Heavy Metals in the Liver, Kidney, Brain, and Muscle: Health Risk Assessment for the Consumption of Edible Parts of Birds from the Chahnimeh Reservoirs Sistan (Iran)

Trace elements in liver and muscle tissues from wild waterfowls in Australia: Risk associated with human consumption in a global context

Trace elements in game meats remain a point of concern for both the public and policymakers alike due to the human health implications if levels present are above guideline limits. This study aimed to: (1) determine trace element concentrations (As, Cd, Hg, Pb Cr, Cu, Se, Zn) in edible portions (breast meat and liver) of the four most frequently hunted duck Anatidae species inhabiting wetlands in Victoria, Australia, to identify the risk to human health from consumption; (2) investigate landscape-scale variables that may influence the detected concentrations and; (3) review the studies available (n = 41) in duck liver and muscle tissues from the 1970s to 2024, to contextualise the detected concentrations found on a global scale. Our study shows that ducks in Victoria had trace element concentrations below tolerable daily intake (TDI) guidelines for human health with one exception: notably high Hg in a filter-feeding specialist, the Pink-eared duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus). Yet, the only trace element concentrations that were influenced by proximity to populated centres, were As and Zn. Compared to international reports, Pb concentrations in livers and muscle of Victorian waterfowl were lower, however, Pink-eared ducks had higher Hg than other duck (Anas spp.) species. Review of the worldwide data indicate that Pb concentrations in liver tissues from all Anas species have declined from the 1970s to 2024. This is the first study to identify this trend at a global scale. International movements towards Pb-shot bans, along with phasing out of Pb in gasoline and paint are the most likely cause of declining concentrations in tissues of wild waterfowl. These findings strongly underscore the importance of legislative efforts to limit trace elements entering the environment.

Distribution of nitrate/nitrite and toxic metals in the soil-potato system and its health risk assessment in Iran

Potato is one of the essential food products whose health quality is greatly influenced by soil contamination and properties. In the current study, we have investigated the physicochemical characteristics of agricultural areas and the accumulation of nitrite/nitrate and metals in potato products in Hamedan, Iran. After determining the physicochemical characteristics of soil samples from four agricultural regions of Hamedan, 48 potato samples were collected from these regions. The heavy metals and nitrate/nitrite content were determined by ICP-OES and calorimetric methods, respectively. A negative correlation was observed between soil pH changes with nitrite/nitrate content and the accumulation of some heavy elements in potatoes. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between soil phosphorus content and lead accumulation in potato. In present study, the amounts of lead, nitrate, and nitrite in 83.3%, 56%, and 12% of the collected samples were higher than the permissible limit reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), respectively. The EDI range for nitrate and nitrite was determined to be 130-260 and 1.4-2.7 µg/kg/day, respectively, which is much lower than the RfD set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for nitrite and nitrate. Among metal pollutants, the toxic risk caused by lead in potato consumers was higher than the threshold limit. In conclusion, our findings showed that the physicochemical characteristics of the soil could effectively increase the availability of metal pollutants and nitrite/nitrate to the potato product and significantly reduce its health quality. Therefore, monitoring these pollutants in the soil-potato system, preventing the entry of industrial wastewater, and managing the use of agricultural fertilizers can effectively improve the health of this product for consumers.

Trace element levels in the muscles of three tern species (Aves: Laridae) from the western Arabian Gulf: environmental assessment and implications for conservation

In the Arabian Gulf (called also Persian Gulf; hereafter 'the Gulf'), Jana and Karan Islands are recognized as one of the most Important Bird Areas in the region. Many migratory breeding seabirds, like the Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii, White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa and Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus, depend on these islands during the breeding season. However, these aquatic wildlife species are suffering from intensified urban and industrial coastal development and various contamination events including wars and related oil spills. In this study, we used these three piscivorous top predator birds to analyse the levels of 19 trace elements (TEs; i.e. Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn) in 15 muscular tissue samples from Jana and Karan Islands. PERMANOVA analysis showed no difference in contamination profile between sites nor between species probably due to their spatial and ecological proximity and therefore similar levels of exposure to TEs. Comparing these levels with existing literature, our results showed no particular concern for all elements, except for Al (maximum values recorded = 116.5 µg g-1 d.w.) and, in two samples, Ba (33.67 µg g-1 d.w.) and Pb (5.6 µg g-1 d.w.). The results can be considered as an initial step for supplementary evaluations with a larger number of samples and specified time intervals for the collection of specimens. This study provided baseline information on the pollution status of these two ecologically important sites which require a continuous biomonitoring programme.

Low-dose and repeated exposure to nickel leads to bioaccumulation and cellular and metabolic alterations in quails

Nickel (Ni) is a widespread environmental pollutant commonly released into effluent due to industrial activities, the use of fuels, or wastewater disposal. Many studies confirm the toxic effects of this heavy metal. However, there is a lack of knowledge and data on bioaccumulation patterns in tissues as well as cellular and molecular responses following the exposure of living organisms to Ni. In this study, Japanese quails were exposed to low (10 μg/L) and high (2000 μg/L) Ni concentrations in the form of nickel(II) chloride via drinking water. Sub-chronic exposure lasted 30 days while nominal concentrations represented average Ni content in drinking water (low dose) and average Ni levels in highly polluted aquatic environments (high dose). It was revealed that a high dose of Ni was correlated with increased water intake and decreased body weight. Overall, Ni exposure induced the development of microcytic anemia and alterations in measured blood indices. Moreover, Ni exposure impaired immunological activation as seen through the increased number of the white blood cells, increased heterophile/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, and pronounced thrombocytosis. Ni elicited changes in the albumin, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride serum levels in a concentration-dependent manner. Alterations of plasma protein fractions suggested liver functional impairment while high levels of urea and creatinine indicated potential kidney injury. Granulation of heterophiles and an increase in erythroblasts in the bone marrow showed that the hematopoietic tissue was also impacted by Ni toxicity. On average each quail bioaccumulated 5.87 μg of Ni per gram of tissue. Moreover, the distribution and bioaccumulation of Ni in terms of relative concentration were as follows: feathers > kidneys > heart > liver > pectoral muscles. Assessed bioaccumulation levels and associated cellular and metabolic alterations have revealed new multilayer toxicological data that will help in the extrapolation of Ni toxicity in other vertebrates, including humans.

An early warning system for highly pathogenic viruses borne by waterbird species and related dynamics of climate change in the Caspian Sea region: Outlines of a concept

Aim. Formulation of the outlines of the concept of ViEW (Viral Early Warning) which is intended as a long term system of multidisciplinary transboundary cooperation between specialist institutions of all five Caspian region states to research, regularly monitor and share data about the generation, transmission and epidemiology of avian‐borne pathogens and their vectors in the region, and the ways climate change may affect these processes.

Material and Methods. The concept is based on the multidisciplinary experience of the authors in researching the processes incorporated in the ViEW concept and on an in‐depth survey of the literature involved.

Results. The outlines of the ViEW concept are presented in this study for review and comment by interested parties and stakeholders.

Conclusion. Review of activities and opinions of specialists and organizations with remits relating to the development, establishment and maintenance of ViEW, indicates that such a system is a necessity for global animal and human health because of the role that the Caspian region plays in the mass migration of species of waterbird known as vectors for avian influenza and the already evident impacts of climate change on their phenologies. Waterbirds frequenting the Caspian Sea littorals and their habitats together constitute a major potential global hotspot or High Risk region for the generation and transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses and other dangerous zoonotic diseases.