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Jeffree RA, Markich SJ, Oberhaensli F, Teyssie JL. Cadmium-109 Internal Kinetics in Diamond Sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii are Strongly Influenced by Salinity, Exposure Pathway and History. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 85:374-389. [PMID: 37672109 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-023-01031-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium-109 whole-body and internal biokinetics were experimentally investigated in critically endangered diamond sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii after uptake from water or food, in fresh (FW) and brackish (BW; 9‰) salinities typical of the Caspian Sea. Whole-body rates of uptake of 109Cd from water and subsequent depuration were quantified over 14 and 28 days, respectively. Uptake was greater in FW than BW by a factor of 2.4, but depuration rates were similar in both salinities. In contrast, for the dietary (chironomid) exposure pathway 109Cd assimilation efficiencies (AEs) were higher in BW (13%) compared to FW (9.5%). Head (including gills) or digestive tract were major repositories of 109Cd following aqueous and dietary exposures, respectively, including both uptake and depuration phases. The point-of-entry of 109Cd into the body was also a major and persistent determiner of its subsequent internal distribution. For aqueous exposures, the internal distributions of 109Cd changed appreciably during depuration with increased activity concentrations in some body components, which again varied with salinity. Increased salinity appreciably enhanced the percentage distributions and activity concentrations of 109Cd in the liver, kidney and digestive tract, which are typically most pathologically altered by elevated Cd exposure. For dietary exposure, increased salinity also enhanced 109Cd activity concentrations in most body components. The results repeatedly indicate the important role of salinity in the whole-body and internal biokinetics of 109Cd in A. gueldenstaedtii, a representative of both a phylogenetically distinct and most endangered family of fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross A Jeffree
- Jeffree Conservation & Research, 45 Casuarina Road, Alfords Point, 2234, Australia.
| | - Scott J Markich
- Aquatic Solutions International, North Narrabeen Beach, Sydney, NSW, 2101, Australia
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Francois Oberhaensli
- Marine Radioecology Laboratory, IAEA Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine, MC, 98000, Monaco, Monaco
| | - Jean-Louis Teyssie
- Marine Radioecology Laboratory, IAEA Environment Laboratories, 4 Quai Antoine, MC, 98000, Monaco, Monaco
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2
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Le Gal AS, Priol P, Georges JY, Verneau O. Population structure and dynamics of the Mediterranean Pond turtle Mauremys leprosa (Schweigger, 1812) in contrasted polluted aquatic environments. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 330:121746. [PMID: 37137405 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Pollution contributes to the degraded state of continental aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. Some species appear to be tolerant to aquatic pollution, yet little is known about the effects of such pollution on population structure and dynamics. Here, we investigated how wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents of the Cabestany City, in southern France, contribute to the pollution levels of the Fosseille River, and we tested how they could affect population structure and medium-term dynamics of the native freshwater turtle, the Mediterranean Pond Turtle Mauremys leprosa (Schweigger, 1812). Amongst the 68 pesticides surveyed from water samples collected along the river in 2018 and 2021, a total of 16 pesticides were detected, among which eight were found in the upstream section of the river, 15 in the river section located downstream of the WWTP, and 14 in the outfall of the WWTP, exhibiting the contribution of effluents to the river pollution. From 2013 to 2018 and in 2021, capture-mark-recapture protocols were carried out on the freshwater turtle population living in the river. Using robust design and multi-state models, we showed a stable population throughout the study period, with high year-dependent seniority, and a bidirectional transition occurring primarily from the upstream to the downstream river sections of the WWTP. The freshwater turtle population consisted mostly of adults, with a male biased sex ratio detected downstream of the WWTP neither related to sex-dependent survival, recruitment, nor transition, suggesting a male bias in the hatchlings or primary sex ratio. Also, the largest immatures and females were captured downstream of the WWTP, with females having the highest body condition, whereas no such differences were observed in males. This study highlights that population functioning of M. leprosa is driven primarily by effluents induced resources, at least over the medium-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie Le Gal
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur Les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, F-66860, Perpignan Cedex, France; CNRS, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur Les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, F-66860, Perpignan Cedex, France; Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC, UMR 7178, 23 Rue Du Lœss, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
| | - Pauline Priol
- StatiPop, Scientific Consulting, 34190, Cazilhac, France
| | - Jean-Yves Georges
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC, UMR 7178, 23 Rue Du Lœss, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Olivier Verneau
- Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur Les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, F-66860, Perpignan Cedex, France; CNRS, Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur Les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, 52 Avenue Paul Alduy, F-66860, Perpignan Cedex, France; Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, 20520, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Moradi E, Ghafari H, Ghorbani F. Heavy metal concentrations in Caspian pond turtle (Mauremys caspica) in Zarivar International Wetland, Kurdistan Province of Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:89691-89697. [PMID: 35859237 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22056-2] [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: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the cadmium, lead, and zinc levels in the blood and shell of Caspian pond turtles (Mauremys caspica) were investigated at five stations in Zarivar International Wetland in Kurdistan Province. All specimens were released at their capture locations within 2 h of capture. Water samples were collected at each station. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using an atomic absorption spectrometer. The mean cadmium, lead, and zinc concentrations were 0.04, 32.10, and 11.45 mg/l in blood samples; 1.82, 16.91, and 89.22 mg/l in shell samples; 0.005, 1.30, and 0.07 mg/l in water samples, respectively. In this study, the highest metal adsorption was zinc and was observed in shell. According to the results of this study, the shell of the Caspian Pond Turtle can be used to estimate the concentration of heavy metals. Our results suggest that Caspian pond turtle can be used as a biological indicator to estimate heavy metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Moradi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
| | - Hanyeh Ghafari
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran.
- Department of Zrebar Lake Environmental Research, Kurdistan Studies Institute, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.
| | - Farshid Ghorbani
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran
- Department of Zrebar Lake Environmental Research, Kurdistan Studies Institute, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran
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4
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Hacıoğlu Doğru N, Gül Çİ, Çördük N, Tosunoğlu M. Determination of the effects of environmental pollution on the Balkan terrapin, Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833). Acta Vet Hung 2022; 70:245-253. [PMID: 36178766 DOI: 10.1556/004.2022.00027] [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: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The effects of environmental pollution on three populations of the Balkan terrapin [Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833)] from the Bozcaada, Gökçeada and Dardanos regions were evaluated. The morphological parameters of Balkan terrapins collected on each site were measured and blood samples were taken for haematological analysis and micronucleus detection. The physicochemical, microbiological and microelement analyses of the water samples from each region were conducted by standard methods. The highest red blood cell, white blood cell and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration values were seen in the samples from Gökçeada. The highest haemoglobin value was found in the samples originating from Bozcaada, whereas the highest haematocrit and mean corpuscular volume values were found in the animals from Dardanos. Based on the microbiological analysis of the water samples, the most polluted site was Gökçeada. The microelement contents of the water and blood samples were different at the three sites, the lowest being in the Gökçeada area. It was revealed that the percentage of red blood cell micronuclei and other nucleus abnormalities in the M. rivulata blood samples was the lowest also in the animals living in the region of Gökçeada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurcİhan Hacıoğlu Doğru
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Terzioğlu Campus, 17100, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - Çİğdem Gül
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Terzioğlu Campus, 17100, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - Nurşen Çördük
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Terzioğlu Campus, 17100, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - Murat Tosunoğlu
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Terzioğlu Campus, 17100, Çanakkale, Turkey
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Irandoost F, Agah H, Eslami Z, Rossi L, Colloca F, Khalili A, Costantini ML. Evaluation of nitrogen and heavy metal pollution in southern Caspian Sea: Risk assessment and modeling approach. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113041. [PMID: 34700150 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113041] [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: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Industrial, agricultural, and recreational activities dump several pollutants into the Caspian Sea, which is one of the main water bodies of Iran. Therefore, performing risk assessments would be required as part of the monitoring programs. Herein, non-cancer health risk assessment of the consumption of macroalgae was performed and the ecological risk assessment of metal pollution in sediments of the southern Caspian Sea was presented using sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), enrichment factors (EF), contamination factors (CF), contamination degrees (CD), pollution load indices (PLI), geo accumulation indices (Igeo), and potential ecological risk indices (RI). Next, machine-learning approaches were used to predict the stable isotope value of nitrogen in macroalgae, in which physicochemical information of water and heavy metal levels in macroalgae were used separately and together as predictor variables. Results indicated that simultaneous use of physicochemical properties of water and heavy metal levels resulted in the best prediction of isotopic nitrogen content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farnaz Irandoost
- Laboratory of Trophic Ecology, Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Homira Agah
- Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science (INIOAS), No. 3, Etemadzadeh St., Fatemi Ave., 1411813389 Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Zahra Eslami
- Young Researchers and Elites Club, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Loreto Rossi
- Laboratory of Trophic Ecology, Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Colloca
- Department of Animal and Human Biology, University of Rome 'La Sapienza', V. le dell'Università, 32, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Amir Khalili
- Department of Science and Engineering of Matter, Environment and Urban Planning (SIMAU), università politecnica delle marche No.12, Brecce bianche, AN, Italy
| | - Maria Letizia Costantini
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185 Rome, Italy; National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Rome, Italy
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Dos Santos RL, de Sousa Correia JM, Dos Santos EM. Freshwater aquatic reptiles (Testudines and Crocodylia) as biomonitor models in assessing environmental contamination by inorganic elements and the main analytical techniques used: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:498. [PMID: 34287720 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09212-w] [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: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite the general lack of studies that use reptiles as bioindicators, the value of freshwater turtles and crocodilians in ecotoxicology has been proven, due to their importance as sentinel species. The aim of this study was to compile information on the use of freshwater turtles and crocodilians as environmental biomonitors of inorganic element contamination. We searched for articles in databases using specific keywords. A total of 104 studies published between the years 1970 and 2020 were collected. We noted a general increase in the number of studies involving turtles and crocodilians during the study time period. The Order Testudines were the subjects of 46% of the analysed publications, and the Order Crocodylia accounted for 54%. Within these studies, we counted 39 species (turtles n = 29 and crocodilians n = 10). Forty chemical elements were evaluated in the analysed articles, of which the majority represented non-essential elements (Hg, Cd, Pb). Although internal organs constituted the main biological matrix chosen for each group (37%), we observed an increase in the use of non-destructive matrices in both groups (scale, blood, tail muscle, carapace). The majority of analysed studies used HNO3 for the sample decomposition, with the majority of analyses being performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (53%). Mainly blank controls (19%), analyte recovery (18%) and replicates (18%) were used as methods of validating analytical procedures. Furthermore, the studies used certified reference materials, which measure the accuracy of the methods used. We conclude that the increase in the use of aquatic reptiles in environmental monitoring research is mainly due to their ability to reveal integrated changes in ecosystems, aiding in environmental public policy decision-making and effective management plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayssa Lima Dos Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Conservação, Av. Gregório Ferraz Nogueira, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Serra Talhada, PE, Brazil.
| | | | - Ednilza Maranhão Dos Santos
- Departamento de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Rua Manoel de Medeiros, Recife, PE, Brazil
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7
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Canzanella S, Danese A, Mandato M, Lucifora G, Riverso C, Federico G, Gallo P, Esposito M. Concentrations of trace elements in tissues of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the Tyrrhenian and the Ionian coastlines (Calabria, Italy). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:26545-26557. [PMID: 33484457 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12499-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Toxic trace elements from both, natural and anthropogenic origin, pose a threat to aquatic environments and marine wildlife due to their long-range transport, bioaccumulative nature, and biomagnification through the food chain. Being long-lived and migratory animals, sea turtles can be exposed to elevated levels of toxic elements, and are therefore considered sentinel species for chemical pollution. In this study, concentrations of trace elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) were determined in tissues of 46 loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) stranded along Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts of Calabria, in Southern Italy, between 2014 and 2020. Curved carapace length (CCL), curved carapace width (CCW), body mass (BM), and sex were determined and the correlations of these parameters with toxic elements concentrations were investigated. During necropsy, kidney, liver, and muscle tissues were collected and the concentration and distribution of metals determined. Muscle tissues showed the lowest toxic element burdens, except for As that showed the highest mean concentrations in this tissue. The kidney was the main accumulation organ for Cd, while similar levels of Hg and Pb were measured in kidney, liver, and muscle tissues. The risk assessment performed for Cd, Hg, and Pb in sea turtles' liver highlighted possible negative effects on sea turtles' health and the need for marine turtle toxicology researches. This is the first study reporting levels and distribution of toxic elements in tissues of Caretta caretta turtles from the Tyrrhenian and Ionian coasts of Calabria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Canzanella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy.
| | - Amalia Danese
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Maria Mandato
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lucifora
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Caterina Riverso
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Giovanni Federico
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Pasquale Gallo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
| | - Mauro Esposito
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Via Salute, 2, Portici, Italy
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Costantini ML, Agah H, Fiorentino F, Irandoost F, Trujillo FJL, Careddu G, Calizza E, Rossi L. Nitrogen and metal pollution in the southern Caspian Sea: a multiple approach to bioassessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:9898-9912. [PMID: 33156502 PMCID: PMC7884576 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11243-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The Caspian Sea hosts areas of high ecological value as well as industrial, leisure, and agricultural activities that dump into the water body different kinds of pollutants. In this complex context, a proper description of the origin and potential sources of pollution is necessary to address management and mitigation actions aimed at preserving the quality of the water resource and the integrity of the ecosystems. Here, we aimed at detecting sources of both nitrogen inputs, by N stable isotope analysis of macroalgae, and metals in macroalgae and sediments in two highly anthropized coastal stretches at the Iranian side of the Caspian Sea. Sampling was done near the mouth of rivers and canals draining agricultural and urbanized areas. In the westernmost waters, facing a port city, low macroalgal δ15N signatures indicated industrial fertilizers as the principal source of pollution. By contrast, in the central coastal waters, facing touristic areas, the high macroalgal δ15N indicated N inputs from wastewaters. Here the lowest dissolved oxygen concentrations in waters were associated with excess dissolved inorganic nitrogen. Metal concentrations varied largely in the study areas and were lower in macroalgae than in sediments. Localized peaks of Pb and Zn in sediments were observed in the central coastal sites as probable byproducts of mining activity transported downstream. By contrast, Cr and Ni concentrations were high in all sampling sites, thus potentially representing hazardous elements for marine biota. Overall, macroalgal δ15N coupled with metal analysis in macroalgae and sediments was useful for identifying the main sources of pollution in these highly anthropized coastal areas. This double approach in comprehensive monitoring programs could thus effectively inform stakeholders on major environmental threats, allowing targeted management measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Letizia Costantini
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
- National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
| | - Homira Agah
- Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences (INIOAS), No. 3, Etemadzadeh St., Fatemi Ave, Tehran, 1411813389, Iran
| | - Federico Fiorentino
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Farnaz Irandoost
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giulio Careddu
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Edoardo Calizza
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy.
- National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy.
| | - Loreto Rossi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Sardi 70, 00185, Rome, Italy
- National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy
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9
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Beau F, Bustamante P, Michaud B, Brischoux F. Environmental causes and reproductive correlates of mercury contamination in European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 172:338-344. [PMID: 30825684 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.01.043] [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: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Assessing Hg contamination in aquatic ecosystems is difficult because wetlands are part of large and complex networks, and potential sources of Hg contamination are highly diverse. To investigate environmental determinants of Hg contamination, we studied one of the largest continental French wetlands structured as a dense network of artificial ponds. Such context allows to investigate the influence of pond characteristics on Hg contamination in an area relatively disconnected from direct sources of pollution. We relied on a bioindicator organism, the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) to assess Hg contamination in a relatively large number of sites (N > 255 turtles from 15 ponds sampled in 2016 and 2017). Non-invasive sampling in the claws of turtles show that Hg concentrations were not related to their sex or size, but we found an effect of age (1.62 ± 0.20 in juveniles and 2.21 ± 0.06 µg g-1 dw in adults), suggesting that turtles do bioaccumulate Hg through their life. Turtle Hg was different between ponds, and we found that pond age and pond usage (draining events linked to pond maintenance) were the main environmental determinants of Hg concentrations in turtles. Finally, and more importantly, our dataset allowed us to highlight potential negative effect of Hg concentrations on the proportion of reproductive females, suggesting an influence of Hg on reproductive mechanisms in this species. This result indicates that Hg contamination, even in absence of direct and strong sources of pollution, may have a critical impact on reproduction and thus the persistence of a long-lived vertebrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Beau
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France; Réserve Naturelle Nationale de Chérine, Maison de la Nature et de la Réserve, 36290 Saint-Michel-en-Brenne, France.
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Bruno Michaud
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - François Brischoux
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, CEBC UMR 7372 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
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10
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El Hassani MS, El Hassan EM, Slimani T, Bonnet X. Morphological and physiological assessments reveal that freshwater turtle (Mauremys leprosa) can flourish under extremely degraded-polluted conditions. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 220:432-441. [PMID: 30594794 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.12.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater turtles are long-lived sedentary organisms used as biological sentinels to assess anthropogenic perturbations in freshwater-ecosystems; notably because pollutants tend to accumulate in their tissues. Pollution has detrimental effects in sea turtles, but studies in freshwater turtles have provided contrasted results: several species have been impacted by habitat perturbation and pollution while others not. It is important to explore this issue since freshwater turtles are threatened worldwide. We compared two populations of the stripe necked terrapin (Mauremys leprosa) in a relatively pristine area (piedmont of the Atlas mountain) versus an extremely degraded-polluted area (sewers of a large city) in Morocco. All morphological and physiological proxies showed that turtles were able to cope remarkably well with highly degraded-polluted habitat. Population density, body size, and body condition were higher in the sewers, likely due to permanent water and food availability associated with human wastes. Stress markers (e.g. glucocorticoids) provided complex results likely reflecting the capacity of turtles to respond to various stressors. Reproductive parameters (testosterone level, indices of vitellogenesis) were lower in the relatively pristine area. The deceptive overall image provided by these analyses may hide the disastrous human impact on rivers. Indeed, Mauremys leprosa is the only aquatic vertebrate able to survive in the sewers, and thus, might nonetheless be a pertinent indicator of water quality, providing that the complexity of eco-physiological responses is considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Said El Hassani
- Cadi Ayyad University Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Laboratory Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, P.O. Box 2390, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
| | - El Mouden El Hassan
- Cadi Ayyad University Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Laboratory Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, P.O. Box 2390, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
| | - Tahar Slimani
- Cadi Ayyad University Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Laboratory Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, P.O. Box 2390, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
| | - Xavier Bonnet
- Centre d'Etude Biologique de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS, Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France.
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11
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Huo J, Dong A, Yan J, Wang L, Ma C, Lee S. Cadmium toxicokinetics in the freshwater turtle, Chinemys reevesii. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 182:392-398. [PMID: 28511134 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the toxicokinetics of Cadmium (Cd) in Chinemys reevesii. The animals were exposed to 15 mg/kg Cd chloride by intraperitoneal injection, and the Cd absorption, distribution, and excretion in different organs were determined. The results showed that Cd absorption reached its peak in the blood at 3 h after treatment. The accumulation of Cd was the highest in the liver and the second highest in the pancreas. All other tissues also accumulated Cd, such as spleen, kidney, intestine, lung, stomach, heart, brain, muscle. A small amount of Cd was found in the faeces. The urine and bile had low concentrations of Cd. In conclusion, absorbance of Cd reaches its peak at 3 h in blood. The liver and pancreas are the major organs of Cd accumulation, and the major excretion route of Cd is through feaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Huo
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center/Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Aiguo Dong
- 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center/Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Juanjuan Yan
- 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center/Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Lan Wang
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Cungen Ma
- 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center/Research Center of Neurobiology, Shanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Institute of Brain Science, Shanxi Datong University, Datong, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Shaochin Lee
- School of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.
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