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Bargagli R, Rota E. Mediterranean Marine Mammals: Possible Future Trends and Threats Due to Mercury Contamination and Interaction with Other Environmental Stressors. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2386. [PMID: 39199920 PMCID: PMC11350842 DOI: 10.3390/ani14162386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite decreasing anthropogenic mercury (Hg) emissions in Europe and the banning and restriction of many persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention, Mediterranean marine mammals still have one of the highest body burdens of persistent pollutants in the world. Moreover, the Mediterranean basin is one of the most sensitive to climate change, with likely changes in the biogeochemical cycle and bioavailability of Hg, primary productivity, and the length and composition of pelagic food webs. The availability of food resources for marine mammals is also affected by widespread overfishing and the increasing number of alien species colonizing the basin. After reporting the most recent findings on the biogeochemical cycle of Hg in the Mediterranean Sea and the physico-chemical and bio-ecological factors determining its exceptional bioaccumulation in odontocetes, this review discusses possible future changes in the bioavailability of the metal. Recent ocean-atmosphere-land models predict that in mid-latitude seas, water warming (which in the Mediterranean is 20% faster than the global average) is likely to decrease the solubility of Hg and favor the escape of the metal to the atmosphere. However, the basin has been affected for thousands of years by natural and anthropogenic inputs of metals and climate change with sea level rise (3.6 ± 0.3 mm year-1 in the last two decades), and the frequency of extreme weather events will likely remobilize a large amount of legacy Hg from soils, riverine, and coastal sediments. Moreover, possible changes in pelagic food webs and food availability could determine dietary shifts and lower growth rates in Mediterranean cetaceans, increasing their Hg body burden. Although, in adulthood, many marine mammals have evolved the ability to detoxify monomethylmercury (MMHg) and store the metal in the liver and other organs as insoluble HgSe crystals, in Mediterranean populations more exposed to the metal, this process can deplete the biological pool of Se, increasing their susceptibility to infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders. Mediterranean mammals are also among the most exposed in the world to legacy POPs, micro- and nanoplastics, and contaminants of emerging interest. Concomitant exposure to these synthetic chemicals may pose a much more serious threat than the Se depletion. Unfortunately, as shown by the literature data summarized in this review, the most exposed populations are those living in the NW basin, the main feeding and reproductive area for most Mediterranean cetaceans, declared a sanctuary for their protection since 2002. Thus, while emphasizing the adoption of all available approaches to mitigate anthropogenic pressure with fishing and maritime traffic, it is recommended to direct future research efforts towards the assessment of possible biological effects, at the individual and population levels, of chronic and simultaneous exposure to Hg, legacy POPs, contaminants of emerging interest, and microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Emilia Rota
- Department of Physics, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy;
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Lee SB, Yuen AHL, Lee YM, Kim SW, Kim S, Poon CTC, Jung WJ, Giri SS, Kim SG, Jo SJ, Park JH, Hwang MH, Seo JP, Choe S, Kim BY, Park SC. Adhesive Bowel Obstruction (ABO) in a Stranded Narrow-Ridged Finless Porpoise ( Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3767. [PMID: 38136803 PMCID: PMC10741132 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In this case report, we present a rare occurrence of a narrow-ridged finless porpoise (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri), discovered on the coast of Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, that was afflicted with adhesive bowel obstruction (ABO), a life-threatening condition that has scarcely been reported in cetaceans. Diagnosis of ABO was confirmed via radiological and clinical assessments. Post-mortem computed tomography and necropsy revealed ABO between two loops of the jejunum at the L8 level. The mesenteric tissue covering the intestinal lesion was severely thickened with increased tension. Both bowel loops were fixed to the mesentery and acutely angulated, leading to asymmetrical thickening of the cross-sectional bowel walls. The intestinal lumen was stenosed because of pressure from the firm mesenteric band, and no fecal matter was observed in the lumen of the posterior bowel or rectum. Calcified nodules were detected, and histological analysis suggested parasitic or suspected post-parasitic infections. The primary cause of the intestinal lesions is presumed to be a reaction related to parasitic infection. However, further investigations would establish a definitive link between parasitic infections and ABO in this species. This case highlights the importance of studying rare medical conditions in wildlife, providing valuable insights into marine mammal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Bin Lee
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Adams Hei Long Yuen
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
- Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre, Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong SAR, China;
| | - Young Min Lee
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Sang Wha Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Endemic Disease, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea;
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunmin Kim
- Department of Parasitology, Parasite Research Center, International Parasite Resource Bank, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.K.); (S.C.)
| | | | - Won Joon Jung
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Sib Sankar Giri
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Sang Guen Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, Republic of Korea;
| | - Su Jin Jo
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Jae Hong Park
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Mae Hyun Hwang
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
| | - Jong-pil Seo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea;
| | - Seongjun Choe
- Department of Parasitology, Parasite Research Center, International Parasite Resource Bank, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Republic of Korea; (S.K.); (S.C.)
| | - Byung Yeop Kim
- Department of Marine Industry and Maritime Police, College of Ocean Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Chang Park
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; (S.B.L.); (Y.M.L.); (W.J.J.); (S.S.G.); (S.J.J.); (J.H.P.); (M.H.H.)
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Mille T, Wessel N, Brun M, Bustamante P, Chouvelon T, Méndez-Fernandez P, Poiriez G, Spitz J, Mauffret A. Development of an integrated indicator to assess chemical contamination in different marine species: The case of mercury on the French Atlantic continental shelf. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:165753. [PMID: 37495124 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165753] [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: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Good Environmental Status (GES) for Descriptor 8 (D8) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) is considered to be achieved when concentrations of contaminants are at levels not giving rise to pollution effects. This study proposes a framework to assess GES in marine waters adjacent to France, including four groups of species (bivalves, fish, birds and mammals) living on the continental shelf and covering different dimensions of the marine environment. This framework is applied to mercury (Hg) in the three marine regions along the French Atlantic coast and includes two assessment types: i) an absolute assessment by comparing contamination levels with environmental thresholds, and ii) a relative assessment by comparing contamination levels over time, performed for bivalves and mammals that had long time-series available. Mercury concentrations were higher than environmental thresholds for bivalves and fish in all the three studied regions. Plus, they significantly increased since the 2000s for most bivalve stations and for the common dolphin Delphinus delphis. Our results therefore indicate that Hg concentrations have increased in marine waters and have reached levels possibly giving rise to pollution effects in biota from the three marine regions. The present study also highlighted the complementarity of monitoring Hg concentrations in each group of species and each type of assessment, making it possible to propose a conceptual framework for assessing the environmental pressure of bioaccumulated and biomagnified contaminants over the continental shelf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiphaine Mille
- Ifremer, Unité Contamination Chimique des Ecosystèmes Marins (CCEM), Rue de l'Île d'Yeu, 44980 Nantes, France
| | - Nathalie Wessel
- Ifremer, Service Valorisation de l'Information pour la Gestion Intégrée et la Surveillance (VIGIES), Rue de l'Île d'Yeu, 44980 Nantes, France
| | - Mélanie Brun
- Ifremer, Service Valorisation de l'Information pour la Gestion Intégrée et la Surveillance (VIGIES), Rue de l'Île d'Yeu, 44980 Nantes, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 La Rochelle Université-CNRS, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Tiphaine Chouvelon
- Ifremer, Unité Contamination Chimique des Ecosystèmes Marins (CCEM), Rue de l'Île d'Yeu, 44980 Nantes, France; Observatoire Pelagis, UAR 3462 La Rochelle Université-CNRS, 5 Allée de l'Océan, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Paula Méndez-Fernandez
- Observatoire Pelagis, UAR 3462 La Rochelle Université-CNRS, 5 Allée de l'Océan, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Gauthier Poiriez
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 La Rochelle Université-CNRS, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Jérôme Spitz
- Observatoire Pelagis, UAR 3462 La Rochelle Université-CNRS, 5 Allée de l'Océan, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 La Rochelle Université-CNRS, 405 Route de Prissé la Charrière, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Aourell Mauffret
- Ifremer, Unité Contamination Chimique des Ecosystèmes Marins (CCEM), Rue de l'Île d'Yeu, 44980 Nantes, France.
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Leignel V, Pillot L, Gerpe MS, Caurant F. Assessment of Knowledge on Metal Trace Element Concentrations and Metallothionein Biomarkers in Cetaceans. TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11050454. [PMID: 37235268 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11050454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cetaceans are recognized as bioindicators of pollution in oceans. These marine mammals are final trophic chain consumers and easily accumulate pollutants. For example, metals are abundant in oceans and commonly found in the cetacean tissues. Metallothioneins (MTs) are small non-enzyme proteins involved in metal cell regulation and are essential in many cellular processes (cell proliferation, redox balance, etc.). Thus, the MT levels and the concentrations of metals in cetacean tissue are positively correlated. Four types of metallothioneins (MT1, 2, 3, and 4) are found in mammals, which may have a distinct expression in tissues. Surprisingly, only a few genes or mRNA-encoding metallothioneins are characterized in cetaceans; molecular studies are focused on MT quantification, using biochemical methods. Thus, we characterized, in transcriptomic and genomic data, more than 200 complete sequences of metallothioneins (mt1, 2, 3, and 4) in cetacean species to study their structural variability and to propose to the scientific research community Mt genes dataset to develop in future molecular approaches which will study the four types of metallothioneins in diversified organs (brain, gonad, intestine, kidney, stomach, etc.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Leignel
- Laboratoire BIOSSE, Le Mans Université, Avenue O Messiaen, 72000 Le Mans, France
| | - Louis Pillot
- Laboratoire BIOSSE, Le Mans Université, Avenue O Messiaen, 72000 Le Mans, France
| | - Marcela Silvia Gerpe
- Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP. 7600, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Argentina
| | - Florence Caurant
- Observatoire Pelagis, UAR3462 La Rochelle University,5 all. De l'océan, 17000 La Rochelle, France
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
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