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Lemaire J, Bustamante P, Shirley MH. Preliminary assessment of blood mercury contamination in four African crocodile species. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 190:108877. [PMID: 38981413 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination in the environment is an increasingly pervasive threat to the long-term persistence of wildlife. As high trophic level consumers, crocodylians are at substantial risk from bioaccumulation of mercury (Hg). Despite that they are generally well-studied and the focal species of many conservation efforts around the world, little is known about Hg contamination levels in most crocodylians. Here we preliminarily evaluate blood Hg contamination in four African species - Central African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops leptorhynchus), African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis), West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus), and Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) - from a diversity of sites and habitats across 5 different countries representing varying degrees of environmental pollution. All of our sampled crocodiles were Hg contaminated and, worryingly, these African crocodiles generally showed the highest levels of Hg contamination of any crocodylian species examined to date. Of most concern was that Hg concentrations were not only highest in M. leptorhynchus, the most threatened amongst our study species, but also in individuals sampled in what are believed to be some of the most remote and pristine natural areas left in Africa - Gabon's national parks. Our results underscore the need to better understand the impact of longstanding petroleum, mining, forestry, and agricultural industries on the entire aquatic food chain throughout much of Africa, including on the threatened species in these habitats and the human populations that depend on them for their subsistence and livelihoods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Lemaire
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Matthew H Shirley
- Project Mecistops, Sarasota, FL, USA; Global Forensics and Justice Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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2
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Evers DC, Ackerman JT, Åkerblom S, Bally D, Basu N, Bishop K, Bodin N, Braaten HFV, Burton MEH, Bustamante P, Chen C, Chételat J, Christian L, Dietz R, Drevnick P, Eagles-Smith C, Fernandez LE, Hammerschlag N, Harmelin-Vivien M, Harte A, Krümmel EM, Brito JL, Medina G, Barrios Rodriguez CA, Stenhouse I, Sunderland E, Takeuchi A, Tear T, Vega C, Wilson S, Wu P. Global mercury concentrations in biota: their use as a basis for a global biomonitoring framework. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 33:325-396. [PMID: 38683471 PMCID: PMC11213816 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-024-02747-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
An important provision of the Minamata Convention on Mercury is to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the adopted measures and its implementation. Here, we describe for the first time currently available biotic mercury (Hg) data on a global scale to improve the understanding of global efforts to reduce the impact of Hg pollution on people and the environment. Data from the peer-reviewed literature were compiled in the Global Biotic Mercury Synthesis (GBMS) database (>550,000 data points). These data provide a foundation for establishing a biomonitoring framework needed to track Hg concentrations in biota globally. We describe Hg exposure in the taxa identified by the Minamata Convention: fish, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals. Based on the GBMS database, Hg concentrations are presented at relevant geographic scales for continents and oceanic basins. We identify some effective regional templates for monitoring methylmercury (MeHg) availability in the environment, but overall illustrate that there is a general lack of regional biomonitoring initiatives around the world, especially in Africa, Australia, Indo-Pacific, Middle East, and South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Temporal trend data for Hg in biota are generally limited. Ecologically sensitive sites (where biota have above average MeHg tissue concentrations) have been identified throughout the world. Efforts to model and quantify ecosystem sensitivity locally, regionally, and globally could help establish effective and efficient biomonitoring programs. We present a framework for a global Hg biomonitoring network that includes a three-step continental and oceanic approach to integrate existing biomonitoring efforts and prioritize filling regional data gaps linked with key Hg sources. We describe a standardized approach that builds on an evidence-based evaluation to assess the Minamata Convention's progress to reduce the impact of global Hg pollution on people and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Evers
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA.
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | | | - Dominique Bally
- African Center for Environmental Health, BP 826 Cidex 03, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Nil Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Kevin Bishop
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Upsalla, Sweden
| | - Nathalie Bodin
- Research Institute for Sustainable Development Seychelles Fishing Authority, Victoria, Seychelles
| | | | - Mark E H Burton
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Celia Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - John Chételat
- Environment and Cliamte Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Linroy Christian
- Department of Analytical Services, Dunbars, Friars Hill, St John, Antigua and Barbuda
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Department of Ecoscience, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Paul Drevnick
- Teck American Incorporated, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Collin Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Luis E Fernandez
- Sabin Center for Environment and Sustainability and Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, 29106, USA
- Centro de Innovación Científica Amazonica (CINCIA), Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, Peru
| | - Neil Hammerschlag
- Shark Research Foundation Inc, 29 Wideview Lane, Boutiliers Point, NS, B3Z 0M9, Canada
| | - Mireille Harmelin-Vivien
- Aix-Marseille Université, Université de Toulon, CNRS/INSU/IRD, Institut Méditerranéen d'Océanologie (MIO), UM 110, Campus de Luminy, case 901, 13288, Marseille, cedex 09, France
| | - Agustin Harte
- Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions Secretariat, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Chem. des Anémones 15, 1219, Vernier, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eva M Krümmel
- Inuit Circumpolar Council-Canada, Ottawa, Canada and ScienTissiME Inc, Barry's Bay, ON, Canada
| | - José Lailson Brito
- Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Sao Francisco Xavier, 524, Sala 4002, CEP 20550-013, Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Medina
- Director of Basel Convention Coordinating Centre, Stockholm Convention Regional Centre for Latin America and the Caribbean, Hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Iain Stenhouse
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Elsie Sunderland
- Harvard University, Pierce Hall 127, 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Akinori Takeuchi
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Health and Environmental Risk Division, 16-2 Onogawa Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8506, Japan
| | - Tim Tear
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, USA
| | - Claudia Vega
- Centro de Innovaccion Cientifica Amazonica (CINCIA), Jiron Ucayali 750, Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios, 17001, Peru
| | - Simon Wilson
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) Secretariat, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Pianpian Wu
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
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Mills WF, Bustamante P, Ramírez F, Forero MG, Phillips RA. Mercury Concentrations in Feathers of Albatrosses and Large Petrels at South Georgia: Contemporary Patterns and Comparisons with Past Decades. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 86:363-374. [PMID: 38762667 PMCID: PMC11142957 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-024-01067-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is an environmental contaminant that can negatively impact the health of humans and wildlife. Albatrosses and large petrels show some of the highest levels of Hg contamination among birds, with potential repercussions for reproduction and survival. Here, body feather total Hg (THg) concentrations were determined in breeding adults of five species of albatrosses and large petrels in the foraging guild at South Georgia during the mid-2010s. We tested the effects of species, sex and trophic ecology (inferred from stable isotopes) on THg concentrations and compared our results with published values from past decades. Feather THg concentrations differed significantly among species (range: 1.9-49.6 µg g-1 dw), and were highest in wandering albatrosses Diomedea exulans, intermediate in black-browed albatrosses Thalassarche melanophris and northern giant petrels Macronectes halli, and lowest in southern giant petrels M. giganteus and white-chinned petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis. Females were more contaminated than males in all species, potentially due to differences in distributions and diet composition. Across species, THg concentrations were not correlated with feather δ13C or δ15N values, implying that species effects (e.g., breeding and moulting frequencies) may be more important than trophic effects in explaining feather THg concentrations in this foraging guild. Within species, the only significant correlation was between THg and δ13C in wandering albatrosses, which could reflect higher Hg exposure in subtropical waters. Comparisons with THg concentrations from past studies, which reflect contamination from 10 to > 60 years ago, revealed considerable annual variation and some evidence for increases over time for wandering and black-browed albatrosses since before 1950 and from the late 1980s, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Mills
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK.
- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Reading, Reading, UK.
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Francisco Ramírez
- Departament de Recursos Marins Renovables, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuela G Forero
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Avda. Américo Vespucio, 26, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Richard A Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
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4
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Olmastroni S, Simonetti S, Fattorini N, D'Amico V, Cusset F, Bustamante P, Cherel Y, Corsi I. Living in a challenging environment: Monitoring stress ecology by non-destructive methods in an Antarctic seabird. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171249. [PMID: 38431169 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171249] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
How Antarctic species are facing historical and new stressors remains under-surveyed and risks to wildlife are still largely unknown. Adélie penguins Pygoscelis adeliae are well-known bioindicators and sentinels of Antarctic ecosystem changes, a true canary in the coal mine. Immuno-haematological parameters have been proved to detect stress in wild animals, given their rapid physiological response that allows them tracking environmental changes and thus inferring habitat quality. Here, we investigated variation in Erythrocyte Nuclear Abnormalities (ENAs) and White Blood Cells (WBCs) in penguins from three clustered colonies in the Ross Sea, evaluating immuno-haematological parameters according to geography, breeding stage, and individual penguin characteristics such as sex, body condition and nest quality. Concentrations of mercury (Hg) and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen (as proxies of the penguin's trophic ecology) were analysed in feathers to investigate the association between stress biomarkers and Hg contamination in Adélie penguins. Colony and breeding stage were not supported as predictors of immuno-haematological parameters. ENAs and WBCs were respectively ∼30 % and ∼20 % higher in male than in female penguins. Body condition influenced WBCs, with penguins in the best condition having a ∼22 % higher level of WBCs than those in the worst condition. Nest position affected the proportion of micronuclei (MNs), with inner-nesting penguins having more than three times the proportion of MNs than penguins nesting in peripheral positions. Heterophils:Lymphocytes (H:L) ratio was not affected by any of the above predictors. Multiple factors acting as stressors are expected to increase prominently in Antarctic wildlife in the near future, therefore extensive monitoring aimed to assess the health status of penguin populations is mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Olmastroni
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Silvia Simonetti
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Niccolò Fattorini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy
| | - Verónica D'Amico
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR), (CCT Centro Nacional Patagónico -CONICET), Brown 2915, U9120ACF, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - Fanny Cusset
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Études Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
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5
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Nzabanita D, Shen H, Grist S, Lewis PJ, Hampton JO, Firestone SM, Hufschmid J, Nugegoda D. Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants in Australian Waterbirds. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:736-747. [PMID: 38085117 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5804] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
There is growing worldwide recognition of the threat posed by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to wildlife populations. We aimed to measure exposure levels to POPs in a Southern Hemisphere aquatic waterbird species, the nomadic gray teal (Anas gracilis), which is found across Australia. We collected wings from 39 ducks harvested by recreational hunters at two sites (one coastal, one inland) in Victoria, southeastern Australia, in 2021. We examined three groups of POPs: nine congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 13 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PCBs, OCPs, and PAHs were detected at quantifiable levels in 13%, 72%, and 100% of birds, respectively. Of the congeners we tested for in PCBs, OCPs, and PAHs, 33%, 38%, and 100% were detected at quantifiable levels, respectively. The highest levels of exposure to POPs that we found were to the PAH benzo[b]fluoranthene, occurring at a concentration range of 1.78 to 161.05 ng/g wet weight. There were some trends detected relating to differences between geographical sites, with higher levels of several PAHs at the coastal versus inland site. There were several strong, positive associations among PAHs found. We discuss potential sources for the POPs detected, including industrial and agricultural sources, and the likely role of large-scale forest fires in PAH levels. Our results confirm that while Australian waterbirds are exposed to a variety of POPs, exposure levels are currently relatively low. Additional future investigations are required to further characterize POPs within Australian waterbird species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:736-747. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Nzabanita
- School of Science, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hao Shen
- School of Science, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephen Grist
- School of Science, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Phoebe J Lewis
- Applied Sciences Division, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Macleod, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jordan O Hampton
- Faculty of Science, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Simon M Firestone
- Faculty of Science, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jasmin Hufschmid
- Faculty of Science, Melbourne Veterinary School, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dayanthi Nugegoda
- School of Science, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Marchand E, Petit F, Alliot F, Blanchoud H, Costantini D, Guigon E, Martin N, Traore S, Goutte A. Contrasted Antibiotics and Pesticides Occurrence in Fish Exposed In Situ to Urban Effluents: A 20-Day Caging Experiment. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023. [PMID: 38116996 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Urban freshwater ecosystems receive a wide array of organic pollutants through wastewater-treatment plant (WWTP) discharges and agricultural runoff. Evaluating the fate and effects of antibiotics and pesticides can be a challenging task, especially the effects on freshwater vertebrates because of their abilities to metabolize and excrete these chemicals and because of their high mobility and escape behavior when exposed to stressful environmental conditions. In the present study, 37 wild gudgeons (Gobio gobio) were caged for a period of up to 20 days, upstream and downstream of a WWTP effluent discharge in the Orge River (a tributary of the Seine River, France). Levels of pesticides and antibiotics in fish muscles were monitored weekly and compared with environmental contamination (water and sediments). Our results highlighted a slight bioaccumulation of pesticides in the gudgeon muscles at the downstream site after 20 days of exposure. Concerning antibiotics, ofloxacin was the most detected compound in fish muscles (85% of occurrence) and ranged from undetectable to 8 ng g-1 dry weight. Antibiotic levels in fish muscle were not higher at the downstream site and did not increase with exposure duration, despite high levels in the water (up to 29 times greater than upstream). Potential ecotoxicological effects were also evaluated: Body condition did not differ between the caging location and exposure time. Three oxidative status markers in the fish livers showed significant shifts after 14 days of caging. Our results suggest a high clearance rate of antibiotics and, to a lesser extent, of pesticides in wild gudgeons, which could be explained by changes in xenobiotic metabolism with pollutant exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-11. © 2023 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Marchand
- UNIROUEN, UNICAEN, Normandie Université, Rouen, France
- CNRS, EPHE, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Fabienne Petit
- UNIROUEN, UNICAEN, Normandie Université, Rouen, France
- CNRS, EPHE, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Fabrice Alliot
- CNRS, EPHE, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- EPHE, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Hélène Blanchoud
- CNRS, EPHE, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- EPHE, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - David Costantini
- UPMA, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Paris, France
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, Tuscia University, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Elodie Guigon
- CNRS, EPHE, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- EPHE, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France
| | | | - Sira Traore
- CNRS, EPHE, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- EPHE, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Goutte
- CNRS, EPHE, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- EPHE, PSL University, Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France
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Bustamante P, Le Verge T, Bost CA, Brault-Favrou M, Le Corre M, Weimerskirch H, Cherel Y. Mercury contamination in the tropical seabird community from Clipperton Island, eastern Pacific Ocean. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 32:1050-1061. [PMID: 37615819 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02691-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) pollution is a global problem affecting remote areas of the open ocean, but the bioaccumulation of this neurotoxic pollutant in tropical top predators remains poorly documented. The objective of this study was to determine Hg contamination of the seabird community nesting on Clipperton Island using blood and feathers to investigate short and longer-term contamination, respectively. We examined the significance of various factors (species, sex, feeding habitat [δ13C] and trophic position [δ15N]) on Hg concentrations in six seabird species. Among species, Great Frigatebirds had the highest Hg concentrations in blood and feathers, boobies had intermediate values, and Brown Noddies and Sooty Terns the lowest. At the interspecific level, although δ13C values segregated boobies from frigatebirds and noddies/terns, Hg concentrations were explained by neither δ13C nor δ15N values. At the intraspecific level, both Hg concentrations in blood and feathers show relatively small variations (16-32 and 26-74%, respectively), suggesting that feeding ecology had low seasonal variation among individuals. Despite most species being sexually dimorphic, differences in Hg contamination according to sex was detected only in Brown Boobies during the breeding period. Indeed, female Brown Boobies feed at a higher trophic level and in a different area than males during this period, resulting in higher blood Hg concentrations. The present study also shows that most of the seabirds sampled at Clipperton Island had little or no exposure to Hg toxicity, with 30% in the no risk category and 70% in the low risk category.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France.
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005, Paris, France.
| | - Thibault Le Verge
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Charles-André Bost
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Maud Brault-Favrou
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Matthieu Le Corre
- UMR ENTROPIE (Université de La Réunion, IRD, CNRS, IFREMER, Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie), Université de La Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, CS92003, Saint Denis cedex, 997744, La Réunion, France
| | - Henri Weimerskirch
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
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Quillfeldt P, Bedolla-Guzmán Y, Libertelli MM, Cherel Y, Massaro M, Bustamante P. Mercury in Ten Storm-Petrel Populations from the Antarctic to the Subtropics. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023:10.1007/s00244-023-01011-3. [PMID: 37438517 PMCID: PMC10374726 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-023-01011-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The oceans become increasingly contaminated as a result of global industrial production and consumer behaviour, and this affects wildlife in areas far removed from sources of pollution. Migratory seabirds such as storm-petrels may forage in areas with different contaminant levels throughout the annual cycle and may show a carry-over of mercury from the winter quarters to the breeding sites. In this study, we compared mercury levels among seven species of storm-petrels breeding on the Antarctic South Shetlands and subantarctic Kerguelen Islands, in temperate waters of the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, and in temperate waters of the Pacific off Mexico. We tested for differences in the level of contamination associated with breeding and inter-breeding distribution and trophic position. We collected inert body feathers and metabolically active blood samples in ten colonies, reflecting long-term (feathers) and short-term (blood) exposures during different periods ranging from early non-breeding (moult) to late breeding. Feathers represent mercury accumulated over the annual cycle between two successive moults. Mercury concentrations in feathers ranged over more than an order of magnitude among species, being lowest in subantarctic Grey-backed Storm-petrels (0.5 μg g-1 dw) and highest in subtropical Leach's Storm-petrels (7.6 μg g-1 dw, i.e. posing a moderate toxicological risk). Among Antarctic Storm-petrels, Black-bellied Storm-petrels had threefold higher values than Wilson's Storm-petrels, and in both species, birds from the South Shetlands (Antarctica) had threefold higher values than birds from Kerguelen (subantarctic Indian Ocean). Blood represents mercury taken up over several weeks, and showed similar trends, being lowest in Grey-backed Storm-petrels from Kerguelen (0.5 μg g-1 dw) and highest in Leach's Storm-petrels (3.6 μg g-1 dw). Among Antarctic storm-petrels, species differences in the blood samples were similar to those in feathers, but site differences were less consistent. Over the breeding season, mercury decreased in blood samples of Antarctic Wilson's Storm-petrels, but did not change in Wilson's Storm-petrels from Kerguelen or in Antarctic Black-bellied Storm-petrels. In summary, we found that mercury concentrations in storm-petrels varied due to the distribution of species and differences in prey choice. Depending on prey choices, Antarctic storm-petrels can have similar mercury concentrations as temperate species. The lowest contamination was observed in subantarctic species and populations. The study shows how seabirds, which accumulate dietary pollutants in their tissues in the breeding and non-breeding seasons, can be used to survey marine pollution. Storm-petrels with their wide distributions and relatively low trophic levels may be especially useful, but more detailed knowledge on their prey choice and distributions is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Yuliana Bedolla-Guzmán
- Department of Animal Ecology & Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Grupo de Ecología Y Conservación de Islas, A.C., Ensenada, 22800, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Marcela M Libertelli
- Departamento de Biología de los Predadores Tope, Coordinación Ciencias de la Vida, Instituto Antártico Argentino, Avenida 25 de Mayo 1143, B1650HML, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Melanie Massaro
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Gulbali Institute, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, 2640, Australia
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS - La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
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9
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Padayachee K, Reynolds C, Mateo R, Amar A. A global review of the temporal and spatial patterns of DDT and dieldrin monitoring in raptors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159734. [PMID: 36349626 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159734] [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: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides have been extensively monitored in birds, particularly from higher trophic guilds such as raptors. While monitoring of raptors has been ongoing for decades, patterns from monitoring activities have never been summarised on a global scale. In this study, we undertake a review to better describe the monitoring of two widespread organochlorine pesticides monitored globally in raptors, DDT and dieldrin. We provide a historical retrospective on the monitoring effort of a global environmental issue. Sampling was heavily biased geographically to the global north, with more than 90 % of studies conducted in this socio-geographic region, most from Europe and North America. Although monitoring occurred from at least 114 species, most samples came from relatively few species, with three species (Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus, and Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus) comprising 50 % of samples. The types of raptors sampled have changed over time, with avian and mammal specialists dominating samples until the 1970s, but more diverse dietary guilds monitored in later decades, and greater proportions of samples coming from generalist species. The three most sampled tissues (egg, liver, and plasma) comprised 84 % of all samples. Eggs were the earliest tissue examined and the only tissue sampled in all decades. The geographical bias in monitoring effort and relatively narrow species focus, suggests that patterns in these pesticides are unlikely to be fully representative of all global environments occupied by raptors. While DDT has been banned throughout most of the global north, it remains in use in the global south, yet monitoring effort in the south, does not match that of the north. While monitoring remains prevalent in the global north, contemporary monitoring is limited in the global south with less than 10 % of raptors sampled in Asia, Africa, and South America, over the last 3 decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailen Padayachee
- The Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, South Africa, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Chevonne Reynolds
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg South Africa, Private Bag 3 Wits, 2050 Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC-CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Arjun Amar
- The Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, South Africa, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa.
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10
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Samaraweera M, Chandrajith R, Jayasena N. Birds of different feeding habits as biomonitors for trace elements in a wetland of the Central Asian Flyway, Sri Lanka. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 306:135602. [PMID: 35809749 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135602] [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: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring the environmental exposure of wildlife to toxic trace elements is important for conservation. Sri Lanka does not have a biomonitoring programme for exposure of wildlife to pollutants. We measured levels of Hg, Pb, Cd, As, and Se in feathers of resident and migratory birds with different food habits in a wetland ecosystem of Sri Lanka, which is located at the southern-most point of the Central Asian Flyway. Diet and migratory status significantly affected concentrations of Hg, Pb, and As. Migrant invertivores showed the highest concentration of Hg and As. The highest concentration of Pb was in resident frugivores. Diet was the only significant explanatory variable for Cd, with frugivores recording the highest concentrations. Migratory status was the only factor significantly affecting feather Se, with migrant birds recording higher levels of Se; however, migratory status did not affect the Se: Hg ratio. The mean Se: Hg ratio was significantly affected by diet, but was >1 in birds of all food habits. Some birds in our study had concentrations of Hg, Pb, and Cd at higher levels than thresholds for adverse effects. High levels of these elements were recorded in both resident and migratory birds of differing food habits. Our study highlights the necessity of including biomonitors from diverse habitats and foraging guilds. This study establishes the baseline information for exposure of wildlife to several toxic trace elements necessary to establish a long-term biomonitoring programme important for the conservation of birds both in a national and global context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mano Samaraweera
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka
| | - Rohana Chandrajith
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka
| | - Nilmini Jayasena
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka.
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11
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Chastel O, Fort J, Ackerman JT, Albert C, Angelier F, Basu N, Blévin P, Brault-Favrou M, Bustnes JO, Bustamante P, Danielsen J, Descamps S, Dietz R, Erikstad KE, Eulaers I, Ezhov A, Fleishman AB, Gabrielsen GW, Gavrilo M, Gilchrist G, Gilg O, Gíslason S, Golubova E, Goutte A, Grémillet D, Hallgrimsson GT, Hansen ES, Hanssen SA, Hatch S, Huffeldt NP, Jakubas D, Jónsson JE, Kitaysky AS, Kolbeinsson Y, Krasnov Y, Letcher RJ, Linnebjerg JF, Mallory M, Merkel FR, Moe B, Montevecchi WJ, Mosbech A, Olsen B, Orben RA, Provencher JF, Ragnarsdottir SB, Reiertsen TK, Rojek N, Romano M, Søndergaard J, Strøm H, Takahashi A, Tartu S, Thórarinsson TL, Thiebot JB, Will AP, Wilson S, Wojczulanis-Jakubas K, Yannic G. Mercury contamination and potential health risks to Arctic seabirds and shorebirds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:156944. [PMID: 35752241 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Since the last Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) effort to review biological effects of mercury (Hg) on Arctic biota in 2011 and 2018, there has been a considerable number of new Arctic bird studies. This review article provides contemporary Hg exposure and potential health risk for 36 Arctic seabird and shorebird species, representing a larger portion of the Arctic than during previous AMAP assessments now also including parts of the Russian Arctic. To assess risk to birds, we used Hg toxicity benchmarks established for blood and converted to egg, liver, and feather tissues. Several Arctic seabird populations showed Hg concentrations that exceeded toxicity benchmarks, with 50 % of individual birds exceeding the "no adverse health effect" level. In particular, 5 % of all studied birds were considered to be at moderate or higher risk to Hg toxicity. However, most seabirds (95 %) were generally at lower risk to Hg toxicity. The highest Hg contamination was observed in seabirds breeding in the western Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Most Arctic shorebirds exhibited low Hg concentrations, with approximately 45 % of individuals categorized at no risk, 2.5 % at high risk category, and no individual at severe risk. Although the majority Arctic-breeding seabirds and shorebirds appeared at lower risk to Hg toxicity, recent studies have reported deleterious effects of Hg on some pituitary hormones, genotoxicity, and reproductive performance. Adult survival appeared unaffected by Hg exposure, although long-term banding studies incorporating Hg are still limited. Although Hg contamination across the Arctic is considered low for most bird species, Hg in combination with other stressors, including other contaminants, diseases, parasites, and climate change, may still cause adverse effects. Future investigations on the global impact of Hg on Arctic birds should be conducted within a multi-stressor framework. This information helps to address Article 22 (Effectiveness Evaluation) of the Minamata Convention on Mercury as a global pollutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France.
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 17000 La Rochelle, France.
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA 95620, United States.
| | - Céline Albert
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Niladri Basu
- McGill University, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Montreal, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | | | - Maud Brault-Favrou
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Jan Ove Bustnes
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, FRAM Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 75005 Paris, France
| | | | | | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Igor Eulaers
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram center, 9296 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Alexey Ezhov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute Russian Academy of Science, 183010 Vladimirskaya str. 17 Murmansk, Russia
| | - Abram B Fleishman
- Conservation Metrics, Inc., Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Maria Gavrilo
- Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, 199397 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Grant Gilchrist
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Raven Road, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0H3
| | - Olivier Gilg
- Laboratoire Chrono-environnement, UMR 6249, Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, 25000 Besançon, France; Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique, 16 rue de Vernot, F-21440 Francheville, France
| | - Sindri Gíslason
- Southwest Iceland Nature Research Centre, Gardvegur 1, 245 Sudurnesjabaer, Iceland
| | - Elena Golubova
- Laboratory of Ornithology, Institute of Biological Problems of the North, RU-685000 Magadan, Portovaya Str., 18, Russia
| | - Aurélie Goutte
- EPHE, PSL Research University, UMR 7619 METIS, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - David Grémillet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), UMR 5175 Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Montpellier, France,; Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Gunnar T Hallgrimsson
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, 102 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Erpur S Hansen
- South Iceland Nature Research Centre, Ægisgata 2, 900 Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
| | | | - Scott Hatch
- Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation, Anchorage, 99516-3185, AK, USA
| | - Nicholas P Huffeldt
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Dariusz Jakubas
- Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, University of Gdansk, 80-308 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jón Einar Jónsson
- University of Iceland's Research Center at Snæfellsnes, 340 Stykkishólmur, Iceland
| | - Alexander S Kitaysky
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology, Department of Biology & Wildlife, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7000, United States of America
| | | | - Yuri Krasnov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute Russian Academy of Science, 183010 Vladimirskaya str. 17 Murmansk, Russia
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Raven Road, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1A 0H3
| | | | - Mark Mallory
- Biology, Acadia University Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Flemming Ravn Merkel
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Børge Moe
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, 7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - William J Montevecchi
- Memorial Univerisity of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Newoundland A1C 3X9, Canada
| | - Anders Mosbech
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Bergur Olsen
- Faroe Marine Reseaqrch Institute, Nóatún 1, FO-110 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Rachael A Orben
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Sciences, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR, USA
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Science & Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0H3
| | | | - Tone K Reiertsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, FRAM Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Nora Rojek
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge, Homer, AK, USA
| | - Marc Romano
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge, Homer, AK, USA
| | - Jens Søndergaard
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Hallvard Strøm
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram center, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Akinori Takahashi
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | - Sabrina Tartu
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | | | - Jean-Baptiste Thiebot
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | - Alexis P Will
- University of Alaska Fairbanks, Institute of Arctic Biology, Department of Biology & Wildlife, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7000, United States of America; National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3 Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | - Simon Wilson
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) Secretariat, The Fram Centre, Box 6606, Stakkevollan, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Glenn Yannic
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Univ. Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, 38000 Grenoble, France
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12
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Costantini D, Blévin P, Bustnes JO, Esteve V, Gabrielsen GW, Herzke D, Humann-Guilleminot S, Moe B, Parenteau C, Récapet C, Bustamante P, Chastel O. Integument carotenoid-based colouration reflects contamination to perfluoroalkyl substances, but not mercury, in arctic black-legged kittiwakes. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.952765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities are introducing multiple chemical contaminants into ecosystems that act as stressors for wildlife. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and mercury (Hg) are two relevant contaminants that may cause detrimental effects on the fitness of many aquatic organisms. However, there is a lack of information on their impact on the expression of secondary sexual signals that animals use for mate choice. We have explored the correlations between integument carotenoid-based colourations, blood levels of carotenoids, and blood levels of seven PFAS and of total Hg (THg) in 50 adult male black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) from the Norwegian Arctic during the pre-laying period, while controlling for other colouration influencing variables such as testosterone and body condition. Kittiwakes with elevated blood concentrations of PFAS (PFOSlin, PFNA, PFDcA, PFUnA, or PFDoA) had less chromatic but brighter bills, and brighter gape and tongue; PFOSlin was the pollutant with the strongest association with bill colourations. Conversely, plasma testosterone was the only significant correlate of hue and chroma of both gape and tongue, and of hue of the bill. Kittiwakes with higher concentrations of any PFAS, but not of THg, tended to have significantly higher plasma concentrations of the carotenoids astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, and cryptoxanthin. Our work provides the first correlative evidence that PFAS exposure might interfere with the carotenoid metabolism and the expression of integument carotenoid-based colourations in a free-living bird species. This outcome may be a direct effect of PFAS exposure or be indirectly caused by components of diet that also correlate with elevated PFAS concentrations (e.g., proteins). It also suggests that there might be no additive effect of THg co-exposure with PFAS on the expression of colourations. These results call for further work on the possible interference of PFAS with the expression of colourations used in mate choice.
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13
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Lewis PJ, Lashko A, Chiaradia A, Allinson G, Shimeta J, Emmerson L. New and legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in breeding seabirds from the East Antarctic. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 309:119734. [PMID: 35835279 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are pervasive and a significant threat to the environment worldwide. Yet, reports of POP levels in Antarctic seabirds based on blood are scarce, resulting in significant geographical gaps. Blood concentrations offer a snapshot of contamination within live populations, and have been used widely for Arctic and Northern Hemisphere seabird species but less so in Antarctica. This paper presents levels of legacy POPs (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)) and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in the blood of five Antarctic seabird species breeding within Prydz Bay, East Antarctica. Legacy PCBs and OCPs were detected in all species sampled, with Adélie penguins showing comparatively high ∑PCB levels (61.1 ± 87.6 ng/g wet weight (ww)) compared to the four species of flying seabirds except the snow petrel (22.5 ± 15.5 ng/g ww), highlighting that legacy POPs are still present within Antarctic wildlife despite decades-long bans. Both PBDEs and NBFRs were detected in trace levels for all species and hexabromobenzene (HBB) was quantified in cape petrels (0.3 ± 0.2 ng/g ww) and snow petrels (0.2 ± 0.1 ng/g ww), comparable to concentrations found in Arctic seabirds. These results fill a significant data gap within the Antarctic region for POPs studies, representing a crucial step forward assessing the fate and impact of legacy POPs contamination in the Antarctic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe J Lewis
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia.
| | - Anna Lashko
- Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania, 7050, Australia
| | - Andre Chiaradia
- Conservation Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Victoria, 3925, Australia
| | - Graeme Allinson
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Jeff Shimeta
- School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria, 3001, Australia
| | - Louise Emmerson
- Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania, 7050, Australia
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14
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Ibañez AE, Mills WF, Bustamante P, McGill RAR, Morales LM, Palacio FX, Torres DS, Haidr NS, Mariano-Jelicich R, Phillips RA, Montalti D. Variation in blood mercury concentrations in brown skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus) is related to trophic ecology but not breeding success or adult body condition. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 181:113919. [PMID: 35816822 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113919] [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: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a pervasive environmental contaminant that can negatively impact seabirds. Here, we measure total mercury (THg) concentrations in red blood cells (RBCs) from breeding brown skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus) (n = 49) at Esperanza/Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. The aims of this study were to: (i) analyse RBCs THg concentrations in relation to sex, year and stable isotope values of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N); and (ii) examine correlations between THg, body condition and breeding success. RBC THg concentrations were positively correlated with δ15N, which is a proxy of trophic position, and hence likely reflects the biomagnification process. Levels of Hg contamination differed between our study years, which is likely related to changes in diet and distribution. RBC THg concentrations were not related to body condition or breeding success, suggesting that Hg contamination is currently not a major conservation concern for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- A E Ibañez
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - W F Mills
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - P Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Societes (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - R A R McGill
- Stable Isotope Ecology Lab, Natural Environment Isotope Facility, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride G75 0QF, UK
| | - L M Morales
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - F X Palacio
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - D S Torres
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - N S Haidr
- Unidad Ejecutora Lillo (CONICET - FML), San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - R Mariano-Jelicich
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), UNMdP-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - R A Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - D Montalti
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto Antártico Argentino, San Martin, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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15
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Persistent organic pollutants and mercury in a colony of Antarctic seabirds: higher concentrations in 1998, 2001, and 2003 compared to 2014 to 2016. Polar Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-022-03065-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AbstractOver decades, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and trace metals like mercury (Hg) have reached the remotest areas of the world such as Antarctica by atmospheric transport. Once deposited in polar areas, low temperatures, and limited solar radiation lead to long environmental residence times, allowing the toxic substances to accumulate in biota. We investigated the load of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs) and metabolites (DDEs, DDDs) in embryos from failed eggs of the smallest seabird breeding in Antarctica, the Wilson's storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) at King George Island (Isla 25 de Mayo). We compared samples of different developmental stages collected in 2001, 2003, and 2014 to 2016 to investigate changes in pollutant concentrations over time. We detected eight PCBs including the dioxin-like (dl) congeners PCB 105 and 118 (ΣPCBs: 59-3403 ng g−1 ww) as well as 4,4’-DDE, and 4,4’-DDD (ΣDDX: 19-1035 ng g−1 ww) in the embryos. Samples from the years 2001 and 2003 showed higher concentrations of PCBs than those from 2014 to 2016. Concentrations of DDX was similar in both time intervals. Furthermore, we determined Hg concentrations in egg membranes from 1998 to 2003, and 2014 to 2016. Similar to PCBs, Hg in egg membranes were higher in 1998 than in 2003, and higher in 2003 than in the years 2014 to 2016, suggesting a slow recovery of the pelagic Antarctic environment from the detected legacy pollutants. Embryos showed an increase in pollutant concentrations within the last third of their development. This finding indicates that contaminant concentrations may differ among developmental stages, and it should be taken into account in analyses on toxic impact during embryogenesis.
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16
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Carravieri A, Vincze O, Bustamante P, Ackerman JT, Adams EM, Angelier F, Chastel O, Cherel Y, Gilg O, Golubova E, Kitaysky A, Luff K, Seewagen CL, Strøm H, Will AP, Yannic G, Giraudeau M, Fort J. Quantitative meta-analysis reveals no association between mercury contamination and body condition in birds. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1253-1271. [PMID: 35174617 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mercury contamination is a major threat to the global environment, and is still increasing in some regions despite international regulations. The methylated form of mercury is hazardous to biota, yet its sublethal effects are difficult to detect in wildlife. Body condition can vary in response to stressors, but previous studies have shown mixed effects of mercury on body condition in wildlife. Using birds as study organisms, we provide the first quantitative synthesis of the effect of mercury on body condition in animals. In addition, we explored the influence of intrinsic, extrinsic and methodological factors potentially explaining cross-study heterogeneity in results. We considered experimental and correlative studies carried out in adult birds and chicks, and mercury exposure inferred from blood and feathers. Most experimental investigations (90%) showed a significant relationship between mercury concentrations and body condition. Experimental exposure to mercury disrupted nutrient (fat) metabolism, metabolic rates, and food intake, resulting in either positive or negative associations with body condition. Correlative studies also showed either positive or negative associations, of which only 14% were statistically significant. Therefore, the overall effect of mercury concentrations on body condition was null in both experimental (estimate ± SE = 0.262 ± 0.309, 20 effect sizes, five species) and correlative studies (-0.011 ± 0.020, 315 effect sizes, 145 species). The single and interactive effects of age class and tissue type were accounted for in meta-analytic models of the correlative data set, since chicks and adults, as well as blood and feathers, are known to behave differently in terms of mercury accumulation and health effects. Of the 15 moderators tested, only wintering status explained cross-study heterogeneity in the correlative data set: free-ranging wintering birds were more likely to show a negative association between mercury and body condition. However, wintering effect sizes were limited to passerines, further studies should thus confirm this trend in other taxa. Collectively, our results suggest that (i) effects of mercury on body condition are weak and mostly detectable under controlled conditions, and (ii) body condition indices are unreliable indicators of mercury sublethal effects in the wild. Food availability, feeding rates and other sources of variation that are challenging to quantify likely confound the association between mercury and body condition in natura. Future studies could explore the metabolic effects of mercury further using designs that allow for the estimation and/or manipulation of food intake in both wild and captive birds, especially in under-represented life-history stages such as migration and overwintering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Carravieri
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France
| | - Orsolya Vincze
- Centre for Ecological Research-DRI, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, 18/C Bem tér, Debrecen, 4026, Hungary.,Evolutionary Ecology Group, Hungarian Department of Biology and Ecology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 5-7 Clinicilor street, Cluj-Napoca, 400006, Romania
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France.,Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, U.S.A
| | - Evan M Adams
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, ME, 04103, U.S.A
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 405 Route de Prissé la Charrière, Villiers-en-Bois, 79360, France
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 405 Route de Prissé la Charrière, Villiers-en-Bois, 79360, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 405 Route de Prissé la Charrière, Villiers-en-Bois, 79360, France
| | - Olivier Gilg
- UMR 6249 CNRS-Chrono-environnement, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 16 route de Gray, Besançon, 25000, France.,Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique (GREA), 16 rue de Vernot, Francheville, 21440, France
| | - Elena Golubova
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique (GREA), 16 rue de Vernot, Francheville, 21440, France.,Institute of Biological Problems of the North, Russian Academy of Sciences, Portovaya Str., 18, Magadan, RU-685000, Russia
| | - Alexander Kitaysky
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2140 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, U.S.A
| | - Katelyn Luff
- Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, 112 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E2, Canada
| | - Chad L Seewagen
- Great Hollow Nature Preserve and Ecological Research Center, 225 State Route 37, New Fairfield, CT, 06812, U.S.A
| | - Hallvard Strøm
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway
| | - Alexis P Will
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2140 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, U.S.A
| | - Glenn Yannic
- Groupe de Recherche en Ecologie Arctique (GREA), 16 rue de Vernot, Francheville, 21440, France.,UMR 5553 CNRS-Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, 2233 Rue de la Piscine, Saint-Martin d'Hères, Grenoble, 38000, France
| | - Mathieu Giraudeau
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France.,Centre de Recherches en Écologie et en Évolution de la Santé (CREES), MIVEGEC, UMR IRD 224-CNRS 5290-Université de Montpellier, Domaine La Valette, 900 rue Breton, Montpellier, 34090, France
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France
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17
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Nalley EM, Tuttle LJ, Barkman AL, Conklin EE, Wulstein DM, Richmond RH, Donahue MJ. Water quality thresholds for coastal contaminant impacts on corals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 794:148632. [PMID: 34323749 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Reduced water quality degrades coral reefs, resulting in compromised ecosystem function and services to coastal communities. Increasing management capacity on reefs requires prioritization of the development of data-based water-quality thresholds and tipping points. To meet this urgent need of marine resource managers, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis that quantified the effects on scleractinian corals of chemical pollutants from land-based and atmospheric sources. We compiled a global dataset addressing the effects of these pollutants on coral growth, mortality, reproduction, physiology, and behavior. The resulting quantitative review of 55 articles includes information about industrial sources, modes of action, experimentally tested concentrations, and previously identified tolerance thresholds of corals to 13 metals, 18 pesticides, 5 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), and a pharmaceutical. For data-rich contaminants, we make more robust threshold estimates by adapting models for Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis that were originally developed for biopharmaceutical application. These models use information from multiple studies to characterize the dose-response relationships (i.e., Emax curves) between a pollutant's concentration and various measures of coral health. Metals used in antifouling paints, especially copper, have received a great deal of attention to-date, thus enabling us to estimate the cumulative impact of copper across coral's early life-history. The effects of other land-based pollutants on corals are comparatively understudied, which precludes more quantitative analysis. We discuss opportunities to improve future research so that it can be better integrated into quantitative assessments of the effects of more pollutant types on sublethal coral stress-responses. We also recommend that managers use this information to establish more conservative water quality thresholds that account for the synergistic effects of multiple pollutants on coral reefs. Ultimately, active remediation of local stressors will improve the resistance, resilience, and recovery of individual reefs and reef ecosystems facing the global threat of climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen M Nalley
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA.
| | - Lillian J Tuttle
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA; NOAA Pacific Islands Regional Office, Honolulu, HI 96860, USA
| | - Alexandria L Barkman
- Kewalo Marine Laboratory, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 41 Ahui Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Emily E Conklin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
| | - Devynn M Wulstein
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
| | - Robert H Richmond
- Kewalo Marine Laboratory, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 41 Ahui Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Megan J Donahue
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, 46-007 Lilipuna Road, Kāne'ohe, HI 96744, USA
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18
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Clatterbuck CA, Lewison RL, Orben RA, Ackerman JT, Torres LG, Suryan RM, Warzybok P, Jahncke J, Shaffer SA. Foraging in marine habitats increases mercury concentrations in a generalist seabird. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 279:130470. [PMID: 34134398 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury concentrations vary widely across geographic space and among habitat types, with marine and aquatic-feeding organisms typically exhibiting higher mercury concentrations than terrestrial-feeding organisms. However, there are few model organisms to directly compare mercury concentrations as a result of foraging in marine, estuarine, or terrestrial food webs. The ecological impacts of differential foraging may be especially important for generalist species that exhibit high plasticity in foraging habitats, locations, or diet. Here, we investigate whether foraging habitat, sex, or fidelity to a foraging area impact blood mercury concentrations in western gulls (Larus occidentalis) from three colonies on the US west coast. Cluster analyses showed that nearly 70% of western gulls foraged primarily in ocean or coastal habitats, whereas the remaining gulls foraged in terrestrial and freshwater habitats. Gulls that foraged in ocean or coastal habitats for half or more of their foraging locations had 55% higher mercury concentrations than gulls that forage in freshwater and terrestrial habitats. Ocean-foraging gulls also had lower fidelity to a specific foraging area than freshwater and terrestrial-foraging gulls, but fidelity and sex were unrelated to gull blood mercury concentrations in all models. These findings support existing research that has described elevated mercury levels in species using aquatic habitats. Our analyses also demonstrate that gulls can be used to detect differences in contaminant exposure over broad geographic scales and across coarse habitat types, a factor that may influence gull health and persistence of other populations that forage across the land-sea gradient.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Rachael A Orben
- Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR, USA
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Leigh G Torres
- Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR, USA
| | - Robert M Suryan
- Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR, USA
| | | | | | - Scott A Shaffer
- San José State University, Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose, CA, USA
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19
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Barbraud C, des Monstiers B, Chaigne A, Marteau C, Weimerskirch H, Delord K. Predation by feral cats threatens great albatrosses. Biol Invasions 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-021-02512-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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20
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Burkart L, Olivier A, Lourdais O, Vittecoq M, Blouin-Demers G, Alliot F, Le Gac C, Martin N, Goutte A. Determinants of Legacy Persistent Organic Pollutant Levels in the European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the Camargue Wetland, France. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:2261-2268. [PMID: 33928683 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5077] [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: 12/04/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Many banned persistent organic pollutants (POPs) remain for decades in the aquatic environment and can have harmful effects on long-lived predators because of their high bioaccumulation and biomagnification potentials. We investigated the occurrence and levels of 18 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 16 organochlorine pesticides in European pond turtles (n = 174) from April to July 2018 in the Camargue wetland, France. Although the Camargue was highly contaminated in previous decades, plasma occurrence and levels of POPs were very low: we were able to quantify only 3 of the 34 compounds we analyzed in >10% of the turtles. The burdens from POPs did not differ between males and females and were uncorrelated with sampling date and body mass. We observed differences in POP burdens between turtles from the 2 sampling sites. One possible explanation is that the sampling sites were in different agricultural hydraulic systems: plasma occurrence and levels were higher for PCB-52 and hexachlorobenzene in turtles captured in drainage channels and for PCB-153 at the site that receives irrigation. Finally, the occurrence and levels of PCB-153 in turtles increased with age, likely because of bioaccumulation and much higher exposure 20 to 30 yr ago than now. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2261-2268. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisiane Burkart
- École Pratique des Hautes Études, PSL Research University, UMR 7619 Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Anthony Olivier
- La Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, Arles, France
| | - Olivier Lourdais
- Centre d'études biologiques de Chizé, CNRS, UMR 7372, Villiers en Bois, France
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Marion Vittecoq
- La Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, Arles, France
- MIGEVEC Laboratoire maladies infectieuses & vecteurs: écologie, génétique évolution et contrôle, UMR (CNRS/IRD 224/UM), Montpellier, France
| | | | - Fabrice Alliot
- École Pratique des Hautes Études, PSL Research University, UMR 7619 Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Clément Le Gac
- La Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, Arles, France
| | - Nicolas Martin
- La Tour du Valat, Research Institute for the Conservation of Mediterranean Wetlands, Arles, France
| | - Aurélie Goutte
- École Pratique des Hautes Études, PSL Research University, UMR 7619 Sorbonne University, Paris, France
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21
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Lemaire J, Marquis O, Bustamante P, Mangione R, Brischoux F. I got it from my mother: Inter-nest variation of mercury concentration in neonate Smooth-fronted Caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus) suggests maternal transfer and possible phenotypical effects. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 194:110494. [PMID: 33220243 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110494] [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: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The deleterious effects of mercury (Hg) contamination are well documented in humans and wildlife. Chronic exposure via diet and maternal transfer are two pathways which increase the toxicological risk for wild populations. However, few studies examined the physiological impact of Hg in crocodilians. We investigated the Hg contamination in neonate Smooth-fronted Caimans, Paleosuchus trigonatus, and the use of keratinized tissues and blood to evaluate maternal transfer. Between November 2017 and February 2020, we sampled 38 neonates from 4 distinct nests. Mercury concentration was measured in claws, scutes and total blood. Highest Hg concentrations were found in claws. Strong inter-nest variations (Hg ranging from 0.17 ± 0.02 to 0.66 ± 0.07 μg.g-1 dw) presumably reflect maternal transfer. Reduced body size in neonates characterized by elevated Hg concentrations suggests an influence of Hg during embryonic development. We emphasize the use of claws as an alternative to egg collection to investigate maternal transfer in crocodilians. Our results demonstrated the need of further investigation of the impact of Hg contamination in the first life stages of crocodilians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémy Lemaire
- Centre D'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, (CEBC) UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France; Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France.
| | - Olivier Marquis
- Muséum National D'Histoire Naturelle, Parc Zoologique de Paris, 53 Avenue de Saint Maurice, 75012, Paris, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 Rue Descartes, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Rosanna Mangione
- Haus des Meeres Aqua Terra Zoo GmbH, Fritz-Grünbaum Platz 1, 1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - François Brischoux
- Centre D'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, (CEBC) UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360, Villiers en Bois, France
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22
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Thébault J, Bustamante P, Massaro M, Taylor G, Quillfeldt P. Influence of Species-Specific Feeding Ecology on Mercury Concentrations in Seabirds Breeding on the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:454-472. [PMID: 33201544 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that accumulates in organisms and biomagnifies along food webs; hence, long-lived predators such as seabirds are at risk as a result of high Hg bioaccumulation. Seabirds have been widely used to monitor the contamination of marine ecosystems. In the present study, we investigated Hg concentrations in blood, muscle, and feathers of 7 procellariform seabirds breeding on the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. Using bulk and compound-specific stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen as a proxy of trophic position and distribution, we also tested whether Hg contamination is related to the species-specific feeding ecology. Mercury exposure varied widely within the seabird community. The highest contaminated species, the Magenta petrel, had approximately 29 times more Hg in its blood than the broad-billed prion, and approximately 35 times more Hg in its feathers than the grey-backed storm petrel. Variations of Hg concentrations in blood and feathers were significantly and positively linked to feeding habitats and trophic position, highlighting the occurrence of efficient Hg biomagnification processes along the food web. Species and feeding habitats were the 2 main drivers of Hg exposure within the seabird community. The Pterodroma species had high blood and feather Hg concentrations, which can be caused by their specific physiology and/or because of their foraging behavior during the interbreeding period (i.e., from the Tasman Sea to the Humboldt Current system). These 2 threatened species are at risk of suffering detrimental effects from Hg contamination and further studies are required to investigate potential negative impacts, especially on their reproduction capability. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:454-472. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justine Thébault
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, La Rochelle, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Melanie Massaro
- Institute for Land, Water and Society, School of Environmental Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia
| | - Graeme Taylor
- Department of Conservation, Biodiversity Group, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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23
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Celik E, Durmus A, Adizel O, Nergiz Uyar H. A bibliometric analysis: what do we know about metals(loids) accumulation in wild birds? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:10302-10334. [PMID: 33481198 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12344-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Metals and metalloids pollution is an important worldwide problem due to the social and ecological effects and therefore has been the subject of many disciplines and the adverse impacts have been documented. In this study, content analysis and trends of studies focused on heavy metal accumulation in birds were presented. For this purpose, a bibliometric network analysis of the studies that use the concepts of "pollution," "heavy metal," and "birds" together in the abstract, keywords, and titles of the papers was carried out. The purpose of choosing this research method was summarizing the relation between birds and environmental pollution in an understandable manner to determine metals(loids) pollution, which become an important environmental problem. Bibliometric data consisting of approximately 971 papers were evaluated with VOSviewer program using the network analysis method to answer the research questions. The results revealed that birds act as bioindicators in the determination of environmental pollution and that the contaminant metals deposited in the various tissues of birds provide preliminary information about environmental pollution. The most of bird studies emphasized that the metal accumulation was mostly in the liver, kidneys, and feathers and the accumulation caused serious problems in most of the vital activities of the birds. The USA is in the leading country in birds-heavy metal studies followed by Spain, Canada, and China. In addition, the mercury (Hg) was the most extensively studied heavy metal in these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emrah Celik
- Vocational School of Technical Sciences, Department of Forestry, Hunting and Wildlife Program, Igdir University, Igdir, Turkey.
| | - Atilla Durmus
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Zoology, Van Yuzuncu Yıl University, Van, Turkey
| | - Ozdemir Adizel
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Zoology, Van Yuzuncu Yıl University, Van, Turkey
| | - Humeyra Nergiz Uyar
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology, Bitlis Eren University, Bitlis, Turkey
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24
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Carravieri A, Warner NA, Herzke D, Brault-Favrou M, Tarroux A, Fort J, Bustamante P, Descamps S. Trophic and fitness correlates of mercury and organochlorine compound residues in egg-laying Antarctic petrels. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 193:110518. [PMID: 33245882 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the drivers and effects of exposure to contaminants such as mercury (Hg) and organochlorine compounds (OCs) in Antarctic wildlife is still limited. Yet, Hg and OCs have known physiological and fitness effects in animals, with consequences on their populations. Here we measured total Hg (a proxy of methyl-Hg) in blood cells and feathers, and 12 OCs (seven polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, and five organochlorine pesticides, OCPs) in plasma of 30 breeding female Antarctic petrels Thalassoica antarctica from one of the largest colonies in Antarctica (Svarthamaren, Dronning Maud Land). This colony is declining and there is poor documentation on the potential role played by contaminants on individual physiology and fitness. Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope values measured in the females' blood cells and feathers served as proxies of their feeding ecology during the pre-laying (austral spring) and moulting (winter) periods, respectively. We document feather Hg concentrations (mean ± SD, 2.41 ± 0.83 μg g-1 dry weight, dw) for the first time in this species. Blood cell Hg concentrations (1.38 ± 0.43 μg g-1 dw) were almost twice as high as those reported in a recent study, and increased with pre-laying trophic position (blood cell δ15N). Moulting trophic ecology did not predict blood Hg concentrations. PCB concentrations were very low (Σ7PCBs, 0.35 ± 0.31 ng g-1 wet weight, ww). Among OCPs, HCB (1.02 ± 0.36 ng g-1 ww) and p, p'-DDE (1.02 ± 1.49 ng g-1 ww) residues were comparable to those of ecologically-similar polar seabirds, while Mirex residues (0.72 ± 0.35 ng g-1 ww) were higher. PCB and OCP concentrations showed no clear relationship with pre-laying or moulting feeding ecology, indicating that other factors overcome dietary drivers. OC residues were inversely related to body condition, suggesting stronger release of OCs into the circulation of egg-laying females upon depletion of their lipid reserves. Egg volume, hatching success, chick body condition and survival were not related to maternal Hg or OC concentrations. Legacy contaminant exposure does not seem to represent a threat for the breeding fraction of this population over the short term. Yet, exposure to contaminants, especially Mirex, and other concurring environmental stressors should be monitored over the long-term in this declining population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Carravieri
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France.
| | - Nicholas A Warner
- NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway; UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Hansine Hansens veg 18, Tromsø, 9037, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway; UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Hansine Hansens veg 18, Tromsø, 9037, Norway
| | - Maud Brault-Favrou
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France
| | - Arnaud Tarroux
- NINA-Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, NO-9296, Norway
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS- La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, La Rochelle, 17000, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 Rue Descartes, Paris, 75005, France
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25
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Molbert N, Angelier F, Alliot F, Ribout C, Goutte A. Fish from urban rivers and with high pollutant levels have shorter telomeres. Biol Lett 2021; 17:20200819. [PMID: 33465329 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental pressures, such as urbanization and exposure to pollutants may jeopardize survival of free-living animals. Yet, much remains to be known about physiological and ecological responses to currently-released pollutants, especially in wild vertebrate ectotherms. We tested the effect of urbanization and pollution (phthalates, organochlorine and pyrethroid pesticides, polychlorobiphenyls, polybromodiphenylethers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and some of their metabolites) on telomere length, a suggested biomarker of life expectancy, in the European chub, Squalius cephalus, from urban and agricultural rivers of the Marne hydrographic network, France. We showed that telomere length was reduced in chub from urban rivers. Moreover, among the wide range of anthropogenic contaminants investigated, high levels of phthalate metabolites in liver were associated with shorter telomeres. This study suggests that urbanization and chemical pollution may compromise survival of wild fish, by accelerating telomere attrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noëlie Molbert
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, EPHE, UMR METIS, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Fabrice Alliot
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, EPHE, UMR METIS, 75005 Paris, France.,EPHE, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Ribout
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers en Bois, France
| | - Aurélie Goutte
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, EPHE, UMR METIS, 75005 Paris, France.,EPHE, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
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26
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Albert C, Helgason HH, Brault-Favrou M, Robertson GJ, Descamps S, Amélineau F, Danielsen J, Dietz R, Elliott K, Erikstad KE, Eulaers I, Ezhov A, Fitzsimmons MG, Gavrilo M, Golubova E, Grémillet D, Hatch S, Huffeldt NP, Jakubas D, Kitaysky A, Kolbeinsson Y, Krasnov Y, Lorentsen SH, Lorentzen E, Mallory ML, Merkel B, Merkel FR, Montevecchi W, Mosbech A, Olsen B, Orben RA, Patterson A, Provencher J, Plumejeaud C, Pratte I, Reiertsen TK, Renner H, Rojek N, Romano M, Strøm H, Systad GH, Takahashi A, Thiebot JB, Thórarinsson TL, Will AP, Wojczulanis-Jakubas K, Bustamante P, Fort J. Seasonal variation of mercury contamination in Arctic seabirds: A pan-Arctic assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 750:142201. [PMID: 33182207 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a natural trace element found in high concentrations in top predators, including Arctic seabirds. Most current knowledge about Hg concentrations in Arctic seabirds relates to exposure during the summer breeding period when researchers can easily access seabirds at colonies. However, the few studies focused on winter have shown higher Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period than breeding period in several tissues. Hence, improving knowledge about Hg exposure during the non-breeding period is crucial to understanding the threats and risks encountered by these species year-round. We used feathers of nine migratory alcid species occurring at high latitudes to study bird Hg exposure during both the breeding and non-breeding periods. Overall, Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period were ~3 times higher than during the breeding period. In addition, spatial differences were apparent within and between the Atlantic and Pacific regions. While Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period were ~9 times and ~3 times higher than during the breeding period for the West and East Atlantic respectively, Hg concentrations in the Pacific during the non-breeding period were only ~1.7 times higher than during the breeding period. In addition, individual Hg concentrations during the non-breeding period for most of the seabird colonies were above 5 μg g-1 dry weight (dw), which is considered to be the threshold at which deleterious effects are observed, suggesting that some breeding populations might be vulnerable to non-breeding Hg exposure. Since wintering area locations, and migration routes may influence seasonal Hg concentrations, it is crucial to improve our knowledge about spatial ecotoxicology to fully understand the risks associated with Hg contamination in Arctic seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Albert
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, FR-17000 La Rochelle, France.
| | - Hálfdán Helgi Helgason
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framcentre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Maud Brault-Favrou
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, FR-17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Gregory J Robertson
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment Climate Change Canada, 6 Bruce Street, Mount Pearl, NL A1N 4T3, Canada
| | - Sébastien Descamps
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framcentre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Françoise Amélineau
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Jóhannis Danielsen
- The Faroese Marine Research Institute, Nóatún 1, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Rune Dietz
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Kyle Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Kjell Einar Erikstad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, PO Box 6606, Langnes, NO-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Alexey Ezhov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, 17 Vladimirskaya street, 183010 Murmansk, Russia
| | - Michelle G Fitzsimmons
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment Climate Change Canada, 6 Bruce Street, Mount Pearl, NL A1N 4T3, Canada
| | - Maria Gavrilo
- Association Maritime Heritage, RU - 199106, Icebreaker "Krassin", The Lieutenant Schmidt emb., 23 Line, Saint-Petersburg, Russia; National Park Russian Arctic, RU-168000, Sovetskikh kosmonavtov ave., 57, Archangelsk, Russia
| | - Elena Golubova
- Laboratory of Ornithology, Institute of Biological Problems of the North, RU-685000 Magadan, Portovaya Str., 18, Russia
| | - David Grémillet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France; FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, UCT, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372-CNRS, La Rochelle Université, France
| | - Scott Hatch
- Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation, Anchorage 99516-3185, AK, USA
| | - Nicholas P Huffeldt
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Dariusz Jakubas
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Biology, Dept. of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, Wita Stwosza 59, PL-80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Alexander Kitaysky
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Yann Kolbeinsson
- Northeast Iceland Nature Research Centre, Hafnarstétt 3, 640 Húsavík, Iceland
| | - Yuri Krasnov
- Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, 17 Vladimirskaya street, 183010 Murmansk, Russia
| | - Svein-Håkon Lorentsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Høgskoleringen 9, NO-7034 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Erlend Lorentzen
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framcentre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Mark L Mallory
- Acadia University, 33 Westwood Avenue, Wolfville B4P 2R6, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Benjamin Merkel
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framcentre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Flemming Ravn Merkel
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - William Montevecchi
- Psychology Department, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland A1M 2Y8, Canada
| | - Anders Mosbech
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Bergur Olsen
- The Faroese Marine Research Institute, Nóatún 1, FO-100 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
| | - Rachael A Orben
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Hatfield Marine Science Center, 2030 SE Marine Science Dr., Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - Allison Patterson
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Jennifer Provencher
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Place Vincent Massey, 351 St. Joseph Blvd, Hull, Quebec K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Christine Plumejeaud
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, FR-17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Isabeau Pratte
- Acadia University, 33 Westwood Avenue, Wolfville B4P 2R6, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Tone Kristin Reiertsen
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), FRAM - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, PO Box 6606, Langnes, NO-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Heather Renner
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge, Homer, AK, USA
| | - Nora Rojek
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge, Homer, AK, USA
| | - Marc Romano
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Maritime Wildlife Refuge, Homer, AK, USA
| | - Hallvard Strøm
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Framcentre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Geir Helge Systad
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Thormøhlensgate 55, N0-5006 Bergen, Norway
| | - Akinori Takahashi
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3, Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | - Jean-Baptiste Thiebot
- National Institute of Polar Research, 10-3, Midori-cho, Tachikawa, Tokyo 190-8518, Japan
| | | | - Alexis P Will
- Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - Katarzyna Wojczulanis-Jakubas
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Biology, Dept. of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, Wita Stwosza 59, PL-80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, FR-17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, FR-17000 La Rochelle, France.
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27
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Mills WF, Bustamante P, McGill RAR, Anderson ORJ, Bearhop S, Cherel Y, Votier SC, Phillips RA. Mercury exposure in an endangered seabird: long-term changes and relationships with trophic ecology and breeding success. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 287:20202683. [PMID: 33352077 PMCID: PMC7779510 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is an environmental contaminant which, at high concentrations, can negatively influence avian physiology and demography. Albatrosses (Diomedeidae) have higher Hg burdens than all other avian families. Here, we measure total Hg (THg) concentrations of body feathers from adult grey-headed albatrosses (Thalassarche chrysostoma) at South Georgia. Specifically, we (i) analyse temporal trends at South Georgia (1989-2013) and make comparisons with other breeding populations; (ii) identify factors driving variation in THg concentrations and (iii) examine relationships with breeding success. Mean ± s.d. feather THg concentrations were 13.0 ± 8.0 µg g-1 dw, which represents a threefold increase over the past 25 years at South Georgia and is the highest recorded in the Thalassarche genus. Foraging habitat, inferred from stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C), significantly influenced THg concentrations-feathers moulted in Antarctic waters had far lower THg concentrations than those moulted in subantarctic or subtropical waters. THg concentrations also increased with trophic level (δ15N), reflecting the biomagnification process. There was limited support for the influence of sex, age and previous breeding outcome on feather THg concentrations. However, in males, Hg exposure was correlated with breeding outcome-failed birds had significantly higher feather THg concentrations than successful birds. These results provide key insights into the drivers and consequences of Hg exposure in this globally important albatross population.
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Affiliation(s)
- William F Mills
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK.,Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266, CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France.,Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Rona A R McGill
- NERC Life Sciences Mass Spectrometry Facility, Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride G75 0QF, UK
| | - Orea R J Anderson
- Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Inverdee House, Baxter Street, Aberdeen AB11 9QA, UK
| | - Stuart Bearhop
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | | | - Richard A Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
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28
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Zabala J, Trexler JC, Jayasena N, Frederick P. Early Breeding Failure in Birds Due to Environmental Toxins: A Potentially Powerful but Hidden Effect of Contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:13786-13796. [PMID: 33103894 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Toxin emissions and legacies are major global issues affecting many species through, among other effects, endocrine disruption and reproductive impairment. Assessment of toxin risk to wildlife focuses mostly on offspring-related metrics, while the lack of breeding initiation or early breeding failure has received less attention. We tested whether exposure to methyl mercury (MeHg) results in early breeding failure and reduced number of breeding birds using observational and experimental data. We used 21 years of numbers of breeding pairs of colonially breeding wild Great Egrets (Ardea alba) in response to annual and geographical variation upon exposure to environmental MeHg. After controlling for food availability, we found a strong negative association between MeHg exposure and the number of breeding Great Egrets. We report reductions of >50% in breeding numbers under exposure levels otherwise associated with <20% reduction in post-egg-laying breeding success. Experimental exposure of White Ibises (Eudocimus albus) to MeHg also caused early breeding failure and a ∼20% reduction in breeding numbers at environmentally relevant exposures. The demographic consequences of reductions in breeding pairs are additive to known and typically studied impairments in postlaying reproductive success. Net demographic effects of exposure to endocrine disruptors may often be strongly underestimated if early breeding failure is not measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jabi Zabala
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Joel C Trexler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, Florida 33181, United States
| | - Nilmini Jayasena
- Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya 20400, Sri Lanka
| | - Peter Frederick
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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29
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Lewis PJ, McGrath TJ, Chiaradia A, McMahon CR, Emmerson L, Allinson G, Shimeta J. A baseline for POPs contamination in Australian seabirds: little penguins vs. short-tailed shearwaters. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 159:111488. [PMID: 32738640 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
While globally distributed throughout the world's ecosystems, there is little baseline information on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in marine environments in Australia and, more broadly, the Southern Hemisphere. To fill this knowledge gap, we collected baseline information on POPs in migratory short-tailed shearwaters (Ardenna tenuirostris) from Fisher Island, Tasmania, and resident little penguins (Eudyptula minor) from Phillip Island, Victoria. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were determined from blood samples, with total contamination ranging 7.6-47.7 ng/g ww for short-tailed shearwaters and 0.12-46.9 ng/g ww for little penguins. In both species contamination followed the same pattern where PCBs>OCPs>BFRs. BFR levels included the presence of the novel flame retardant hexabromobenzene (HBB). These novel results of POPs in seabirds in southeast Australia provide important information on the local (penguins) and global (shearwaters) distribution of POPs in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe J Lewis
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (EnSuRe), School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia; Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia.
| | - Thomas J McGrath
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Andre Chiaradia
- Conservation Department, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Victoria 3925, Australia
| | - Clive R McMahon
- IMOS Animal Tagging, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, 19 Chowder Bay, Mosman 2088, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Louise Emmerson
- Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston, Tasmania 7050, Australia
| | - Graeme Allinson
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (EnSuRe), School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
| | - Jeff Shimeta
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (EnSuRe), School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia
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30
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Gaukler SM, Murphy SM, Berryhill JT, Thompson BE, Sutter BJ, Hathcock CD. Investigating effects of soil chemicals on density of small mammal bioindicators using spatial capture-recapture models. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238870. [PMID: 32941472 PMCID: PMC7498087 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring the ecological impacts of environmental pollution and the effectiveness of remediation efforts requires identifying relationships between contaminants and the disruption of biological processes in populations, communities, or ecosystems. Wildlife are useful bioindicators, but traditional comparative experimental approaches rely on a staunch and typically unverifiable assumption that, in the absence of contaminants, reference and contaminated sites would support the same densities of bioindicators, thereby inferring direct causation from indirect data. We demonstrate the utility of spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models for overcoming these issues, testing if community density of common small mammal bioindicators was directly influenced by soil chemical concentrations. By modeling density as an inhomogeneous Poisson point process, we found evidence for an inverse spatial relationship between Peromyscus density and soil mercury concentrations, but not other chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, at a site formerly occupied by a nuclear reactor. Although the coefficient point estimate supported Peromyscus density being lower where mercury concentrations were higher (β = –0.44), the 95% confidence interval overlapped zero, suggesting no effect was also compatible with our data. Estimated density from the most parsimonious model (2.88 mice/ha; 95% CI = 1.63–5.08), which did not support a density-chemical relationship, was within the range of reported densities for Peromyscus that did not inhabit contaminated sites elsewhere. Environmental pollution remains a global threat to biodiversity and ecosystem and human health, and our study provides an illustrative example of the utility of SCR models for investigating the effects that chemicals may have on wildlife bioindicator populations and communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon M. Gaukler
- Environmental Stewardship Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SMG); (CDH)
| | - Sean M. Murphy
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States of America
| | - Jesse T. Berryhill
- Environmental Stewardship Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Brent E. Thompson
- Environmental Stewardship Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Benjamin J. Sutter
- Infrastructure Program Office, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Charles D. Hathcock
- Environmental Stewardship Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SMG); (CDH)
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31
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Soldatini C, Sebastiano M, Albores-Barajas YV, Abdelgawad H, Bustamante P, Costantini D. Mercury exposure in relation to foraging ecology and its impact on the oxidative status of an endangered seabird. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 724:138131. [PMID: 32247131 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a natural element extensively found in the Earth's crust, released to the atmosphere and waters by natural processes. Since the industrial revolution, atmospheric deposition of Hg showed a three-to-five-fold enrichment due to human activities. Marine top predators such as seabirds are recognized valuable bioindicators of ocean health and sensitive victims of Hg toxic effects. Hg negatively affects almost any aspect of avian physiology; thus, birds prove valuable to study the effect of Hg exposure in vertebrates. The Black-vented Shearwater is endemic to the North-Eastern Pacific Ocean, where it forages along the Baja California Peninsula during the breeding period. The area has no industrial settlement and is in the southern portion of the California Current System (CCS). After observing possible contamination effects in eggshells, we decided to quantify the exposure of breeding birds to Hg and test for possible effects on oxidative status of the species. The concentration of Hg in erythrocytes averaged 1.84 μg/g dw and varied from 1.41 to 2.40 μg/g dw. Males and females had similar Hg concentrations. The individual trophic level (reflected by δ15N) did not explain Hg exposure. In contrast, individuals foraging inshore had higher Hg concentrations than those foraging more offshore (reflected by δ13C). Shearwaters having higher concentrations of Hg had lower activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase and showed lower non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity. Levels of plasma oxidative damage, superoxide dismutase and catalase were not associated with Hg. Our results indicate that (i) the foraging habitat is the factor explaining Hg exposure and (ii) there is some evidence for potential harmful effects of Hg exposure to this seabird species of conservation concern. CAPSULE: The foraging habitat is the factor explaining Hg exposure in seabirds and we observed potential harmful effects of Hg exposure in a seabird species of conservation concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Soldatini
- Centro de Investigación Científica y Educación Superior de Ensenada - Unidad La Paz, Calle Miraflores 334, La Paz, Baja California Sur 23050, Mexico
| | - Manrico Sebastiano
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS- Université La Rochelle, France
| | - Yuri V Albores-Barajas
- CONACYT, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Av. Insurgentes Sur 1582, Col. Crédito Constructor, Alcaldía Benito Juárez, C.P. 03940 Mexico City, Mexico; Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Sur. Km. 5.5 Carr. 1, La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico.
| | - Hamada Abdelgawad
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 rue Descartes, 75005 Paris, France
| | - David Costantini
- Unité Physiologie moléculaire et adaptation (PhyMA), Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, CP32, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France
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Bond AL, Jones IL. Relationships between mercury burden, sex, and sexually selected feather ornaments in crested auklet (Aethia cristatella). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:16640-16645. [PMID: 32130640 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-08219-z] [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: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with higher contaminant burdens are expected to be in poorer physical health and be of lower individual body condition and energetic status, potentially resulting in reduced ornamentation or increased asymmetry in bilateral features. The degree and magnitude of this effect also would be expected to vary by sex, as female birds depurate contaminants into eggs. We tested for relationships among mercury in feathers, sex, and elaborate feather ornaments that relate to individual quality in crested auklets (Aethia cristatella), small planktivorous seabirds in the North Pacific Ocean. We found no relationships between mercury and the size of individuals' forehead crest or degree of measurement asymmetry in auricular plumes, both of which are favoured by intersexual selection. Females had significantly greater mercury concentrations than males (females. 1.02 ± 0.39 μg/g; males, 0.75 ± 0.32 μg/g); but concentrations were below that known to have physiological effects, as expected for a secondary consumer. Sex differences in overwintering area for this long-distance migrant species (more females in the Kuroshio Current Large Marine Ecosystem than males) could be the reason for this seemingly counterintuitive result between sexes. Further research relating mercury burden to overwintering ecology and diet contents would build on our results and further elucidate interrelationships between sex, sexually selected feather ornaments and contaminant burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander L Bond
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3X9, Canada.
- Bird Group, Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 6AP, UK.
| | - Ian L Jones
- Department of Biology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1B 3X9, Canada
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Pilcher N, Gaw S, Eisert R, Horton TW, Gormley AM, Cole TL, Lyver PO. Latitudinal, sex and inter-specific differences in mercury and other trace metal concentrations in Adélie and Emperor penguins in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 154:111047. [PMID: 32319892 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We sought to determine mercury (Hg) and other trace metal concentrations in Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae) and emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) breast feathers from the Ross Sea, Antarctica, and relate those concentrations to the trophic position and the habitats in which each of these species forage. Adélie penguin feathers from the southern Ross Sea colonies were higher in Hg than those sampled further north in the Ross Sea, potentially due to greater exposure to local sources, such as volcanism. Female Adélie penguins had lower feather total Hg concentrations than males. This may reflect female penguin's capacity to eliminate Hg through the egg development and laying process, or the larger and/or older prey items that male birds can consume, reflected by their higher trophic position. Emperor penguins have higher Hg concentrations than Adélie penguins which is also partially explained by Adélie penguins feeding at lower trophic levels than emperor penguins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Pilcher
- School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Sally Gaw
- School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Regina Eisert
- Gateway Antarctica, Department of Geography, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Travis W Horton
- Department of Geology, University of Canterbury, New Zealand
| | - Andrew M Gormley
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand
| | - Theresa L Cole
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Phil O'B Lyver
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand.
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Mo L, Zheng X, Zhu C, Sun Y, Yu L, Luo X, Mai B. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in oriental magpie-robins from e-waste, urban, and rural sites: Site-specific biomagnification of POPs. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 186:109758. [PMID: 31600649 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Plenty of banned and emerging persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), dechlorane plus (DP), and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), were measured in oriental magpie-robins from an e-waste recycling site, an urban site (Guangzhou City), and a rural site in South China. Median concentrations of DDTs, PCBs, PBDEs, DP, and DBDPE ranged from 1,000-1,313, 800-59,368, 244-5,740, 24.1-127, and 14.7-36.0 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. Birds from the e-waste site had significantly higher concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs than those from urban and rural sites (p < 0.05), implying contamination of PCBs and PBDEs brought by e-waste recycling activities. DDTs were the predominant POPs in birds from urban and rural sites. The values of δ15N were significantly and positively correlated with concentrations of p,p'-DDE and low-halogenated chemicals in samples from the e-waste site (p < 0.05), indicating the trophic magnification of these chemicals in birds. However, concentrations of most POPs were not significantly correlated with the δ15N values in birds from urban and rural sites. PCBs and PBDEs in birds from urban and rural sites were not likely from local sources, and the biomagnification of POPs in different sites needed to be further investigated with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Mo
- Hainan Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Haikou, 510100, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization and State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Xiaobo Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization and State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China; College of Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
| | - Chunyou Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization and State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Yuxin Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China.
| | - Lehuan Yu
- School of Biology and Food Engineering, Guangdong University of Education, Guangzhou, 510303, China
| | - Xiaojun Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization and State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Bixian Mai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resources Utilization and State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
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Furtado R, Pereira ME, Granadeiro JP, Catry P. Body feather mercury and arsenic concentrations in five species of seabirds from the Falkland Islands. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 149:110574. [PMID: 31546110 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110574] [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: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Several pollutants, including heavy metals, magnify along the food chain, and top predators such as seabirds can be used to monitor their trends in the marine environment. We studied mercury and arsenic contamination in body feathers in penguins, petrels and cormorants in three islands of the Falklands Islands. There were significant differences among species and sites in the concentration of trace elements in feathers. Black-browed albatrosses and gentoo penguins had consistently high mercury concentrations on New Island, while Rockhopper penguins and imperial shags presented considerably higher concentrations at Beauchene Island. Mercury levels in black-browed albatrosses increased since 1986 on one of the islands, probably reflecting world-wide emission trends. Rockhopper penguins exhibited high arsenic levels, but levels were less variable among species, and were not correlated with mercury levels, suggesting low biomagnification. These results provide a reference line for bioindication studies using feathers from species on the Falkland Islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Furtado
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Maria Eduarda Pereira
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies/REQUINTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - José Pedro Granadeiro
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Paulo Catry
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Lisboa, Portugal.
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Kucharska K, Binkowski ŁJ, Batoryna M, Dudzik K, Zaguła G, Stawarz R. Blood mercury levels in mute swans (Cygnus olor) are not related to sex, but are related to age, with no blood parameter implications. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 252:21-30. [PMID: 31146235 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of mercury (Hg) were examined in the blood of mute swans from rural breeding sites and urban wintering areas in southern parts of Poland, Europe. The birds were classified into three age groups: cygnets, juveniles and adults. To investigate the potential impact of Hg on birds, hematocrit (Ht), reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and morphometric measurements were taken. Using morphometric parameters, we stated that all mute swans sampled were in good condition. The mercury concentrations found were rather low and differed between birds from industrialized wintering areas and rural breeding areas (means 7 ng/mL and 2 ng/mL, respectively). We found no difference in Hg concentrations between the sexes, but concentrations varied significantly between age groups (cygnets 2 ng/mL, juveniles 7 ng/mL and adults 6 ng/mL). A similar trend was observed for hematocrit levels. GSH levels did not differ between any of the groups studied. We found no significant relationship between blood parameters (Ht, GSH) in relation to Hg concentrations. We conclude that the Hg concentrations in blood may be influenced by industrialization, season and age, but generally low concentration such as those found by us do not affect Ht and GSH levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Kucharska
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Podbrzezie 3, 31-054, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Łukasz J Binkowski
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Podbrzezie 3, 31-054, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Marta Batoryna
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Podbrzezie 3, 31-054, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Krzysztof Dudzik
- Association of Psychoeducation and Environment M. O. S. T., Na Stoku 9/15, 25-437, Kielce, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Zaguła
- Faculty of Biology and Agriculture, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza 4, 35-601, Rzeszow, Poland.
| | - Robert Stawarz
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Podbrzezie 3, 31-054, Krakow, Poland.
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37
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Eckbo N, Le Bohec C, Planas-Bielsa V, Warner NA, Schull Q, Herzke D, Zahn S, Haarr A, Gabrielsen GW, Borgå K. Individual variability in contaminants and physiological status in a resident Arctic seabird species. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 249:191-199. [PMID: 30889502 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.01.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
While migratory seabirds dominate ecotoxicological studies within the Arctic, there is limited knowledge about exposure and potential effects from circulating legacy and emerging contaminants in species who reside in the high-Arctic all year round. Here, we focus on the case of the Mandt's Black guillemot (Cepphus grylle mandtii) breeding at Kongsfjorden, Svalbard (79.00°N, 11.66°E) and investigate exposure to legacy and emerging contaminants in relation to individual physiological status, i.e. body condition, oxidative stress and relative telomere length. Despite its benthic-inshore foraging strategy, the Black guillemot displayed overall similar contaminant concentrations in blood during incubation (∑PCB11 (15.7 ng/g w.w.) > ∑PFAS5 (9.9 ng/g w.w.) > ∑Pesticides9 (6.7 ng/g w.w.) > ∑PBDE4 (2.7 ng/g w.w.), and Hg (0.3 μg/g d.w.) compared to an Arctic migratory seabird in which several contaminant-related stress responses have been observed. Black guillemots in poorer condition tended to display higher levels of contaminants, higher levels of reactive oxygen metabolites, lower plasmatic antioxidant capacity, and shorter telomere lengths; however the low sample size restrict any strong conclusions. Nevertheless, our data suggests that nonlinear relationships with a threshold may exist between accumulated contaminant concentrations and physiological status of the birds. These findings were used to build a hypothesis to be applied in future modelling for describing how chronic exposure to contaminants may be linked to telomere dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norith Eckbo
- University of Oslo, Department of Biosciences, Problemveien 7, 0315, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Céline Le Bohec
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 23 rue Becquerel, F-67000, Strasbourg, France; Centre Scientifique de Monaco - Département de Biologie Polaire, 8, quai Antoine 1er, MC 98000, Monaco, Monaco; Laboratoire International Associé LIA 647 BioSensib (CSM-CNRS-Unistra), 8, quai Antoine 1er, MC 98000, Monaco, Monaco
| | - Victor Planas-Bielsa
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco - Département de Biologie Polaire, 8, quai Antoine 1er, MC 98000, Monaco, Monaco; Laboratoire International Associé LIA 647 BioSensib (CSM-CNRS-Unistra), 8, quai Antoine 1er, MC 98000, Monaco, Monaco
| | - Nicholas A Warner
- NILU, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, 9007, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Quentin Schull
- MARBEC, Ifremer, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Avenue Jean Monnet CS 30171, 34203, Sète, France
| | - Dorte Herzke
- NILU, Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, 9007, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Sandrine Zahn
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, 23 rue Becquerel, F-67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ane Haarr
- University of Oslo, Department of Biosciences, Problemveien 7, 0315, Oslo, Norway
| | - Geir W Gabrielsen
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, 9007, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Katrine Borgå
- University of Oslo, Department of Biosciences, Problemveien 7, 0315, Oslo, Norway
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Seco J, Xavier JC, Coelho JP, Pereira B, Tarling G, Pardal MA, Bustamante P, Stowasser G, Brierley AS, Pereira ME. Spatial variability in total and organic mercury levels in Antarctic krill Euphausia superba across the Scotia Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 247:332-339. [PMID: 30685674 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.01.031] [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: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Total and organic mercury concentrations were determined for males, females and juveniles of Euphausia superba collected at three discrete locations in the Scotia Sea (South Orkney Islands, South Georgia and Antarctic Polar Front) to assess spatial mercury variability in Antarctic krill. There was clear geographic differentiation in mercury concentrations, with specimens from the South Orkney Islands having total mercury concentrations 5 to 7 times higher than Antarctic krill from South Georgia and the Antarctic Polar Front. Mercury did not appear to accumulate with life-stage since juveniles had higher concentrations of total mercury (0.071 μg g-1 from South Orkney Islands; 0.014 μg g-1 from South Georgia) than adults (0.054 μg g-1 in females and 0.048 μg g-1 in males from South Orkney Islands; 0.006 μg g-1 in females and 0.007 μg g-1 in males from South Georgia). Results suggest that females may use egg laying as a mechanism to excrete mercury, with eggs having higher concentrations than the corresponding somatic tissue. Organic mercury makes up a minor percentage of total mercury (15-37%) with the percentage being greater in adults than in juveniles. When compared to euphausiids from other parts of the world, the concentration of mercury in Antarctic krill is within the same range, or higher, highlighting the global distribution of this contaminant. Given the high potential for biomagnification of mercury through food webs, concentrations in Antarctic krill may have deleterious effects on long-lived Antarctic krill predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Seco
- Department of Chemistry and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; Pelagic Ecology Research Group, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK.
| | - José C Xavier
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, CB30ET, Cambridge, UK; MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João P Coelho
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Pereira
- Department of Chemistry and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Geraint Tarling
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, CB30ET, Cambridge, UK
| | - Miguel A Pardal
- CFE - Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Gabriele Stowasser
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, CB30ET, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew S Brierley
- Pelagic Ecology Research Group, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Maria E Pereira
- Department of Chemistry and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Amélineau F, Grémillet D, Harding AMA, Walkusz W, Choquet R, Fort J. Arctic climate change and pollution impact little auk foraging and fitness across a decade. Sci Rep 2019; 9:1014. [PMID: 30705325 PMCID: PMC6355795 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-38042-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ongoing global changes apply drastic environmental forcing onto Arctic marine ecosystems, particularly through ocean warming, sea-ice shrinkage and enhanced pollution. To test impacts on arctic marine ecological functioning, we used a 12-year integrative study of little auks (Alle alle), the most abundant seabird in the Atlantic Arctic. We monitored the foraging ecology, reproduction, survival and body condition of breeding birds, and we tested linkages between these biological variables and a set of environmental parameters including sea-ice concentration (SIC) and mercury contamination. Little auks showed substantial plasticity in response to SIC, with deeper and longer dives but less time spent underwater and more time flying when SIC decreased. Their diet also contained less lipid-rich ice-associated prey when SIC decreased. Further, in contrast to former studies conducted at the annual scale, little auk fitness proxies were impacted by environmental changes: Adult body condition and chick growth rate were negatively linked to SIC and mercury contamination. However, no trend was found for adult survival despite high inter-annual variability. Our results suggest that potential benefits of milder climatic conditions in East Greenland may be offset by increasing pollution in the Arctic. Overall, our study stresses the importance of long-term studies integrating ecology and ecotoxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Françoise Amélineau
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France.
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - Université de La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France.
| | - David Grémillet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France
- Percy FitzPatrick Institute and DST/NRF Excellence Centre at the University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | - Ann M A Harding
- Environmental Science Department, Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Wojciech Walkusz
- Freshwater Institute, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sopot, Poland
| | - Rémi Choquet
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE) UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, Montpellier, France
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS - Université de La Rochelle, La Rochelle, France
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40
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Leclaire S, Chatelain M, Pessato A, Buatois B, Frantz A, Gasparini J. Pigeon odor varies with experimental exposure to trace metal pollution. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2019; 28:76-85. [PMID: 30506322 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-018-2001-x] [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] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Trace metals are chemical pollutants that have well-known noxious effects on wildlife and that are current major environmental issues in urban habitats. Previous studies have demonstrated their negative (e.g. lead) or positive (e.g. zinc) effects on body condition, immunity and reproductive success. Because of their effects on condition, trace metals are likely to influence the production of condition-dependent ornaments. The last decade has revealed that bird odors, like mammal odors, can convey information on individual quality and might be used as secondary sexual ornaments. Here, we used solid-phase microextraction headspace sampling with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate whether plumage scent varied with experimental supplementation in lead and/or zinc in feral pigeons. Zinc supplementation (alone or in combination with lead) changed the proportion of several volatiles, including an increase in the proportion of hydroxy-esters. The production of these esters, that most likely originate from preen gland secretions, may be costly and might thus be reduced by stress induced by zinc deficiency. Although lead is known to negatively impact pigeon condition, it did not statistically affect feather scent, despite most of the volatiles that increased with zinc exposure tended to be decreased in lead-supplemented pigeons. Further studies should evaluate the functions of plumage volatiles to predict how trace metals can impact bird fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Leclaire
- Laboratoire Evolution & Diversité Biologique, UMR 5174 (CNRS, Université Paul Sabatier, ENFA), 118 route de Narbonne, Toulouse, 31062, France.
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, Montpellier, 34293, France.
- Sorbonne Université, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, 75005, Paris, France.
| | - Marion Chatelain
- Sorbonne Université, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, 75005, Paris, France
- Wild Urban Evolution and Ecology Lab, Center of New Technologies, University of Warsaw, Banacha 2C, Warsaw, 02-097, Poland
| | - Anaïs Pessato
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, Montpellier, 34293, France
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, Deakin University, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus, Victoria, 3217, Australia
| | - Bruno Buatois
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive (CEFE), UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier - Université Paul Valéry Montpellier - EPHE, 1919 route de Mende, Montpellier, 34293, France
| | - Adrien Frantz
- Sorbonne Université, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Julien Gasparini
- Sorbonne Université, UPEC, Paris 7, CNRS, INRA, IRD, Institut d'Ecologie et des Sciences de l'Environnement de Paris, 75005, Paris, France
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Scheiber IBR, Weiß BM, de Jong ME, Braun A, van den Brink NW, Loonen MJJE, Millesi E, Komdeur J. Stress behaviour and physiology of developing Arctic barnacle goslings ( Branta leucopsis) is affected by legacy trace contaminants. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:20181866. [PMID: 30963902 PMCID: PMC6304058 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.1866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural populations are persistently exposed to environmental pollution, which may adversely impact animal physiology and behaviour and even compromise survival. Responding appropriately to any stressor ultimately might tip the scales for survival, as mistimed behaviour and inadequate physiological responses may be detrimental. Yet effects of legacy contamination on immediate physiological and behavioural stress coping abilities during acute stress are virtually unknown. Here, we assessed these effects in barnacle goslings ( Branta leucopsis) at a historical coal mine site in the Arctic. For three weeks we led human-imprinted goslings, collected from nests in unpolluted areas, to feed in an abandoned coal mining area, where they were exposed to trace metals. As control we led their siblings to feed on clean grounds. After submitting both groups to three well-established stress tests (group isolation, individual isolation, on-back restraint), control goslings behaved calmer and excreted lower levels of corticosterone metabolites. Thus, legacy contamination may decisively change stress physiology and behaviour in long-lived vertebrates exposed at a young age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella B. R. Scheiber
- Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Brigitte M. Weiß
- Behavioural Ecology Research Group, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Margje E. de Jong
- Arctic Centre, University of Groningen, 9718 CW Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Braun
- Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Nico W. van den Brink
- Department of Toxicology, Wageningen University, 6700 EA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Eva Millesi
- Department of Behavioural Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Komdeur
- Behavioural and Physiological Ecology, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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Cherel Y, Barbraud C, Lahournat M, Jaeger A, Jaquemet S, Wanless RM, Phillips RA, Thompson DR, Bustamante P. Accumulate or eliminate? Seasonal mercury dynamics in albatrosses, the most contaminated family of birds. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 241:124-135. [PMID: 29803026 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.05.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Albatrosses (Diomedeidae) are iconic pelagic seabirds whose life-history traits (longevity, high trophic position) put them at risk of high levels of exposure to methylmercury (MeHg), a powerful neurotoxin that threatens humans and wildlife. Here, we report total Hg (THg) concentrations in body feathers from 516 individual albatrosses from 35 populations, including all 20 taxa breeding in the Southern Ocean. Our key finding is that albatrosses constitute the family of birds with the highest levels of contamination by Hg, with mean feather THg concentrations in different populations ranging from moderate (3.8 μg/g) to exceptionally high (34.6 μg/g). Phylogeny had a significant effect on feather THg concentrations, with the mean decreasing in the order Diomedea > Phoebetria > Thalassarche. Unexpectedly, moulting habitats (reflected in feather δ13C values) was the main driver of feather THg concentrations, indicating increasing MeHg exposure with decreasing latitude, from Antarctic to subtropical waters. The role of moulting habitat suggests that the majority of MeHg eliminated into feathers by albatrosses is from recent food intake (income strategy). They thus differ from species that depurate MeHg into feathers that has been accumulated in internal tissues between two successive moults (capital strategy). Since albatrosses are amongst the most threatened families of birds, it is noteworthy that two albatrosses listed as Critical by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) that moult and breed in temperate waters are the most Hg-contaminated species (the Amsterdam and Tristan albatrosses). These data emphasize the urgent need for robust assessment of the impact of Hg contamination on the biology of albatrosses and they document the high MeHg level exposure of wildlife living in the most remote marine areas on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France.
| | - Christophe Barbraud
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Maxime Lahournat
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France; Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés, UMR 7266 du CNRS-Université de la Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Audrey Jaeger
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France; Laboratoire ENTROPIE, UMR 9220 du CNRS- IRD-Université de La Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, BP 92003, 97744 Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Sébastien Jaquemet
- Laboratoire ENTROPIE, UMR 9220 du CNRS- IRD-Université de La Réunion, 15 Avenue René Cassin, BP 92003, 97744 Saint-Denis, La Réunion, France
| | - Ross M Wanless
- DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Richard A Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - David R Thompson
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, 301 Evans Bay Parade, Hataitai, Wellington 6021, New Zealand
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés, UMR 7266 du CNRS-Université de la Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
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43
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Carravieri A, Fort J, Tarroux A, Cherel Y, Love OP, Prieur S, Brault-Favrou M, Bustamante P, Descamps S. Mercury exposure and short-term consequences on physiology and reproduction in Antarctic petrels. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 237:824-831. [PMID: 29146204 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a pervasive contaminant reaching Antarctic environments through atmospheric transport and deposition. Seabirds as meso to top predators can accumulate high quantities of Hg through diet. Reproduction is one of the most sensitive endpoints of Hg toxicity in marine birds. Yet, few studies have explored Hg exposure and effects in Antarctic seabirds, where increasing environmental perturbations challenge animal populations. This study focuses on the Antarctic petrel Thalassoica antarctica from Svarthamaren, Antarctica, where the world's largest breeding population is thought to be in decline. Hg and the stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C, proxy of feeding habitat) and nitrogen (δ15N, trophic position/diet) were measured in red blood cells from 266 individuals over two breeding years (2012-13, 2013-14). Our aims were to 1) quantify the influence of individual traits (size and sex) and feeding ecology (foraging location, δ13C and δ15N values) on Hg exposure, and 2) test the relationship between Hg concentrations with body condition and breeding output (hatching success and chick survival). Hg concentrations in Antarctic petrels (mean ± SD, 0.84 ± 0.25, min-max, 0.42-2.71 μg g-1 dw) were relatively low when compared to other Antarctic seabirds. Hg concentrations increased significantly with δ15N values, indicating that individuals with a higher trophic level (i.e. feeding more on fish) had higher Hg exposure. By contrast, Hg exposure was not driven by feeding habitat (inferred from both foraging location and δ13C values), suggesting that Hg transfer to predators in Antarctic waters is relatively homogeneous over a large geographical scale. Hg concentrations were not related to body condition, hatching date and short-term breeding output. At present, Hg exposure is likely not of concern for this population. Nevertheless, further studies on other fitness parameters and long-term breeding output are warranted because Hg can have long-term population-level effects without consequences on current breeding success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Carravieri
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France.
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Arnaud Tarroux
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 du CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Oliver P Love
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Solène Prieur
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Maud Brault-Favrou
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 du CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
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Burger J, Mizrahi D, Tsipoura N, Jeitner C, Gochfeld M. Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Cobalt, Arsenic and Selenium in the Blood of Semipalmated Sandpipers ( Calidris pusilla) from Suriname, South America: Age-related Differences in Wintering Site and Comparisons with a Stopover Site in New Jersey, USA. TOXICS 2018; 6:toxics6020027. [PMID: 29747411 PMCID: PMC6027228 DOI: 10.3390/toxics6020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 04/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
It is essential to understand contaminant exposure and to compare levels of contaminants in organisms at different ages to determine if there is bioaccumulation, and to compare levels encountered in different geographical areas. In this paper, we report levels of mercury, lead, cadmium, cobalt, arsenic and selenium in the blood of semipalmated sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) wintering in Suriname as a function of age, and compare them to blood levels in northbound migrants at a stopover in Delaware Bay, New Jersey. We found (1) young birds had higher levels of cadmium, cobalt, and lead than adults (after second year birds); (2) there were no age-related differences for arsenic, mercury and selenium; (3) only four of the possible 16 inter-metal correlations were significant, at the 0.05 level; (4) the highest correlation was between cadmium and lead (Kendall tau = 0.37); and (5) the adult sandpipers had significantly higher levels of cadmium, mercury and selenium in Suriname than in New Jersey, while the New Jersey birds had significantly higher levels of arsenic. Suriname samples were obtained in April, after both age classes had spent the winter in Suriname, which suggests that sandpipers are accumulating higher levels of trace elements in Suriname than in Delaware Bay. The levels of selenium may be within a range of concern for adverse effects, but little is known about adverse effect levels of trace elements in the blood of wild birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Burger
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8082, USA.
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - David Mizrahi
- New Jersey Audubon, 11 Hardscrabble Rd, Bernardsville, NJ 07924, USA.
| | - Nellie Tsipoura
- New Jersey Audubon, 11 Hardscrabble Rd, Bernardsville, NJ 07924, USA.
| | - Christian Jeitner
- Division of Life Sciences, Rutgers University, 604 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8082, USA.
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - Michael Gochfeld
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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Whitney MC, Cristol DA. Impacts of Sublethal Mercury Exposure on Birds: A Detailed Review. REVIEWS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2018; 244:113-163. [PMID: 28710647 DOI: 10.1007/398_2017_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant known to accumulate in, and negatively affect, fish-eating and oceanic bird species, and recently demonstrated to impact some terrestrial songbirds to a comparable extent. It can bioaccumulate to concentrations of >1 μg/g in tissues of prey organisms such as fish and insects. At high enough concentrations, exposure to mercury is lethal to birds. However, environmental exposures are usually far below the lethal concentrations established by dosing studies.The objective of this review is to better understand the effects of sublethal exposure to mercury in birds. We restricted our survey of the literature to studies with at least some exposures >5 μg/g. The majority of sublethal effects were subtle and some studies of similar endpoints reached different conclusions. Strong support exists in the literature for the conclusion that mercury exposure reduces reproductive output, compromises immune function, and causes avoidance of high-energy behaviors. For some endpoints, notably certain measures of reproductive success, endocrine and neurological function, and body condition, there is weak or contradictory evidence of adverse effects and further study is required. There was no evidence that environmentally relevant mercury exposure affects longevity, but several of the sublethal effects identified likely do result in fitness reductions that could adversely impact populations. Overall, 72% of field studies and 91% of laboratory studies found evidence of deleterious effects of mercury on some endpoint, and thus we can conclude that mercury is harmful to birds, and the many effects on reproduction indicate that bird population declines may already be resulting from environmental mercury pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret C Whitney
- Department of Biology, Institute for Integrative Bird Behavior Studies, The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 23187, USA
| | - Daniel A Cristol
- Department of Biology, Institute for Integrative Bird Behavior Studies, The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 23187, USA.
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de Vries P, Slijkerman DME, Kwadijk CJAF, Kotterman MJJ, Posthuma L, de Zwart D, Murk AJ, Foekema EM. The toxic exposure of flamingos to per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from firefighting foam applications in Bonaire. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 124:102-111. [PMID: 28709525 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 07/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In 2010 an oil terminal next to nature reservation Saliña Goto (Bonaire) caught fire. Firefighting resulted in elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations in the salt lake. Within months flamingo abundance in Goto dropped to near complete absence. After statistical analysis, rainfall was deemed an unlikely cause for this decline. Toxicological effects on abundance of prey are likely the main cause for the flamingo absence. This reduced PFAS exposure via food and thus risk towards flamingos during the first years after the fires. Although the sediment is still polluted with persistent PFAS, flamingos returned, and started to feed on organisms with PFAS levels that exceed safety thresholds, placing the birds and other wildlife at risk. Monitoring bird populations is advised to assess potential toxic effects on birds and their offspring. This case suggests that applying persistent chemicals to reduce incident impacts may be more harmful than the incident itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pepijn de Vries
- Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen Marine Research, P.O. Box 57, 1780 AB Den Helder, The Netherlands.
| | - Diana M E Slijkerman
- Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen Marine Research, P.O. Box 57, 1780 AB Den Helder, The Netherlands
| | - Christiaan J A F Kwadijk
- Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen Marine Research, P.O. Box 57, 1780 AB Den Helder, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel J J Kotterman
- Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen Marine Research, P.O. Box 57, 1780 AB Den Helder, The Netherlands
| | - Leo Posthuma
- Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, RIVM, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands; Radboud University Nijmegen, Department of Environmental Science, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dick de Zwart
- Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, RIVM, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Albertinka J Murk
- Wageningen University, Marine Animal Ecology group, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin M Foekema
- Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen Marine Research, P.O. Box 57, 1780 AB Den Helder, The Netherlands; Wageningen University, Marine Animal Ecology group, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Carravieri A, Cherel Y, Brault-Favrou M, Churlaud C, Peluhet L, Labadie P, Budzinski H, Chastel O, Bustamante P. From Antarctica to the subtropics: Contrasted geographical concentrations of selenium, mercury, and persistent organic pollutants in skua chicks (Catharacta spp.). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 228:464-473. [PMID: 28570991 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.05.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Seabirds integrate bioaccumulative contaminants via food intake and have revealed geographical trends of contamination in a variety of ecosystems. Pre-fledging seabird chicks are particularly interesting as bioindicators of chemical contamination, because concentrations in their tissues reflect primarily dietary sources from the local environment. Here we measured 14 trace elements and 18 persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in blood of chicks of skuas that breed in four sites encompassing a large latitudinal range within the southern Indian Ocean, from Antarctica (Adélie Land, south polar skua Catharacta maccormicki), through subantarctic areas (Crozet and Kerguelen Islands, brown skua C. lonnbergi), to the subtropics (Amsterdam Island, C. lonnbergi). Stables isotopes of carbon (δ13C, feeding habitat) and nitrogen (δ15N, trophic position) were also measured to control for the influence of feeding habits on contaminant burdens. Concentrations of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) were very high at all the four sites, with Amsterdam birds having the highest concentrations ever reported in chicks worldwide (4.0 ± 0.8 and 646 ± 123 μg g-1 dry weight, respectively). Blood Hg concentrations showed a clear latitudinal pattern, increasing from chicks in Antarctica to chicks in the subantarctic and subtropical islands. Interestingly, blood Se concentrations showed similar between-population differences to Hg, suggesting its involvement in protective mechanisms against Hg toxicity. Chicks' POPs pattern was largely dominated by organochlorine pesticides, in particular DDT metabolites and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Skua chicks from subantarctic islands presented high concentrations and diversity of POPs. By contrast, chicks from the Antarctic site overall had the lowest concentrations and diversity of both metallic and organic contaminants, with the exception of HCB and arsenic. Skua populations from these sites, being naturally exposed to different quantities of contaminants, are potentially good models for testing toxic effects in developing chicks in the wild.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Carravieri
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France.
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Maud Brault-Favrou
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de la Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Carine Churlaud
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de la Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Laurent Peluhet
- CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC (LPTC Research group), Université de Bordeaux, 351 Cours de la Libération, F 33405 Talence Cedex, France
| | - Pierre Labadie
- CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC (LPTC Research group), Université de Bordeaux, 351 Cours de la Libération, F 33405 Talence Cedex, France
| | - Hélène Budzinski
- CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC (LPTC Research group), Université de Bordeaux, 351 Cours de la Libération, F 33405 Talence Cedex, France
| | - Olivier Chastel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR 7372 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de la Rochelle, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
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48
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Lyver POB, Aldridge SP, Gormley AM, Gaw S, Webb S, Buxton RT, Jones CJ. Elevated mercury concentrations in the feathers of grey-faced petrels (Pterodroma gouldi) in New Zealand. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 119:195-203. [PMID: 28372818 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.03.055] [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: 11/20/2016] [Revised: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Our objective was to measure the concentrations of Hg, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Pb, Sb, V and Zn in the body feathers of grey-faced petrel (Pterodroma gouldi), fluttering shearwater (Puffinus gavia), little shearwater (Puffinus assimilis) and common diving petrel (Pelecanoides urinatrix) from breeding colonies in New Zealand between 2006 and 2013. The mean Hg concentration (36.48ppm; SD=9.59) in grey-faced petrel feathers was approximately 8.5 to 14 times that detected in the other three species sampled. We detected no trend or differences in Hg concentrations in grey-faced petrels over the 8years of this study, but Hg concentrations varied between breeding colonies although there was no strong relationship with latitude. The elevated Hg concentrations detected in grey-faced petrels could pose a risk to the breeding performance of grey-faced petrels and the customary harvest of chicks by Māori (New Zealand's indigenous peoples).
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Affiliation(s)
- P O' B Lyver
- Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand; University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University,1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| | - S P Aldridge
- Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand; University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University,1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - A M Gormley
- Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand; University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University,1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - S Gaw
- Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand; University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University,1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - S Webb
- Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand; University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University,1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - R T Buxton
- Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand; University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University,1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - C J Jones
- Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand; University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University,1474 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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Fuchsman PC, Brown LE, Henning MH, Bock MJ, Magar VS. Toxicity reference values for methylmercury effects on avian reproduction: Critical review and analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2017; 36:294-319. [PMID: 27585374 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 05/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Effects of mercury (Hg) on birds have been studied extensively and with increasing frequency in recent years. The authors conducted a comprehensive review of methylmercury (MeHg) effects on bird reproduction, evaluating laboratory and field studies in which observed effects could be attributed primarily to Hg. The review focuses on exposures via diet and maternal transfer in which observed effects (or lack thereof) were reported relative to Hg concentrations in diet, eggs, or adult blood. Applicable data were identified for 23 species. From this data set, the authors identified ranges of toxicity reference values suitable for risk-assessment applications. Typical ranges of Hg effect thresholds are approximately 0.2 mg/kg to >1.4 mg/kg in diet, 0.05 mg/kg/d to 0.5 mg/kg/d on a dose basis, 0.6 mg/kg to 2.7 mg/kg in eggs, and 2.1 mg/kg to >6.7 mg/kg in parental blood (all concentrations on a wet wt basis). For Hg in avian blood, the review represents the first broad compilation of relevant toxicity data. For dietary exposures, the current data support TRVs that are greater than older, commonly used TRVs. The older diet-based TRVs incorporate conservative assumptions and uncertainty factors that are no longer justified, although they generally were appropriate when originally derived, because of past data limitations. The egg-based TRVs identified from the review are more similar to other previously derived TRVs but have been updated to incorporate new information from recent studies. While important research needs remain, a key recommendation is that species not yet tested for MeHg toxicity should be evaluated using toxicity data from tested species with similar body weights. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:294-319. © 2016 SETAC.
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Pollet IL, Leonard ML, O'Driscoll NJ, Burgess NM, Shutler D. Relationships between blood mercury levels, reproduction, and return rate in a small seabird. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2017; 26:97-103. [PMID: 27888383 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-016-1745-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous heavy metal that occurs naturally in the environment, but its levels have been supplemented for decades by a variety of human activities. Mercury can have serious deleterious effects on a variety of organisms, with top predators being particularly susceptible because methylmercury bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in food webs. Among birds, seabirds can have especially high levels of Hg contamination and Leach's storm-petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), in particular, have amongst the highest known levels. Several populations of Leach's storm-petrels have declined recently in the Northwest Atlantic. The causes of these declines remain uncertain, but the toxic effects of Hg could be a potential factor in this decline. Here, we tested for relationships between adult blood total Hg (THg) concentration and several offspring development parameters, and adult return rate of Leach's storm-petrels breeding on Bon Portage Island (43° 28' N, 65° 44' W), Nova Scotia, Canada, between 2011 and 2015 (blood samples n = 20, 36, 6, 15, and 13 for each year, respectively). Overall, THg levels were elevated (0.78 ± 0.43 μg/g wet wt.) compared to other species of seabirds in this region, and varied significantly among years. However, we found no associations between THg levels and reproductive parameters or adult return rate. Our results indicate that levels of mercury observed in Leach's storm-petrel blood, although elevated, appear not to adversely affect their offspring development or adult return rate on Bon Portage Island.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid L Pollet
- Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada.
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Marty L Leonard
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | | | - Neil M Burgess
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Mount Pearl, NL, A1N 4T3, Canada
| | - Dave Shutler
- Acadia University, Wolfville, NS, B4P 2R6, Canada
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