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Barbosa A, Varsani A, Morandini V, Grimaldi W, Vanstreels RET, Diaz JI, Boulinier T, Dewar M, González-Acuña D, Gray R, McMahon CR, Miller G, Power M, Gamble A, Wille M. Risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in Antarctic wildlife. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:143352. [PMID: 33162142 PMCID: PMC7598351 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This pathogen has spread rapidly across the world, causing high numbers of deaths and significant social and economic impacts. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus with a suggested zoonotic origin with the potential for cross-species transmission among animals. Antarctica can be considered the only continent free of SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, concerns have been expressed regarding the potential human introduction of this virus to the continent through the activities of research or tourism to minimise the effects on human health, and the potential for virus transmission to Antarctic wildlife. We assess the reverse-zoonotic transmission risk to Antarctic wildlife by considering the available information on host susceptibility, dynamics of the infection in humans, and contact interactions between humans and Antarctic wildlife. The environmental conditions in Antarctica seem to be favourable for the virus stability. Indoor spaces such as those at research stations, research vessels or tourist cruise ships could allow for more transmission among humans and depending on their movements between different locations the virus could be spread across the continent. Among Antarctic wildlife previous in silico analyses suggested that cetaceans are at greater risk of infection whereas seals and birds appear to be at a low infection risk. However, caution needed until further research is carried out and consequently, the precautionary principle should be applied. Field researchers handling animals are identified as the human group posing the highest risk of transmission to animals while tourists and other personnel pose a significant risk only when in close proximity (< 5 m) to Antarctic fauna. We highlight measures to reduce the risk as well as identify of knowledge gaps related to this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Barbosa
- Evolutionary Ecology Dpt. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, C/José Gutierrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Arvind Varsani
- The Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Center for Evolution and Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA; Structural Biology Research Unit, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Virginia Morandini
- Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Ralph E T Vanstreels
- Institute of Research and Rehabilitation of Marine Animals (IPRAM), Rodovia, Cariacica, Brazil
| | - Julia I Diaz
- Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores (CEPAVE-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Thierry Boulinier
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS, Université de Montpellier, EPHE, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Meagan Dewar
- School of Science, Psychology and Sport, Federation University Australia, Australia
| | - Daniel González-Acuña
- Laboratorio de Parásitos y Enfermedades de Fauna Silvestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - Rachael Gray
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Clive R McMahon
- IMOS Animal Satellite Tagging, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gary Miller
- Discipline of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Michelle Power
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Amandine Gamble
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michelle Wille
- Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, School of Life and Environmental Sciences and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Corbett PA, King CK, Mondon JA. Application of a quantitative histological health index for Antarctic rock cod (Trematomus bernacchii) from Davis Station, East Antarctica. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 109:28-40. [PMID: 26070020 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2015.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2014] [Revised: 05/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/30/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A quantitative Histological Health Index (HHI) was applied to Antarctic rock cod (Trematomus bernacchii) using gill, liver, spleen, kidney and gonad to assess the impact of wastewater effluent from Davis Station, East Antarctica. A total of 120 fish were collected from 6 sites in the Prydz Bay region of East Antarctica at varying distances from the wastewater outfall. The HHI revealed a greater severity of alteration in fish at the wastewater outfall, which decreased stepwise with distance. Gill and liver displayed the greatest severity of alteration in fish occurring in close proximity to the wastewater outfall, showing severe and pronounced alteration respectively. Findings of the HHI add to a growing weight of evidence indicating that the current level of wastewater treatment at Davis Station is insufficient to prevent impact to the surrounding environment. The HHI for T. bernacchii developed in this study is recommended as a useful risk assessment tool for assessing in situ, sub-lethal impacts from station-derived contamination in coastal regions throughout Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Corbett
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Princes Highway, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280, Australia.
| | - Catherine K King
- Terrestrial and Nearshore Ecosystems, Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia.
| | - Julie A Mondon
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Princes Highway, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280, Australia.
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Corbett PA, King CK, Stark JS, Mondon JA. Direct evidence of histopathological impacts of wastewater discharge on resident Antarctic fish (Trematomus bernacchii) at Davis Station, East Antarctica. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2014; 87:48-56. [PMID: 25173596 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
During the 2009/2010 summer, a comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the wastewater discharge at Davis Station, East Antarctica was completed. As part of this, histological alteration of gill and liver tissue in Antarctic Rock-cod (Trematomus bernacchii) from four sites along a spatial gradient from the wastewater outfall were assessed. All fish within 800 m of the outfall exhibited significant histological changes in both tissues. Common pathologies observed in fish closest to the outfall include proliferation of epithelial cells with associated secondary lamellar fusion in the gills and multifocal granulomata with inflammation and necrosis as well as cysts in the liver. Fish from sites >800 m from the outfall also exhibited alterations but to a lesser degree, with prevalence and severity decreasing with increasing distance from the outfall. This study highlights the value of histopathological investigations as part of EIAs and provides the first evidence of sub-lethal alteration associated with wastewater discharge in East Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A Corbett
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Princes Highway, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280, Australia.
| | - Catherine K King
- Terrestrial and Nearshore Ecosystems, Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia.
| | - Jonathan S Stark
- Terrestrial and Nearshore Ecosystems, Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia.
| | - Julie A Mondon
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Princes Highway, Warrnambool, Victoria 3280, Australia.
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Aronson RB, Thatje S, McClintock JB, Hughes KA. Anthropogenic impacts on marine ecosystems in Antarctica. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2011; 1223:82-107. [PMID: 21449967 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05926.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Antarctica is the most isolated continent on Earth, but it has not escaped the negative impacts of human activity. The unique marine ecosystems of Antarctica and their endemic faunas are affected on local and regional scales by overharvesting, pollution, and the introduction of alien species. Global climate change is also having deleterious impacts: rising sea temperatures and ocean acidification already threaten benthic and pelagic food webs. The Antarctic Treaty System can address local- to regional-scale impacts, but it does not have purview over the global problems that impinge on Antarctica, such as emissions of greenhouse gases. Failure to address human impacts simultaneously at all scales will lead to the degradation of Antarctic marine ecosystems and the homogenization of their composition, structure, and processes with marine ecosystems elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Aronson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida, USA.
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