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Bauer ADB, Linhares BDA, Nunes GT, Costa PG, Zebral YD, Bianchini A, Bugoni L. Temporal changes in metal and arsenic concentrations in blood and feathers of tropical seabirds after one of the largest environmental disasters associated with mining. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 248:118240. [PMID: 38266903 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118240] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Monitoring of contaminant levels in wildlife over time is a tool for assessing the presence and persistence of environmental impacts at ecosystem, community and population levels. Tropical seabirds breeding in the Abrolhos Archipelago, 70 km off the Brazilian coast, forage in areas under the influence of the Doce River discharge. In 2015, the Fundão Dam collapsed and released ca 60 million tons of iron ore tailings into the ocean. In the present study, red-billed tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus and brown boobies Sula leucogaster breeding in Abrolhos were monitored over four years (2019-2022) for metal (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Hg, Pb, Cd) and metalloid (As) concentrations in blood and feathers. Over six sampling events, metal (loid) concentrations showed strong temporal variation in both tissues. Overall, feathers showed greater element concentrations than blood, with stronger correlations between elements, especially Mn and the nonessential As, Cd, Hg and Pb. Mn is one of the major chemical markers of the Fundão Dam tailings. Metal (loid) concentrations in the tropical seabirds evaluated were above suggested threshold levels for most nonessential elements (As, Cd and Pb), especially in February 2021, when metal (loid) concentrations peaked in feathers. In this case, values were orders of magnitude higher than those observed in other sampling events. This occurred one year after a major rainy season in the Doce River basin, which increased river discharge of contaminated mud into the ocean, where contaminants are further remobilized by winds and currents, resulting in transference through the marine food web. This finding is consistent to what has been observed for other ecosystem compartments monitored in the region under the influence of the Doce River. Our findings highlight the utility of using tropical seabirds as sentinels of marine pollution, revealing strong temporal patterns in metal (loid) concentrations associated to bottom-up climatic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur de Barros Bauer
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Conservação, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade - NUPEM, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 27965-045, Macaé, RJ, Brazil
| | - Bruno de Andrade Linhares
- Laboratório de Aves Aquáticas e Tartarugas Marinhas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, 96203-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, 96203-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.
| | - Guilherme Tavares Nunes
- Centro de Estudos Costeiros, Limnológicos e Marinhos, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, 95625-000, Imbé, RS, Brazil
| | - Patricia Gomes Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, 96203-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Yuri Dornelles Zebral
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, 96203-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Adalto Bianchini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, 96203-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, 96203-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Leandro Bugoni
- Laboratório de Aves Aquáticas e Tartarugas Marinhas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, 96203-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, 96203-900, Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
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Cevallos‐Solorzano G, Bailon‐Moscoso N, Ordóñez‐Delgado L, Jara P, Tomás G, Espinosa CI. Chronic Degradation of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests Increases the Incidence of Genotoxicity in Birds. GEOHEALTH 2023; 7:e2022GH000774. [PMID: 37790599 PMCID: PMC10545417 DOI: 10.1029/2022gh000774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Multiple studies have shown that exposure to pollutants can increase genotoxic damage in different taxa. However, to our knowledge, the effects of environmental stress have been explored little. In certain stressful ecosystems, such as seasonally dry tropical forests, the combined effects of anthropogenic activities and ongoing global changes can cause an increase in environmental stresses, in turn, may trigger physiological and genetic effects on biodiversity. The present aims to assess changes in the prevalence of genotoxic damage in birds within three states of forest degradation in the Tumbesian Region of Western Ecuador. We used blood samples from 50 bird species to determine the frequency of micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes. Our results revealed a significant impact of forest degradation on the occurrence probability of micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities at the community level. Localities with higher levels of degradation exhibited higher levels of abnormalities. However, when analyzing the dominant species, we found contrasting responses. While Lepidocolaptes souleyetii showed a reduction in the proportion of nuclear abnormalities from the natural to shrub-dominated localities Troglodytes aedon and Polioptila plumbea showed an increase for semi-natural and shrub-dominated respectively. We concluded that the degradation process of these tropical forests increases the stress of bird community generating genotoxic damage. Bird responses seem to be species-specific, which could explain the differences in changes in bird composition reported in other studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - N. Bailon‐Moscoso
- Facultad de Ciencias de la SaludUniversidad Técnica Particular de LojaLojaEcuador
| | - L. Ordóñez‐Delgado
- Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs‐Lab)Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y AgropecuariasUniversidad Técnica Particular de LojaLojaEcuador
- Museo de ZoologíaUniversidad Técnica Particular de LojaLojaEcuador
- Programa de Doctorado en Conservación de Recursos NaturalesUniversidad Rey Juan CarlosMadridEspaña
| | - P. Jara
- Facultad de Ciencias de la SaludUniversidad Técnica Particular de LojaLojaEcuador
- Carrera de BiologíaUniversidad Técnica Particular de LojaLojaEcuador
| | - G. Tomás
- Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs‐Lab)Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y AgropecuariasUniversidad Técnica Particular de LojaLojaEcuador
- Departamento de Ecología Funcional y EvolutivaEstación Experimental de Zonas Áridas (EEZA‐CSIC)AlmeríaEspaña
| | - C. I. Espinosa
- Laboratorio de Ecología Tropical y Servicios Ecosistémicos (EcoSs‐Lab)Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y AgropecuariasUniversidad Técnica Particular de LojaLojaEcuador
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Di Nicola MR, Novello C, Lo Valvo M, Lo Dico GM, Bianchi VG, Mercuri SR, Giornetti M. Biological Matrices from Cairina moschata as Non-Destructive Biomonitoring Tools to Study Environmental Quality of Urban and Extra-Urban Areas: A Case Study of Palermo (Sicily, Italy). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2474. [PMID: 37570283 PMCID: PMC10417785 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomonitoring is the qualitative observation and the measurement of biosphere parameters aimed at modelling the environment, evaluating its quality, and studying the effects of alterations on different ecological levels. In this work, trace metal concentrations were assessed using non-destructive biomonitoring tools as blood and feathers of the allochthonous aquatic bird Cairina moschata, collected within two areas of the Palermo metropolitan area, Sicily, differently exposed to air pollution: Parco D'Orleans, in a central urban location, and Monreale, southwest of the city centre. Higher concentrations in both blood and feathers collected in Parco D' Orleans were found for lead, tin and selenium, but the same was not observed for other metals. The concentrations were not above physiological tolerance in any case. The comparison between blood and feathers allowed to realize that the latter are more useful for biomonitoring analyses, as they are indicative of both external contamination and bioaccumulation. Treatment with nitric acid highlighted that the feathers collected in Parco D' Orleans had higher metal bioaccumulation than the ones collected in Monreale; however, the treatment needs standardization. The present study confirms that feathers and blood from C. moschata are a convenient and non-destructive sampling tool for metal contamination analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Riccardo Di Nicola
- Unit of Dermatology and Cosmetology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.R.D.N.); (V.G.B.); (S.R.M.)
- Asociación Herpetológica Española, Apartado de Correos 191, 28911 Leganés, Spain
| | - Christian Novello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Mario Lo Valvo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Maria Lo Dico
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Vittoria Giulia Bianchi
- Unit of Dermatology and Cosmetology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.R.D.N.); (V.G.B.); (S.R.M.)
| | - Santo Raffaele Mercuri
- Unit of Dermatology and Cosmetology, IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy; (M.R.D.N.); (V.G.B.); (S.R.M.)
| | - Marcella Giornetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche, Chimiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Palermo, Via Archirafi, 18, 90123 Palermo, Italy
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García-Salas JA, Ceyca-Contreras JP, Dávila-Rodríguez MI, González-Hernández S, Gutiérrez-Mendoza M, Ballesteros-Medrano O, Cortés-Gutiérrez EI. Metal Contents in Feathers from Birds (Rhynchopsitta terrisi, and Columba livia) with Different Ecological Niches. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 110:112. [PMID: 37310505 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-023-03758-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The metal contaminants can be utilized as an ecological tool to analyze niche partition in birds. As environmental contamination biological indicators, essential (Zn, Cu, and Cr) and non-essential (Pb and Cd) metals in the flight feathers of the Maroon-fronted Parrot and Pigeon with different ecological niches were assessed. The feathers of the parrot were gathered at a national park (Parque Nacional Cumbres de Monterrey) and the feathers of pigeons were collected at an urban site, that is, the city of Monterrey, Mexico. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to establish the concentration of metals in the feathers. Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, and Cd were detected in the two studied samples. The results obtained in this study exhibited an increase in metal concentrations in pigeon feathers with respect to parrot feathers. In conclusion, employing parrot and pigeon feathers comprises an important tool to track trace-metal occurrence in the environment and metal accumulation in birds. This information is crucial to possess in order to minimize exposure to essential metals in species of wild birds with different ecological niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan A García-Salas
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, 66450, México
| | - Juan P Ceyca-Contreras
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, 66450, México
| | - Martha I Dávila-Rodríguez
- Faculty of Public Health and Nutrition, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, 66460, México
| | - Silvia González-Hernández
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Noreste, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Monterrey, México
| | - Mireille Gutiérrez-Mendoza
- Laboratory of Occupational Health, Hospital General de Zona No. 32 Mario Madrazo Navarro, Mexico City, México
| | - Oscar Ballesteros-Medrano
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, 66450, México
| | - Elva I Cortés-Gutiérrez
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, 66450, México.
- Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. México, Pedro de Alba S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León C.P. 66451, México.
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Yipel M, Tekeli İO, İşler CT, Altuğ ME. Tissue distribution and correlations of heavy metals in wild birds from Southern Turkey: an ecologically important region on the west Palearctic migration route. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:68889-68899. [PMID: 37131004 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27292-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Even if some are essential for biological functions, the accumulation of heavy metals above tolerable physiological limits is potentially toxic to also wild animals. The present study aimed to investigate concentrations of environmentally relevant heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Zn) in feathers, muscle, heart, kidney, and liver tissues of wild birds (golden eagle [Aquila chrysaetos], sparrowhawk [Accipiter nisus], and white stork [Ciconia ciconia]) from Hatay province, southern Turkey. The metal concentrations of tissues were determined by a validated ICP-OES analysis method after microwave digestion. The concentration differences of metals in species/tissues and the correlations between essential/non-essential metals were determined by statistical analysis. According to the results, Fe (326.87±3.60 mg kg-1) had the highest, and Hg (0.09±0.00 mg kg-1) had the lowest mean concentration in all tissues. Compared to the literature; Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn concentrations were lower; Cd, Fe, and Mn concentrations were higher. The correlations between As and all essentials; Cd and Cu, Fe; Hg and Cu, Fe, Zn; Pb and all essentials were significantly positive. In the conclusion, while essential Cu, Fe, and Zn are below the threshold value and do not pose a risk, Mn is close to the threshold value. Therefore, periodically monitoring the pollutant concentrations in bioindicators is a key necessity for the early determination of biomagnification trends and prevention of potential toxic stress on wildlife ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Yipel
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 31060, Hatay, Turkey.
| | - İbrahim Ozan Tekeli
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 31060, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Cafer Tayer İşler
- Hatay Mustafa Kemal Wild Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, 31060, Hatay, Turkey
- Department of Surgery, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 31060, Hatay, Turkey
| | - Muhammed Enes Altuğ
- Hatay Mustafa Kemal Wild Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, 31060, Hatay, Turkey
- Department of Surgery, Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 31060, Hatay, Turkey
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Chen X, Cao S, Wen D, Geng Y, Duan X. Sentinel animals for monitoring the environmental lead exposure: combination of traditional review and visualization analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023; 45:561-584. [PMID: 35348990 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01241-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In nature, certain animals share a common living environment with humans, thus these animals have become biomonitors of health effects related to various environmental exposures. As one of the most toxic environmental chemicals, lead (Pb) can cause detriment health effects to animals, plants, and even humans through different exposure pathways such as atmosphere, soil, food, water, and dust, etc. Sentinel animals played an "indicative" role in the researches of environmental pollution monitoring and human health. In order to comprehend the usage of sentinel animals in the indication of environmental Pb pollution and human Pb exposure completely, a combination of traditional review and visualization analysis based on CiteSpace literature was used to review earlier researches in this study. In the first instance, present researches on exposure sources and exposure pathways of Pb were summarized briefly, and then the studies using sentinel animals to monitor environmental heavy metal pollution and human health were combed. Finally, visualization software CiteSpace 5.8.R3 was used to explore and analyze the hotspots and frontiers of lead exposure and sentinel animals researches at home and abroad. The results showed that certain mammals were good indicators for human lead exposure. Sentinel animals had been widely used to monitor the ecological environment and human lead exposure. Among them, the blood lead levels of small mammals, particularly for domestic dogs and cats, had a significant correlation with the blood lead levels of human living in the same environment. It indicated that certain biological indicators in animals can be used as surrogates to monitor human body exposure to heavy metals. This study also explored the challenges and perspectives that may be faced in sentinel animal research, in order to provide a certain theoretical basis and train of thought guidance for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Chen
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - SuZhen Cao
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Dongsen Wen
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yishuo Geng
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xiaoli Duan
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Xueyuan Road 30, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China.
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Zebral YD, Costa PG, de Souza MM, Bianchini A. Avian blood and feathers as biological tools to track impacts from trace-metals: Bioaccumulation data from the biggest environmental disaster in Brazilian history. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 807:151077. [PMID: 34678360 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Mariana's dam collapse was the worst environmental disaster in Brazilian history and one of the biggest worldwide. This perverse disaster resulted in the release of a contaminated mud tsunami that greatly impacted both aquatic and terrestrial biota. The aim of this study was to track environmental impacts resulting from Mariana's disaster using trace-element accumulation in avian blood and feathers as monitoring tool. For this, animals were collected at Doce River mouth (Regência), origin of the contaminated mud, and at southern (Aracruz) and northern (São Mateus) coastal areas. There were two sampling events (2018-2019), one during the winter period (first collection) and another during the summer period (second collection). Trace-element assessed were As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Hg, Mn and Zn. Findings show that inorganic contamination in birds followed a strong spatial and temporal behavior. In terms of time patterns, blood and feather contamination levels were markedly elevated in samples from the first collection event in comparison to the second. In terms of space, bioaccumulation was greater in Doce River mouth (Regência) and southern area (Aracruz). Additionally, levels found for Pb, Hg, As and Cd in birds from the first expedition were above proposed threshold levels, indicating possible health impacts. Finally, it is concluded that avian from areas impacted by Mariana's disaster still presents elevated levels of inorganic contamination even after 5 years following the event. Additionally, local climatic factors might pose as major drivers for bioaccumulation patterns in these animals, resulting in marked spatial and temporal fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Dornelles Zebral
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Avenida Itália km 8, Campus Carreiros, 96.203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.
| | - Patrícia Gomes Costa
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Avenida Itália km 8, Campus Carreiros, 96.203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Marta Marques de Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Avenida Itália km 8, Campus Carreiros, 96.203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
| | - Adalto Bianchini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Avenida Itália km 8, Campus Carreiros, 96.203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil
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Tomazelli J, Rodrigues GZP, Franco D, de Souza MS, Burghausen JH, Panizzon J, Kayser JM, Loiko MR, Schneider A, Linden R, Gehlen G. Potential use of distinct biomarkers (trace metals, micronuclei, and nuclear abnormalities) in a heterogeneous sample of birds in southern Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:14791-14805. [PMID: 34622404 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16657-6] [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: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The analysis of metal concentrations in bird feathers and genotoxicity tests are tools used to evaluate anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems. We investigated the response of birds, used as bioindicators, to disturbances observed in three areas with distinctive environmental characteristics (natural, agricultural, and urban) in southern Brazil. For this purpose, we quantified metals (Mn, Cu, Cr, and Zn) in feathers and determined the number of micronuclei (MN) and other nuclear abnormalities (NA) in 108 birds from 25 species and 17 families captured in the study area. No significant differences was found in the metal concentrations and the number of MN and NA between the sampling areas. Zn and Cu concentrations were significantly higher in insectivorous than those in omnivorous birds. The Zn concentration was significantly different between some species, and the Cu concentration was significantly higher in juveniles than that in adults. The best generalized linear models showed that omnivorous birds had more MN and NA and that juveniles and birds with better body condition index had increased NA numbers. This study demonstrates that the analyzed variables contribute in different ways to the result of each biomarker, mainly due to particular ecological and physiological characteristics of each species. We conclude that wild birds have the potential to be used as environmental bioindicators in the study area, but future studies should focus on one or a few species whose ecological and physiological habits are well known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Tomazelli
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Qualidade Ambiental, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil.
| | | | - Danielle Franco
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mateus Santos de Souza
- Mestre em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Jorge Henrique Burghausen
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Qualidade Ambiental, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil
| | - Jenifer Panizzon
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Qualidade Ambiental, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil
| | - Juliana Machado Kayser
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Toxicologia e Análises Toxicológicas, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil
| | - Márcia Regina Loiko
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Virologia, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil
| | - Anelise Schneider
- Estudante de Farmácia, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil
| | - Rafael Linden
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Toxicologia e Análises Toxicológicas, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil
| | - Gunther Gehlen
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Qualidade Ambiental, Universidade Feevale, RS 239, 2755, Novo Hamburgo, RS, CEP 93352-000, Brazil
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Varagiya D, Jethva B, Pandya D. Feather heavy metal contamination in various species of waterbirds from Asia: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 194:26. [PMID: 34907468 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09678-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The amounts of certain heavy metals in waterfowl fluctuate depending on a number of factors. The use of feathers in heavy metal contamination studies is gaining popularity for several reasons, including the lack of need for deep freezing for sample preservation, the fact that it is a non-destructive, non-invasive method that does not require killing an individual, and the ability to predict lead and cadmium concentrations in internal tissues. A total of 22 publications from eight Asian countries including Pakistan, China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, South Korea, Indonesia, and Japan were identified and analysed in this study. The highest number of study sites were found from Pakistan (n = 12), followed by China (n = 9), Hong Kong, South Korea, and India (n = 7) each. A total of 10 heavy metals, viz cadmium, chromium, lead, copper, nickel, zinc, iron, mercury, selenium, and arsenic, have been identified for the review. Mercury (0.17-79.66 ppm) has been studied in all 44 species, whereas selenium (0.98-4.88 ppm) has only been studied in five species. Mercury (8.6 ppm) contamination is highest in Painted Stork from India. Cadmium, lead, copper, and arsenic contamination was detected in the highest concentrations in Cattle Egret and Indian Pond Heron. The highest contamination of cadmium (41.1 ppm), lead (296 ppm), and arsenic (20 ppm) were found in Cattle Egret from Pakistan. Chromium, nickel, and zinc contamination was highest in waders such as Marsh Sandpiper (114.7 ppm), Little Ringed Plover (114.8 ppm), and Little Stint (328.4 ppm), respectively from India. Black-tailed Gull from South Korea had the highest contamination of Iron (4055.55 ppm) and selenium (7.55 ppm). Feather analysis is not an alternative of internal tissue analysis. It should be considered as an initial warning of the hazardous effects of the heavy metals in the waterbirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhavalkumar Varagiya
- School of Pharmacy, RK University, Bhavnagar Highway, Kasturbadham, Rajkot, Gujarat, India, PIN 360020.
- Center for Sustainable Conservation Action and Protection of Ecosystems of the Seas (C-SCAPES), Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development, C/O Tata Chemicals Limited, Mithapur, Dwarka, Gujarat, India, PIN 361345.
| | - Bharat Jethva
- Green Support Services, Sargasan Circle, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India, PIN 382421
| | - Devang Pandya
- School of Pharmacy, RK University, Bhavnagar Highway, Kasturbadham, Rajkot, Gujarat, India, PIN 360020
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Yao T, Zhu G, Zhang Y, Yan P, Li C, de Boer WF. Bird's feather as an effective bioindicator for detection of trace elements in polymetallic contaminated areas in Anhui Province, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:144816. [PMID: 33545476 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144816] [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: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution, especially because of trace metals, seriously affects ecological safety, and bird feathers are often used as bioindicators to monitor this risk in various environments. However, the feasibility of feathers as bioindicators for trace metals in polymetallic contaminated areas has not been extensively studied. In this study, we used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to quantify and compare the contents of nine trace metal(loid)s (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb) among soil, plants, insects and birds (feathers and internal tissues) sampled in the mining area of Tongling, a polymetallic contaminated area in Anhui Province, eastern China. We detected significant trace metal pollution in the abiotic and biotic materials. The contents of Cr, Cu, Zn, As and Pb in feathers differed among bird species and among sampling sites, with higher contents often recorded in tree sparrows (Passer montanus). The metal(loid)s V, Mn, Co, Zn, and As had higher contents in feathers than in internal tissues including heart, liver, kidneys, muscles and bones. The contents of some elements in feathers were positively correlated with those in internal tissues, for example, Co, As, and Cd in the heart, V and Co in the kidneys, Cd in the liver, Pb in bones, and As in muscles. Furthermore, the contents of V, Cr, As and Pb in feathers were higher than those in other biomaterials, implying an increasing trend from plants, insects, and feathers. Our study indicates that bird feathers can be used as effective, non-destructive bioindicators to monitor trace metal(loid) pollution, especially for V, Co, As, Cd and Pb, in polymetallic contaminated areas, providing reliable information for ecological assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Yao
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Guang Zhu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, No.159, Longpan Road, 210037 Nanjing, China
| | - Peng Yan
- School of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, No. 1, Beijing East Road, 241000 Wuhu, Anhui Province, China
| | - Chunlin Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China; Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui University, No. 111, Jiulong Road, 230601 Hefei, China.
| | - Willem F de Boer
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Wageningen University, 6708PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
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11
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Canova L, Sturini M, Profumo A, Maraschi F. Evidence of Low-Habitat Contamination Using Feathers of Three Heron Species as a Biomonitor of Inorganic Elemental Pollution. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E7776. [PMID: 33114248 PMCID: PMC7660610 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The concentration of 12 elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) has been investigated in the feathers of three species of Ardeidae, namely the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, the Little Egret Egretta garzetta, and the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis, all breeding at a colony located in the southern Padana Plain (NW Italy). This study is a first step for an evaluation of possible direct effects of these elements on chicks' survival and growth rate. Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn were in the range 7-69 mg Kg-1, while lower levels of Pb, Ni, As, and Se (0.27-1.45 mg Kg-1) were measured. Co, Cd, and Cr were close to the method detection limits (MDLs) in all the species. The measured concentrations of the most abundant trace elements, such as Zn and Cu, seem to reflect the geochemical pattern of the background (running water and soil), while Hg concentration is lower and it appears to be biomagnified, particularly in Grey Heron feathers. Its concentration is higher in adults than in chicks, and it differs among the three species, as it is closely related to the fish-based dietary pattern. The measured trace elements' concentrations are below the threshold levels in all the heron species, and consequently, harmful and acute effects on the local population are unlikely; the conservation status of herons populations in northern Italy is probably more affected by other factors, such as climate changes, altered aquatic environment, and, consequently, food quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Canova
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, I-27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.S.); (A.P.); (F.M.)
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