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Fang XM, Li J, Wang NF, Zhang T, Yu LY. Metagenomics uncovers microbiome and resistome in soil and reindeer faeces from Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard, High Arctic). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 262:119788. [PMID: 39159777 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
Research on the microbiome and resistome in polar environments, such as the Arctic, is crucial for understanding the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. In this study, soil and reindeer faeces samples collected from Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard, High Arctic) were examined to analyze the microbiome, ARGs, and biocide/metal resistance genes (BMRGs). The dominant phyla in both soil and faeces were Pseudomonadota, Actinomycetota, and Bacteroidota. A total of 2618 predicted Open Reading Frames (ORFs) containing antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were detected. These ARGs belong to 162 different genes across 17 antibiotic classes, with rifamycin and multidrug resistance genes being the most prevalent. We focused on investigating antibiotic resistance mechanisms in the Ny-Ålesund environment by analyzing the resistance genes and their biological pathways. Procrustes analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between bacterial communities and ARG/BMRG profiles in soil and faeces samples. Correlation analysis revealed that Pseudomonadota contributed most to multidrug and triclosan resistance, while Actinomycetota were predominant contributors to rifamycin and aminoglycoside resistance. The geochemical factors, SiO42- and NH4+, were found to significantly influence the microbial composition and ARG distribution in the soil samples. Analysis of ARGs, BMRGs, virulence factors (VFs), and pathogens identified potential health risks associated with certain bacteria, such as Cryobacterium and Pseudomonas, due to the presence of different genetic elements. This study provided valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms and geochemical factors contributing to antibiotic resistance and enhanced our understanding of the evolution of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Mei Fang
- China Pharmaceutical Culture Collection, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, P.R. China; Division for Medicinal Microorganism-Related Strains, CAMS Collection Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms, Beijing, 100050, P.R. China
| | - Jun Li
- China Pharmaceutical Culture Collection, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, P.R. China; Division for Medicinal Microorganism-Related Strains, CAMS Collection Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms, Beijing, 100050, P.R. China
| | - Neng-Fei Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi, 276005, P.R. China
| | - Tao Zhang
- China Pharmaceutical Culture Collection, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, P.R. China; Division for Medicinal Microorganism-Related Strains, CAMS Collection Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms, Beijing, 100050, P.R. China.
| | - Li-Yan Yu
- China Pharmaceutical Culture Collection, Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, P.R. China; Division for Medicinal Microorganism-Related Strains, CAMS Collection Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms, Beijing, 100050, P.R. China.
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Andersson Stavridis M, Røed SB, Hansen BB, Mikkelsen Ø, Ciesielski TM, Jenssen BM. Tracing the footprints of Arctic pollution: Spatial variations in toxic and essential elements in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) faeces. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167562. [PMID: 37802349 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167562] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
The Arctic is an accumulation zone of long-range transported pollution. In addition, local anthropogenic activities further contribute to regional pollution levels. The Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) is a suitable organism for studying and monitoring exposure to anthropogenic pollutants at the base of the terrestrial Arctic food web, and reindeer faeces have been promoted as non-invasive means of biomonitoring contaminant exposure. This study used HR-ICP-MS to analyse levels and composition of 16 elements in Svalbard reindeer faeces (n = 96) and soil (n = 9) from two locations on Svalbard, with the aim to assess whether local anthropogenic pollution influences element bioavailability. One of the sampling areas, the Nordenskiöld coast, is situated on the west coast of Spitsbergen, close to the Arctic Ocean and relatively far from local anthropogenic sources. The other sampling area, Adventdalen, is located further inland and close to Longyearbyen, the largest settlement of the archipelago. There was a significant difference in faecal elemental concentration and composition between the Adventdalen and Nordenskiöld coast reindeer populations. Elements of geogenic origin (e.g., Al, Cu and Fe) were found at higher levels in faeces from Adventdalen. In comparison, levels of Ca, Se and the toxic elements Cd and Pb were higher in faecal samples from the Nordenskiöld coast. The significantly higher levels of faecal Cd and Pb at Nordenskiöld coast may be due to marine input, dietary differences between the populations, or possible anthropogenic influence from the nearby settlement of Barentsburg. There was, however, a decoupling in elemental composition between faecal and soil samples, which may derive from a selective vegetational uptake of elements from the soil. The results suggest that reindeer are exposed to a range of elements and that faeces can be used to monitor the exposure to bioavailable environmental levels of both essential and toxic elements in terrestrial ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Andersson Stavridis
- Department of Arctic Technology, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), P.O. Box 156, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway; Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Susanne Brix Røed
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Brage Bremset Hansen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Department of Terrestrial Ecology, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Øyvind Mikkelsen
- Department of Arctic Technology, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), P.O. Box 156, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway; Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Tomasz Maciej Ciesielski
- Department of Arctic Technology, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), P.O. Box 156, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway; Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Bjørn Munro Jenssen
- Department of Arctic Technology, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), P.O. Box 156, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway; Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
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Souza-Kasprzyk J, Tkachenko Y, Kozak L, Niedzielski P. Chemical element distribution in Arctic soils: Assessing vertical, spatial, animal and anthropogenic influences in Elsa and Ebba Valleys, Spitsbergen, Svalbard. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 340:139862. [PMID: 37604346 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139862] [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: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
The Arctic region is threatened by climate change and pollution caused by human activities which potentially influence the elemental concentrations available to and from the biota. To better understand this delicate balance, it is crucial to investigate the role of several factors. Therefore, we quantified the level of 43 chemical elements in soils from Elsa and Ebba Valleys, Petunia Bay, Spitsbergen, a region that has experienced lasting environmental impacts from historical mining activities. We evaluated the a) vertical sampling influence by examining the variation in element distribution between the soil upper and deeper layers, b) animal influence by verifying the role of native animals, particularly vertebrates, in introducing thought faeces elements to the soil and c) anthropogenic influence by studying the spatial geographical differences in element distribution based on the degree of human pressure between the valleys. Our analysis also includes data on soil organic matter (SOM) and mineral composition. Both valleys exhibited similar mineralogical composition, but Elsa Valley had higher concentrations of most analyzed elements compared to Ebba Valley. Despite the contribution of vertebrate feaces, no increase in element concentrations was observed in the animal-influenced soils. The sampled soil layers had similar chemical element profiles for most elements. SOM content tended to be higher in superficial soils and showed a strong positive correlation with most quantified elements. The higher concentrations in Elsa Valley reflect its past mining and mineral exploration, making this area more significantly impacted than Ebba Valley. Surprisingly, vertebrate animals do not appear to influence the concentrations of chemical elements or organic matter in soils. Our findings provide valuable insights into the legacy of past mining activities and mechanisms driving environmental change in the Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Souza-Kasprzyk
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Yana Tkachenko
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Lídia Kozak
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Przemyslaw Niedzielski
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
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Hiltunen TA, Stien A, Väisänen M, Ropstad E, Aspi JO, Welker JM. Svalbard reindeer winter diets: Long-term dietary shifts to graminoids in response to a changing climate. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:7009-7022. [PMID: 36071549 PMCID: PMC9826046 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Arctic ecosystems are changing dramatically with warmer and wetter conditions resulting in complex interactions between herbivores and their forage. We investigated how Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) modify their late winter diets in response to long-term trends and interannual variation in forage availability and accessibility. By reconstructing their diets and foraging niches over a 17-year period (1995-2012) using serum δ13 C and δ15 N values, we found strong support for a temporal increase in the proportions of graminoids in the diets with a concurrent decline in the contributions of mosses. This dietary shift corresponds with graminoid abundance increases in the region and was associated with increases in population density, warmer summer temperatures and more frequent rain-on-snow (ROS) in winter. In addition, the variance in isotopic niche positions, breadths, and overlaps also supported a temporal shift in the foraging niche and a dietary response to extreme ROS events. Our long-term study highlights the mechanisms by which winter and summer climate changes cascade through vegetation shifts and herbivore population dynamics to alter the foraging niche of Svalbard reindeer. Although it has been anticipated that climate changes in the Svalbard region of the Arctic would be detrimental to this unique ungulate, our study suggests that environmental change is in a phase where conditions are improving for this subspecies at the northernmost edge of the Rangifer distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Audun Stien
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Fram CentreThe Arctic University of NorwayTromsøNorway
| | - Maria Väisänen
- Ecology and Genetics Research UnitUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- Arctic CentreUniversity of LaplandRovaniemiFinland
| | - Erik Ropstad
- Department of Production Animal Clinical SciencesNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Jouni O. Aspi
- Ecology and Genetics Research UnitUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Jeffery M. Welker
- Ecology and Genetics Research UnitUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
- UArcticRovaniemiFinland
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Alaska AnchorageAnchorageAlaskaUSA
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McKinney MA, Chételat J, Burke SM, Elliott KH, Fernie KJ, Houde M, Kahilainen KK, Letcher RJ, Morris AD, Muir DCG, Routti H, Yurkowski DJ. Climate change and mercury in the Arctic: Biotic interactions. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 834:155221. [PMID: 35427623 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155221] [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: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Global climate change has led to profound alterations of the Arctic environment and ecosystems, with potential secondary effects on mercury (Hg) within Arctic biota. This review presents the current scientific evidence for impacts of direct physical climate change and indirect ecosystem change on Hg exposure and accumulation in Arctic terrestrial, freshwater, and marine organisms. As the marine environment is elevated in Hg compared to the terrestrial environment, terrestrial herbivores that now exploit coastal/marine foods when terrestrial plants are iced over may be exposed to higher Hg concentrations. Conversely, certain populations of predators, including Arctic foxes and polar bears, have shown lower Hg concentrations related to reduced sea ice-based foraging and increased land-based foraging. How climate change influences Hg in Arctic freshwater fishes is not clear, but for lacustrine populations it may depend on lake-specific conditions, including interrelated alterations in lake ice duration, turbidity, food web length and energy sources (benthic to pelagic), and growth dilution. In several marine mammal and seabird species, tissue Hg concentrations have shown correlations with climate and weather variables, including climate oscillation indices and sea ice trends; these findings suggest that wind, precipitation, and cryosphere changes that alter Hg transport and deposition are impacting Hg concentrations in Arctic marine organisms. Ecological changes, including northward range shifts of sub-Arctic species and altered body condition, have also been shown to affect Hg levels in some populations of Arctic marine species. Given the limited number of populations and species studied to date, especially within Arctic terrestrial and freshwater systems, further research is needed on climate-driven processes influencing Hg concentrations in Arctic ecosystems and their net effects. Long-term pan-Arctic monitoring programs should consider ancillary datasets on climate, weather, organism ecology and physiology to improve interpretation of spatial variation and time trends of Hg in Arctic biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A McKinney
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3 V9, Canada.
| | - John Chételat
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Samantha M Burke
- Minnow Aquatic Environmental Services, Guelph, ON N1H 1E9, Canada
| | - Kyle H Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3 V9, Canada
| | - Kim J Fernie
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Magali Houde
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Montréal, QC H2Y 5E7, Canada
| | - Kimmo K Kahilainen
- Lammi Biological Station, University of Helsinki, FI-16900 Lammi, Finland
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Adam D Morris
- Northern Contaminants Program, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Gatineau, QC J8X 2V6, Canada
| | - Derek C G Muir
- Aquatic Contaminants Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, Canada
| | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - David J Yurkowski
- Arctic Aquatic Research Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6, Canada
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Oropesa AL, Ramos A, Gómez LJ. Toxic and essential metal levels in the hair of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) for monitoring the contamination in protected areas of South-Western Spain. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:27430-27442. [PMID: 34981386 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16439-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Contaminant monitoring in tissues of wild species can help in the knowledge not only of their health, but also of the environmental health conditions in the zones where they live. In this study, concentrations of toxic metals (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) and an essential metal (Zn) were measured in the hair of red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) inhabiting in protected areas of South-Western Spain. Zn (69.02 ± 1.03 mg kg-1, 70.31 ± 2.22 mg kg-1), Pb (0.61 ± 0.05 mg kg-1, 0.68 ± 0.08 mg kg-1), and As (0.33 ± 0.03 mg kg-1, 0.53 ± 0.08 mg kg-1) were detected in the hair of red deer and wild boar, respectively. The other metals (Cd and Hg) were under the quantification limit (0.1 mg kg-1). No differences in the level of elements between both species were found. The levels of the detected elements in the hair showed low concentrations and similar to those observed in animals of the same species from unpolluted zones, reflecting a lack of contamination by these elements in the studied areas. Based on critical values of these elements established for organs of mammals, red deer and wild boar from the studied territories did not suffer toxicosis by the studied elements. Age-related differences in the content of As in the hair of red deer and age- and gender-related differences in the content of As in the hair of wild boar were detected, which should be considered for biomonitoring purposes. Finally, positive (Pb-As in both species) and negative (Zn-Pb in wild boar) interrelationships between elements were found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Lourdes Oropesa
- Toxicology Area, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, 10003, Cáceres, Spain.
- BRILiC - Biotechnology Research Institute in Livestock & Cynegetic, University of Extremadura, 10003, Cáceres, Spain.
| | - Alfonso Ramos
- BRILiC - Biotechnology Research Institute in Livestock & Cynegetic, University of Extremadura, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
- Statistics and Operations Research Area, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Luis-Jesús Gómez
- BRILiC - Biotechnology Research Institute in Livestock & Cynegetic, University of Extremadura, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
- Anatomy and Pathological Anatomy Area, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, 10003, Cáceres, Spain
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The Relationships among Microelement Composition of Reindeer Meat (Rangifer tarandus) and Adaptation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14031173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis based on PRISMA statements aimed to summarise the data on the chemical composition of reindeer meat depending on the region of the Rangifer tarandus. We searched SCOPUS, PubMed, Embase, CrossRef, Medline, Cochrane library, eLibrary, and CyberLeninka. A total of 3310 records published between January 1980 and December 2021 were screened. We identified 34 relevant studies conducted in Russia, Norway, the USA, Canada, and Finland for the synthesis. Overall, the consumption of reindeer meat reduces arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis due to many polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic) and vitamin C, which balances lipid fractions. Venison is an effective means of preventing obesity and adapting to cold due to the content of a complete set of essential trace elements, amino acids, and even L-carnitine. The high content of vitamin C and microelements (iron, zinc, copper) in reindeer meat is likely to increase the body’s antioxidant defence against free radicals and help prevent chronic non-infectious diseases. Thus, venison is an essential component of the adaptation mechanism for the Arctic population.
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Aeluro S, Kavanagh TJ. Domestic cats as environmental lead sentinels in low-income populations: a One Health pilot study sampling the fur of animals presented to a high-volume spay/neuter clinic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:57925-57938. [PMID: 34100205 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14769-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Non-human animals serve as sentinels for numerous issues affecting humans, including exposure to toxic heavy metals like lead. Lead plays a role in perpetuating cycles of poverty in low-income communities due to the inequitable distributions of indoor health risks from lower-quality housing and outdoor health risks from industry and polluters, compounded by inequitable distributions of heath care and education. In this pilot study, we explore the potential for studying lead in low-income populations by partnering with nonprofit veterinary outreach programs. We investigate the lead concentration in fur samples of 85 domestic cats (Felis catus) presented to a high-volume spay/neuter clinic and report a mean of 0.723 μg of lead per gram of fur. This study reveals new information about lead exposure in cats in the USA, including that females had greater lead exposure than males, lead exposure increased with increasing amount of access to the outdoors, and lead exposure increased in cats with decreased body condition. We propose that pet, feral, and free-roaming cats presented to high-volume spay/neuter clinics could serve as a source of data about lead exposure in disadvantaged communities where these clinics already operate. Such a non-invasive surveillance system using inert, unobtrusively obtained samples could be deployed to detect highly exposed cats, prompting to follow up contact to a cat's caretakers to recommend seeking lead testing for themselves, their families, and their neighbors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Aeluro
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, UW Center for One Health Research, University of Washington, Box 357234, Seattle, WA, 98195-7234, USA.
| | - Terrance J Kavanagh
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Box, Seattle, WA, 354695, USA
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Na G, Liang Y, Li R, Gao H, Jin S. Flux of Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds (PAHs) from the Atmosphere and from Reindeer/Bird Feces to Arctic Soils in Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard). ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2021; 81:166-181. [PMID: 34019116 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-021-00851-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric, soil, and feces samples were collected in Ny-Ålesund during July 2015. The concentrations, distributions, congener profiles, and contaminant migration levels were analyzed for 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) as priority contaminants (16 PAHs). Mean concentrations in the gas and particle phases were 37.8 ng m-3 and 2.9 ng m-3, respectively, and mean concentrations in soil and reindeer/bird feces were 329.1 ng g-1 and 720.7 ng g-1, respectively, on a dry weight (d.w.) basis. In more than three phases, naphthalene and phenanthrene dominated the concentrations of the 16 total PAHs (Σ16PAH) and the concentration of PAHs in the gas phase was much higher than in the particle phase. The main sources of local PAHs may be coal combustion and air-surface exchange. There was a volatilization tendency from soil to air for 2-4 ring PAHs, and exchange fluxes were ~ 105 times greater than the deposition fluxes of 5-6 ring PAHs. The underground migration of PAHs was investigated in Ny-Ålesund; the results showed flux values of ~ 0.07% from the initial PAH concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangshui Na
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China.
- National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian, 116023, China.
- Hainan Tropical Ocean University, Sanya, 572022, China.
| | - Yuyuan Liang
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
- National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Ruijing Li
- National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Hui Gao
- National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Shuaichen Jin
- National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian, 116023, China
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Peterson SH, Ackerman JT, Hartman CA, Casazza ML, Feldheim CL, Herzog MP. Mercury exposure in mammalian mesopredators inhabiting a brackish marsh. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 273:115808. [PMID: 33497946 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants in mammalian predators can serve as an indicator of ecosystem health. We examined mercury concentrations of raccoons (Procyon lotor; n = 37 individuals) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis; n = 87 individuals) in Suisun Marsh, California, a large brackish marsh that is characterized by contiguous tracts of tidal marsh and seasonally impounded wetlands. Mean (standard error; range) total mercury concentrations in adult hair grown from 2015 to 2018 were 28.50 μg/g dw (3.05 μg/g dw; range: 4.46-81.01 μg/g dw) in raccoons and 4.85 μg/g dw (0.54 μg/g dw; range: 1.53-27.02 μg/g dw) in striped skunks. We reviewed mammalian hair mercury concentrations in the literature and raccoon mercury concentrations in Suisun Marsh were among the highest observed for wild mammals. Although striped skunk hair mercury concentrations were 83% lower than raccoons, they were higher than proposed background levels for mercury in mesopredator hair (1-5 μg/g). Hair mercury concentrations in skunks and raccoons were not related to animal size, but mercury concentrations were higher in skunks in poorer body condition. Large inter-annual differences in hair mercury concentrations suggest that methylmercury exposure to mammalian predators varied among years. Mercury concentrations of raccoon hair grown in 2017 were 2.7 times greater than hair grown in 2015, 1.7 times greater than hair grown in 2016, and 1.6 times greater than hair grown in 2018. Annual mean raccoon and skunk hair mercury concentrations increased with wetland habitat area. Furthermore, during 2017, raccoon hair mercury concentrations increased with the proportion of raccoon home ranges that was wetted habitat, as quantified using global positioning system (GPS) collars. The elevated mercury concentrations we observed in raccoons and skunks suggest that other wildlife at similar or higher trophic positions may also be exposed to elevated methylmercury bioaccumulation in brackish marshes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Peterson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA.
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - C Alex Hartman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Michael L Casazza
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Cliff L Feldheim
- California Department of Water Resources, 3500 Industrial Blvd #131, West Sacramento, CA 95691, USA
| | - Mark P Herzog
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
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Rioux È, Pelletier F, St-Laurent MH. From diet to hair and blood: empirical estimation of discrimination factors for C and N stable isotopes in five terrestrial mammals. J Mammal 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyaa108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractCarbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios are used widely to describe wildlife animal diet composition and trophic interactions. To reconstruct consumer diet, the isotopic differences between consumers and their diet items—called the trophic discrimination factor (TDF)—must be known. Proxies of diet composition are sensitive to the accuracy of TDFs. However, specific TDFs are still missing for many species and tissues because only a few controlled studies have been carried out on captive animals. The aim of this study was to estimate TDFs for hair and blood for carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes for caribou, moose, white-tailed deer, eastern coyote, and black bear. We obtained stable isotope ratios for diet items, hair, and blood samples, of 21 captive adult mammals. Diet–tissue discrimination factors for carbon in hair (∆ 13CLE) ranged from 0.96‰ to 3.72‰ for cervids, 3.01‰ to 3.76‰ for coyote, and 5.15‰ to 6.35‰ for black bear, while nitrogen discrimination factors (∆ 15N) ranged from 2.58‰ to 5.95‰ for cervids, 2.90‰ to 3.13‰ for coyote, and 4.48‰ to 5.44‰ for black bear. The ∆ 13CLE values in coyote blood components ranged from 2.20‰ to 2.69‰ while ∆ 15N ranged from 3.30‰ to 4.41‰. In caribou serum, ∆ 13CLE reached 3.34 ± 1.28‰ while ∆ 15N reached 5.02 ± 0.07‰. The TDFs calculated in this study will allow the evaluation of diet composition and trophic relationships between these five mammal species and will have important implications for the study of endangered caribou populations for which the use of noninvasive tissue sampling is highly relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ève Rioux
- Centre for Northern Studies & Centre for Forest Research, Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
| | - Fanie Pelletier
- Centre for Northern Studies, Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, boul. de l’Université, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Martin-Hugues St-Laurent
- Centre for Northern Studies & Centre for Forest Research, Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, allée des Ursulines, Rimouski, Québec, Canada
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12
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Lippold A, Aars J, Andersen M, Aubail A, Derocher AE, Dietz R, Eulaers I, Sonne C, Welker JM, Wiig Ø, Routti H. Two Decades of Mercury Concentrations in Barents Sea Polar Bears ( Ursus maritimus) in Relation to Dietary Carbon, Sulfur, and Nitrogen. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:7388-7397. [PMID: 32410455 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c01848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Temporal trends of total mercury (THg) were examined in female polar bear (Ursus maritimus) hair (n = 199) from the Barents Sea in 1995-2016. In addition, hair values of stable isotopes (n = 190-197) of carbon (δ13C), sulfur (δ34S), and nitrogen (δ15N) and information on breeding status, body condition, and age were obtained. Stable isotope values of carbon and sulfur reflect dietary source (e.g., marine vs terrestrial) and the nitrogen trophic level. Values for δ13C and δ34S declined by -1.62 and -1.18‰ over the time of the study period, respectively, while values for δ15N showed no trend. Total Hg concentrations were positively related to both δ13C and δ34S. Yearly median THg concentrations ranged from 1.61 to 2.75 μg/g and increased nonlinearly by 0.86 μg/g in total over the study. Correcting THg concentrations for stable isotope values of carbon and sulfur and additionally breeding status and age slightly accelerated the increase in THg concentrations; however, confidence intervals of the raw THg trend and the corrected THg trend had substantial overlap. The rise in THg concentrations in the polar bear food web was possibly related to climate-related re-emissions of previously stored Hg from thawing sea-ice, glaciers, and permafrost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lippold
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | - Jon Aars
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø 9296, Norway
| | | | - Aurore Aubail
- Littoral, Environment and Societies (CNRS/La Rochelle University), La Rochelle 17000, France
| | - Andrew E Derocher
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Rune Dietz
- Institute of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Institute of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Christian Sonne
- Institute of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde 4000, Denmark
| | - Jeffrey M Welker
- University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage 99508, United States
- University of Oulu, Oulu 90014, Finland
- University of the Arctic, Rovaniemi 96460, Finland
| | - Øystein Wiig
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø 9296, Norway
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, 0318 Oslo, Norway
| | - Heli Routti
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø 9296, Norway
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13
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Pascual-Rico R, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Navarro J, Eguía S, Anadón JD, Botella F. Ecological niche overlap between co-occurring native and exotic ungulates: insights for a conservation conflict. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02265-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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14
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Pacyna-Kuchta AD, Wietrzyk-Pełka P, Węgrzyn MH, Frankowski M, Polkowska Ż. A screening of select toxic and essential elements and persistent organic pollutants in the fur of Svalbard reindeer. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 245:125458. [PMID: 31846790 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Reindeers play an important role in the polar ecosystem, being long-lived sole vegetarians feeding on local vegetation. They can be used as a valuable bioindicator, helping us to understand contaminants' impact on the polar terrestrial ecosystem. Still, scarce data exist from research in which polar herbivores (especially those from the European parts of the Arctic) were a major study subject for trace elements and persistent organic pollutant determination. Here, Svalbard reindeer fur has been used to determine metals, non-metals and metalloids using ICP-MS, and several persistent organic pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) using gas chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (GC-MS/MS). Samples were collected from reindeer populations living in the area near Ny-Ålesund and Longyearbyen. Essential elements like Fe, Mg, Zn, K, Ca, Cu predominated in the trace elements profile. Median values of As, Cd, Co, Li, Ni, Se and V were all below 0.5 μg/g dw. Mercury was below detection limit in all samples, while the Pb median varied from 0.35 to 0.74 μg/g dw. Except acenaphthylene and fluorene, PAHs were detectable only in samples collected in the vicinity of Longyearbyen. Of 15 studied pesticides, only DDT and its metabolites were above the detection limit, and, of PCBs, only PCB28.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Dorota Pacyna-Kuchta
- Gdańsk University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Colloid and Lipid Science, 11/12 Narutowicza Street, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Paulina Wietrzyk-Pełka
- Jagiellonian University, Prof. Z. Czeppe Department of Polar Research and Documentation, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Michał Hubert Węgrzyn
- Jagiellonian University, Prof. Z. Czeppe Department of Polar Research and Documentation, Institute of Botany, Faculty of Biology, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marcin Frankowski
- Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Water and Soil Analysis, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Żaneta Polkowska
- Gdańsk University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, 11/12 Narutowicza Street, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
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15
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Pacyna AD, Jakubas D, Ausems ANMA, Frankowski M, Polkowska Ż, Wojczulanis-Jakubas K. Storm petrels as indicators of pelagic seabird exposure to chemical elements in the Antarctic marine ecosystem. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 692:382-392. [PMID: 31351282 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Data on trace element bioavailability in the south-polar marine ecosystem is still scarce, compared to that relating to temperate zones. Seabirds can be used as indicators of ecosystem health and sentinels of environmental pollution, constituting a link between marine and terrestrial environments. Here, we analysed the concentration of 17 elements (with special emphasis on mercury, Hg) in feathers of adults and chicks of two pelagic seabirds - the Wilson's storm petrel Oceanites oceanicus and the black-bellied storm petrel Fregetta tropica - breeding sympatrically in the maritime Antarctic. Since adult feathers are formed during the non-breeding period away from the breeding grounds, but down and body feathers of chicks grow at the breeding sites, we were able to evaluate the birds' exposure to contaminants at various stages of their annual life cycle and in various marine zones. We found that of the two studied species, adult black-bellied storm petrels had significantly higher mercury, selenium and copper levels (5.47 ± 1.61; 5.19 ± 1.18; 8.20 ± 0.56 μg g-1 dw, respectively) than Wilson's storm petrels (2.38 ± 1.47; 1.81 ± 0.98; 2.52 ± 2.35 μg g-1 dw, respectively). We found that Wilson's storm petrel chicks had a significantly different contaminant profile than adults. Arsenic, bismuth and antimony were detected exclusively in the chick feathers, and the Se:Hg molar ratio was higher in chicks than in adults. Our study also suggests considerable maternal transfer of Hg (to down feathers) in both species. As global contaminant emissions are expected to increase, birds inhabiting remote areas with sparse anthropogenic pollution can indicate the temporal trends in global contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Dorota Pacyna
- Gdańsk University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Dariusz Jakubas
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Biology, Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Anne N M A Ausems
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Biology, Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marcin Frankowski
- Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań, Faculty of Chemistry, Poznań, Poland
| | - Żaneta Polkowska
- Gdańsk University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdańsk, Poland.
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16
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Pacyna AD, Frankowski M, Kozioł K, Węgrzyn MH, Wietrzyk-Pełka P, Lehmann-Konera S, Polkowska Ż. Evaluation of the use of reindeer droppings for monitoring essential and non-essential elements in the polar terrestrial environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 658:1209-1218. [PMID: 30677983 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Excess or toxic metals, non-metals and metalloids can be eliminated from the organism by deposition in inert tissue (e.g. fur) or excretion with body secretions, urine and faeces. Droppings are one of the main routes for the elimination of multiple elements and they can be collected without direct contact with the animal. Contaminant concentration has been examined in non-lethally collected tissues of several species (especially reptilian, avian and mammalian). However, studies on species residing in polar areas are still limited, especially of mammals from the European Arctic. Reindeers are the only large herbivores living in Svalbard, being an essential part of the Arctic terrestrial ecosystem. Although reindeer presence has a high impact on their surroundings, those huge mammals are rarely part of ecotoxicological studies regarding metal pollution. In this paper, the droppings of Svalbard reindeer were used as a non-invasively collected tissue to examine the excretion pathway of 30 elements. Samples were collected in mesic and moss tundra, representing summer, winter and winter-transitional excretion. For more than a half of the studied elements, significant differences occurred between the samples collected in the two tundra types. The feasibility of older and fresh samples was assessed based on summer droppings, and significant differences were found for K, As, Mn, Na, Ni, and Sb concentrations. No relevant differences in element levels were observed for samples collected from adult females, adult males and calves, except for zinc and potassium. Results show that reindeer droppings are an important vector for the transfer of many metals, non-metals and metalloids including calcium, phosphorus, zinc, aluminium and lead. As a sedentary species, feeding on local food sources, Svalbard reindeer is a valuable indicator of trace element presence in the polar terrestrial ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Dorota Pacyna
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Marcin Frankowski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Umultowska 89b, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Krystyna Kozioł
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Michał Hubert Węgrzyn
- Prof. Z. Czeppe Department of Polar Research and Documentation, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Paulina Wietrzyk-Pełka
- Prof. Z. Czeppe Department of Polar Research and Documentation, Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Sara Lehmann-Konera
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Żaneta Polkowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland.
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17
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Luo J, Xing X, Qi S, Wu J, Gu XWS. Comparing the risk of metal leaching in phytoremediation using Noccaea caerulescens with or without electric field. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 216:661-668. [PMID: 30391887 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.10.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Hyperaccumulators can mobilize all metals in soil through secreting exudates to form soluble compounds but only hyperaccumulate part of them. Metals that cannot be accumulated are defined as non-hyperaccumulated metals and can increase the leaching risk in phytoremediation. Cd and Zn hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens (formerly Thlaspi caerulescens) was utilized to remediate multi-metal polluted soil in the present study, and the leaching risk of non-hyperaccumulated metals including Cu and Pb was investigated during the phytoremediation process. Comparing with Thlaspi arvense, a non-hyperaccumulator, N. caerulescens significantly decreased the concentrations of Cd and Zn in leachate gathered from precipitation simulation experiments without electric field, but meanwhile dramatically increased the concentrations of Cu and Pb in soil solution. Electric field with low (2 V) and moderate (4 V) voltages increased the biomass yield and metal uptake capacity of N. caerulescens simultaneously and therefore further reduced the concentrations of Cd and Zn in the leachate. Although the volume of leachate decreased significantly in pots with electric field, the leaching risk of Pb and Cu was deteriorated. Thus, decontaminating multi-metal polluted soil with electric field and hyperaccumulator should be conducted with caution due to potential secondary environmental risk caused by activated non-hyperaccumulated metals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Luo
- College of Resources and Environment, Yangtze University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xinli Xing
- China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Shihua Qi
- China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jian Wu
- China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - X W Sophie Gu
- The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Victoria, Australia
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