging from 10.68 ± 0.55 to 48.94 ± 0.13 and 20.80 ± 1.07 to 55 .19 ± 1.59 ng g-1, respectively. Total mercury concentration levels in soil showed a linear, inversely proportional relationship with soil organic matter (SOM) contents and soil pH, consistent with the geochemical behavior of chemical elements in flooded environments. Ten orders of organisms were identified, and the average THg concentrations determined in their bodies were up to 20 times higher than those in soil and litter. We found a significant linear relationship between the levels of THg in litter and those found in soil organisms, thereby allowing the prediction of THg concentration levels in soil organisms through the analysis of litter at the sample units. The different dynamics and feeding habits of soil organisms and the concentration of THg in these organisms may be influenced by the river's course. This study provides evidence of the bioaccumulation of THg in soil organisms in the floodplain of the Middle Araguaia River, an important river basin in the Brazilian savanna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iara Oliveira Fernandes
- Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Faculty UnB Planaltina, University of Brasília, Planaltina, Distrito Federal, 73345-010, Brazil.
| | - Lucas Cabrera Monteiro
- Graduate Program in Ecology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Lima de Miranda
- Graduate Program in Zoology, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, 70910-900, Brazil
| | - Ygor Oliveira Sarmento Rodrigues
- Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Faculty UnB Planaltina, University of Brasília, Planaltina, Distrito Federal, 73345-010, Brazil
| | - Daphne Heloisa de Freitas Muniz
- Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Faculty UnB Planaltina, University of Brasília, Planaltina, Distrito Federal, 73345-010, Brazil
| | - Ésio de Castro Paes
- Graduate Program in Soils and Plant Nutrition, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - José Vicente Elias Bernardi
- Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Faculty UnB Planaltina, University of Brasília, Planaltina, Distrito Federal, 73345-010, Brazil
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3
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Wagh MS, Sivarajan S, Osborne WJ. A new paradigm in the bioremoval of lead, nickel, and cadmium using a cocktail of biosystems: a metagenomic approach. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:58967-58985. [PMID: 37002522 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26705-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) are known for its harmful effects on the environment. Microbial community related to soil plays a pivotal role in configuring several properties of the ecosystem. Thus, remediation of such heavy metals using multiple biosystems had shown excellent bioremoval potential. The current study demonstrates the integrated approach of Chrysopogon zizanioides in combination with earthworm Eisenia fetida augmented with VITMSJ3 potent strain for the uptake of metals like Pb, Ni, and Cd from the contaminated soil. For the uptake of heavy metals, Pb, Ni, and Cd with the concentrations of 50, 100, and 150 mg kg-1 were supplemented in pots with plants and earthworms. C. zizanioides was used for bioremoval due to their massive fibrous root system which can absorb heavy metals. A substantial increase of 70-80% Pb, Ni, and Cd was found for VITMSJ3 augmented setup. A total of 12 earthworms were introduced in each setup and were tested for the toxicity and damages in the various internal structures. Reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) content was observed in the earthworms with VITMSJ3 strain proving less toxicity and damages. Metagenomic analysis of the soil associated bacterial diversity was assessed by amplifying the V3V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and the annotations were studied. Firmicutes were found to be the predominant genus with 56.65% abundance in the bioaugmented soil R (60) proving the detoxification of metals in the bioaugmented soil. Our study proved that a synergistic effect of plant and earthworm in association with potent bacterial strain had higher uptake of Pb, Ni, and Cd. Metagenomic analysis revealed the changes in microbial abundance in the soil before and after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrunal Subhash Wagh
- Biomolecules Laboratory, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology-Vellore, Tamil, Nadu-632014, India
| | - Saravanan Sivarajan
- GIS and Remote Sensing Laboratory, VIT- School of Agricultural Innovation and Learning, Vellore Institute of Technology-Vellore, Tamil, Nadu-632014, India
| | - William Jabez Osborne
- Biomolecules Laboratory, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology-Vellore, Tamil, Nadu-632014, India.
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Xiao R, Ali A, Xu Y, Abdelrahman H, Li R, Lin Y, Bolan N, Shaheen SM, Rinklebe J, Zhang Z. Earthworms as candidates for remediation of potentially toxic elements contaminated soils and mitigating the environmental and human health risks: A review. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 158:106924. [PMID: 34634621 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Global concerns towards potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are steadily increasing due to the significant threats that PTEs pose to human health and environmental quality. This calls for immediate, effective and efficient remediation solutions. Earthworms, the 'ecosystem engineers', can modify and improve soil health and enhance plant productivity. Recently, considerable attention has been paid to the potential of earthworms, alone or combined with other soil organisms and/or soil amendments, to remediate PTEs contaminated soils. However, the use of earthworms in the remediation of PTEs contaminated soil (i.e., vermiremediation) has not been thoroughly reviewed to date. Therefore, this review discusses and provides comprehensive insights into the suitability of earthworms as potential candidates for bioremediation of PTEs contaminated soils and mitigating environmental and human health risks. Specifically, we reviewed and discussed: i) the occurrence and abundance of earthworms in PTEs contaminated soils; ii) the influence of PTEs on earthworm communities in contaminated soils; iii) factors affecting earthworm PTEs accumulation and elimination, and iv) the dynamics and fate of PTEs in earthworm amended soils. The technical feasibility, knowledge gaps, and practical challenges have been worked out and critically discussed. Therefore, this review could provide a reference and guidance for bio-restoration of PTEs contaminated soils and shall also help developing innovative and applicable solutions for controlling PTEs bioavailability for the remediation of contaminated soils and the mitigation of the environment and human risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xiao
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China; Interdisciplinary Research Center for Agriculture Green Development in Yangtze River Basin, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Amjad Ali
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yaqiong Xu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Hamada Abdelrahman
- Cairo University, Faculty of Agriculture, Soil Science Department, Giza 12613, Egypt
| | - Ronghua Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yanbing Lin
- College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Nanthi Bolan
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Institute of Agriculture, University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia
| | - Sabry M Shaheen
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany; King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment, and Arid Land Agriculture, Department of Arid Land Agriculture, 21589 Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; University of Kafrelsheikh, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil and Water Sciences, 33516 Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Republic of Korea.
| | - Zengqiang Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China.
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Du H, Guo P, Wang T, Ma M, Wang D. Significant bioaccumulation and biotransformation of methyl mercury by organisms in rice paddy ecosystems: A potential health risk to humans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 273:116431. [PMID: 33453697 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Rice has been confirmed as one of the principal intake pathways for methylmercury (MeHg) in human, however, the impact of edible organisms, such as snails, loaches and eels, living in the rice-based ecosystem to the overall MeHg intake has been overlooked. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional ecological study, and the results showed that bioaccumulation of MeHg in these edible organisms was significantly higher than in paddy soils and rice roots (p < 0.001), even though rice roots and grains have significantly higher total Hg (THg) (p < 0.001). The MeHg/THg ratios were consistently and significantly higher in those edible organisms than in rice grains, suggesting a potential elevated MeHg exposure risk through consumption. Based on results of bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) for MeHg, it was clear that MeHg was bioaccumulated and biotransformed from paddy soils to earthworms and then to eels, as well as from paddy soils to snails and then to eels and loaches, potentially indicating that the consumption of eels and loaches was absolutely pernicious to people regularly feeding on them. Overall, MeHg was biomagnified along the food chain of the paddy ecosystem from soil to the organisms, and it was of potential higher risks for local residents to eat them, especially eels and loaches. Therefore, it is intensely indispensable for people fond of such diets to attenuate their consumption of rice, eels and loaches, thus mitigating their MeHg exposure risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxia Du
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, Southwest University, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Pan Guo
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Ming Ma
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, Southwest University, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Center of Molecular Ecophysiology (CMEP), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Dingyong Wang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Bio-resource for Bioenergy, Southwest University, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
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6
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Nawrocka A, Durkalec M, Szkoda J, Filipek A, Kmiecik M, Żmudzki J, Posyniak A. Total mercury levels in the muscle and liver of livestock and game animals in Poland, 2009-2018. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 258:127311. [PMID: 32540547 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The bioaccumulation of mercury (Hg) in the food chain may pose a threat to human health. The risk of dietary Hg intake is mostly caused by the consumption of fish and seafood, therefore the knowledge on the exposure from land animal products is limited. In our article, we summarized the results of analyses of Hg in muscle tissue and liver of different livestock and game animals obtained during ten years of official monitoring that was carried out in Poland from 2009 to 2018. The majority of the results in muscle tissue were below the limits of quantification (LOQs). The mean Hg concentrations in muscle tissue ranged from 0.6 to 5.6 μg kg-1 of wet weight and the mean liver Hg concentrations were within the range of 0.8-16.4 μg kg-1 of wet weight, with lowest levels in chickens and highest in wild boars. The results revealed decreasing trends in liver Hg in cattle and cervids over the years, which was congruous with decreasing emission of Hg in Europe. Our results showed that the consumption of meat and liver of livestock and game animals in Poland may be considered to be safe for human health, which was confirmed by the low number of noncompliant samples relative to the applicable legal limits, as well as by estimated dietary exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Nawrocka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Maciej Durkalec
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
| | - Józef Szkoda
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Filipek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Mirosława Kmiecik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Jan Żmudzki
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Andrzej Posyniak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
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7
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Huang JH, Shetaya WH, Osterwalder S. Determination of (Bio)-available mercury in soils: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 263:114323. [PMID: 32311621 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Despite the mercury (Hg) control measures adopted by the international community, Hg still poses a significant risk to ecosystem and human health. This is primarily due to the ability of atmospheric Hg to travel intercontinentally and contaminating terrestrial and aquatic environments far from its natural and anthropogenic point sources. The issue of Hg pollution is further complicated by its unique physicochemical characteristics, most noticeably its multiple chemical forms that vary in their toxicity and environmental mobility. This meant that most of the risk evaluation protocols developed for other metal(loid)s are not suitable for Hg. Soil is a major reservoir of Hg and a key player in its global cycle. To fully assess the risks of soil Hg it is essential to estimate its bioavailability and/or availability which are closely linked to its toxicity. However, the accurate determination of the (bio)-available pools of Hg in soils is problematic, because the terms 'bioavailable' and 'available' are ill-defined. In particular, the term 'bioavailable pool', representing the fraction of Hg that is accessible to living organisms, has been consistently misused by interchanging with other intrinsically different terms e.g. mobile, labile, reactive and soluble pools. A wide array of physical, chemical, biological and isotopic exchange methods were developed to estimate the (bio)-available pools of Hg in soil in an attempt to offer a plausible assessment of its risks. Unfortunately, many of these methods do not mirror the (bio)-available pools of soil Hg and suffer from technical drawbacks. In this review, we discuss advantages and disadvantages of methods that are currently applied to quantify the (bio)-availability of Hg in soils. We recommended the most feasible methods and give suggestions how to improve the determination of (bio)-available Hg in soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-How Huang
- Environmental Geosciences, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Waleed H Shetaya
- Air Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Stefan Osterwalder
- Environmental Geosciences, University of Basel, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
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8
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Zhao L, Meng B, Feng X. Mercury methylation in rice paddy and accumulation in rice plant: A review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 195:110462. [PMID: 32179234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The bioavailability and toxicity of mercury (Hg) are dependent on its chemical speciation, in which methylmercury (MeHg) is the most toxic compound. Inorganic Hg can be transformed into MeHg in anaerobic conditions. Subsequent accumulation and biomagnification in the food chain pose a potential threat to human health. Previous studies have confirmed that paddy soil is an important site for MeHg production, and rice fields are an important source of MeHg in terrestrial ecosystems. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is recently confirmed as a potential bioaccumulator plant of MeHg. Understanding the behaviour of Hg in rice paddies is important, particularly the mechanisms involved in Hg sources, uptake, toxicity, detoxification, and accumulation in crops. This review highlights the issue of MeHg-contaminated rice, and presents the current understanding of the Hg cycling in the rice paddy ecosystem, including the mechanism and processes of Hg species accumulation in rice plants and Hg methylation/demethylation processes in rice paddies and the primary controlling factors. The review also identified various research gaps in previous studies and proposes future research objectives to reduce the impact of Hg-contamination in rice crops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhao
- School of Management Science, Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, Guiyang, 550025, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, PR China
| | - Bo Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, PR China.
| | - Xinbin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, 550002, PR China.
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9
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Durkalec M, Nawrocka A, Żmudzki J, Filipek A, Niemcewicz M, Posyniak A. Concentration of Mercury in the Livers of Small Terrestrial Rodents from Rural Areas in Poland. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24224108. [PMID: 31739423 PMCID: PMC6891690 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24224108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Small terrestrial mammals could be used as accumulative biomonitors of different environmental contaminants, but the knowledge of the level of Hg in their bodies is scant. The aim of our research was to verify the factors influencing Hg bioaccumulation and to analyze the concentration of total mercury (Hg) in the livers of four species of wild terrestrial rodents from different rural areas of Poland: the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), common vole (Microtus arvalis), and bank vole (Myodes glareolus). The concentration of total Hg was analyzed in liver tissue by atomic absorption spectrometry using a direct mercury analyzer. The concentration of Hg found in the livers of rodents ranged from <1 to 36.4 µg/kg of wet weight, differed between study sites, species, and sexes, and was related to body weight. We addressed feeding habits as potential causes of differences in liver Hg concentration among species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Durkalec
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (A.N.); (A.F.); (A.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-81-889-3165
| | - Agnieszka Nawrocka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (A.N.); (A.F.); (A.P.)
| | - Jacek Żmudzki
- Department of Swine Diseases; National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland;
| | - Aleksandra Filipek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (A.N.); (A.F.); (A.P.)
| | - Marcin Niemcewicz
- Biological Threats Identification and Countermeasure Centre, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Lubelska 2, 24-100 Puławy, Poland;
| | - Andrzej Posyniak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantow 57, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; (A.N.); (A.F.); (A.P.)
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10
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Neff E, Coleman AL, Maness RW, Tanelus M, Xu X, Dharmarajan G. Effects of methylmercury on mosquito oviposition behavior: Maladaptive response to non-toxic exposure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 667:248-254. [PMID: 30831364 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.314] [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: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Animals can modulate their own exposure to environmental contaminants through behavioral plasticity such as diet and habitat choice. However, it remains unclear if behavior also has cascading effects on contaminant exposure across multiple generations. In insects, oviposition site selection is an important behavior females can use to modify offspring contaminant exposure risk. In this study, we use the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, to test how methylmercury (MeHg) affects oviposition site selection. We found that mosquito larval development rate and survival were negatively affected at MeHg concentrations ≥100 ppb. Adult females not exposed to MeHg as larvae avoided oviposition sites with high MeHg concentrations (>50 ppb), but MeHg exposure at the larval stage significantly affected this oviposition site selection. Specifically, females raised from larvae exposed to non-toxic MeHg levels (i.e., five-50 ppb) showed a significant increase in preference for oviposition sites contaminated with toxic MeHg concentrations (≥500 ppb), compared to unexposed controls. This maladaptive behavioral response could be because, when conditioned with non-toxic MeHg concentrations, MeHg-associated olfactory cues act as a "supernormal" stimulus during oviposition site selection. Importantly, however, this maladaptive behavioral response is eliminated in female mosquitoes raised from larvae exposed to toxic MeHg concentrations (i.e. 100 ppb), and these mosquitoes showed a significant increase in preference for MeHg uncontaminated oviposition sites, compared to unexposed controls. Thus, in mosquitoes, the magnitude of MeHg exposure in one generation can impact MeHg exposure in subsequent generations by altering oviposition site selection behavior. Our results have broad implications for our understanding of how contaminant-mediated behavioral modifications can feedback on contaminant exposure risk across multiple generations, and consequently how behavior can affect the evolutionary trajectory of organisms inhabiting a heterogeneously contaminated environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Neff
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29801, USA.
| | - Austin L Coleman
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29801, USA
| | | | - Manette Tanelus
- University of South Carolina Upstate, Spartanburg, SC 29303, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Xu
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29801, USA
| | - Guha Dharmarajan
- Savannah River Ecology Lab, University of Georgia, Aiken, SC 29801, USA
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