1
|
Ruiz-Gutiérrez G, Sparaventi E, Corta BG, Tovar-Sánchez A, Viguri Fuente JR. Kinetic and equilibrium analysis of penguin guano trace elements release to Antarctic seawater and snow meltwater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174684. [PMID: 39002576 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
The present work extends the scope of prior studies through analysis, modelling and simulation of the As, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe Mn, Mo, Ni and Zn release from Gentoo (Pygoscelis papua) and Chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus) penguin guano to the Southern Ocean seawater and to Antarctic snow meltwater. Laboratory experimental results have been modelled considering kinetic processes between water and guano using two element pools in the guano compartment; its application allows us to interpret behaviours and predict release concentrations of dissolved trace elements from guano which are potentially useful for incorporation as elements source into biogeochemical models applied in the Southern Ocean. Variations in quantities and release patterns depending on the type of guano and aqueous medium in contact have been identified. The release percentages from the guano to the aqueous medium, once the steady state has been reached, vary depending on the water medium and guano type in the ranges of 100-2.9 % for Mo; 91.5-68.6 % for Ni; 81.8-22.8 % As; 52.0-43.9 % Cu; 26.9-7.4 % Mn; 24.9-5.4 for Co; 4.4-3.2 % for Zn and 0.94-0.51 % for Fe. Considering a penguin population of 774,000 Gentoo and 8,000,000 Chinstrap, the estimated annual mass released to the both seawater and freshwater would be ≈18,500 kg for Cu, ≈1710 kg for Zn, ≈1944 kg for Fe, ≈1640 kg for Mn, ≈499 kg for As, ≈289 kg for Ni, ≈155 kg for Mo, ≈36.7 kg for Cd and ≈8.1 kg for Co. These contributions can be locally significant both in promoting phytoplankton growth and in their role as inhibitors of primary productivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gema Ruiz-Gutiérrez
- Green Engineering & Resources Research Group (GER), Departamento de Química e Ingeniería de Procesos y Recursos, ETSIIT, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Erica Sparaventi
- Departamento de Ecología y Gestión Costera, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (ICMAN-CSIC), Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Berta Galán Corta
- Green Engineering & Resources Research Group (GER), Departamento de Química e Ingeniería de Procesos y Recursos, ETSIIT, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Antonio Tovar-Sánchez
- Departamento de Ecología y Gestión Costera, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía (ICMAN-CSIC), Campus Universitario Río San Pedro, 11519 Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Javier R Viguri Fuente
- Green Engineering & Resources Research Group (GER), Departamento de Química e Ingeniería de Procesos y Recursos, ETSIIT, Universidad de Cantabria, Avda. de los Castros 46, 39005 Santander, Cantabria, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Justel-Díez M, Delgadillo-Nuño E, Gutiérrez-Barral A, García-Otero P, Alonso-Barciela I, Pereira-Villanueva P, Álvarez-Salgado XA, Velando A, Teira E, Fernández E. Inputs of seabird guano alter microbial growth, community composition and the phytoplankton-bacterial interactions in a coastal system. Environ Microbiol 2023. [PMID: 36752021 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Seabird guano enters coastal waters providing bioavailable substrates for microbial plankton, but their role in marine ecosystem functioning remains poorly understood. Two concentrations of the water soluble fraction (WSF) of gull guano were added to different natural microbial communities collected in surface waters from the Ría de Vigo (NW Spain) in spring, summer, and winter. Samples were incubated with or without antibiotics (to block bacterial activity) to test whether gull guano stimulated phytoplankton and bacterial growth, caused changes in taxonomic composition, and altered phytoplankton-bacteria interactions. Alteromonadales, Sphingobacteriales, Verrucomicrobia and diatoms were generally stimulated by guano. Chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration and bacterial abundance significantly increased after additions independently of the initial ambient nutrient concentrations. Our study demonstrates, for the first time, that the addition of guano altered the phytoplankton-bacteria interaction index from neutral (i.e. phytoplankton growth was not affected by bacterial activity) to positive (i.e. phytoplankton growth was stimulated by bacterial activity) in the low-nutrient environment occurring in spring. In contrast, when environmental nutrient concentrations were high, the interaction index changed from positive to neutral after guano additions, suggesting the presence of some secondary metabolite in the guano that is needed for phytoplankton growth, which would otherwise be supplied by bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maider Justel-Díez
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Departamento de Ecología e Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Erick Delgadillo-Nuño
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Departamento de Ecología e Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Alberto Gutiérrez-Barral
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Departamento de Ecología e Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Paula García-Otero
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Departamento de Ecología e Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Isaac Alonso-Barciela
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Departamento de Ecología e Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Pablo Pereira-Villanueva
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Departamento de Ecología e Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | | | - Alberto Velando
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Departamento de Ecología e Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Eva Teira
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Departamento de Ecología e Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Emilio Fernández
- Centro de Investigación Marina, Departamento de Ecología e Biología Animal, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alba-González P, Álvarez-Salgado XA, Cobelo-García A, Kaal J, Teira E. Faeces of marine birds and mammals as substrates for microbial plankton communities. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 174:105560. [PMID: 35021141 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The chemical composition of the seawater soluble fraction (WSF) of yellow-legged gulls and harbour seal faeces and their impact on microbial plankton communities from an eutrophic coastal area have been tested. After characterisation of the C:N:P stoichiometry, trace metals content and organic molecular composition of the faeces, significant differences between species have been observed in all parameters. Seagull faeces present about three times larger N content than seal faeces and are also richer in trace elements except for Cu and Zn. Organic nitrogen in seagull faeces is dominated by uric acid, while the proteins are the main N source in seal faeces. It is remarkable that seagull faeces are five times more soluble in seawater than seal faeces and present a much higher N content (48.0 versus 3.5 mg N in the WSF per gram of dry faeces), >85% of which as dissolved organic nitrogen, with C:N molar ratios of 2.4 and 13 for seagull and seal faeces, respectively. Based on this contrasting N content, large differences were expected in their impact on microbial populations. To test this hypothesis, a 3-day microcosm incubation experiment was performed, in which coastal seawater was amended with realistic concentrations of the WSF of seagull or seal faeces. A significant and similar increase in bacterial biomass occurred in response to both treatments. In the case of phytoplankton, the impact of the treatment with seagull faeces was significantly larger that the effect of the treatment with seal faeces. Our data suggest that the distinct competitive abilities of phytoplankton and bacteria largely influence the potential impact of distinct animal faeces on primary productivity in coastal ecosystems. Impacts on the microbial plankton communities do not affect only this trophic level, but the whole trophic chain, contributing to nutrient recycling in coastal areas where large populations of these species are settled.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Alba-González
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, E36310, Vigo, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Eva Teira
- Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, E36310, Vigo, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
De La Peña-Lastra S. Seabird droppings: Effects on a global and local level. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 754:142148. [PMID: 33254937 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Seabirds, with approximately 1 billion specimens, are the main exchangers of nutrients between Terrestial and Marine Systems and they have become an emerging interest group because of their effects on the planet's ecosystem. This review paper aims to highlight the impact of seabird droppings at different trophic levels, their occurrence, ecological risks and effects on soil, water, atmosphere and biota at global and local level to try to understand the ecological and climatic changes associated with the activities of these birds. Seabirds they have a very marked influence on the ecosystems where they form their colonies since, in addition to their function as predators, alongside with their depositions, they condition the primary producers and, consequently, the rest of the food chain. Their excrements contain large amounts of N, P and trace elements, most of which are bioavailable. In this study, besides bringing together the different works on nutrients and trace elements in excrements and differentiating some terms referring to these excrements, a brief historical overview of their importance for agriculture is made. In addition, the impacts produced by these birds on the ecosystem are also analysed according to two levels, at a global and local level. At each of these levels, a current state of the effects on the different compartments of the ecosystems is made, from the biota to the soils, the water or the atmosphere. This review supports the idea that more studies are needed both at the atmospheric level and in the terrestrial or marine environment for a better understanding of the changes these birds generate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saúl De La Peña-Lastra
- CRETUS Institute, Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Galicia. Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Finch G, Nandyal S, Perretta C, Davies B, Rosendale AJ, Holmes CJ, Gantz JD, Spacht DE, Bailey ST, Chen X, Oyen K, Didion EM, Chakraborty S, Lee RE, Denlinger DL, Matter SF, Attardo GM, Weirauch MT, Benoit JB. Multi-level analysis of reproduction in an Antarctic midge identifies female and male accessory gland products that are altered by larval stress and impact progeny viability. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19791. [PMID: 33188214 PMCID: PMC7666147 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76139-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Antarctic midge, Belgica antarctica, is a wingless, non-biting midge endemic to Antarctica. Larval development requires at least 2 years, but adults live only 2 weeks. The nonfeeding adults mate in swarms and females die shortly after oviposition. Eggs are suspended in a gel of unknown composition that is expressed from the female accessory gland. This project characterizes molecular mechanisms underlying reproduction in this midge by examining differential gene expression in whole males, females, and larvae, as well as in male and female accessory glands. Functional studies were used to assess the role of the gel encasing the eggs, as well as the impact of stress on reproductive biology. RNA-seq analyses revealed sex- and development-specific gene sets along with those associated with the accessory glands. Proteomic analyses were used to define the composition of the egg-containing gel, which is generated during multiple developmental stages and derived from both the accessory gland and other female organs. Functional studies indicate the gel provides a larval food source as well as a buffer for thermal and dehydration stress. All of these function are critical to juvenile survival. Larval dehydration stress directly reduces production of storage proteins and key accessory gland components, a feature that impacts adult reproductive success. Modeling reveals that bouts of dehydration may have a significant impact on population growth. This work lays a foundation for further examination of reproduction in midges and provides new information related to general reproduction in dipterans. A key aspect of this work is that reproduction and stress dynamics, currently understudied in polar organisms, are likely to prove critical in determining how climate change will alter their survivability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Finch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Sonya Nandyal
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Carlie Perretta
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Benjamin Davies
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Andrew J Rosendale
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Biology, Mount St. Joseph University, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Christopher J Holmes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - J D Gantz
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
- Department of Biology and Health Science, Hendrix College, Conway, AR, USA
| | - Drew E Spacht
- Departments of Entomology and Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Samuel T Bailey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Xiaoting Chen
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Kennan Oyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Elise M Didion
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Souvik Chakraborty
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Richard E Lee
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - David L Denlinger
- Departments of Entomology and Evolution, Ecology and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stephen F Matter
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Geoffrey M Attardo
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Matthew T Weirauch
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
| | - Joshua B Benoit
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Koppel DJ, King CK, Brown KE, Price GAV, Adams MS, Jolley DF. Assessing the Risk of Metals and Their Mixtures in the Antarctic Nearshore Marine Environment with Diffusive Gradients in Thin-Films. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:306-315. [PMID: 31657908 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b04497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Robust environmental assessments and contaminant monitoring in Antarctic near-shore marine environments need new techniques to overcome challenges presented by a highly dynamic environment. This study outlines an approach for contaminant monitoring and risk assessment in Antarctic marine conditions using diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) coupled to regionally specific ecotoxicology data and environmental quality standards. This is demonstrated in a field study where DGT samplers were deployed in the near-shore marine environment of East Antarctica around the operational Casey station and the abandoned Wilkes station to measure the time-averaged biologically available fraction of metal contaminants. The incorporation of DGT-labile concentrations to reference toxicity mixture models for three Antarctic organisms predicted low toxic effects (<5% effect to the growth or development of each organism). The comparison of metal concentrations to the Australian and New Zealand default water quality guideline values (WQGVs) showed no marine site exceeding the WQGVs for 95% species protection. However, all sites exceeded the 99% WQGVs due to copper concentrations that are likely of geogenic origin (i.e., not from anthropogenic sources). This study provides evidence supporting the use of the DGT technique to monitor contaminants and assess their environmental risk in the near-shore marine environment of Antarctica.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Darren J Koppel
- Faculty of Science , University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo , NSW 2007 , Australia
- School of Chemistry , University of Wollongong , Wollongong , NSW 2522 , Australia
- CSIRO Land and Water , Lucas Heights , NSW 2234 , Australia
| | - Catherine K King
- Australian Antarctic Division , Kingston , Tasmania 7050 , Australia
| | - Kathryn E Brown
- Australian Antarctic Division , Kingston , Tasmania 7050 , Australia
| | - Gwilym A V Price
- Faculty of Science , University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo , NSW 2007 , Australia
- CSIRO Land and Water , Lucas Heights , NSW 2234 , Australia
| | - Merrin S Adams
- CSIRO Land and Water , Lucas Heights , NSW 2234 , Australia
| | - Dianne F Jolley
- Faculty of Science , University of Technology Sydney , Ultimo , NSW 2007 , Australia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Korobushkin DI, Saifutdinov RA. Influence of Seabird Colonies on Soil Macrofauna Communities at the Black Sea Coast Forests. RUSS J ECOL+ 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1067413619060080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
8
|
Otero XL, de la Peña-Lastra S, Romero D, Nobrega GN, Ferreira TO, Pérez-Alberti A. Trace elements in biomaterials and soils from a Yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) colony in the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park (NW Spain). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 133:144-149. [PMID: 30041301 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Seabird colonies drastically transform the sites that they inhabit. Although the influence of seabirds on nutrient cycling has been investigated in numerous studies, the effects on trace elements has scarcely been considered. In this study, we determined the total contents of 9 trace elements in biomaterials (excrement, pellets, feathers and eggs) and soils in relation to the presence the Yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis. The concentrations of Zn, Cu and As were particularly high in the pellets and excrement. The total contents of the trace elements were significantly higher in the soils in the sub-colonies in which Yellow-legged gulls predominate than in soil from the control zone (with no gulls). The difference was even higher for the most reactive geochemical fractions. We observed that the oxidizable fraction was the most relevant fraction for almost all trace elements, indicating the importance of organic matter in trace element retention in sandy soils.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- X L Otero
- Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.
| | - S de la Peña-Lastra
- Departamento de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Facultade de Bioloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - D Romero
- Departamento de Solos, Escola Superior de Agronomia Luiz Queiroz, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - G N Nobrega
- Departamento de Solos, Escola Superior de Agronomia Luiz Queiroz, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - T O Ferreira
- Departamento de Solos, Escola Superior de Agronomia Luiz Queiroz, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - A Pérez-Alberti
- Departamento de Xeografía, Facultade de Xeografía e Historia, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| |
Collapse
|