1
|
Leino LI, Vesterinen EJ, Sánchez-Virosta P, Puigbò P, Eeva T, Rainio MJ. Pollution-related changes in nest microbiota: Implications for growth and fledging in three passerine birds. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 357:124434. [PMID: 38936789 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124434] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Non-ferrous smelters emit toxic metals into the environment, posing a threat to wildlife health. Despite the acknowledged role of microbes in host health, the impact of such emissions on host-associated microbiota, especially in wild birds, remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the associations of metal pollution, fitness, and nest microbiota (serving as a proxy for early-life microbial environment) which may influence the nestling health and development. Our study focuses on three passerine birds, the great tit (Parus major), blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), and pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca), within control and metal-polluted sites around a Finnish copper-nickel smelter. The polluted sites had been contaminated with arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn). We performed bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing and metal analyses on 90 nests and monitored nestling body mass, fledging success, and various biotic and abiotic factors. Our findings revealed species-specific responses to metal exposure in terms of both fitness and nest microbiota. P. major and C. caeruleus showed sensitivity to pollution, with decreased nestling growth and fledging in the polluted zone. This was accompanied by a shift in the bacterial community composition, which was characterized by an increase in some pathogenic bacteria (in P. major and C. caeruleus nests) and by a decrease in plant-associated bacteria (within C. caeruleus nests). Conversely, F. hypoleuca and their nest microbiota showed limited responses to pollution, indicating greater tolerance to pollution-induced environmental changes. Although pollution did not correlate with nest alpha diversity or the most abundant bacterial taxa across all species, certain potential pathogens within the nests were enriched in polluted environments and negatively correlated with nestling fitness parameters. Our results suggest that metal pollution may alter the nest bacterial composition in some bird species, either directly or indirectly through environmental changes, promoting pathogenic bacteria and potentially impacting bird survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lyydia I Leino
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20014, Turku, Finland.
| | - Eero J Vesterinen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20014, Turku, Finland.
| | - Pablo Sánchez-Virosta
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Pere Puigbò
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20014, Turku, Finland; Eurecat, Technology Centre of Catalonia, Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Rovira I Virgili University, Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Tapio Eeva
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20014, Turku, Finland.
| | - Miia J Rainio
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20014, Turku, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cammilleri G, Galluzzo FG, Randazzo V, La Russa F, Di Pasquale ML, Gambino D, Gargano V, Castronovo C, Bacchi E, Giarratana F, Ferrantelli V, Giangrosso G. Distribution of trace metals and metalloids in tissues of Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) from Southern Italy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174712. [PMID: 38997011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metals and metalloids in the environment are recognised as a threat to the health of organism. Terrestrial birds are ideal subjects for the examination of these pollutants because of their high mobility and high intra- and interspecific variation in trophic levels. We examined the contents of 6 trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Sb and V) and metalloids (As) in the liver, kidney, muscle, and feathers of woodcocks (Scolopax rusticola) from Southern Italy by a validated ICP-MS method. Significant differences in trace elements were found in all the tissues examined (p < 0.05). The highest Sb and Cr levels were found in feathers samples with mean values of 0.019 mg/Kg and 0.085 mg/Kg, respectively. High Pb levels were found in muscle, with 23 % of the samples exceeding the limits set by the European Union. Cd was predominantly found in the kidney samples (0.76 mg/Kg). Vanadium was the less abundant trace metal, showing the highest concentrations in the liver (0.028 ± 0.011 mg/Kg). Higher As levels were found in muscle (0.02 ± 0.015 mg/Kg). No significant differences between sex and age classes (juveniles vs. adults) were found, nor were there correlations between morphometric parameters and trace metal/metalloid contents. Principal Component Analysis determined differences in metal accumulation between tissues. Feathers were confirmed as useful indicators of metal contamination. The results of this work confirmed that the accumulation of toxic elements in the tissues of woodcocks is primarily influenced by ecological traits such as feeding habits and migration status. Statistical analysis of the tissues would seem to exclude important accumulation phenomena of Pb. The high levels found in the muscle could be due to lead ammunition. This work provides the first data on the accumulation of As, Cr, Sb, and V in woodcocks tissue, providing a more comprehensive insight into the potential impact of these pollutants on birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Cammilleri
- Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Giuseppe Galluzzo
- Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Via Università 4, 41121 Modena, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Randazzo
- Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco La Russa
- Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Liliana Di Pasquale
- Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Delia Gambino
- Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Valeria Gargano
- Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Calogero Castronovo
- Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Emanuela Bacchi
- Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Filippo Giarratana
- Università degli Studi di Messina, piazza Pugliatti 1, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ferrantelli
- Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Giangrosso
- Food Department, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia, Via Gino Marinuzzi 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pallottini M, Goretti E, Argenti C, La Porta G, Tositti L, Dinelli E, Moroni B, Petroselli C, Gravina P, Selvaggi R, Cappelletti D. Butterflies as bioindicators of metal contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:95606-95620. [PMID: 37552448 PMCID: PMC10482766 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28930-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic trace metal contamination has significantly increased and has caused many hazardous consequences for the ecosystems and human health. The Terni basin valley (Central Italy) shows a heavy load of pollutants from industrial activities, while the characteristic orography structure of the valley favours air stagnation, thus limiting air pollution dispersal. The present study conducted in 2014 aimed to determine the concentration of ten metals in five species of butterflies at nine sites in the Terni valley along a 21-km-long transect, including both relatively pristine and industrial areas. At sites where soil contamination was high for a given metal, such as for chromium as in the case of site 4 (the closest to the steel plant) and for lead as in the case of site 2 (contaminated by a firing range), higher levels of contamination were observed in the tissues of butterflies. We found a correlation between soil contamination and the concentration of Cr, Al and Sr in the tissues of some species of butterflies. The sensitivity to contamination differed among the five species; in particular, Coenonympha pamphilus was generally the species that revealed the highest concentrations of all the ten trace metals at the sites closer to the industrial area. It is known that C. pamphilus is a sedentary species and that its host plants are the Poaceae, capable of accumulating high quantities of metals in their rhizosphere region, thus providing the link with soil contamination. Therefore, monitoring the metal concentration levels in butterflies might be a good indicator and a control tool of environmental quality, specifically in areas affected by high anthropogenic pollution loads linked to a specific source.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Pallottini
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - Enzo Goretti
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, PG, Italy.
| | - Chiara Argenti
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - Gianandrea La Porta
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - Laura Tositti
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Enrico Dinelli
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, BO, Italy
| | - Beatrice Moroni
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - Chiara Petroselli
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - Paola Gravina
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - Roberta Selvaggi
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, PG, Italy
| | - David Cappelletti
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, 06123, Perugia, PG, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Müller TM, Meier CM, Knaus F, Korner P, Helm B, Amrhein V, Rime Y. Finding food in a changing world: Small-scale foraging habitat preferences of an insectivorous passerine in the Alps. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10084. [PMID: 37214613 PMCID: PMC10191804 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Organisms living in high-elevation habitats are usually habitat specialists who occupy a narrow ecological niche. To envision the response of alpine species to a changing environment, it is fundamental to understand their habitat preferences on multiple spatial and temporal scales. However, information on small-scale habitat use is still widely lacking. We investigated the foraging habitat preferences of the migratory northern wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe during the entire presence at a breeding site in the central Alps. We repeatedly observed 121 adult and juvenile individuals. We applied Bayesian logistic regression models to investigate which habitat characteristics influenced foraging habitat selection on a fine spatial scale, and how habitat use varied temporally. Throughout their presence on the breeding grounds, northern wheatears showed a consistent preference for a mosaic of stones and bare ground patches with slow-growing, short vegetation. The proximity of marmot burrows was preferred, whereas dense and low woody vegetation was avoided. After arrival at the breeding site, short vegetation, preferably close to the snow, was favored. The preference for open habitat patches that provide access to prey underlines the critical role of small-scale habitat heterogeneity for northern wheatears. The strong and consistent preference for a habitat that is under pressure from land-use and climate change suggests that this alpine bird species may be sensitive to habitat loss, leading to a potential range contraction. We highlight the need to conserve habitat diversity on a small spatial scale to ensure the long-term availability of suitable habitat for northern wheatears in the Alps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M. Müller
- Swiss Ornithological InstituteSempachSwitzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems SciencesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich)ZurichSwitzerland
| | | | - Florian Knaus
- Department of Environmental Systems SciencesSwiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich)ZurichSwitzerland
| | - Pius Korner
- Swiss Ornithological InstituteSempachSwitzerland
| | - Barbara Helm
- Swiss Ornithological InstituteSempachSwitzerland
| | - Valentin Amrhein
- Swiss Ornithological InstituteSempachSwitzerland
- Department of Environmental Sciences, ZoologyUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Yann Rime
- Swiss Ornithological InstituteSempachSwitzerland
- Department of Environmental Sciences, ZoologyUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ștefănescu R, Laczkó-Zöld E, Ősz BE, Vari CE. An Updated Systematic Review of Vaccinium myrtillus Leaves: Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. Pharmaceutics 2022; 15:pharmaceutics15010016. [PMID: 36678645 PMCID: PMC9861616 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bilberry leaves are used in many countries in traditional medicine for treating a wide variety of diseases. Due to the high therapeutic potential of Vaccinium myrtillus (VM) leaves, this review aims to present the latest knowledge on the phytochemical profile, as well as the therapeutic effects of this herbal drug. The review was conducted according to the Prisma guidelines, and the scientific databases were searched using combinations of the following keywords: "Vaccinium myrtillus", "leaves", "bilberry". Recent research was focused on the influence of abiotic factors on the phytochemical composition, and it seems that there are significant differences between the herbal drugs collected from different countries. The phytochemical composition is correlated with the broad spectrum of pharmacological effects. The paper outlines the potent antimicrobial activity of VM extracts against multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, and also the pathways that are modulated by the unique "cocktail" of phytoconstituents in different metabolic alterations. Reviewing the research articles published in the last 10 years, it seems that bilberry leaves have been slightly forgotten, although their phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics are unique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruxandra Ștefănescu
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
- Correspondence: or
| | - Eszter Laczkó-Zöld
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Bianca-Eugenia Ősz
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Camil-Eugen Vari
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Torović L, Sazdanić D, Krstonošić MA, Mikulić M, Beara I, Cvejić J. Compositional characteristics, health benefit and risk of commercial bilberry and black chokeberry juices. FOOD BIOSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2022.102301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
7
|
Kandziora-Ciupa M, Dabioch M, Nadgórska-Socha A. Evaluating the Accumulation of Antioxidant and Macro- and Trace Elements in Vaccinium myrtillus L. Biol Trace Elem Res 2022; 200:4175-4185. [PMID: 34714487 PMCID: PMC9374609 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-021-02989-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
This study was conducted in order to characterise the accumulation ability of Vaccinium myrtillus L for trace elements such as Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn and selected macroelements Ca, K, Mg, Na and P. The accumulation of nutrient elements and trace elements (ANE and ATE) and changes in the ecophysiological responses in bilberry in differently polluted areas were compared. The accumulation of the elements in the roots, stems and leaves of bilberry from four sites (in the nearest vicinity of a zinc smelter, a Mining and Metallurgical Plant, a main road with a high traffic volume and an unprotected natural forest community) were measured using optical emission spectrometry with excitation using inductively coupled argon plasma after wet acid digestion. The highest Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn concentrations were found in the V. myrtillus samples that were growing under the influence of the emissions from the zinc smelter. Moreover, the level of the total accumulated trace metals (ATE-17.09 mmolc kg-1) was also highest for the bilberry at this site. However, in the same area, the sum of the accumulated macronutrients (ANE-296.92 mmolc kg-1) was lower than at the other sampling sites. An EF > 2 was found for Cd, Pb, Zn and Mn, which suggests that bilberries may be enriched in these metals. According to the translocation factor, V. myrtillus was an accumulator of Cd, Zn and Mn. An analysis of the ecophysiological responses showed that the greatest concentration of ascorbic acid was found in the leaves of V. myrtillus at the most contaminated site (3.32 mg g-1 fresh weight). There were no significant differences in the total phenols between the contaminated and non-contaminated sites. However, the lowest value of the total phenolic content (490.77 mg g-1 dry weight) was recorded at the site where the highest Fe concentration was detected in the leaves. A significantly positive correlation between the Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations and a strong negative correlation between the Mn concentration and ascorbic acid content in the leaves of bilberry was also observed. The results provide evidence that the ANE method, which is used to interpret the chemical composition of bilberry has made determining the impact of toxic trace metals on the mineral composition of V. myrtillus significantly easier and also that a non-enzymatic antioxidant such as ascorbic acid can be a good biomarker for determining the oxidative stress that is caused by toxic trace metals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Kandziora-Ciupa
- Ecology, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Marzena Dabioch
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Szkolna 7, 40-006, Katowice, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Nadgórska-Socha
- Ecology, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Durkalec M, Martínez-Haro M, Nawrocka A, Pareja-Carrera J, Smits JEG, Mateo R. Factors influencing lead, mercury and other trace element exposure in birds from metal mining areas. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113575. [PMID: 35644495 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Non-ferrous metal mining is considered one of the largest sources of toxic metal released to the environment and may threaten ecosystems, notably biota. We explored how birds that inhabit non-ferrous metal mining sites are exposed to mercury, lead, and other trace elements by analyzing their feathers and verifying which factors may influence element concentrations in feathers. We sampled a total of 168 birds, representing 26 species, with different feeding habits and migration patterns in a non-polluted reference site and two historical metal mining areas: Almadén, which is considered one of the most heavily mercury-contaminated sites worldwide, and the Sierra Madrona mountains where lead has been mined since ancient times. The quantification of aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), thorium (Th), thallium (Tl), uranium (U), vanadium (V) and zinc (Zn) was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Feather analysis revealed contamination by Hg and Pb, in Almadén and Sierra Madrona, respectively. We found that granivorous birds had the lowest feather Hg levels compared to those found in omnivorous, insectivorous, and piscivorous species, whereas feather Pb was about twice as high in granivores and omnivores, than in insectivorous and piscivorous birds. We also found differences among study sites in 13 elements and confirmed the influence of feather age, migratory patterns of the birds, and external deposition of elements, on metal concentrations in the feathers. Our results highlight that despite the cessation of metal mining in the study areas, local avifauna are being exposed to Hg and Pb from abandoned mines and old tailings sites, indicating that appropriate measures are needed to protect biota from overexposure to these toxic metals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Durkalec
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
| | - Mónica Martínez-Haro
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain; Instituto Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario y Forestal de Castilla La Mancha (IRIAF), CIAG del Chaparrillo, Ctra. de Porzuna s/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Agnieszka Nawrocka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
| | - Jennifer Pareja-Carrera
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Judit E G Smits
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Brila I, Lavrinienko A, Tukalenko E, Ecke F, Rodushkin I, Kallio ER, Mappes T, Watts PC. Low-level environmental metal pollution is associated with altered gut microbiota of a wild rodent, the bank vole (Myodes glareolus). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 790:148224. [PMID: 34380250 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148224] [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: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mining and related industries are a major source of metal pollution. In contrast to the well-studied effects of exposure to metals on animal physiology and health, the impacts of environmental metal pollution on the gut microbiota of wild animals are virtually unknown. As the gut microbiota is a key component of host health, it is important to understand whether metal pollution can alter wild animal gut microbiota composition. Using a combination of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and quantification of metal levels in kidneys, we assessed whether multi-metal exposure (the sum of normalized levels of fifteen metals) was associated with changes in gut microbiota of wild bank voles (Myodes glareolus) from two locations in Finland. Exposure to increased metal load was associated with higher gut microbiota species diversity (α-diversity) and altered community composition (β-diversity), but not dispersion. Multi-metal exposure and increased levels of several metals (Cd, Hg, Pb and Se) were associated with differences in the abundance of microbial taxa, especially those within the families Clostridiales vadinBB60 group, Desulfovibrionaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Muribaculaceae and Ruminococcaceae. Our data indicate that even low-level metal pollution can affect the diversity of microbiota and be associated with deterministic differences in composition of host gut microbiota in wild animal populations. These findings highlight the need to study a broader range of metals and their cocktails that are more representative of the types of environmental exposure experienced by wild animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilze Brila
- Ecology and Genetics Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu 90014, Finland; Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä 40014, Finland.
| | - Anton Lavrinienko
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä 40014, Finland
| | - Eugene Tukalenko
- Ecology and Genetics Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu 90014, Finland; Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä 40014, Finland; National Research Center for Radiation Medicine of the National Academy of Medical Science, Kyiv 04050, Ukraine
| | - Frauke Ecke
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ilia Rodushkin
- Division of Geosciences, Luleå University of Technology, 971 87 Luleå, Sweden; ALS Laboratory Group, ALS Scandinavia AB, Aurorum 10, 977 75 Luleå, Sweden
| | - Eva R Kallio
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä 40014, Finland; School of Resource Wisdom, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä 40014, Finland
| | - Tapio Mappes
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä 40014, Finland
| | - Phillip C Watts
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä 40014, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Petrescu-Mag RM, Vermeir I, Roba C, Petrescu DC, Bican-Brisan N, Martonos IM. Is "Wild" a Food Quality Attribute? Heavy Metal Content in Wild and Cultivated Sea Buckthorn and Consumers' Risk Perception. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18189463. [PMID: 34574397 PMCID: PMC8466791 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Globally, the consumption of herbal supplements is on an upward trend. As the food supplement industry thrives, so does the need for consumers’ awareness of health risks. This contribution is grounded on two assumptions. Firstly, not always “wild” is a food quality attribute, and secondly, the food chain is judged as a noteworthy route for human exposure to soil contamination. Sea buckthorn (SBT) was selected for investigation due to its versatility. In addition to its wide therapeutic uses, it is present in ecological rehabilitation which may raise concerns regarding its safety for human consumption as a consequence of the accumulation of contaminants in the plant. The study aims to discover if the objective contamination of SBT with toxic residues is congruent with people’s subjective evaluation of SBT consumption risk. A quantitative determination of heavy metals was performed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The metals abundance followed the sequence Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd. Quantitative data on consumers’ subjective risk evaluations were collected through an online survey on 408 Romanians. Binary logistic shows that the consumption of SBT is predicted by the perceived effect of SBT consumption on respondents’ health. The study confirms that the objective contamination of wild and cultivated SBT is in line with the perceived contamination risk. It is inferred that a joint effort of marketers, media, physicians, and pharmacists is needed to inform consumers about the risks and benefits of SBT consumption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruxandra Malina Petrescu-Mag
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 30 Fantanele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (R.M.P.-M.); (C.R.); (N.B.-B.); (I.M.M.)
- Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 2 Passage des Déportés, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Iris Vermeir
- Department of Marketing, Innovation and Organization, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- BE4LIFE, Research Center on Sustainable, Healthy and Ethical Consumption, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Carmen Roba
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 30 Fantanele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (R.M.P.-M.); (C.R.); (N.B.-B.); (I.M.M.)
| | - Dacinia Crina Petrescu
- Department of Marketing, Innovation and Organization, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
- Faculty of Business, Babes-Bolyai University, 7 Horea Street, 400174 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Nicoleta Bican-Brisan
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 30 Fantanele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (R.M.P.-M.); (C.R.); (N.B.-B.); (I.M.M.)
| | - Ildiko Melinda Martonos
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, 30 Fantanele Street, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (R.M.P.-M.); (C.R.); (N.B.-B.); (I.M.M.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Trace Element Concentration and Stable Isotope Ratio Analysis in Blueberries and Bilberries: A Tool for Quality and Authenticity Control. Foods 2021; 10:foods10030567. [PMID: 33803219 PMCID: PMC7998916 DOI: 10.3390/foods10030567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccinium genus berries—wild bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and cultivated highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)—are consumed worldwide, and their consumption has a trend of stable increase. Thus, considering their wide use in ethnomedicine, for juice and jam production, as functional food, as well as their use in preparations of extracts which have application potential in pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, studies regarding the composition of these berries are of special importance. The aim of this study is to characterise the elemental and isotopic composition, as well as variation in element concentration in bilberries gathered from different sites in Northern Europe and in commercially available blueberry samples from across the World. Furthermore, our aim was to develop tools for authenticity and quality control of these berries. The elemental composition of berries was analysed using inductively coupled plasma with optical emission detection (ICP-OED), while isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) was used for the determination of isotope ratio values. The results demonstrated detectable differences between macro- and microelement values in bilberries. IRMS analysis of blueberries revealed significant differences in isotope ratios based on the place of origin, indicating the possibility to use this analytical method for authenticity testing. In none of the samples, pollution was detected, even though there were indications of different growth conditions and geochemical differences affecting bilberry composition.
Collapse
|
12
|
Bird Feces as Indicators of Metal Pollution: Pitfalls and Solutions. TOXICS 2020; 8:toxics8040124. [PMID: 33353152 PMCID: PMC7767019 DOI: 10.3390/toxics8040124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bird feces are commonly used as a proxy for measuring dietary metal exposure levels in wild populations. Our study aims to improve the reliability and repeatability of fecal metal measurements and gives some recommendations for sampling. First, we studied levels of variation in metallic element (arsenic, calcium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, nickel, lead) concentrations: temporal variation within an individual, among siblings in a brood and among-brood/spatial variation. Second, we explored the variation caused by dual composition (urate vs. feces) of bird droppings. Two sets of fresh fecal samples were collected from pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) nestlings living in a metal polluted area in summers 2017 (dataset 1) and 2018 (dataset 2). We found a great deal of temporal intra-individual variation in metal levels, suggesting that dietary exposure varied markedly in a short time scale (within a day). A sample from only one nestling per brood did not well describe the brood mean value, and we recommend that at least four siblings should be sampled. Brood level samples give relatively good temporal repeatability for most metals. For all the metals, the levels in the fecal portion were more than double to those in the urate portion. Since the mass proportion of urate in the bird droppings varied a great deal among samples, standardizing sampling, e.g., by collecting only the fecal part, would markedly reduce the variation due to composition. Alternatively, urate portion could be used for biomonitoring of internally circulated bioavailable metal.
Collapse
|
13
|
Skaldina O, Ciszek R, Peräniemi S, Kolehmainen M, Sorvari J. Facing the threat: common yellowjacket wasps as indicators of heavy metal pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:29031-29042. [PMID: 32424749 PMCID: PMC7376518 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09107-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the common wasp, Vespula vulgaris as a bioindicator and biomonitor of metals in the industrial area. Using traps, we collected 257 yellowjackets along a pollution gradient in the Harjavalta Cu-Ni smelter in Southwest Finland. Our method detected metal elements such as arsenic (As), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and mercury (Hg) in wasps. The data analyses revealed V. vulgaris can be a proper indicator for As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb, rather than for Fe and Zn contamination. Body burdens of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb decreased with an increase in distance from smelter. Enrichment factor (EF) followed the pattern Pb ˃ Cd ˃ As ˃ Co ˃ Cu ˃ Ni. The highest bioaccumulation (BAF) values were revealed for Cd (5.9) and the lowest for Pb (0.1). Specially designed software (WaspFacer) allowed revealing body burdens of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb to be associated with rather smaller than more asymmetric facial colour markings in yellowjackets. These results add to the body of literature on how heavy metal contaminants can have tangible phenotypic effects on insects and open future opportunities for using wasps as indicators of metal pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Skaldina
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Robert Ciszek
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sirpa Peräniemi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikko Kolehmainen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jouni Sorvari
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Espín S, Sánchez-Virosta P, Zamora-Marín JM, León-Ortega M, Jiménez P, Zumbado M, Luzardo OP, Eeva T, García-Fernández AJ. Toxic elements in blood of red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis) inhabiting differently polluted environments. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 262:114334. [PMID: 32179219 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Toxic metals have been widely reported in avian tissues due to their well-known accumulation capacity and adverse effects. However, rare earth elements (REE) and other minor elements (ME) are becoming a new threat due to their use in modern technology. Presently, exposure data are limited and no studies have been reported in wildlife. The order Caprimulgiformes is among the most understudied groups of birds lacking blood ecotoxicological data. One major constraint is the small blood sample volume that can be collected to ensure animal welfare, which limits analyses. In order to shed light on these collective issues, we sampled 48 red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis) inhabiting three different scenarios of contaminant exposure (agricultural-urban area, n = 15; mining area, n = 17; and control area, n = 16) in southeastern Spain, and report for the first time concentrations of 50 elements (i.e. trace elements, ATSDR's list toxic elements, REE and ME) using a recently developed technique able to analyze them by ICP-MS in very small volumes of blood (130 μL). Concentrations of As, Cd, Pb and Mn were significantly higher in individuals captured at the mining area compared to the other sites. Lead levels in the mine site were of particular concern since it was in the range of blood concentrations related to subclinical/clinical effects in other species, and in our study were associated with decreased hematocrit values (up to 44% hematocrit depression at blood concentrations >1000 ng/ml w.w.). Moreover, additive effects related to metal cocktail exposure in the mining area could be expected. Age and gender-related differences in blood concentrations were found for some elements. Even though most REE and ME concentrations were close to the LOQ, some of these emerging contaminants may trigger sublethal effects that, together with the ATSDR's list toxic elements, need to be carefully evaluated in a future study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Espín
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Department of Health Sciences, IMIB-Arrixaca, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - Pablo Sánchez-Virosta
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Department of Health Sciences, IMIB-Arrixaca, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain; Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - José M Zamora-Marín
- Department of Zoology and Physical Anthropology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain; Grupo de Anillamiento ANSE, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Mario León-Ortega
- Department of Ecology and Hydrology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Pedro Jiménez
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Department of Health Sciences, IMIB-Arrixaca, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Manuel Zumbado
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain.
| | - Octavio P Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain; Spanish Biomedical Research Center in Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERObn), Spain.
| | - Tapio Eeva
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
| | - Antonio J García-Fernández
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Department of Health Sciences, IMIB-Arrixaca, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ebrahimi B, Mohammadiazar S, Ardalan S. New modified carbon based solid phase extraction sorbent prepared from wild cherry stone as natural raw material for the pre-concentration and determination of trace amounts of copper in food samples. Microchem J 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.03.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
|