Multiresidues of environmental contaminants in bats from Turkey

An investigation of some persistent organic pollutants in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta)

The study assessed persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Caretta caretta turtles along Turkish coasts, analyzing bioaccumulation in accessible organs and discerning sex-related differences. Ten adult turtles (5 males, 5 females) from Mugla province were sampled post-mortem. Various tissues were analyzed for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. DDT distribution showed no sex-based difference, with concentrations highest in fat tissue followed by liver, kidney, muscle, spleen, and heart. Male PCB concentrations ranked highest in fat, followed by kidney, liver, spleen, muscle, and heart, while females showed a similar trend. PAH concentrations were highest in fat for both sexes, followed by various organs. Limited PBDE concentrations hindered comprehensive evaluation. Overall, C. caretta act as effective bioindicators for monitoring environmental pollution, with certain POPs exhibiting sex and organ-based variations.

Genetic diversity of P1/pathogenic Leptospira species hosted by bats worldwide

INTRODUCTION

Bats are a diverse group of mammals that have unique features allowing them to act as reservoir hosts for several zoonotic pathogens such as Leptospira. Leptospires have been classified into pathogenic, intermediate, and saprophytic groups and more recently into clades P1, P2, S1, and S2, being all the most important pathogenic species related to leptospirosis included within the P1/pathogenic clade. Leptospira has been detected from bats in several regions worldwide; however, the diversity of leptospires harboured by bats is still unknown.

AIM

The aim of the present study was to determine the genetic diversity of Leptospira spp. harboured by bats worldwide.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted on four databases to retrieve studies in which Leptospira was detected from bats. All studies were screened to retrieve all available Leptospira spp. 16S rRNA sequences from the GenBank database and data regarding their origin. Sequences obtained were compared with each other and reference sequences of Leptospira species and analysed through phylogenetic analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 418 Leptospira spp. 16S rRNA sequences isolated from 55 bat species from 14 countries were retrieved from 15 selected manuscripts. From these, 417 sequences clustered within the P1/pathogenic group, and only one sequence clustered within the P2/intermediate group. Six major clades of P1/pathogenic Leptospira spp. were identified, three of them composed exclusively of sequences obtained from bats.

CONCLUSION

We identified that bats harbour a great genetic diversity of Leptospira spp. that form part of the P1/pathogenic clade, some of which are closely related to leptospirosis-associated species. This finding contributes to the knowledge of the diversity of leptospires hosted by bats worldwide and reinforces the role of bats as reservoirs of P1/pathogenic Leptospira spp.

Monitoring of environmental persistent organic pollutants in hair samples of cats and dogs

This study investigated 32 persistent organic pollutants, including 9 organochlorine pesticides, 15 polychlorinated biphenyls, 6 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and 2 organophosphate pesticides in the hair samples of domestic cats and dogs living in an urban area in Samsun, Turkiye. Hair samples were collected from 35 cats and 38 dogs, grouped by sex and age (<3 or >3 years old). Samples were extracted using a liquid-liquid extraction method and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results revealed the presence of organochlorine pesticides (n = 58, 468.65 ± 92.30 ng/g), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (n = 57, 15.65 ± 3.91 ng/g), polychlorinated biphenyls (n = 55, 54.11 ± 9.47 ng/g), and organophosphate pesticides (n = 25, 568.43 ± 113.17 ng/g) in the samples. PCBs 81, 118, 128, 208, and 2,4-DDE were not detected in any samples. Only one sample did not contain any of the searched compounds. Fluorene was the most frequently detected pollutant (n = 53, 72.6 %), followed by β-hexachlorocyclohexane (n = 34, 46.6 %). The highest maximum concentration was observed for hexachlorobenzene (2748.03 ng/g), followed by aldrin (2313.45 ng/g) and fenitrothion (2081.13 ng/g). Pollutant concentrations did not differ between cats and dogs, sexes, and ages (p > 0.05). This study highlights the significant threat that urban areas pose to pets, and therefore, POPs should be monitored periodically in hair and other samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate POP levels in hair samples from cats and dogs in Turkiye.

Multiresidue analysis of bat guano using GC-MS/MS

Bats are the second largest mammalian order and are an endangered species group with a strong need for contamination monitoring. To facilitate non-invasive monitoring of the ecological burden in bat populations, a multiresidue method for the simultaneous quantification of 119 analytes including pesticides, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), UV blockers, plasticizers, and other emerging pollutants in bat guano with gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was developed. Sample preparation and clean-up were performed with a modified QuEChERS approach based on DIN EN 15662. The method uses 1.00 g bat guano as sample with acetonitrile and water for liquid-liquid extraction. Phase separation is assisted by citrate-buffered salting out agent. For clean-up of the extract, primary secondary amine (PSA) was combined with graphitized carbon black (GCB). The lower limits of quantification (LLOQ) ranged between 2.5 and 250 µg kg-1. Linearity was shown in a concentration range from the respective LLOQs to 1250 µg kg-1. The median of the mean recovery was 102.4%. Precision was tested at three concentrations. Method and injection precision were adequate with a relative standard deviation (RSD) below 20%. Furthermore, the comparative analysis with LC-MS/MS demonstrated the reliability of the results and provided a valuable extension of the analytical scope. As proof of concept, three guano samples from a German nursery roost of Myotis myotis were analysed. The results show a time-dependent change in contaminant concentration, highlighting the strong need for non-invasive contamination monitoring of whole bat populations.

Advancing exposure assessment approaches to improve wildlife risk assessment

The exposure assessment component of a Wildlife Ecological Risk Assessment aims to estimate the magnitude, frequency, and duration of exposure to a chemical or environmental contaminant, along with characteristics of the exposed population. This can be challenging in wildlife as there is often high uncertainty and error caused by broad-based, interspecific extrapolation and assumptions often because of a lack of data. Both the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have broadly directed exposure assessments to include estimates of the quantity (dose or concentration), frequency, and duration of exposure to a contaminant of interest while considering "all relevant factors." This ambiguity in the inclusion or exclusion of specific factors (e.g., individual and species-specific biology, diet, or proportion time in treated or contaminated area) can significantly influence the overall risk characterization. In this review, we identify four discrete categories of complexity that should be considered in an exposure assessment-chemical, environmental, organismal, and ecological. These may require more data, but a degree of inclusion at all stages of the risk assessment is critical to moving beyond screening-level methods that have a high degree of uncertainty and suffer from conservatism and a lack of realism. We demonstrate that there are many existing and emerging scientific tools and cross-cutting solutions for tackling exposure complexity. To foster greater application of these methods in wildlife exposure assessments, we present a new framework for risk assessors to construct an "exposure matrix." Using three case studies, we illustrate how the matrix can better inform, integrate, and more transparently communicate the important elements of complexity and realism in exposure assessments for wildlife. Modernizing wildlife exposure assessments is long overdue and will require improved collaboration, data sharing, application of standardized exposure scenarios, better communication of assumptions and uncertainty, and postregulatory tracking. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:674-698. © 2023 SETAC.

Wildlife ecotoxicology of plant protection products: knowns and unknowns about the impacts of currently used pesticides on terrestrial vertebrate biodiversity

Agricultural practices are a major cause of the current loss of biodiversity. Among postwar agricultural intensification practices, the use of plant protection products (PPPs) might be one of the prominent drivers of the loss of wildlife diversity in agroecosystems. A collective scientific assessment was performed upon the request of the French Ministries responsible for the Environment, for Agriculture and for Research to review the impacts of PPPs on biodiversity and ecosystem services based on the scientific literature. While the effects of legacy banned PPPs on ecosystems and the underlying mechanisms are well documented, the impacts of current use pesticides (CUPs) on biodiversity have rarely been reviewed. Here, we provide an overview of the available knowledge related to the impacts of PPPs, including biopesticides, on terrestrial vertebrates (i.e. herptiles, birds including raptors, bats and small and large mammals). We focused essentially on CUPs and on endpoints at the subindividual, individual, population and community levels, which ultimately linked with effects on biodiversity. We address both direct toxic effects and indirect effects related to ecological processes and review the existing knowledge about wildlife exposure to PPPs. The effects of PPPs on ecological functions and ecosystem services are discussed, as are the aggravating or mitigating factors. Finally, a synthesis of knowns and unknowns is provided, and we identify priorities to fill gaps in knowledge and perspectives for research and wildlife conservation.

Impacts of neonicotinoids on biodiversity: a critical review

Neonicotinoids are the most widely used class of insecticides in the world, but they have raised numerous concerns regarding their effects on biodiversity. Thus, the objective of this work was to do a critical review of the contamination of the environment (soil, water, air, biota) by neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam) and of their impacts on terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity. Neonicotinoids are very frequently detected in soils and in freshwater, and they are also found in the air. They have only been recently monitored in coastal and marine environments, but some studies already reported the presence of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in transitional or semi-enclosed ecosystems (lagoons, bays, and estuaries). The contamination of the environment leads to the exposure and to the contamination of non-target organisms and to negative effects on biodiversity. Direct impacts of neonicotinoids are mainly reported on terrestrial invertebrates (e.g., pollinators, natural enemies, earthworms) and vertebrates (e.g., birds) and on aquatic invertebrates (e.g., arthropods). Impacts on aquatic vertebrate populations and communities, as well as on microorganisms, are less documented. In addition to their toxicity to directly exposed organisms, neonicotinoid induce indirect effects via trophic cascades as demonstrated in several species (terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates). However, more data are needed to reach firmer conclusions and to get a clearer picture of such indirect effects. Finally, we identified specific knowledge gaps that need to be filled to better understand the effects of neonicotinoids on terrestrial, freshwater, and marine organisms, as well as on ecosystem services associated with these biotas.

Species and reproductive status influence element concentrations in bat fur

To assess the impact of increasing pollutant levels on wildlife, we measured chemical contaminant loads in bats with different habitat and dietary preferences. Samples were taken from the fur of bats (Eptesicus nilssonii, Myotis brandtii, Myotis mystacinus and Plecotus auritus) to measure concentrations of 55 elements by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Variations in element concentrations between different bat groups (species, sex, reproductive status) were analysed with a focus on arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) as these are known to cause specific health concerns in wildlife. For M. brandtii we found the highest As concentrations, especially in lactating bats, with a maximum exceeding those from other studies where bats had compromised health. Whereas for M. mystacinus there was a negative correlation between body condition index (BCI) and As concentration, indicating a potential danger for bats in the study area. In M. mystacinus and M. brandtii Hg concentrations were higher for sixteen individuals than in other studies where bats suffered genotoxic effects, although median levels were still below this threshold. Lactating bats from P. auritus and M. brandtii had higher Hg concentrations than bats of other reproductive status, which could endanger offspring as Hg can be transferred through lactation. In females from M. mystacinus Pb concentrations were more than three times higher compared to males. There was also a negative correlation between Pb concentration and BCI, which could mean that Pb has an adverse effect on health. Although many other biotic and abiotic factors should be considered, some of the variations in element concentrations could be due to different behaviours (foraging, roosting, etc.) in the studied species. The high levels of chemical contamination in some of the bats in our study, particularly reproductive individuals, is of conservation concern as bats are important agents for insect control.

Analysis of pesticide and persistent organic pollutant residues in German bats

Bats are strictly protected throughout Europe. They are a highly diverse order of mammals in terms of body size, body weight, migratory behaviour, trophic niche specialisation and habitat use. The latter ranges from urban areas and arable land to forest. Due to their low reproductive rate, environmental stressors can have a major impact on bat populations. Pesticides in particular are discussed as an important driver of bat population declines. In this work, we analysed nearly 400 animals of five different species (Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis myotis, Nyctalus noctula, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, and Plecotus auritus) from all over Germany for residues of 209 pesticides and persistent organic pollutants. Residue analysis was conducted with a previously developed method using a miniaturized quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for separation and detection. These analytical data were statistically correlated with the known data on the animals (e.g. age, sex, place and time of finding). Of 209 pesticides and pollutants investigated, 28 compounds were detected, the most frequent being organochlorine insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls, which have been banned for decades by the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Detection of more recent pesticides that were legally used for the last decade included azole antifungals and the insecticide fipronil. The bats contained between four and 25 different residues. Statistical data analyses showed that the distribution throughout Germany is largely comparable, and single exceptions were observed in specialized ecological niches. In conclusion, this work provides the largest dataset of pesticide and persistent organic pollutant residues in European bats to date.

Pervasive exposure of wild small mammals to legacy and currently used pesticide mixtures in arable landscapes

Knowledge gaps regarding the potential role of pesticides in the loss of agricultural biodiversity worldwide and mixture-related issues hamper proper risk assessment of unintentional impacts of pesticides, rendering essential the monitoring of wildlife exposure to these compounds. Free-ranging mammal exposure to legacy (Banned and Restricted: BRPs) and currently used (CUPs) pesticides was investigated, testing the hypotheses of: (1) a background bioaccumulation for BRPs whereas a "hot-spot" pattern for CUPs, (2) different contamination profiles between carnivores and granivores/omnivores, and (3) the role of non-treated areas as refuges towards exposure to CUPs. Apodemus mice (omnivore) and Crocidura shrews (insectivore) were sampled over two French agricultural landscapes (n = 93). The concentrations of 140 parent chemicals and metabolites were screened in hair samples. A total of 112 compounds were detected, showing small mammal exposure to fungicides, herbicides and insecticides with 32 to 65 residues detected per individual (13-26 BRPs and 18-41 CUPs). Detection frequencies exceeded 75% of individuals for 13 BRPs and 25 CUPs. Concentrations above 10 ng/g were quantified for 7 BRPs and 29 CUPs (in 46% and 72% of individuals, respectively), and above 100 ng/g for 10 CUPs (in 22% of individuals). Contamination (number of compounds or concentrations) was overall higher in shrews than rodents and higher in animals captured in hedgerows and cereal crops than in grasslands, but did not differ significantly between conventional and organic farming. A general, ubiquitous contamination by legacy and current pesticides was shown, raising issues about exposure pathways and impacts on ecosystems. We propose a concept referred to as "biowidening", depicting an increase of compound diversity at higher trophic levels. This work suggests that wildlife exposure to pesticide mixtures is a rule rather than an exception, highlighting the need for consideration of the exposome concept and questioning appropriateness of current risk assessment and mitigation processes.

Occurrence of persistent organic pollutants and chlorpyrifos in Tadarida brasiliensis tissues from an agricultural production area in Argentina

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are lipophilic and persistent compounds, with chronic toxicity that cause negative effects on the environment and organisms. The chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide and represent the main insecticide currently used in many countries. The concentrations of OCPs, PCBs, and chlorpyrifos were evaluated in liver, muscle, and gonad of females and males of Tadarida brasiliensis in an agricultural production area in Argentina. Pollutants were quantified by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The general total concentration pattern among tissues was gonad > muscle > liver, with a higher ratio of pesticides (OCPs + chlorpyrifos) over PCBs in muscle and liver, while gonads showed higher concentrations of PCBs. The predominance of DDTs and endosulfans evidences the bioavailability of these compounds despite their use has ceased. Chlorpyrifos was the main pesticide detected in almost all samples of both sexes, probably due to its current intensive use. More researches about ecology and activity patterns is paramount in order to understand more accurately the accumulation and possible negative effects of these pollutants.

Three-dimensional manganese cobaltate: a highly conductive electrocatalyst for paraoxon-ethyl detection

The synthesis of manganese cobaltate (MnCo₂O₄) with the hybrid three-dimensional architecture has been developed as an electrocatalyst for the electrochemical sensing of paraoxon-ethyl (PEL). The detailed physicochemical and structural characterization of MnCo₂O₄ is meticulously examined. The MnCo₂O₄-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) exhibits good electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of PEL compared with the bare SPCE due to numerous unique properties. By profiting from these advantages, the proposed MnCo₂O₄/SPCE shows superior sensing performance toward the determination of PEL, including low cathodic peak potential (- 0.64 V), wide detection range (0.015-435 µM), low limit of detection (0.002 µM), high detection sensitivity (2.30 µA µM^-1 cm^-2), excellent selectivity, and good reproducibility. Notably, the electrochemical performance of the MnCo₂O₄-based electrocatalyst is superior to those previously reported in the literatures. The practical application of the MnCo₂O₄/SPCE is effectively assessed in the analysis of food and water samples with satisfied recoveries of 96.00-99.35%. The superior performance of the proposed MnCo₂O₄ electrocatalyst holds considerable potential for future development of electrochemical sensing platforms.

Live in same region, respond differently: Canine and human response to pollutants in placental accumulation

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Their presence in the environment is particularly concerning in cases of fetal exposure, which is the most vulnerable period of life for both human and animals who share the same environment. Placenta, as a sample collected using noninvasive methods to screen EDCs, is a good indicator for potential fetal exposure. Although recent studies indicate that companion animal may correspond to human exposure, species-specific anatomo-morphological and metabolic differences are controversial. In this study, placenta samples of 60 women and 25 dogs living and giving birth within the same region were evaluated for the presence of PCB, OCP, PBDE, and PAH residues; where, socio-demographic factors were also assessed to identify the possible sources. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was validated for the matrix, and among 45 screened and targeted pollutants, only 18 were found in human placentas. While the most frequently detected pollutants were DDTs, followed by PAHs and PCBs in decreasing order, the pollutants with the highest concentrations were PAHs, followed by PCBs and DDTs. Only five of the target contaminants were detected in the dog placentas. These results indicate that; as dogs have different bioaccumulation capacities and higher excretion rates than humans, the life-long effects of exposure to endocrine compound and possible consequences related to adverse health outcomes are expected to vary and concentrations cannot be directly correlated.

Leptospira sp. infection in bats: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Bats are the only flying mammalian animals and are distributed worldwide. Bats are well-known hosts of several zoonotic viruses and bacteria, including Leptospira sp. Here, we performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of evidence of Leptospira sp. infection in bats by examining studies published between 1964 and 2021. We reported the frequencies of various species and serogroups on all continents, several species and feeding habits of bats, and different diagnostic tools. Together, 33 papers from all continents with seven to 2077 individuals from one to 31 species were included. Molecular detection was conducted in most studies, followed by MAT (Microscopic Agglutination Test) and isolation and identification. Molecular characterization of Leptospira sp. revealed L. borgpetersenii as the most frequent species. Moreover, 179 positive samples for MAT contained the most likely infecting serogroups described, particularly the Australis serogroup. The percentage of positive tests in isolation and identification ranged between zero and 0.5%. The highest frequency of Leptospira infection among the continents was observed in Asia, whereas South America had the lowest percentage. Finally, Nycteridae and Rhinonycteridae were the most frequently infected bat families. Our study provides valuable information about the epidemiology of Leptospira sp. infection in bats. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

QuEChERS Method Combined with Gas- and Liquid-Chromatography High Resolution Mass Spectrometry to Screen and Confirm 237 Pesticides and Metabolites in Cottonseed Hull

Cottonseed hull is a livestock feed with large daily consumption. If pesticide residues exceed the standard, it is easy for them to be introduced into the human body through the food chain, with potential harm to consumer health. A method for multi-residue analysis of 237 pesticides and their metabolites in cottonseed hull was developed by gas-chromatography and liquid-chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-QTOF/MS and LC-QTOF/MS). After being hydrated, a sample was extracted with 1% acetic acid in acetonitrile, then purified in a clean-up tube containing 400 mg MgSO4, 100 mg PSA, and 100 mg C18. The results showed that this method has a significant effect in removing co-extracts from the oily matrix. The screening detection limit (SDL) was in the range of 0.2–20 μg/kg, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was in the range of 0.2–20 μg/kg. The recovery was verified at the spiked levels of 1-, 2-, and 10-times LOQ (n = 6), and the 237 pesticides were successfully verified. The percentages of pesticides with recovery in the range of 70–120% were 91.6%, 92.8%, and 94.5%, respectively, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of all pesticides were less than 20%. This method was successfully applied to the detection of real samples. Finally, this study effectively reduced the matrix effect of cottonseed hull, which provided necessary data support for the analysis of pesticide residues in oil crops.

Bats are an excellent sentinel model for the detection of genotoxic agents. Study in a Colombian Caribbean region

Wildlife animals have been affected by human activities and the diminution of the areas needed to develop wildlife. In Colombia, artisanal and industrial mining focuses on gold extraction, which uses mercury and causes contamination in water sources. Bats may be susceptible to chemical contamination and primarily to bioaccumulated heavy metal contaminants in the food chain. The primary source of exposure is contaminated food and water ingest, followed by dermic exposition and inhalation. The objective was to evaluategenotoxic damage and mercury concentration in bats. Forty-five samples of blood and organs of bats captured in Ayapel and Majagual were collected. Erythrocytes were searched for micronuclei by peripheral blood smear. Mercury concentration in 45 liver and spleen samples was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (DMA80 TRICELL, Milestone Inc, Italy). Bats from four families were studied: Phyllostomidae (6 species), Molossidae (3 species), Vespertilionidae (1 species), and Emballonuridae (1 species). Mercury was found in all bat species from the different dietary guilds. Insectivores had the highest concentration of mercury in the liver (0,23 µg/g) and spleen (0,25 µg/g) and the highest number of micronuclei (260 micronuclei/10,000). The specimens captured in Majagual had the highest frequency of micronuclei (677 micronuclei/10,000), and those captured in Ayapel had the highest mercury concentration (0,833 µg/g). This is the first study in Colombia to report that bats could act as sentinels to the environment's genotoxic chemical agents. Mercury and a high frequency of micronuclei were found in the tissues of captured bats. In addition to mercury contamination, there could also be other contaminants affecting Chiroptera.