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Páez-Osuna F, Bergés-Tiznado ME, Valencia-Castañeda G, Fregoso-López MG, León-Cañedo JA, Fierro-Sañudo JF, Ramírez-Rochín J. Mercury and selenium in three fish species from a dam 20 months after a mine-tailing spill in the SE Gulf of California ecoregion, Mexico. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:5399-5414. [PMID: 38117398 PMCID: PMC10799130 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
During January 2013, a mining spill occurred in the Santa Maria mining region, releasing around 300,000 m3 of tailings on Los Remedios river, which was transported through the San Lorenzo river and finally to El Comedero (EC) dam. Twenty months later, we examined the concentrations of Hg and Se in the muscle, liver, gills, and guts of three fish species (Cyprinus carpio, Oreochromis aureus, Micropterus salmoides) captured in the EC dam to assess the performance of the cleaning operations. A high Se concentration in the liver of all species (carp, 1.2 ± 0.4; tilapia, 3.9 ± 2.1; bass, 3.5 ± 1.1 µg g-1 ww) was consistently observed, while this behavior was only found in the blue tilapia for Hg (0.15 ± 0.11 µg g-1 ww). Tilapia (benthic-detritivorous) exhibited the highest Se concentrations compared to the carp (omnivore) and the largemouth bass (piscivore). In contrast, the largemouth bass had the highest Hg levels in the muscle compared with the other fishes. Such differences could be related to the different metabolism and feeding habits among species. Compared to a tilapia study carried out three months after the mine spill during a mortality event, a decrease was evident in the liver for Se and Hg by 7.2 and 4.7 times, respectively. This reveals that cleaning operations were more efficient for Se and less for Hg, and that a prolonged period was required for the partial recovery of the element levels in fish from sites impacted by mining. Considering the Mexican consumption scenarios for each fish species, it could be concluded that there will be no non-cancer risk by exposure to Hg or Se.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Páez-Osuna
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, P.O. Box 811, 82000, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
- Miembro de El Colegio de Sinaloa, Antonio Rosales 435 Poniente, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
| | - Magdalena E Bergés-Tiznado
- Unidad Académica de Ingeniería en Tecnología Ambiental, Universidad Politécnica de Sinaloa, Carretera Municipal Libre Mazatlán-Higueras Km. 3, C.P. 82199, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Gladys Valencia-Castañeda
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, P.O. Box 811, 82000, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Marcela G Fregoso-López
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, P.O. Box 811, 82000, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Ciudad Universitaria 3000, 04510, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Jesús A León-Cañedo
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Ciudad Universitaria 3000, 04510, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Paseo Claussen S/N Col. Centro, 82000, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
| | - Juan F Fierro-Sañudo
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Ciudad Universitaria 3000, 04510, Coyoacán, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
- Universidades del Bienestar Benito Juárez García, Buaysiacobe, Etchojoa, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Javier Ramírez-Rochín
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, P.O. Box 811, 82000, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
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Kruzikova KN, Siroka Z, Kral T, Hliwa P, Gomulka P, Spodniewska A, Svobodova Z. Mercury distribution in the great cormorant ( Phalacrocorax carbo) from the Krogulna ponds and Nysa Kłodzka River (Poland). VET MED-CZECH 2023; 68:164-174. [PMID: 37982090 PMCID: PMC10581525 DOI: 10.17221/16/2023-vetmed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Mercury belongs among the highly hazardous substances present in the environment and represents a great health risk for many animals including predatory and piscivorous birds. The aim of this study was to assess the total mercury content in the main detoxifying organs (liver and kidney) and in the muscles of adult great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) caught at two localities (the Krogulna ponds and the Nysa Kłodzka River) in southern Poland. The aim was to compare the locality with the iron ore mining history (the Krogulna ponds) with a site without such load (the Nysa Kłodzka River). The total mercury content in the great cormorants decreases as follows: kidneys > liver > muscle in both monitored localities and significantly differs between the localities. The average mercury content varied from 0.58 ± 0.38 mg/kg (muscle) to 1.39 ± 1.42 mg/kg (kidney) in the cormorant from the Krogulna ponds and from 1.09 ± 0.40 mg/kg (muscle) to 3.12 ± 1.55 mg/kg (kidney) in the cormorant from the Nysa Kłodzka River. The accumulation of mercury does not correlate with the mining history as it was higher at the Nysa Kłodzka River, but it is probably influenced by the different fish stocks in these two localities (omnivorous fish in the Krogulna ponds versus predatory fish in the Nysa Kłodzka River).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Novotna Kruzikova
- Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Siroka
- Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Kral
- Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Piotr Hliwa
- Department of Ichtyology and Aquaculture, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Piotr Gomulka
- Department of Ichtyology and Aquaculture, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Anna Spodniewska
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Zdenka Svobodova
- Department of Animal Protection and Welfare and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic
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Balčiauskas L, Ežerinskis Ž, Stirkė V, Balčiauskienė L, Garbaras A, Remeikis V. The elemental composition of small mammals in a commercial orchard-meadow system. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 296:134048. [PMID: 35218778 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We analyze concentrations of various elements in small mammals from commercial orchards and berry plantations and test differences between them depending on species, individual body mass, age, gender, type and age of crop and intensity of applied agricultural measures. Skinned front legs (muscle and bones) were used to register the presence and concentration of Ca, Cd, Mo, Ni, Se, Ag, As, Be, Bi, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Pb, Sr, U, V and Zn. The most abundant species were common vole (Microtus arvalis), yellow-necked (Apodemus flavicollis) and striped field (A. agrarius) mice. The maximum recorded concentrations exceeded the minimums by 1.7-7.7 times in Mg, Zn, Cu, Ga, Ni and Ca, and 11.0-23.2 times in Mn, Be, Mo, Co, Sr, V, Pb and As. The hypothesis that the use of fertilization and pesticides in commercial orchards should induce differences in the elemental concentrations between crop areas and control habitats was confirmed by the higher concentrations of Cu, Mn, Bi, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, Sr and Pb in rodents from the crop areas. Spatially controlled generalized linear mixed model confirmed the cumulative influence of species and crop, explaining 30-80% of the distribution of Ca, Ni, Co, Cu, Ga, Mn, Pb and U. The effect of species and the age of the individual was significant for Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Ga, Mn and Pb, while effect of gender was not expressed. Depletion of Cu in older individuals was found in all three species. With species as a grouping factor, the effect of crop type and the intensity of agricultural practices were significant factors in the accumulation of Ca, Ni, Co, Cu, Ga, Mn and Pb, while effect of crop age was not expressed. The obtained elemental concentrations in rodents indicated orchards to be cleaner than heavy polluted areas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Žilvinas Ežerinskis
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Saulėtekio av. 3, 02300, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Vitalijus Stirkė
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, 08412, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | | | - Andrius Garbaras
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Saulėtekio av. 3, 02300, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Vidmantas Remeikis
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Saulėtekio av. 3, 02300, Vilnius, Lithuania.
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de Medeiros Costa G, Lázaro WL, Sanpera C, Sánchez-Fortún M, Dos Santos Filho M, Díez S. Rhamphotheca as a useful indicator of mercury in seabirds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 754:141730. [PMID: 32920380 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The evaluation of mercury (Hg) toxicity in wildlife species has prompted a search for sensitive indicators to accurately measure the body burden of Hg. Despite the extensive use of feathers as an indicator of Hg in birds, they do not appear to be an entirely suitable indicator of the extent of contamination in certain conditions and bird species since Hg levels are influenced by the growth period, timing of the last moult and migration. This research aimed to evaluate rhamphotheca as a potential indicator of environmental Hg concentrations in seabirds. We used culled yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) (n = 20) and determined THg in rhamphotheca and feathers. We distinguished between upper and lower rhamphotheca, and divided each one into 16 equal portions along the culmen to analyse their THg content spatially. In each bird, THg was also determined in primary (P1) and secondary (S8) feathers and compared with rhamphotheca. The median (25th, 75th percentile) rhamphotheca Hg concentration was 13.44 (9.63, 17.46) μg/g, which was twofold higher than in the feathers 7.56 (4.88, 12.89) μg/g. Median THg in rhamphotheca was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in females 15.05 (10.35, 23.04) μg/g than in males 12.34 (8.57, 15.19) μg/g, whereas no differences (p > 0.05) were found in the feathers. No significant differences in Hg levels were found between upper and lower beak mandibles or along either. In contrast, significant differences in Hg concentrations were found between the P1 and S8 feathers (mean, 12.04 vs. 6.04 μg/g). No correlation was found between Hg content in rhamphotheca and feathers. Mercury levels in rhamphotheca exhibited stronger significant relationships with weight (R2 = 0.568), length (R2 = 0.524) and culmen (R2 = 0.347) than the levels in the feathers, which showed no correlation. Overall, our results suggest that rhamphotheca is a suitable tissue indicator for Hg monitoring in gulls; however, further studies are needed to extend our research to other bird species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerlane de Medeiros Costa
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Pesquisa de Limnologia, Biodiversidade, Etnobiologia do Pantanal - CELBE, Universidade do Estado do Mato Grosso - UNEMAT, Campus Cáceres - Avenida Santos Dumont, s/n - Cidade Universitária, Cáceres, MT 78200-000, Brazil
| | - Wilkinson L Lázaro
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Pesquisa de Limnologia, Biodiversidade, Etnobiologia do Pantanal - CELBE, Universidade do Estado do Mato Grosso - UNEMAT, Campus Cáceres - Avenida Santos Dumont, s/n - Cidade Universitária, Cáceres, MT 78200-000, Brazil
| | - Carola Sanpera
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Moisès Sánchez-Fortún
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manoel Dos Santos Filho
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Pesquisa de Limnologia, Biodiversidade, Etnobiologia do Pantanal - CELBE, Universidade do Estado do Mato Grosso - UNEMAT, Campus Cáceres - Avenida Santos Dumont, s/n - Cidade Universitária, Cáceres, MT 78200-000, Brazil
| | - Sergi Díez
- Environmental Chemistry Department, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDÆA-CSIC, E-08034 Barcelona, Spain.
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Albertos S, Berenguer NI, Sánchez-Virosta P, Gómez-Ramírez P, Jiménez P, Torres-Chaparro MY, Valverde I, Navas I, María-Mojica P, García-Fernández AJ, Espín S. Mercury Exposure in Birds Linked to Marine Ecosystems in the Western Mediterranean. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2020; 79:435-453. [PMID: 33106911 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-020-00768-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg), particularly as methylmercury (MeHg), is a nonessential, persistent, and bioaccumulative toxic element with high biomagnification capacity and is considered a threat to marine environments. We evaluated total Hg concentrations in liver, kidney, and brain in 62 individuals of 9 bird species linked to marine ecosystems from western Mediterranean admitted in a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) (Alicante, Spain, 2005-2020). Age- and sex-related differences in Hg levels, as well as the cause of admission to the WRC, were also evaluated in certain species. The species studied were: northern gannet (Morus bassanus), European shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus), yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis), razorbill (Alca torda), common tern (Sterna hirundo), and black-headed gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus). Concentrations in feathers of 27 individuals, and concentrations in internal tissues in 7 other individuals of 7 different species were also reported but not statistically evaluated due to the limited number of samples. Results suggest that individuals were chronically exposed to Hg through diet. The differences in Hg concentrations among species may be explained by their diet habits. Mercury concentrations strongly correlated between tissues (r = 0.78-0.94, p < 0.001, n = 61-62). Some individuals of certain species (i.e., European shag, northern gannet, and great cormorant) showed Hg concentrations close to or above those described in the literature as causing reproductive alterations in other avian species. Consequently, certain individuals inhabiting western Mediterranean could be at risk of suffering long-term, Hg-related effects. Some of the species evaluated are listed within different categories of threat according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and are endangered at a national level, so this study will provide valuable information for assessors and authorities in charge of the management of the environment and pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Albertos
- Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, Area of Toxicology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Neus I Berenguer
- Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, Area of Toxicology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pablo Sánchez-Virosta
- Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, Area of Toxicology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pilar Gómez-Ramírez
- Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, Area of Toxicology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, IMIB-Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro Jiménez
- Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, Area of Toxicology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Y Torres-Chaparro
- Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, Area of Toxicology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Irene Valverde
- Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, Area of Toxicology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Isabel Navas
- Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, Area of Toxicology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, IMIB-Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro María-Mojica
- Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, Area of Toxicology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
- "Santa Faz" Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Consellería de Agricultura, Medio Ambiente, Cambio Climático y Desarrollo Rural, Alicante, Generalitat Valenciana, Spain.
| | - Antonio J García-Fernández
- Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, Area of Toxicology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, IMIB-Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Silvia Espín
- Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, Area of Toxicology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, IMIB-Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
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Chételat J, Ackerman JT, Eagles-Smith CA, Hebert CE. Methylmercury exposure in wildlife: A review of the ecological and physiological processes affecting contaminant concentrations and their interpretation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 711:135117. [PMID: 31831233 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) can result in detrimental health effects in wildlife. With advances in ecological indicators and analytical techniques for measurement of MeHg in a variety of tissues, numerous processes have been identified that can influence MeHg concentrations in wildlife. This review presents a synthesis of theoretical principals and applied information for measuring MeHg exposure and interpreting MeHg concentrations in wildlife. Mercury concentrations in wildlife are the net result of ecological processes influencing dietary exposure combined with physiological processes that regulate assimilation, transformation, and elimination. Therefore, consideration of both physiological and ecological processes should be integrated when formulating biomonitoring strategies. Ecological indicators, particularly stable isotopes of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur, compound-specific stable isotopes, and fatty acids, can be effective tools to evaluate dietary MeHg exposure. Animal species differ in their physiological capacity for MeHg elimination, and animal tissues can be inert or physiologically active, act as sites of storage, transformation, or excretion of MeHg, and vary in the timing of MeHg exposure they represent. Biological influences such as age, sex, maternal transfer, and growth or fasting are also relevant for interpretation of tissue MeHg concentrations. Wildlife tissues that represent current or near-term bioaccumulation and in which MeHg is the predominant mercury species (such as blood and eggs) are most effective for biomonitoring ecosystems and understanding landscape drivers of MeHg exposure. Further research is suggested to critically evaluate the use of keratinized external tissues to measure MeHg bioaccumulation, particularly for less-well studied wildlife such as reptiles and terrestrial mammals. Suggested methods are provided to effectively use wildlife for quantifying patterns and drivers of MeHg bioaccumulation over time and space, as well as for assessing the potential risk and toxicological effects of MeHg on wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Chételat
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada.
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA 95620, United States
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United States
| | - Craig E Hebert
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
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Krata AA, Wojciechowski M, Bulska E. Reference values of methyl mercury mass fractions in new type of environmental matrix-matching materials for speciation analysis assigned by species-specific isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. Microchem J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.03.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Jasiulionis M, Balčiauskas L, Balčiauskienė L, Taraškevičius R. Accumulation of chemical elements in yellow-necked mice under a colony of great cormorants. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 213:156-163. [PMID: 30218875 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study represents the first investigation into the accumulation of chemical elements in small mammals inhabiting the territory of a great cormorant colony. Trapping was done in the Juodkrantė great cormorant colony, one of the largest colonies in Europe. The accumulation of 20 chemical elements in the bodies (muscle and bones) of yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) was investigated using the energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence equipment Spectro Xepos HE. Two groups of positively inter-correlated chemical elements (Mg, Al, P, Ca and Al, S, Cl, K) were identified. The concentrations of five elements differed significantly between mice trapped in different zones of the colony with differing intensities of cormorant influence: the values of K and Cu in A. flavicollis increased in line with an increase in the influence of the cormorants, while the concentrations of Rb and Pb decreased. The concentrations of Mn differed between zones, but were not related to the intensity of bird influence. Differences in the concentration of Zn (ANOVA F = 24.38; p < 0.001), Fe (F = 4.60; p < 0.05) and Mo (F = 4.47; p < 0.05) were related to the gender factor, all concentrations being higher in females. The concentrations of Zn were age-dependent, being highest in adult individuals (21.7 ± 4.5 μg g-1) and exceeding those in subadult (19.4 ± 3.4 μg g-1) individuals or juveniles (16.7 ± 1.3 μg g-1). In general, the concentrations of accumulated elements in A. flavicollis from the territory of the cormorant colony were lower than in rodents from industrially polluted sites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ričardas Taraškevičius
- Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, LT-08412 Vilnius, Lithuania; Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Herkaus Manto 84, LT-92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
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Misztal-Szkudlińska M, Kalisińska E, Szefer P, Konieczka P, Namieśnik J. Mercury concentration and the absolute and relative sizes of the internal organs in cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo (L. 1758) from the breeding colony by the Vistula Lagoon (Poland). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2018; 154:118-126. [PMID: 29459161 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This work analyses the effect of mercury on the condition of cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) from an extensive breeding colony in northern Poland, the largest in Europe. A total of 55 birds (44 adults and 11 immature) were obtained. Total mercury (Hg) concentrations were measured in the liver, kidneys, breast muscles, heart, gullet (oesophagus), stomach, intestines, trachea, lungs and eyeballs. The total body mass (TBM) and empty body mass (EBM) were measured, and the body parts taken for analysis were weighed. The relative mass of the tissues and the L/K index were expressed as percentages. Based on the L/K index the birds were divided into three condition classes: (A) very good, (B) good and (C) moderate. The mean TBM and EBM in these cormorants were 2286 and 2184 g respectively. The greatest contributions to EBM were from the breast muscles (~11%), liver (3.7%) and intestines (3.0%). The stomach, gullet, lungs, heart and kidneys made up from ~1.0-2.8% EBM, and the trachea and eyeballs < 0.4%. 31 of the 55 birds analysed were allocated to class B; mean Hg levels in them were the highest in the kidneys, liver, lungs and muscles (18.3, 9.78, 2.70, 1.86 µg/g dw respectively); they were ≤ 1 µg/g in the other tissues. In ecotoxicology it is assumed that a hepatic concentration > 16.7 µg Hg/g dw can lead to adverse effects in the reproduction of non-marine birds. In the light of the present results, the reproductive parameters of the cormorants from the colony in northern Poland, though mostly in good or very good condition, may be depressed as a result of elevated Hg levels in their body tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elżbieta Kalisińska
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Piotr Szefer
- Department of Food Sciences Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Piotr Konieczka
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Faculty Gdansk University of Technology Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jacek Namieśnik
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Faculty Gdansk University of Technology Gdansk, Poland
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