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García-Muñoz J, Cacciola NA, Plazzi F, Prado Míguez-Santiyán M, Rodríguez FS, López-Beceiro A, Fidalgo LE, Martínez-Morcillo S, Pérez-López M. Metal and metalloid concentrations in wild mammals from SW Europe: European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) and badger (Meles meles). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:118855-118870. [PMID: 37922086 PMCID: PMC10697895 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30615-4] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there have been increasing ecological and global concerns associated to Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs). Thus, the relevance of wild mammals as biomonitors has been globally recognised. In the present study, Cd, Pb, Hg, Zn and As concentrations were quantified in European hedgehog and badger inhabiting SW Europe, and cumulative trends in relation to age and sex were evaluated. Liver and kidney samples were collected, mineralised and PTE content was determined by ICP-MS. Zn was the most abundant element quantified in both organs (239 and 89.8 mg kg-1 for hedgehogs and 179 and 164 mg kg-1 dw for badgers). In hedgehogs, very high Hg concentration were quantified (4.35 and 15.5 mg kg-1 dw in liver and kidney), and Cd was the most abundant for badgers (4.70 and 7.61 mg kg-1 dw in liver and kidney). Positive correlations were observed for the concentrations of PTE in the organs of both species. Age-dependence increased only Cd concentration, with levels in adult kidneys being significantly higher. In this study, European hedgehog and badger were used as biomonitors for the determination of PTEs to provide current reference values in relatively non-polluted areas of SW Europe, and to enhance the use of these species for future ecotoxicological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier García-Muñoz
- Toxicology Area, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Universidad de Extremadura), 10003, Cáceres, Spain.
| | - Nunzio Antonio Cacciola
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Via F. Delpino 1, 80137, Naples, Italy
| | - Federico Plazzi
- Department of Biologia Evoluzionistica Sperimentale, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Ana López-Beceiro
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (USC), 27003, Lugo, Spain
| | - Luis Eusebio Fidalgo
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (USC), 27003, Lugo, Spain
| | - Salomé Martínez-Morcillo
- Toxicology Area, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Universidad de Extremadura), 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Marcos Pérez-López
- Toxicology Area, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Universidad de Extremadura), 10003, Cáceres, Spain
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2
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Powers KM, Petracca LS, Macduff AJ, Frair JL. A Pragmatic Approach for Determining Otter Distribution from Disparate Occurrence Records. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.21968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly M. Powers
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| | - Lisanne S. Petracca
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse NY 13210 USA
| | - Andrew J. Macduff
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 6, 317 Washington Street Watertown NY 1360 USA
| | - Jacqueline L. Frair
- SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry 1 Forestry Drive Syracuse NY 13210 USA
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3
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Brand AF, Hynes J, Walker LA, Glόria Pereira M, Lawlor AJ, Williams RJ, Shore RF, Chadwick EA. Biological and anthropogenic predictors of metal concentration in the Eurasian otter, a sentinel of freshwater ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 266:115280. [PMID: 32823066 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Toxic metals have been linked to a range of adverse health effects in freshwater organisms. However, for higher vertebrates, there is little understanding of the large-scale drivers of exposure. We quantified toxic metal/semi-metal concentrations in a sentinel freshwater top predator, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), across England and Wales, and determined how this varied with key natural and anthropogenic factors. We related liver concentrations in 278 otters that died between 2006 and 2017 to habitat biogeochemistry, proximity to point source contamination and to biological characteristics (length, sex, condition). Evidence for any positive association with putative anthropogenic sources (mining, human population, known discharges) was weak or lacking in nearly all cases, with the exception of a positive association between lead and human population density. Despite concerns that burgeoning use of nanosilver in consumer products might increase silver concentrations in waste waters, there was no increase over time. Spatial variation in soil/sediment pH, precipitation, and soil calcium oxide are indicated as significant predictors of metal concentrations in otters (higher cadmium and silver in areas with lower pH and higher rainfall, and higher chromium and lead in areas of lower calcium oxide). Liver chromium and nickel concentrations declined significantly over time (Cr 0.030 ± 1.2 to 0.015 ± 1.3 μg/g dry weight, Ni 0.0038 ± 1.2 to 0.00068 ± 1.5 μg/g, between 2006-2009 and 2014-2017), but other metals showed no temporal change. Biotic associations were important, with age related accumulation indicated for mercury and cadmium (as well as interactions with body condition). Our results suggest that larger-scale geochemical and hydrological processes are important in determining metal exposure in otters, and we provide an indication of risk factors that may be of relevance for freshwater vertebrates in other countries with well-developed water pollution management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Fleur Brand
- Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom; Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 104-106, 3584, CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Juliet Hynes
- Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - Lee A Walker
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
| | - M Glόria Pereira
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
| | - Alan J Lawlor
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
| | - Richard J Williams
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK
| | - Richard F Shore
- UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4AP, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth A Chadwick
- Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, United Kingdom.
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Borchert EJ, Leaphart JC, Bryan AL, Beasley JC. Ecotoxicoparasitology of mercury and trace elements in semi-aquatic mammals and their endoparasite communities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 679:307-316. [PMID: 31085411 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Many contaminants persist in the environment for decades or more, influencing ecosystem health. Environmental contamination with mercury (Hg) is a particular concern due to its ability to biomagnify in food webs and its lethal and sub-lethal effects in exposed organisms. Despite the known impacts of anthropogenic contamination, there remains a need for data on wildlife exposure to Hg and other contaminants, and the effects of exposure on wildlife health. The objectives of this study were to: 1) quantify differences in concentrations of mercury and other trace elements among three sympatric semiaquatic mammals of different assumed trophic position: North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), raccoon (Procyon lotor), and North American beaver (Castor canadensis), 2) compare trace element concentrations between animals captured on the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina, USA, where known inputs of Hg and other trace elements have occurred, and reference sites in South Carolina (SC) and Georgia (GA), USA, and 3) investigate the relationship between host trace element concentrations and endoparasite communities. River otters, beavers, and raccoons were sampled from the SRS, SC, and GA to quantify trace element concentrations in liver tissue and quantify endoparasite communities. Both species and sampling location were important factors determining hepatic trace element concentration, however, there was no consistent trend of elevated trace element concentrations among animals sampled on the SRS. Only Hg demonstrated biomagnification based on assumed trophic position, with river otters having the highest Hg concentrations among the sampled species. Additionally, the results suggest a possible relationship between host hepatic mercury concentration and endoparasite abundance, while hepatic selenium concentration may be related to endoparasite diversity. These findings further demonstrate how wildlife can accumulate anthropogenic contamination, although future research is needed to determine the mechanisms contributing to patterns observed between endoparasite communities and the contaminant concentrations of their mammalian hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest J Borchert
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA; University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
| | - James C Leaphart
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA; University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Albert L Bryan
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA
| | - James C Beasley
- University of Georgia, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, P.O. Drawer E, Aiken, SC 29802, USA; University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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Ljungvall K, Magnusson U, Korvela M, Norrby M, Bergquist J, Persson S. Heavy metal concentrations in female wild mink (Neovison vison) in Sweden: Sources of variation and associations with internal organ weights. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2017; 36:2030-2035. [PMID: 28000953 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The American mink is an invasive species in Sweden, and it is legally hunted all year. Therefore, the mink is well suited as a sentinel species for environmental monitoring. In the present study female mink (n = 91) from 6 different areas in Sweden were analyzed for the concentrations of silver, cadmium, mercury and lead in liver tissue using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The wet concentrations in liver tissue were 42.6 ± 52.7 ng/g for silver, 99.5 ± 100 ng/g for cadmium, 652 ± 537 ng/g for mercury, and 196 ± 401 ng/g for lead (expressed as mean ± standard deviation). There were associations between the sample area and the concentrations of silver, lead, and mercury. The concentrations of lead and cadmium varied with season of capture and lead, cadmium, and mercury were positively associated with increasing age. Relative liver weight was positively associated with concentrations of mercury and negatively associated with lead and cadmium. Relative kidney weight was negatively associated with lead concentrations. In summary, it is of importance to take age and season of capture into account when assessing levels of heavy metals in wild mink. Also, liver and kidneys seem to be potential targets for heavy metal toxicity in wild female mink in Sweden. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2030-2035. © 2016 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Ljungvall
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ulf Magnusson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marcus Korvela
- Department of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mattias Norrby
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Reproduction, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonas Bergquist
- Department of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Persson
- Department of Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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6
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Chudzińska M, Komorowicz I, Hanć A, Gołdyn R, Barałkiewicz D. Chemometric approach to evaluate element distribution in muscle, liver and fish bone of roach (Rutilus rutilus), silver bream (Blicca bjoerkna) and crucian carp (Carassius carassius) from Swarzędzkie Lake (Poland) using ICP-MS and FIAS-CVAAS techniques. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH. PART. B, PESTICIDES, FOOD CONTAMINANTS, AND AGRICULTURAL WASTES 2016; 51:790-800. [PMID: 27439756 DOI: 10.1080/03601234.2016.1198650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The content of elements in fish tissues and organs from Swarzędzkie Lake was investigated in order to evaluate the possible risk associated with their consumption by animals as well as humans. Samples of muscle, liver and fish bone of three fish species; roach (Rutilus rutilus), silver bream (Blicca bjoerkna) and crucian carp (Carassius carassius) were collected from seine catches undertaken as part of the biomanipulation of Swarzędzkie Lake. Element concentration (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn) was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), with the exception of Hg where the flow injection analysis system cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (FIAS-CVAAS) was applied. The study indicated a large variation in the occurrence of the investigated elements in different parts of the fish body. The highest content of Al and Zn was stated in all fish organs for each fish species. The majority of the applied statistical and chemometric methods (e.g., PCA, CA) refer to roach since we had a large number of data for this species. The obtained results were assessed in terms of their accuracy and precision using certified reference material of Fish Muscle ERM BB422.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chudzińska
- a Department of Trace Elements Analysis by Spectroscopy Method , Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań , Poznań , Poland
- b Rozany Strumien Base Station of Integrated Monitoring of Natural Environment , Faculty of Geographical and Geological Sciences, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań , Poznań , Poland
| | - Izabela Komorowicz
- a Department of Trace Elements Analysis by Spectroscopy Method , Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań , Poznań , Poland
| | - Anetta Hanć
- a Department of Trace Elements Analysis by Spectroscopy Method , Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań , Poznań , Poland
| | - Ryszard Gołdyn
- c Department of Water Protection , Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań , Poznań , Poland
| | - Danuta Barałkiewicz
- a Department of Trace Elements Analysis by Spectroscopy Method , Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań , Poznań , Poland
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7
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Kang S, Kang JH, Kim S, Lee SH, Lee S, Yu HJ, Oh SJ, Park JD, Nam KH, Han SY, Lim JD, Ryu DY. Trace element analysis of three tissues from Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in South Korea. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2015; 24:1064-1072. [PMID: 25762104 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-015-1447-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) are endangered worldwide, but the specific cause of their decline has not been determined. This study analyzed the concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements, including As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Se, Cu, Mn, and Zn, in the liver, kidney, and lung tissues of Eurasian otters in South Korea. There were high individual variations in the tissue concentrations of all the elements analyzed. The kidneys had the highest concentrations of Cd and Se among the three tissue groups, and the livers had the highest concentrations of Cu, Mn, Zn, and Hg. The Pb and As concentrations in the livers were not significantly different from those in the kidneys, and the lungs had the lowest concentrations of all the elements analyzed. The age-related bioaccumulation of Cd and Hg was evident in the three tissue groups, and of Se in the kidneys. The Pb concentration was higher in the livers of juveniles compared with those of adults and the Zn concentration was higher in the lungs of juveniles. There were no apparent gender differences in the concentrations of the elements analyzed among the tissue groups. The Se concentration correlated with the Hg concentration in the livers and kidneys, and with the Cd concentration in the kidneys. The Hg and Cd levels correlated in the three tissue groups. The Cu and Zn levels also correlated in the livers and kidneys. In general, the element concentrations were within the ranges reported by previous studies of this species from European countries, except for Cd and Hg, the levels of which were mostly lower than those reported previously. These findings may provide baseline information to facilitate the conservation of the Eurasian otter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first available study of trace element concentrations in the tissues of Eurasian otters from South Korea or Asian countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukmo Kang
- BK21 PLUS Program for Creative Veterinary Science Research, Research Institute for Veterinary Science and College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742, South Korea
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8
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Brzeziński M, Zalewski A, Niemczynowicz A, Jarzyna I, Suska-Malawska M. The use of chemical markers for the identification of farm escapees in feral mink populations. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2014; 23:767-778. [PMID: 24573774 PMCID: PMC4053601 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-014-1213-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Variations in the contaminant burden in feral and ranch mink, resulting from differences in their diet, may permit the identification of farm escapees. However, this is only possible in the case of contaminants that accumulate to significantly different levels in the two groups of animals. The main objective of this study was to identify chemical markers whose concentrations differ between feral and ranch mink, by analyzing the accumulation of 13 chemical elements in liver and kidney samples. Total mercury levels were up to 15-fold higher in kidney, and up to 7-fold higher in liver of feral mink compared with ranch mink. The majority of feral mink samples analyzed for mercury, contained concentrations that ranged from 1 to 5 μg/g in kidney (68 %) and from 1 to 5 μg/g in liver (70 %). In comparison, the organs of ranch mink had significantly lower levels of mercury: 95 % of kidney samples had concentrations below 1 μg/g and 82 % of liver samples had concentrations below 1 μg/g. Small geographical variations in Hg levels were observed in mink from the four studied feral populations. Significant differences in Cu concentrations between ranch and feral mink were also detected, with low variation within the two groups. Less pronounced differences were recorded for other chemical elements. These data suggest that Hg and Cu may be used as chemical markers for the identification of first generation mink farm escapees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Brzeziński
- Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Zalewski
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland
| | | | - Ingeborga Jarzyna
- Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Suska-Malawska
- Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, ul. Żwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland
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Šerić Jelaska L, Jurasović J, Brown DS, Vaughan IP, Symondson WOC. Molecular field analysis of trophic relationships in soil-dwelling invertebrates to identify mercury, lead and cadmium transmission through forest ecosystems. Mol Ecol 2013; 23:3755-66. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.12566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2013] [Revised: 09/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucija Šerić Jelaska
- Faculty of Science; Division of Biology; University of Zagreb; Rooseveltov trg 6 10000 Zagreb Croatia
- Cardiff School of Biosciences; Cardiff University; The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue Cardiff CF10 3AX UK
| | - Jasna Jurasović
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health; Ksaverska cesta 2 10000 Zagreb Croatia
| | - David S. Brown
- Cardiff School of Biosciences; Cardiff University; The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue Cardiff CF10 3AX UK
| | - Ian P. Vaughan
- Cardiff School of Biosciences; Cardiff University; The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue Cardiff CF10 3AX UK
| | - William O. C. Symondson
- Cardiff School of Biosciences; Cardiff University; The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue Cardiff CF10 3AX UK
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