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Kerric A, Mazerolle MJ, Giroux JF, Verreault J. Halogenated flame retardant exposure pathways in urban-adapted gulls: Are atmospheric routes underestimated? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 860:160526. [PMID: 36471522 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Urban-adapted gulls can be exposed to flame retardants while foraging in landfills where elevated concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and other halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) have frequently been measured in air. However, the contribution of atmospheric exposure has largely been overlooked compared to dietary exposure in birds and other wildlife. The overall objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of atmospheric exposure pathways relative to diet for PBDEs and other HFRs in ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) nesting in the densely populated Montreal area (QC, Canada). Miniature passive air samplers (PASs) were deployed on the back of wild-caught ring-billed gulls for ten days. Concentrations of PBDEs and other HFRs were determined in PASs carried by ring-billed gulls as well as their lungs, stomach content, liver, preen oil, and onto the surface of their feathers. We evaluated the atmospheric and dietary exposure routes for the most abundant HFRs in samples using a structural equation model implemented in a Bayesian framework. Results indicated that lung concentrations of BDE-28 increased with its levels in air determined using bird-borne PASs. No association was found between BDE-28 concentrations in lungs and liver, whereas BDE-209 concentrations in liver increased with those in lungs. Moreover, BDE-28 and -47 concentrations in liver increased with those on feather surface, while liver BDE-47 concentrations were also positively related with those in stomach content. These findings suggested that, in addition to dietary exposure, atmospheric exposure pathways through inhalation and co-ingestion during feather maintenance (preening) significantly contribute to the accumulation of PBDEs in liver of ring-billed gulls. Atmospheric exposure to HFRs should therefore be considered in future landfill-foraging wildlife species as a potential exposure route compared to the traditional dietary exposure pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Kerric
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Marc J Mazerolle
- Centre d'Étude de la Forêt (CEF), Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Université Laval, Québec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Jean-François Giroux
- Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Jonathan Verreault
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada.
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Ruberg EJ, King MD, Elliott JE, Tomy GT, Idowu I, Vermette ML, Williams TD. Effects of diluted bitumen exposure on the survival, physiology, and behaviour of zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 229:113071. [PMID: 34915220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.113071] [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: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Diluted bitumen (dilbit) is an unconventional crude petroleum increasingly being extracted and transported to market by pipeline and tanker. Despite the transport of dilbit through terrestrial, aquatic, and coastal habitat important to diverse bird fauna, toxicity data are currently only available for fish and invertebrates. We used the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) as a tractable, avian model system to investigate exposure effects of lightly weathered Cold Lake blend dilbit on survival, tissue residue, and a range of physiological and behavioural endpoints. Birds were exposed via oral gavage over 14-days with dosages of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 mL dilbit/kg bw/day. We identified an LD50 of 9.4 mL/kg/d dilbit, with complete mortality at 12 mL/kg/d. Mortality was associated with mass loss, external oiling, decreased pectoral and heart mass, and increased liver mass. Hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity (EROD) was elevated in all dilbit-dosed birds compared with controls but there was limited evidence of sublethal effects of dilbit on physiological endpoints at doses < 10 mL/kg/d (hematocrit, hemoglobin, total antioxidants, and reactive oxygen metabolites). Dilbit exposure affected behavior, with more dilbit-treated birds foraging away from the feeder, more birds sleeping or idle at low dilbit doses, and fewer birds huddling together at high dilbit doses. Naphthalene, dibenzothiophene, and their alkylated congeners in particular (e.g. C2-napthalene and C2-dibenzothiophene) accumulated in the liver at greater concentrations in dilbit-treated birds compared to controls. Although directly comparable studies in the zebra finch are limited, our mortality data suggest that dilbit is more toxic than the well-studied MC252 conventional light crude oil with this exposure regime. A lack of overt sublethal effects at lower doses, but effects on body mass and composition, behaviour, high mortality, and elevated PAC residue at doses ≥ 10 mL/kg/d suggest a threshold effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Ruberg
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - Mason D King
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Division, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC V4K 3N2, Canada
| | - Gregg T Tomy
- University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Ifeoluwa Idowu
- University of Manitoba, Department of Chemistry, 144 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Melissa L Vermette
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Tony D Williams
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada
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Richard FJ, Southern I, Gigauri M, Bellini G, Rojas O, Runde A. Warning on nine pollutants and their effects on avian communities. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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King MD, Elliott JE, Williams TD. Effects of petroleum exposure on birds: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142834. [PMID: 33109373 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Birds are vulnerable to petroleum pollution, and exposure has a range of negative effects resulting from plumage fouling, systemic toxicity, and embryotoxicity. Recent research has not been synthesized since Leighton's 1993 review despite the continued discharge of conventional petroleum, including high-volume oil spills and chronic oil pollution, as well as the emergence of understudied unconventional crude oil types. To address this, we reviewed the individual-level effects of crude oil and refined fuel exposure in avifauna with peer-reviewed articles published 1993-2020 to provide a critical synthesis of the state of the science. We also sought to answer how unconventional crude petroleum effects compare with conventional crude oil. Relevant knowledge gaps and research challenges were identified. The resulting review examines avian exposure to petroleum and synthesizes advances regarding the physical effects of oil hydrocarbons on feather structure and function, as well the toxic effects of inhaled or ingested oil, embryotoxicity, and how exposure affects broader scale endpoints related to behavior, reproduction, and survival. Another outcome of the review was the knowledge gaps and challenges identified. The first finding was a paucity of oil ingestion rate estimates in birds. Characterizing environmentally realistic exposure and ingestion rates is a higher research priority than additional conventional oral dosing experiments. Second, there is an absence of toxicity data for unconventional crude petroleum. Although the effects of air and water contamination in the Canadian oil sands region have received attention, toxicity data for direct exposure to unrefined bitumen produced there in high volumes and other such unconventional oil types are needed. Third, we encountered barriers to the interpretation, replication, broad relevance, and comparability of studies. We therefore propose best practices and promising technological advancements for researchers. This review consolidates our understanding of petroleum's effects on birds and points a way forward for researchers and resource managers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason D King
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - John E Elliott
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Division, 5421 Robertson Road, Delta, BC V4K 3N2, Canada.
| | - Tony D Williams
- Simon Fraser University, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.
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Li M, Nabi G, Sun Y, Wang Y, Wang L, Jiang C, Cao P, Wu Y, Li D. The effect of air pollution on immunological, antioxidative and hematological parameters, and body condition of Eurasian tree sparrows. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111755. [PMID: 33396078 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution constitutes potential threats to wildlife and human health; therefore, it must be monitored accurately. However, little attention has been given to understanding the toxicological effects induced by air pollution and the suitability of bird species as bioindicators. The Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus), a human commensal species, was used as a study model to examine toxic metal accumulation, retention of particulate matter (PM), immunological and antioxidant capacities, and hematological parameters in birds inhabiting those areas with relatively higher (Shijiazhuang city) or lower (Chengde city) levels of PM2.5 and PM10 in China. Our results showed that Shijiazhuang birds had significantly more particle retention in the lungs and toxic metal (including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, iron, manganese, and lead) accumulation in the feathers relative to Chengde birds. They also had lower superoxide dismutase, albumin, immunoglobulin M concentrations in the lung lavage fluid, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the lungs and hearts. Furthermore, although they had higher proportions of microcytes, hypochromia, and polychromatic erythrocytes in the peripheral blood (a symptom of anemia), both populations exhibited comparable body conditions, white cell counts, heterophil and lymphocyte ratios, and plasma T-AOC and corticosterone levels. Therefore, our results not only confirmed that Shijiazhuang birds experienced a greater burden from environmental PM and toxic metals but also identified a suite of adverse effects of environmental pollution on immunological, antioxidative, and hematological parameters in multiple tissues. These findings contribute to our understanding of the physiological health consequences induced by PM exposure in wild animals. They suggest that free-living birds inhabiting urban areas could be used as bioindicators for evaluating the adverse effects induced by environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mo Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China; Life Sciences College of Cangzhou Normal University, Cangzhou, China
| | - Ghulam Nabi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yanfeng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China; Ocean College of Hebei Agricultural University, Qinhuangdao, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Limin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Pengxiu Cao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yuefeng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China.
| | - Dongming Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China.
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Guigueno MF, Head JA, Letcher RJ, Karouna-Renier N, Peters L, Hanas AM, Fernie KJ. Early life exposure to triphenyl phosphate: Effects on thyroid function, growth, and resting metabolic rate of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) chicks. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 253:899-908. [PMID: 31351298 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP; CAS # 115-86-6), a commonly used plasticizer and flame retardant, has been reported in wild birds and identified as a potential high-risk chemical. We exposed Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) by in ovo injection, and once hatched, orally each day for 5 days to safflower oil (controls) or TPHP dissolved in vehicle at low (5 ng TPHP/g), mid (50 ng TPHP/g), or high (100 ng TPHP/g) nominal TPHP doses. The low TPHP dose reflected concentrations in wild bird eggs, with mid and high doses 10x and 20x greater to reflect potential increases in environmental TPHP concentrations in the future. Despite no effects on mRNA expression in thyroid-related genes, TPHP exposure enhanced thyroid gland structure in high TPHP males, but in females, suppressed thyroid gland structure and activity (all TPHP females), and circulating free triiodothyronine (high TPHP females only). Consistent with thyroidal changes, and compared to controls, mid and high TPHP chicks experienced significantly reduced resting metabolic rate (≤13%) and growth (≤53%); mid TPHP males and high TPHP females were significantly smaller. The observed thyroidal effects and suppressed growth and metabolic rate of the quail chicks suggest that TPHP may adversely affect the health of wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Guigueno
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada; Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada, H9X 3V9
| | - J A Head
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada, H9X 3V9
| | - R J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - N Karouna-Renier
- U.S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, BARC East Bldg 308, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - L Peters
- Riddell Faculty of Earth Environment and Resources, University of Manitoba, 125 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - A M Hanas
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada, H9X 3V9
| | - K J Fernie
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, L7S 1A1, Canada; Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada, H9X 3V9.
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7
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Eng ML, Karouna-Renier NK, Henry PFP, Letcher RJ, Schultz SL, Bean TG, Peters LE, Palace VP, Williams TD, Elliott JE, Fernie KJ. In ovo exposure to brominated flame retardants Part II: Assessment of effects of TBBPA-BDBPE and BTBPE on hatching success, morphometric and physiological endpoints in American kestrels. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 179:151-159. [PMID: 31035249 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.04.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Tetrabromobisphenol A bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether) (TBBPA-BDBPE) and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTPBE) are both brominated flame retardants (BFRs) that have been detected in birds; however, their potential biological effects are largely unknown. We assessed the effects of embryonic exposure to TBBPA-BDBPE and BTBPE in a model avian predator, the American kestrel (Falco sparverius). Fertile eggs from a captive population of kestrels were injected on embryonic day 5 (ED5) with a vehicle control or one of three doses within the range of concentrations that have been detected in biota (nominal concentrations of 0, 10, 50 or 100 ng/g egg; measured concentrations 0, 3.0, 13.7 or 33.5 ng TBBPA-BDBPE/g egg and 0, 5.3, 26.8 or 58.1 ng BTBPE/g egg). Eggs were artificially incubated until hatching (ED28), at which point blood and tissues were collected to measure morphological and physiological endpoints, including organ somatic indices, circulating and glandular thyroid hormone concentrations, thyroid gland histology, hepatic deiodinase activity, and markers of oxidative stress. Neither compound had any effects on embryo survival through 90% of the incubation period or on hatching success, body mass, organ size, or oxidative stress of hatchlings. There was evidence of sex-specific effects in the thyroid system responses to the BTBPE exposures, with type 2 deiodinase (D2) activity decreasing at higher doses in female, but not in male hatchlings, suggesting that females may be more sensitive to BTBPE. However, there were no effects of TBBPA-BDBPE on the thyroid system in kestrels. For the BTPBE study, a subset of high-dose eggs was collected throughout the incubation period to measure changes in BTBPE concentrations. There was no decrease in BTBPE over the incubation period, suggesting that BTBPE is slowly metabolized by kestrel embryos throughout their ∼28-d development. These two compounds, therefore, do not appear to be particularly toxic to embryos of the American kestrel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret L Eng
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Paula F P Henry
- U. S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sandra L Schultz
- U. S. Geological Survey, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Thomas G Bean
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Lisa E Peters
- Riddell Faculty of Earth Environment and Resources, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Vince P Palace
- International Institute of Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Tony D Williams
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kim J Fernie
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
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Brook JR, Cober SG, Freemark M, Harner T, Li SM, Liggio J, Makar P, Pauli B. Advances in science and applications of air pollution monitoring: A case study on oil sands monitoring targeting ecosystem protection. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2019; 69:661-709. [PMID: 31082314 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2019.1607689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The potential environmental impact of air pollutants emitted from the oil sands industry in Alberta, Canada, has received considerable attention. The mining and processing of bitumen to produce synthetic crude oil, and the waste products associated with this activity, lead to significant emissions of gaseous and particle air pollutants. Deposition of pollutants occurs locally (i.e., near the sources) and also potentially at distances downwind, depending upon each pollutant's chemical and physical properties and meteorological conditions. The Joint Oil Sands Monitoring Program (JOSM) was initiated in 2012 by the Government of Canada and the Province of Alberta to enhance or improve monitoring of pollutants and their potential impacts. In support of JOSM, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) undertook a significant research effort via three components: the Air, Water, and Wildlife components, which were implemented to better estimate baseline conditions related to levels of pollutants in the air and water, amounts of deposition, and exposures experienced by the biota. The criteria air contaminants (e.g., nitrogen oxides [NOx], sulfur dioxide [SO2], volatile organic compounds [VOCs], particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5 μm [PM2.5]) and their secondary atmospheric products were of interest, as well as toxic compounds, particularly polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), trace metals, and mercury (Hg). This critical review discusses the challenges of assessing ecosystem impacts and summarizes the major results of these efforts through approximately 2018. Focus is on the emissions to the air and the findings from the Air Component of the ECCC research and linkages to observations of contaminant levels in the surface waters in the region, in aquatic species, as well as in terrestrial and avian species. The existing evidence of impact on these species is briefly discussed, as is the potential for some of them to serve as sentinel species for the ongoing monitoring needed to better understand potential effects, their potential causes, and to detect future changes. Quantification of the atmospheric emissions of multiple pollutants needs to be improved, as does an understanding of the processes influencing fugitive emissions and local and regional deposition patterns. The influence of multiple stressors on biota exposure and response, from natural bitumen and forest fires to climate change, complicates the current ability to attribute effects to air emissions from the industry. However, there is growing evidence of the impact of current levels of PACs on some species, pointing to the need to improve the ability to predict PAC exposures and the key emission source involved. Although this critical review attempts to integrate some of the findings across the components, in terms of ECCC activities, increased coordination or integration of air, water, and wildlife research would enhance deeper scientific understanding. Improved understanding is needed in order to guide the development of long-term monitoring strategies that could most efficiently inform a future adaptive management approach to oil sands environmental monitoring and prevention of impacts. Implications: Quantification of atmospheric emissions for multiple pollutants needs to be improved, and reporting mechanisms and standards could be adapted to facilitate such improvements, including periodic validation, particularly where uncertainties are the largest. Understanding of baseline conditions in the air, water and biota has improved significantly; ongoing enhanced monitoring, building on this progress, will help improve ecosystem protection measures in the oil sands region. Sentinel species have been identified that could be used to identify and characterize potential impacts of wildlife exposure, both locally and regionally. Polycyclic aromatic compounds are identified as having an impact on aquatic and terrestrial wildlife at current concentration levels although the significance of these impacts and attribution to emissions from oil sands development requires further assessment. Given the improvement in high resolution air quality prediction models, these should be a valuable tool to future environmental assessments and cumulative environment impact assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Brook
- a Dalla Lana School of Public Health and Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - S G Cober
- b Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario , Canada
| | - M Freemark
- c National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change, Ottawa , Canada
| | - T Harner
- b Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario , Canada
| | - S M Li
- b Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario , Canada
| | - J Liggio
- b Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario , Canada
| | - P Makar
- b Air Quality Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto, Ontario , Canada
| | - B Pauli
- c National Wildlife Research Centre, Environment and Climate Change, Ottawa , Canada
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Fernie KJ, Marteinson SC, Chen D, Palace V, Peters L, Soos C, Smits JEG. Changes in thyroid function of nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in relation to polycyclic aromatic compounds and other environmental stressors in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 169:464-475. [PMID: 30530086 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.11.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In the Canadian Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR), nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) raised near mining-related activities accumulated greater concentrations of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) that contributed to their poorer condition, growth, and reproductive success. Here, we report changes in thyroid function of the same 14 day old (do) nestlings (N ≤ 68) at these mining-related sites (OS1, OS2) compared to reference nestlings (REF1), and in relation to multiple environmental stressors that influence avian thyroid function. Thyroid function was compromised for OS1 nestlings but generally comparable between OS2 and REF1 chicks. In 2012, circulating total triiodothyronine (TT3) and thyroxine (TT4) were similar among all nestlings. The OS1 chicks had more active thyroid glands based on histological endpoints. Hepatic T4 outer-ring deiodinase (T4-ORD) activity was suppressed in OS1 and OS2 chicks. Despite inter-annual differences, OS1 chicks continued experiencing compromised thyroid function with significantly higher circulating TT4 and more active thyroid glands in 2013. The OS2 chicks had less active thyroid glands, which conceivably contributed to their suppressed growth (previously reported) relative to the heavier OS1 nestlings with more active thyroid glands. Thyroid gland activity was more influenced by the chicks' accumulation of (muscle), than exposure (feces) to naphthalene, C2-naphthalenes, and C1-fluorenes. Of four major volatile organic contaminants, sulfur dioxide (SO2) primarily influenced thyroid gland activity and structure, supporting previous findings with captive birds. When collectively considering environmental-thyroidal stressors, chicks had a greater thyroidal response when they experienced colder temperatures, accumulated more C2-naphthalenes, and consumed aquatic-emerging insects with higher PAC burdens than terrestrial insects (carbon (δ13C)). We hypothesize that the more active thyroid glands and higher circulating TT4 of the OS1 chicks supported their growth and survival despite having the highest PAC burdens, whereas the lack of thyroid response in the OS2 chicks combined with high PAC burdens, contributed to their smaller size, poorer condition and poorer survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Fernie
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health Division, Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7R 1A2.
| | - S C Marteinson
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health Division, Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario, Canada L7R 1A2
| | - D Chen
- School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China
| | - V Palace
- International Institute for Sustainable Development - Experimental Lakes Area, 111 Lombard Avenue, Suite 325, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3B 0T4
| | - L Peters
- Riddell Faculty of Earth Environment and Resources, University of Manitoba, 125 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2
| | - C Soos
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health Division, Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 115 Perimeter Rd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N 0X4
| | - J E G Smits
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 4Z6
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Carvalho RB, Carneiro MFH, Barbosa F, Batista BL, Simonetti J, Amantéa SL, Rhoden CR. The impact of occupational exposure to traffic-related air pollution among professional motorcyclists from Porto Alegre, Brazil, and its association with genetic and oxidative damage. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:18620-18631. [PMID: 29704180 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2007-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Vehicles play an important role in modern life; however, they also generate hazards. Occupational exposed subjects are in long-term contact with harmful products, which sets these professionals in a susceptible group to air pollutant damage. The aims of this study were to quantify individual exposure to pollutant gases and chemical elements and to evaluate oxidative and genetic damage in professional motorcyclists and office workers. We recruited professional motorcyclists and office workers from Porto Alegre, Brazil, between January and December 2016. Individual exposure to air pollutants was assessed by passive monitoring. Fingernail trace elements were determined by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Oxidative stress biomarkers were quantified spectrophotometrically, and genotoxicity was evaluated by micronuclei assay. Individual exposure to NO2 and O3, trace element content (Sb, Pt, As, Cd, V, Mn, and Co), oxidative stress factors, and genetic damage were statistically higher in professional motorcyclists (p < 0.05). Moreover, NO2 and O3 levels showed very strong positive correlation with plasmatic lipid peroxidation (p < 0.001 and r = 0.8849 and 0.8995) and strong positive correlation with micronuclei frequency (p < 0.001 and r = 0.7683 and 0.7280). Results suggest that professional motorcyclists are at high risk due to long-term air pollution exposure, which implies in the onset of several harmful effects and worsening of pre-existent diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roseana Böek Carvalho
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UCSPA), Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.
| | - Maria Fernanda Hornos Carneiro
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Metals Essentiality, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo University (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Metals Essentiality, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Sao Paulo University (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Lemos Batista
- Center for Natural Sciences and Humanities, Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Júlia Simonetti
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UCSPA), Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Sergio Luis Amantéa
- Santo Antônio Hospital, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UCSPA), Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Ramos Rhoden
- Laboratory of Atmospheric Pollution, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UCSPA), Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil
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Fernie KJ, Marteinson SC, Chen D, Eng A, Harner T, Smits JEG, Soos C. Elevated exposure, uptake and accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) through multiple exposure routes in active mining-related areas of the Athabasca oil sands region. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 624:250-261. [PMID: 29253773 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In the Athabasca Oil Sands (OS) Region, the exposure (by air, water, diet), uptake and deposition of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), including parent and alkylated hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dibenzothiophenes (DBTs), was assessed in nestling tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) at mining-related (OS1, OS2) and reference (REF) sites. The OS sites did not receive oil-sands processed waters (OSPW) and were ≥60km from the reference sites. Most of the 42 PACs (≤98%) were detected in all matrices. Swallows at the OS sites were exposed to higher air and water concentrations of individual PAC congeners, ΣPACs, Σparent-PAHs, Σalkyl-PAHs and ΣDBTs. Compared to reference nestlings (ΣPACs: 13-27ng/g wet weight (ww)), PACs were significantly higher in OS nestlings (31-106ng/gww) that also accumulated higher concentrations of major PAHs (i.e., naphthalene, C1-naphthalene, C2-naphthalene, C1-fluorenes, C2-fluorenes, C1-phenanthrenes) measured in 60% of nestlings. Uptake and deposition of PAHs in the birds' muscle was related to diet (δ15N: C1-naphthalenes, C2-naphthalenes, C1-fluorenes), water (C1-phenanthrenes), and air through inhalation and feather preening (C1-fluorenes), but fecal concentrations were not well explained by diet or environmental concentrations. While PAH concentrations were much higher in muscle than feces, they were highly correlated (p≤0.001 for all). Thus feces may represent a non-lethal method for characterizing PAH exposure of birds, with muscle characterizing accumulation and sources of PAH exposure. Tree swallows in the Athabasca OS Region are exposed to many PACs, accumulating higher concentrations when developing in close proximity to mining activity through diet, aerial deposition and mining-impacted freshwater sources (e.g., wetlands).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim J Fernie
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health Division, Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7R 1A2, Canada.
| | - Sarah C Marteinson
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health Division, Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7R 1A2, Canada
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Environmental Exposure and Health, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, China.
| | - Anita Eng
- Air Quality Processes Research Section, Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin St., Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Tom Harner
- Air Quality Processes Research Section, Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 4905 Dufferin St., Toronto, Ontario M3H 5T4, Canada
| | - Judit E G Smits
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Catherine Soos
- Ecotoxicology & Wildlife Health Division, Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 115 Perimeter Rd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0X4, Canada
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North MA, Rodriguez-Estival J, Smits JEG. Biomarker Sensitivity to Vehicle Exhaust in Experimentally Exposed European Starlings. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:13427-13435. [PMID: 28981271 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b03836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The effects of vehicle-related emissions on health has been a long-standing question in human health sciences; however, the toxicology of chronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of these complex mixtures has not been characterized in wild birds. Adult European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were exposed to vehicle emissions, with combined benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) concentrations totaling 13.3 μg/m3 over 20 days of exposure for 5 h per day. Exposed birds had significantly lower cell-mediated immunity (measured using phytohaemagglutinin skin test, p < 0.0001), thyroxine (T4, p = 0.042), and glutathione (GSH, p = 0.034) concentrations than control birds. There was no difference in body condition, antibody response to vaccination, triiodothyronine (T3), hepatic biotransformation (7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity), or oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and ratios of reduced to oxidized GSH) or organ masses between exposed and control birds. This study supports findings of previous studies examining wild birds exposed to these air contaminants and raises concern that environmentally relevant concentrations of common urban volatile pollutants may have measurable effects on health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A North
- Department of Ecosystem & Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary , 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada , T2N 4Z6
| | - Jaime Rodriguez-Estival
- Department of Ecosystem & Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary , 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada , T2N 4Z6
| | - Judit E G Smits
- Department of Ecosystem & Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary , 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada , T2N 4Z6
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North MA, Kinniburgh DW, Smits JEG. European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) As Sentinels of Urban Air Pollution: A Comprehensive Approach from Noninvasive to Post Mortem Investigation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:8746-8756. [PMID: 28665607 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Urban, traffic-related air pollution remains a concern to health-care and environmental professionals, with mounting evidence connecting diverse disease conditions with exposure. Wildlife species such as European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) cohabit urban neighborhoods and may serve as sentinels for these contaminants. In this novel approach, we use passive, personal-type air samplers to provide site-specific measurements of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes, or BTEX), and account for the effects of confounding environmental factors when teasing out the responses to exposure. This study examines biomarkers of exposure to predominately traffic-related, urban air contaminants in European starlings, including morphometric measurements, immunotoxicology, oxidative stress and hepatic detoxification, and analyses responses in the context of multilayered factors including year, hatch date, weather and location, confirming that this experimental approach and the selected health indicators can be used for comparing locations with different levels of contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A North
- Department of Ecosystem & Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary , 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta Canada , T2N 4Z6
| | - David W Kinniburgh
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary , 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta Canada , T2N 4N1
| | - Judit E G Smits
- Department of Ecosystem & Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary , 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta Canada , T2N 4Z6
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