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Campioni L, Oró-Nolla B, Granadeiro JP, Silva MC, Madeiros J, Gjerdrum C, Lacorte S. Exposure of an endangered seabird species to persistent organic pollutants: Assessing levels in blood and link with reproductive parameters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172814. [PMID: 38679096 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172814] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Ocean contamination, particularly from persistent organic pollutants (POPs), remains a significant threat to marine predators that occupy high trophic positions. Long-lived procellariform seabirds are apex predators in marine ecosystems and tend to accumulate contaminants. Prolonged exposure to pollutants negatively affects their fitness including reproductive success. Low breeding success may represent a hurdle for the restoration of small and endangered seabird populations, including several highly threatened gadfly petrels. Here we investigated the annual variation (2019 and 2022) in organochlorine pesticide (OCP), polychlorinated biphenyl ether (PCB), polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure in the endangered Bermuda petrel (Pterodroma cahow), and the relationship between female contaminant burden and breeding parameters. We found that petrels were exposed to a wide range of pollutants (33 out of 55 showed measurable levels) with PCBs dominating the blood contaminant profiles in both years. Only 9 compounds were detected in >50 % of the birds. Specifically, among OCPs, p, p'-DDE and hexaclorobenzene were the most frequently detected while fluorene and acenaphthene were the most common PAH. The concentrations of ∑5PCBs and ∑7POPs were higher in older birds. Furthermore, females with greater contaminant burdens laid eggs with a lower probability of hatching. However, female investment in egg production (size and volume) was unrelated to their blood contaminant load. Overall, this study highlights the presence of a wide range of contaminants in the petrel's food web, and it sheds light on the potential impact of chronic exposure to sub-lethal levels of PCBs on the breeding success of seabirds. We claim that toxicological testing should be a practice integrated in the management of seabirds, particularly of endangered species to monitor how past and present anthropogenic activities impact their conservation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Campioni
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Ispa - Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Bernat Oró-Nolla
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José P Granadeiro
- CESAM Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mónica C Silva
- CE3C- Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, CHANGE - Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jeremy Madeiros
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment, PO Box FL588, Flatts, FL BX, Bermuda
| | - Carina Gjerdrum
- Canadian Wildlife Service, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 2N6, Canada
| | - Silvia Lacorte
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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2
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Ibañez AE, Mills WF, Bustamante P, Morales LM, Torres DS, D' Astek B, Mariano-Jelicich R, Phillips RA, Montalti D. Deleterious effects of mercury contamination on immunocompetence, liver function and egg volume in an antarctic seabird. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 346:140630. [PMID: 37939926 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140630] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a globally important pollutant that can negatively impact metabolic, endocrine and immune systems of marine biota. Seabirds are long-lived marine top predators and hence are at risk of bioaccumulating high Hg concentrations from their prey. Here, we measured blood total mercury (THg) concentrations and relationships with physiology and breeding parameters of breeding brown skuas (Stercorarius antarcticus) (n = 49 individuals) at Esperanza/Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. Mean blood THg concentrations were similar in males and females despite the differences in body size and breeding roles, but differed between study years. Immune markers (hematocrit, Immunoglobulin Y [IgY] and albumin) were negatively correlated with blood THg concentrations, which likely indicates a disruptive effect of Hg on immunity. Alanine aminotransferase (GPT) activity, reflecting liver dysfunction, was positively associated with blood THg. Additionally, triacylglycerol and albumin differed between our study years, but did not correlate with Hg levels, and so were more likely to reflect changes in diet and nutritional status rather than Hg contamination. Egg volume correlated negatively with blood THg concentrations. Our study provides new insights into the sublethal effects of Hg contamination on immunity, liver function and breeding parameters in seabirds. In this Antarctic species, exposure to sublethal Hg concentrations reflects the short-term risks which could make individuals more susceptible to environmental stressors, including ongoing climatic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés E Ibañez
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - William F Mills
- 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
| | - Lara M Morales
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Diego S Torres
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Beatriz D' Astek
- Sección Ornitología, Div. Zool. Vert. Museo de la Plata (FCNyM-UNLP-CONICET), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rocío Mariano-Jelicich
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), UNMdP-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Richard A Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Diego 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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3
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Bjedov D, Velki M, Toth L, Marijić VF, Mikuška T, Jurinović L, Ečimović S, Turić N, Lončarić Z, Šariri S, Al Marsoomi Y, Mikuška A. Heavy metal(loid) effect on multi-biomarker responses in apex predator: Novel assays in the monitoring of white stork nestlings. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 324:121398. [PMID: 36878276 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121398] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The goal of the present study was to investigate differences in biomarker responses related to metal(loid)s in white stork (Ciconia ciconia) nestling's blood from continental Croatia. To achieve this, a battery of biomarkers that can be affected by environmental pollutants, including metal(loid)s, was assessed (esterase activity, fluorescence-based oxidative stress biomarkers, metallothionein levels, glutathione-dependent enzyme activity). The research was conducted during the white stork breeding season in diverse areas (a landfill, industrial and agricultural sites, and an unpolluted area). White storks' nestlings near the landfill exhibited reduced carboxylesterase (CES) activity, elevated glutathione (GSH) concentration, as well as high Pb content in the blood. Increased As and Hg concentrations in blood were attributable to environmental contamination in agricultural area and an assumed unpolluted area, respectively. Furthermore, agricultural practices appeared to affect CES activity, as well as elevate Se levels. In addition to the successful implementation of biomarkers, present research showed that agricultural areas and a landfill are areas with increased metal(loid) levels possibly causing adverse effects on the white storks. This first-time heavy metal and metalloid analyses in the white stork nestlings from Croatia point to the necessary monitoring and future assessments of pollution impact to prevent irreversible adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Bjedov
- Croatian Institute for Biodiversity, BIOTA Ltd., Maksimirska cesta 129/5, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mirna Velki
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Leontina Toth
- Teaching Institute of Public Health Osijek-baranja County, Franje Krežme 1, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Vlatka Filipović Marijić
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tibor Mikuška
- Croatian Society for Birds and Nature Protection, Ivana Gundulića 19/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Luka Jurinović
- Poultry Centre, Croatian Veterinary Institute, Heinzelova 55, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sandra Ečimović
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Nataša Turić
- Teaching Institute of Public Health Osijek-baranja County, Franje Krežme 1, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Zdenko Lončarić
- Department of Agroecology and Environment Protection, Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Sara Šariri
- Division for Marine and Environmental Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička 54, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Yasir Al Marsoomi
- HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Geraard de Duivelstraat 5, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Alma Mikuška
- Department of Biology, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Cara Hadrijana 8/A, 31000, Osijek, Croatia.
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4
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Peterson SH, Ackerman JT, Holser RR, McDonald BI, Costa DP, Crocker DE. Mercury Bioaccumulation and Cortisol Interact to Influence Endocrine and Immune Biomarkers in a Free-Ranging Marine Mammal. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5678-5692. [PMID: 36996077 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Mercury bioaccumulation from deep-ocean prey and the extreme life history strategies of adult female northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) provide a unique system to assess the interactive effects of mercury and stress on animal health by quantifying blood biomarkers in relation to mercury (skeletal muscle and blood mercury) and cortisol concentrations. The thyroid hormone thyroxine (tT4) and the antibody immunoglobulin E (IgE) were associated with mercury and cortisol concentrations interactively, where the magnitude and direction of the association of each biomarker with mercury or cortisol changed depending on the concentration of the other factor. For example, when cortisol concentrations were lowest, tT4 was positively related to muscle mercury, whereas tT4 had a negative relationship with muscle mercury in seals that had the highest cortisol concentrations. Additionally, we observed that two thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (tT3) and reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), were negatively (tT3) and positively (rT3) associated with mercury concentrations and cortisol in an additive manner. As an example, tT3 concentrations in late breeding seals at the median cortisol concentration decreased by 14% across the range of observed muscle mercury concentrations. We also observed that immunoglobulin M (IgM), the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 (IL-6), and a reproductive hormone, estradiol, were negatively related to muscle mercury concentrations but were not related to cortisol. Specifically, estradiol concentrations in late molting seals decreased by 50% across the range of muscle mercury concentrations. These results indicate important physiological effects of mercury on free-ranging apex marine predators and interactions between mercury bioaccumulation and extrinsic stressors. Deleterious effects on animals' abilities to maintain homeostasis (thyroid hormones), fight off pathogens and disease (innate and adaptive immune system), and successfully reproduce (endocrine system) can have significant individual- and population-level consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Peterson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, California 95620, United States of America
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States of America
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States of America
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, California 95620, United States of America
| | - Rachel R Holser
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States of America
| | - Birgitte I McDonald
- Moss Landing Marine Labs, San Jose State University, Moss Landing, California 95039, United States of America
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States of America
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, California 95064, United States of America
| | - Daniel E Crocker
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California 94928, United States of America
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5
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Han B, van den Berg H, Loonen MJ, Mateo R, van den Brink NW. Mercury-Modulated Immune Responses in Arctic Barnacle Goslings ( Branta leucopsis) upon a Viral-Like Immune Challenge. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5337-5348. [PMID: 36940419 PMCID: PMC10077589 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Historical mining activities in Svalbard (79°N/12°E) have caused local mercury (Hg) contamination. To address the potential immunomodulatory effects of environmental Hg on Arctic organisms, we collected newborn barnacle goslings (Branta leucopsis) and herded them in either a control or mining site, differing in Hg levels. An additional group at the mining site was exposed to extra inorganic Hg(II) via supplementary feed. Hepatic total Hg concentrations differed significantly between the control (0.011 ± 0.002 mg/kg dw), mine (0.043 ± 0.011 mg/kg dw), and supplementary feed (0.713 ± 0.137 mg/kg dw) gosling groups (average ± standard deviation). Upon immune challenge with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) injection, endpoints for immune responses and oxidative stress were measured after 24 h. Our results indicated that Hg exposure modulated the immune responses in Arctic barnacle goslings upon a viral-like immune challenge. Increased exposure to both environmental as well as supplemental Hg reduced the level of natural antibodies, suggesting impaired humoral immunity. Hg exposure upregulated the expression of proinflammatory genes in the spleen, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin 18 (IL18), suggesting Hg-induced inflammatory effects. Exposure to Hg also oxidized glutathione (GSH) to glutathione disulfide (GSSG); however, goslings were capable of maintaining the redox balance by de novo synthesis of GSH. These adverse effects on the immune responses indicated that even exposure to low, environmentally relevant levels of Hg might affect immune competence at the individual level and might even increase the susceptibility of the population to infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biyao Han
- Wageningen
University, Division of Toxicology, Postal code 8000, NL-6700 EA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hans van den Berg
- Wageningen
University, Division of Toxicology, Postal code 8000, NL-6700 EA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten J.J.E. Loonen
- University
of Groningen, Arctic Centre, Aweg 30, NL-9718 CW Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto
de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Nico W. van den Brink
- Wageningen
University, Division of Toxicology, Postal code 8000, NL-6700 EA Wageningen, The Netherlands
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6
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Teitelbaum CS, Ackerman JT, Hill MA, Satter JM, Casazza ML, De La Cruz SEW, Boyce WM, Buck EJ, Eadie JM, Herzog MP, Matchett EL, Overton CT, Peterson SH, Plancarte M, Ramey AM, Sullivan JD, Prosser DJ. Avian influenza antibody prevalence increases with mercury contamination in wild waterfowl. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20221312. [PMID: 36069010 PMCID: PMC9449466 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental contamination is widespread and can negatively impact wildlife health. Some contaminants, including heavy metals, have immunosuppressive effects, but prior studies have rarely measured contamination and disease simultaneously, which limits our understanding of how contaminants and pathogens interact to influence wildlife health. Here, we measured mercury concentrations, influenza infection, influenza antibodies and body condition in 749 individuals from 11 species of wild ducks overwintering in California. We found that the odds of prior influenza infection increased more than fivefold across the observed range of blood mercury concentrations, while accounting for species, age, sex and date. Influenza infection prevalence was also higher in species with higher average mercury concentrations. We detected no relationship between influenza infection and body fat content. This positive relationship between influenza prevalence and mercury concentrations in migratory waterfowl suggests that immunotoxic effects of mercury contamination could promote the spread of avian influenza along migratory flyways, especially if influenza has minimal effects on bird health and mobility. More generally, these results show that the effects of environmental contamination could extend beyond the geographical area of contamination itself by altering the prevalence of infectious diseases in highly mobile hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire S. Teitelbaum
- Akima Systems Engineering, Herndon, VA, USA
- Contractor to U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - Joshua T. Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Mason A. Hill
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station, Moffett Field, CA, USA
| | - Jacqueline M. Satter
- UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Michael L. Casazza
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Susan E. W. De La Cruz
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, San Francisco Bay Estuary Field Station, Moffett Field, CA, USA
| | | | - Evan J. Buck
- U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - John M. Eadie
- UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Mark P. Herzog
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Elliott L. Matchett
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Cory T. Overton
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | - Sarah H. Peterson
- U.S. Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, Dixon, CA, USA
| | | | - Andrew M. Ramey
- U.S. Geological Survey Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | | | - Diann J. Prosser
- U.S. Geological Survey Eastern Ecological Science Center, Laurel, MD, USA
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7
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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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8
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Leighton GRM, Bishop JM, Camarero PR, Mateo R, O'Riain MJ, Serieys LEK. Poisoned chalice: Use of transformed landscapes associated with increased persistent organic pollutant concentrations and potential immune effects for an adaptable carnivore. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 822:153581. [PMID: 35104517 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153581] [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: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife around cities bioaccumulate multiple harmful environmental pollutants associated with human activities. Exposure severity can vary based on foraging behaviour and habitat use, which can be examined to elucidate exposure pathways. Carnivores can play vital roles in ecosystem stability but are particularly vulnerable to bioaccumulation of pollutants. Understanding the spatial and dietary predictors of these contaminants can inform pollutant control, and carnivores, at the top of food webs, can act as useful indicator species. We test for exposure to toxic organochlorines (OCs), including dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in a medium-sized felid, the caracal (Caracal caracal), across the peri-urban and agricultural landscapes of the city of Cape Town, South Africa. Concentrations in both blood (n = 69) and adipose tissue (n = 25) were analysed along with detailed spatial, dietary, demographic, and physiological data to assess OC sources and exposure risk. The analysis revealed widespread exposure of Cape Town's caracals to organochlorines: detection rate was 100% for PCBs and 83% for DDTs in blood, and 100% for both compounds in adipose. Caracals using human-transformed areas, such as vineyards and areas with higher human population and electrical transformer density, as well as wetland areas, had higher organochlorine burdens. These landscapes were also highly selected foraging areas, suggesting caracals are drawn into areas that co-incidentally increase their risk of exposure to these pollutants. Further, biomagnification potential was higher in individuals feeding on higher trophic level prey and on exotic prey. These findings point to bioaccumulation of OC toxicants and widespread exposure across local food webs. Additionally, we report possible physiological effects of exposure, including elevated white blood cell and platelet count, suggesting a degree of immunological response that may increase disease susceptibility. Cape Town's urban fringes likely represent a source of toxic chemicals for wildlife and require focused attention and action to ensure persistence of this adaptable mesocarnivore.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella R M Leighton
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Jacqueline M Bishop
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Pablo R Camarero
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC - CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - M Justin O'Riain
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Laurel E K Serieys
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa (iCWild), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Cape Leopard Trust, Cape Town, South Africa; Panthera, NY, New York, USA
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9
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Cary TL, Karasov WH. Larval Exposure to Polychlorinated Biphenyl-126 Led to a Long-Lasting Decrease in Immune Function in Postmetamorphic Juvenile Northern Leopard Frogs, Lithobates pipiens. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:81-94. [PMID: 34807990 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Amphibian populations are decreasing worldwide, and pollution is a contributing factor. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants known to exert immunotoxicity. To assess impacts of PCBs on frogs, we exposed Lithobates pipiens tadpoles to a diet of PCB-126 (0-5 ng PCB-126/g wet food) through metamorphic climax. Postmetamorphic frogs were immunized with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH); then production of KLH-specific IgY, as well as total IgY and IgM, was measured (Trial I). A second larval study (0 and 7.3 ng PCB-126/g wet food) was performed to investigate whether PCB altered antigenic responses in prometamorphic tadpoles (Gosner Stage 36-39), and to measure the innate immune response of postmetamorphic frogs (Trial II). After larval PCB-126 exposure, both KLH-specific IgY levels and complement activity were reduced. Because postmetamorphic frogs carried a body burden of PCB-126 (2.4 ng/g or less), we wanted to determine whether the effect on immune response was due to larval exposure or to the resulting body burden as frogs. To test this, we reared tadpoles under control conditions (no PCB), and limited PCB exposure to postmetamorphosis only by injecting 2-week-old frogs with 10 ng PCB-126/g (Trial III). The resulting body burden (3.4 ng/g) was similar to that of frogs in Trial I, but we no longer detected suppression of KLH-specific IgY or hemolytic activity. These results suggest life-stage-specific immune responses; however, because we administered PCB-126 differently between trials, it is premature to conclude that these differences are intrinsically life stage dependent, and further study is warranted. Regardless, our study demonstrated a long-lasting effect of larval PCB-126 exposure that persisted through metamorphosis and suppressed frog immunity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:81-94. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tawnya L Cary
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Biology, Beloit College, Beloit, Wisconsin, USA
| | - William H Karasov
- Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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10
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Han B, García‐Mendoza D, van den Berg H, van den Brink NW. Modulatory Effects of Mercury (II) Chloride (HgCl 2 ) on Chicken Macrophage and B-Lymphocyte Cell Lines with Viral-Like Challenges In Vitro. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:2813-2824. [PMID: 34288095 PMCID: PMC9291928 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a toxic trace metal ubiquitously distributed in the environment. Inorganic mercury (as HgCl2 ) can cause immunotoxicity in birds, but the mechanisms of action are still not fully resolved, especially with respect to responses to viral infections. To investigate the potential immunomodulatory effects of Hg2+ on specific cell types of the avian immune system, chicken macrophage (HD-11) and B-lymphocyte (DT40) cell lines were applied as in vitro models for the innate and adaptive immune systems, respectively. The cells were stimulated with synthetic double-stranded RNA, which can be recognized by toll-like receptor-3 to mimic a viral infection. The Hg2+ showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity in both cell lines, with similar median effect concentrations at 30 µM. The cytotoxicity of Hg2+ was closely related to glutathione (GSH) depletion and reactive oxygen species induction, whereas the de novo synthesis of GSH acted as a primary protective strategy. Nitric oxide produced by activated macrophages was strongly inhibited by Hg2+ , and was also influenced by cellular GSH levels. Cell proliferation, gene expression of microRNA-155, and cellular IgM levels in B cells were decreased at noncytotoxic Hg2+ concentrations. The secretion of antiviral interferon-α was induced by Hg2+ in both cell lines. Overall, our results suggest that Hg2+ exposure can cause immunomodulatory effects in birds by disrupting immune cell proliferation and cytokine production, and might result in disorders of the avian immune system. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2813-2824. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biyao Han
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Diego García‐Mendoza
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Hans van den Berg
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
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11
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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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12
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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: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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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13
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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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14
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Heddle C, Elliott JE, Brown TM, Eng ML, Perkins M, Basu N, Williams TD. Continuous exposure to mercury during embryogenesis and chick development affects later survival and reproduction of zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2020; 29:1117-1127. [PMID: 31352572 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-019-02074-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury (MeHg) is a global environmental contaminant that bioaccumulates and has multiple toxic modes of action. Aquatic species have traditionally been the focus of wildlife toxicological research on mercury, but terrestrial organisms, including passerine birds, can be exposed to similarly elevated levels of MeHg. In this study we exposed a model passerine, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), to MeHg in ovo, as chicks only, or with a combined 'in ovo + chick' treatment. We isolated exposure to specific developmental stages through the use of egg injections (3.2 µg Hg/g egg) and controlled oral dosing of chicks (0.24 µg Hg/g bw/day from day 1 to day 30). In ovo exposure to MeHg reduced hatching success, but there was no effect of MeHg on chick growth. We found that in ovo only or chick only exposure did not have long-term effects, but there was some evidence for longer-term effects of combined 'in ovo + chick' exposure on post-fledging survival and potentially sex-biased survival which resulted in very few 'in ovo + chick' exposed females surviving to breed. These females also had lower overall breeding productivity that was mainly due to lower hatching success of their offspring, not lower chick-rearing success. We found no effect of treatment on clutch size or latency to laying among females that did lay eggs. Our study suggests that combined embryonic and nestling MeHg exposure has compounding latent effects on productivity, likely through a mechanism that influences the ability of females to lay fertile eggs that hatch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cybele Heddle
- Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Biological Sciences, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - John E Elliott
- Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Biological Sciences, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Directorate, Delta, BC, V4K 3N2, Canada.
| | - Tanya M Brown
- Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Biological Sciences, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Margaret L Eng
- Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Biological Sciences, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5B3, Canada
| | - Marie Perkins
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Niladri Basu
- Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Tony D Williams
- Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Biological Sciences, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
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15
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Phillips RA, Kraev I, Lange S. Protein Deimination and Extracellular Vesicle Profiles in Antarctic Seabirds. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:E15. [PMID: 31936359 PMCID: PMC7168935 DOI: 10.3390/biology9010015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pelagic seabirds are amongst the most threatened of all avian groups. They face a range of immunological challenges which seem destined to increase due to environmental changes in their breeding and foraging habitats, affecting prey resources and exposure to pollution and pathogens. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers for the assessment of their health status is of considerable importance. Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) post-translationally convert arginine into citrulline in target proteins in an irreversible manner. PAD-mediated deimination can cause structural and functional changes in target proteins, allowing for protein moonlighting in physiological and pathophysiological processes. PADs furthermore contribute to the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which play important roles in cellular communication. In the present study, post-translationally deiminated protein and EV profiles of plasma were assessed in eight seabird species from the Antarctic, representing two avian orders: Procellariiformes (albatrosses and petrels) and Charadriiformes (waders, auks, gulls and skuas). We report some differences between the species assessed, with the narrowest EV profiles of 50-200 nm in the northern giant petrel Macronectes halli, and the highest abundance of larger 250-500 nm EVs in the brown skua Stercorarius antarcticus. The seabird EVs were positive for phylogenetically conserved EV markers and showed characteristic EV morphology. Post-translational deimination was identified in a range of key plasma proteins critical for immune response and metabolic pathways in three of the bird species under study; the wandering albatross Diomedea exulans, south polar skua Stercorarius maccormicki and northern giant petrel. Some differences in Gene Ontology (GO) biological and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways for deiminated proteins were observed between these three species. This indicates that target proteins for deimination may differ, potentially contributing to a range of physiological functions relating to metabolism and immune response, as well as to key defence mechanisms. PAD protein homologues were identified in the seabird plasma by Western blotting via cross-reaction with human PAD antibodies, at an expected 75 kDa size. This is the first study to profile EVs and to identify deiminated proteins as putative novel plasma biomarkers in Antarctic seabirds. These biomarkers may be further refined to become useful indicators of physiological and immunological status in seabirds-many of which are globally threatened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. Phillips
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK;
| | - Igor Kraev
- Electron Microscopy Suite, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK;
| | - Sigrun Lange
- Tissue Architecture and Regeneration Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W 6UW, UK
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16
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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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17
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Oral Capillariosis Due to Eucoleus dispar in Migrating Sharp-Shinned Hawks (Accipiter striatus) in New York, USA, 2016–18. J Wildl Dis 2019. [DOI: 10.7589/2018-12-301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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18
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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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19
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Effects of Low-level Brodifacoum Exposure on the Feline Immune Response. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8168. [PMID: 29802369 PMCID: PMC5970145 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26558-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Anticoagulant rodenticides have been implicated as a potential inciting factor in the development of mange in wild felids, but a causative association between anticoagulant rodenticide exposure and immune suppression has not been established. Specific-pathogen-free domestic cats were exposed to brodifacoum over a 6-week period to determine whether chronic, low-level exposure altered the feline immune response. Cats were vaccinated with irrelevant antigens at different points during the course of the experiment to assess recall and direct immune responses. Measures of immune response included delayed-type hypersensitivity tests and cell proliferation assays. IgE and antigen-specific antibodies were quantified via ELISA assays, and cytokine induction following exposure to vaccine antigens was also analyzed. While cats had marked levels of brodifacoum present in blood during the study, no cats developed coagulopathies or hematologic abnormalities. Brodifacoum-exposed cats had transient, statistically significant decreases in the production of certain cytokines, but all other measures of immune function remained unaffected throughout the study period. This study indicates that cats may be more resistant to clinical effects of brodifacoum exposure than other species and suggests that the gross impacts of environmentally realistic brodifacoum exposure on humoral and cell-mediated immunity against foreign antigen exposures in domestic cats are minimal.
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Clatterbuck CA, Lewison RL, Dodder NG, Zeeman C, Schiff K. Seabirds as regional biomonitors of legacy toxicants on an urbanized coastline. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 619-620:460-469. [PMID: 29156266 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Seabirds are often cited as sentinels of the marine environment, but are rarely used in traditional ocean and coastal contaminant monitoring. Four classes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs, n=68) and three trace elements (mercury, selenium, and arsenic) were measured in the eggs of California least terns (Sterna antillarum browni), caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia), double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus), and western gulls (Larus occidentalis) that nest in the Southern California Bight. Building on a periodic five year regional monitoring program, we measured contaminant exposure and assessed the utility of seabirds as regional contaminant biomonitors. We found that the eggs of larger, more piscivorous species generally had the highest concentrations of POPs and trace elements while California least terns had the lowest concentrations, except for mercury which was higher in least terns. As expected, DDT concentrations were elevated near the Palos Verdes Superfund site. However, we also detected a previously unknown latitudinal pattern in PBDE concentrations in least terns. POP congener profiles also confirmed differences in contamination in urban least tern colonies closest to urban centers. Though toxicants were at detectable levels across species and sites, concentrations were below those known to cause adverse effects in avian taxa and are steady or declining compared to previous studies in this region. Our results suggest that regional seabird monitoring can inform site-specific remediation and support management and protection of regionally-threatened wildlife and coastal systems. Integration of seabird contaminant data with traditional sediment, water, bivalve and fish monitoring is needed to further our understanding of exposure pathways and food web contaminant transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey A Clatterbuck
- San Diego State University, Biology Department, San Diego, CA, USA; University of California-Davis, Graduate Group in Ecology, Davis, CA, USA.
| | | | - Nathan G Dodder
- San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Catherine Zeeman
- US Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Fish & Wildlife Office, Carlsbad, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth Schiff
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
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21
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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: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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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22
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Becker DJ, Chumchal MM, Bentz AB, Platt SG, Czirják GÁ, Rainwater TR, Altizer S, Streicker DG. Predictors and immunological correlates of sublethal mercury exposure in vampire bats. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170073. [PMID: 28484633 PMCID: PMC5414270 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a pervasive heavy metal that often enters the environment from anthropogenic sources such as gold mining and agriculture. Chronic exposure to Hg can impair immune function, reducing the ability of animals to resist or recover from infections. How Hg influences immunity and susceptibility remains unknown for bats, which appear immunologically distinct from other mammals and are reservoir hosts of many pathogens of importance to human and animal health. We here quantify total Hg (THg) in hair collected from common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus), which feed on blood and are the main reservoir hosts of rabies virus in Latin America. We examine how diet, sampling site and year, and bat demography influence THg and test the consequences of this variation for eight immune measures. In two populations from Belize, THg concentrations in bats were best explained by an interaction between long-term diet inferred from stable isotopes and year. Bats that foraged more consistently on domestic animals exhibited higher THg. However, relationships between diet and THg were evident only in 2015 but not in 2014, which could reflect recent environmental perturbations associated with agriculture. THg concentrations were low relative to values previously observed in other bat species but still correlated with bat immunity. Bats with higher THg had more neutrophils, weaker bacterial killing ability and impaired innate immunity. These patterns suggest that temporal variation in Hg exposure may impair bat innate immunity and increase susceptibility to pathogens such as bacteria. Unexpected associations between low-level Hg exposure and immune function underscore the need to better understand the environmental sources of Hg exposure in bats and the consequences for bat immunity and susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Becker
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Disease, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- e-mail:
| | | | | | - Steven G. Platt
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Myanmar Program, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Gábor Á. Czirják
- Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas R. Rainwater
- Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center and Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, Georgetown, SC, USA
| | - Sonia Altizer
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Center for the Ecology of Infectious Disease, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Daniel G. Streicker
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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23
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Ackerman JT, Eagles-Smith CA, Herzog MP, Hartman CA, Peterson SH, Evers DC, Jackson AK, Elliott JE, Vander Pol SS, Bryan CE. Avian mercury exposure and toxicological risk across western North America: A synthesis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 568:749-769. [PMID: 27093907 PMCID: PMC5365029 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Methylmercury contamination of the environment is an important issue globally, and birds are useful bioindicators for mercury monitoring programs. The available data on mercury contamination of birds in western North America were synthesized. Original data from multiple databases were obtained and a literature review was conducted to obtain additional mercury concentrations. In total, 29219 original bird mercury concentrations from 225 species were compiled, and an additional 1712 mean mercury concentrations, representing 19998 individuals and 176 species, from 200 publications were obtained. To make mercury data comparable across bird tissues, published equations of tissue mercury correlations were used to convert all mercury concentrations into blood-equivalent mercury concentrations. Blood-equivalent mercury concentrations differed among species, foraging guilds, habitat types, locations, and ecoregions. Piscivores and carnivores exhibited the greatest mercury concentrations, whereas herbivores and granivores exhibited the lowest mercury concentrations. Bird mercury concentrations were greatest in ocean and salt marsh habitats and lowest in terrestrial habitats. Bird mercury concentrations were above toxicity benchmarks in many areas throughout western North America, and multiple hotspots were identified. Additionally, published toxicity benchmarks established in multiple tissues were summarized and translated into a common blood-equivalent mercury concentration. Overall, 66% of birds sampled in western North American exceeded a blood-equivalent mercury concentration of 0.2 μg/g wet weight (ww; above background levels), which is the lowest-observed effect level, 28% exceeded 1.0 μg/g ww (moderate risk), 8% exceeded 3.0 μg/g ww (high risk), and 4% exceeded 4.0 μg/g ww (severe risk). Mercury monitoring programs should sample bird tissues, such as adult blood and eggs, that are most-easily translated into tissues with well-developed toxicity benchmarks and that are directly relevant to bird reproduction. Results indicate that mercury contamination of birds is prevalent in many areas throughout western North America, and large-scale ecological attributes are important factors influencing bird mercury concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, California 95620, United States.
| | - Collin A Eagles-Smith
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 3200 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United States
| | - Mark P Herzog
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, California 95620, United States
| | - C Alex Hartman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, California 95620, United States
| | - Sarah H Peterson
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, California 95620, United States
| | - David C Evers
- Biodiversity Research Institute, 276 Canco Road, Portland, Maine, 04103, United States
| | - Allyson K Jackson
- Oregon State University, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 104 Nash Hall, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331, United States
| | - John E Elliott
- Environment Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, Delta, British Columbia, V4K 3N2, Canada
| | - Stacy S Vander Pol
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Chemical Sciences Division, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, South Carolina, 29412, United States
| | - Colleen E Bryan
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Chemical Sciences Division, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, South Carolina, 29412, United States
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24
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Peterson SH, McHuron EA, Kennedy SN, Ackerman JT, Rea LD, Castellini JM, O'Hara TM, Costa DP. Evaluating Hair as a Predictor of Blood Mercury: The Influence of Ontogenetic Phase and Life History in Pinnipeds. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2016; 70:28-45. [PMID: 26149950 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-015-0174-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) biomonitoring of pinnipeds increasingly utilizes nonlethally collected tissues such as hair and blood. The relationship between total Hg concentrations ([THg]) in these tissues is not well understood for marine mammals, but it can be important for interpretation of tissue concentrations with respect to ecotoxicology and biomonitoring. We examined [THg] in blood and hair in multiple age classes of four pinniped species. For each species, we used paired blood and hair samples to quantify the ability of [THg] in hair to predict [THg] in blood at the time of sampling and examined the influence of varying ontogenetic phases and life history of the sampled animals. Overall, we found that the relationship between [THg] in hair and blood was affected by factors including age class, weaning status, growth, and the time difference between hair growth and sample collection. Hair [THg] was moderately to strongly predictive of current blood [THg] for adult female Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), adult female California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and adult harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), whereas hair [THg] was poorly predictive or not predictive (different times of year) of blood [THg] for adult northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). Within species, except for very young pups, hair [THg] was a weaker predictor of blood [THg] for prereproductive animals than for adults likely due to growth, variability in foraging behavior, and transitions between ontogenetic phases. Our results indicate that the relationship between hair [THg] and blood [THg] in pinnipeds is variable and that ontogenetic phase and life history should be considered when interpreting [THg] in these tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Peterson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A McHuron
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
| | - Stephanie N Kennedy
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks, AK, 99701, USA
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 757750, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, 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
| | - Lorrie D Rea
- Institute of Northern Engineering, Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 755910, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - J Margaret Castellini
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 757750, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Todd M O'Hara
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 757750, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
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25
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Millow CJ, Mackintosh SA, Lewison RL, Dodder NG, Hoh E. Identifying bioaccumulative halogenated organic compounds using a nontargeted analytical approach: seabirds as sentinels. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127205. [PMID: 26020245 PMCID: PMC4447384 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are typically monitored via targeted mass spectrometry, which potentially identifies only a fraction of the contaminants actually present in environmental samples. With new anthropogenic compounds continuously introduced to the environment, novel and proactive approaches that provide a comprehensive alternative to targeted methods are needed in order to more completely characterize the diversity of known and unknown compounds likely to cause adverse effects. Nontargeted mass spectrometry attempts to extensively screen for compounds, providing a feasible approach for identifying contaminants that warrant future monitoring. We employed a nontargeted analytical method using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC/TOF-MS) to characterize halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) in California Black skimmer (Rynchops niger) eggs. Our study identified 111 HOCs; 84 of these compounds were regularly detected via targeted approaches, while 27 were classified as typically unmonitored or unknown. Typically unmonitored compounds of note in bird eggs included tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane (TCPM), tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol (TCPMOH), triclosan, permethrin, heptachloro-1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrrole (MBP), as well as four halogenated unknown compounds that could not be identified through database searching or the literature. The presence of these compounds in Black skimmer eggs suggests they are persistent, bioaccumulative, potentially biomagnifying, and maternally transferring. Our results highlight the utility and importance of employing nontargeted analytical tools to assess true contaminant burdens in organisms, as well as to demonstrate the value in using environmental sentinels to proactively identify novel contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Millow
- Ecology Program Area, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Susan A. Mackintosh
- Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, United States of America
- San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Rebecca L. Lewison
- Ecology Program Area, Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Nathan G. Dodder
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, California, United States of America
| | - Eunha Hoh
- Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, United States of America
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26
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Kohl KD, Cary TL, Karasov WH, Dearing MD. Larval exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl 126 (PCB-126) causes persistent alteration of the amphibian gut microbiota. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2015; 34:1113-8. [PMID: 25651416 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Interactions between gut microbes and anthropogenic pollutants have been under study. The authors investigated the effects of larval exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl 126 (PCB-126) on the gut microbial communities of tadpoles and frogs. Frogs treated with PCBs exhibited increased species richness in the gut and harbored communities significantly enriched in Fusobacteria. These results suggest that anthropogenic pollutants alter gut microbial populations, which may have health and fitness consequences for hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin D Kohl
- Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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27
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Caudill MT, Spear EL, Varian-Ramos CW, Cristol DA. PHA-stimulated immune-responsiveness in mercury-dosed zebra finches does not match results from environmentally exposed songbirds. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2015; 94:407-411. [PMID: 25638440 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-015-1472-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Dietary mercury exposure is associated with suppressed immune responsiveness in birds. This study examined the immune-responsiveness of domestic zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) experimentally exposed to mercury through their diet. We used the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin-swelling test to assay the effect of two modes of mercury exposure. Some finches received exposure to mercury only after reaching sexual maturity, while others were maintained on a mercury-dosed diet throughout life, including development. Each bird received one of five dietary concentrations of methylmercury cysteine (0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2 or 2.4 ppm). In contrast to a study on wild songbirds at a mercury-contaminated site, we detected no relationship between mercury level and immunological response to PHA, regardless of mode of exposure. This result represents the first major difference found by our laboratory between wild birds exposed to environmental mercury and captive birds experimentally exposed to mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell T Caudill
- Department of Biology, Institute for Integrative Bird Behavior Studies, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, 23187-8795, USA
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28
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Lopez J, Hyrenbach KD, Littnan C, Ylitalo GM. Geographic variation of persistent organic pollutants in Hawaiian monk seals Monachus schauinslandi in the main Hawaiian Islands. ENDANGER SPECIES RES 2014. [DOI: 10.3354/esr00602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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29
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Vorkamp K, Møller S, Falk K, Rigét FF, Thomsen M, Sørensen PB. Levels and trends of toxaphene and chlordane-related pesticides in peregrine falcon eggs from South Greenland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 468-469:614-621. [PMID: 24056452 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Peregrine falcon eggs were collected in South Greenland between 1986 and 2003 and analysed for 6 congeners of toxaphene and 5 chlordane-related pesticides (cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, cis-nonachlor, trans-nonachlor and oxychlordane). Oxychlordane had the highest median concentration of 1448 ng/g lipid weight (lw) or 79 ng/g wet weight (ww) of all compounds. Of the toxaphene congeners, CHB-50 was the predominant congener, with a median concentration of 215 ng/g lw (15.5 ng/g ww). Chlordane-related concentrations were comparable with results from the USA, but lower than those from Canada and Norway. Toxaphene was considerably higher than in eggs of Norwegian peregrine falcon eggs, possibly reflecting different toxaphene usage in the areas of peregrine falcon migration. Toxaphene information in birds of prey is limited and comparisons with other species indicate differences in concentrations and organochlorine pattern. Temporal trends showed significant log-linear decreases for cis-chlordane and trans-chlordane, but no significant trends for other chlordanes or the toxaphene congeners, probably affected by the large variation between eggs, also of the same bird. Correlations between chlordanes and toxaphene in the Greenland peregrine falcon eggs might suggest similar sources of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Vorkamp
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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30
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Sagerup K, Asbakk K, Polder A, Skaåre JU, Gabrielsen GW, Barrett RT. Relationships between persistent organic pollutants and circulating immunoglobulin-Y in black-legged kittiwakes and Atlantic puffins. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2014; 77:481-494. [PMID: 24754386 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2014.886543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Have Although persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may affect the immune system, few field studies actually examined this effect. There are indications that POP exert effects on the immune system; however, in the Arctic ecosystem data are scarce. The aim of this study was to examine immune functions in two medium trophic-positioned seabirds, the black-legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) and Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica). Overall POP concentrations were higher in kittiwakes than puffins and males had significantly higher concentrations than females. Mean concentrations of total polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCB9) were 4700 ± 200 and 9600 ± 1400 ng/g lipid weight and 2800 ± 180 and 3900 ± 200 ng/g lipid weight in female and male kittiwake and puffin blood, respectively. Levels of immunoglobulin-Y (IgY) in blood of kittiwakes were not markedly affected by concentrations of POP. Similarly, the primary IgY response to tetanus toxoid was not affected by POP concentrations in a subsample of immunized kittiwakes. In puffins, there were significant correlations between the IgY-response and some of the POPs, but with low explanatory values. These results suggest that POPs concentrations were lower than, or just at the threshold level for effects of the proposed IgY biomarker. It is also conceivable that the IgY levels are not a suitable endpoint for evaluating perturbation of the immune system in free-living seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kjetil Sagerup
- a Tromsø University Museum, Fram Centre , NO-9296 Tromsø , Norway
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31
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Hopkins BC, Chin SY, Willson JD, Hopkins WA. Like mother, like offspring: maternal and offspring wound healing correlate in snakes. J Exp Biol 2013; 216:2545-7. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.084202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
Immune function early in life can be influenced by parental effects and the environment, but it remains unclear how these two factors may interact to influence immunocompetence. We evaluated maternal and environmental contributions to offspring healing ability in a viviparous reptile, the northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon). We measured wound healing rates, a highly integrative and biologically relevant measure of innate immunity, of females and their offspring collected from sites contaminated with a toxic heavy metal and compared them with those of individuals from reference sites. We found that female watersnakes that healed the fastest produced offspring that also exhibited faster healing rates. However, we detected no influence of environmental pollution on maternal or offspring healing rates. To our knowledge, our study is the first to correlate maternal and offspring wound healing ability in a wild vertebrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney C. Hopkins
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, 106 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Stephanie Y. Chin
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, 106 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - John D. Willson
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, 106 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - William A. Hopkins
- Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Virginia Tech, 106 Cheatham Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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32
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Lewis CA, Cristol DA, Swaddle JP, Varian-Ramos CW, Zwollo P. Decreased immune response in zebra finches exposed to sublethal doses of mercury. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2013; 64:327-336. [PMID: 23229191 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-012-9830-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous contaminant with deleterious effects on many wildlife species. Most studies to date have focused on fish-eating birds and mammals because much historical Hg pollution is aquatic. Recently, however, comparable blood-Hg levels have been found in terrestrial insectivorous songbirds. As a result, research is needed to clarify the effects of Hg exposure on songbirds. One fundamental end point that is still poorly understood is the effect of Hg on the songbird immune system. If Hg affects the functioning of the immune system, exposed songbirds may be less able to mount an appropriate immune response against invading pathogens. To gain insight into how Hg affects songbird immune function on a cellular level, a flow cytometric assay was developed to measure lipopolysaccharide-induced B-lymphocyte proliferation in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). This is the first experimental (dosing) study of the potential effect of Hg on songbird immune system functioning. Decreased B cell proliferation was observed after lipopolysaccharide exposure in individuals with greater concentrations of Hg in their blood and tissues. In addition, these individuals had decreased ratios of proliferating-to-resting B cells. This decrease in lymphocyte proliferation in response to an effective mitogen suggests that environmental exposure to sublethal levels of Hg may inhibit or delay B cell proliferation in songbirds, potentially increasing susceptibility to disease and decreasing survivorship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Lewis
- Department of Biology, The College of William and Mary, Institute for Integrative Bird Behavior Studies, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA
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Shlosberg A, Rumbeiha WK, Lublin A, Kannan K. A database of avian blood spot examinations for exposure of wild birds to environmental toxicants: the DABSE biomonitoring project. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 13:1547-58. [DOI: 10.1039/c0em00754d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Hoffman DJ, Henny CJ, Hill EF, Grove RA, Kaiser JL, Stebbins KR. Mercury and drought along the lower Carson river, Nevada: III. Effects on blood and organ biochemistry and histopathology of snowy egrets and Black-crowned night-herons on Lahontan reservoir, 2002-2006. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2009; 72:1223-1241. [PMID: 20077191 DOI: 10.1080/15287390903129218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A 10-year study (1997-2006) was conducted to evaluate reproduction and health of aquatic birds in the Carson River Basin of northwestern Nevada (on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Natural Priorities List) due to high mercury (Hg) concentrations from past mining activities. This part of the study evaluated physiological associations with blood Hg in young snowy egrets (Egretta thula) and black-crowned night-herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), and organ biochemistry and histopathological effects in snowy egrets on Lahontan Reservoir (LR) from the period 2002-2006. LR snowy egret geometric mean total Hg concentrations (microg/g ww) ranged from 1.5 to 4.8 for blood, 2.4 to 3.1 liver, 1.8 to 2.5 kidneys, 1.7 to 2.4 brain, and 20.5 to 36.4 feathers over these years. For night-herons, mean Hg for blood ranged from 1.6 to 7.4. Significant positive correlations were found between total Hg in blood and five plasma enzyme activities of snowy egrets suggesting hepatic stress. Histopathological findings revealed vacuolar changes in hepatocytes in LR snowy egrets as well as correlation of increased liver inflammation with increasing blood and tissue Hg. Hepatic oxidative effects were manifested by decreased hepatic total thiol concentration and glutathione reductase activity and elevated hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive subatances (TBARS), a measure of lipid peroxidation. However, other hepatic changes indicated compensatory mechanisms in response to oxidative stress, including decreased oxidized glutathione (GSSG) concentration and decreased ratio of GSSG to reduced glutathione. In young black-crowned night-herons, fewer correlations were apparent. In both species, positive correlations between blood total Hg and plasma uric acid and inorganic phosphorus were suggestive of renal stress, which was supported by histopathological findings. Both oxidative effects and adaptive responses to oxidative stress were apparent in kidneys and brain. Vacuolar change and inflammation in peripheral nerves were found to correlate with blood and tissue Hg. Hg-associated effects related to the immune system included alterations in specific white blood cells and lymphoid depletion in the bursa that were correlated with blood and tissue Hg. When the number of plasma variables that differed between young snowy egrets from the LR site and the reference site were compared between wet and drought years, over twice as many variables were affected during drought years. This resulted in many more variables correlating with blood total Hg during dry than during wet years, suggesting the combination of drought and Hg was more stressful than Hg alone. Drought may have exacerbated Hg-related effects as reported previously for overall productivity. This relationship was not evident in black-crowned night-herons, although data were more limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Hoffman
- U.S. Geological Survey-Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA.
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