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Ellwanger JH, Chies JAB. Brazil's heavy metal pollution harms humans and ecosystems. SCIENCE IN ONE HEALTH 2023; 2:100019. [PMID: 39077034 PMCID: PMC11262263 DOI: 10.1016/j.soh.2023.100019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
This letter draws attention to the worrying situation of heavy metal pollution in Brazil, especially concerning the Amazon's Indigenous peoples affected by mercury contamination from illegal gold mining activities. Heavy metal pollution is also an emerging problem in other Brazilian biomes besides the Amazon Forest (e.g., Pampa biome in southern Brazil), as well as in coastal ecosystems/regions and large cities. Despite being a neglected problem, Brazil's heavy metal pollution causes significant detrimental impacts on human health and ecosystems. Finally, some alternatives to overcome this problem are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Henrique Ellwanger
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (PPGBM), Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970, Brazil
| | - José Artur Bogo Chies
- Laboratory of Immunobiology and Immunogenetics, Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology (PPGBM), Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970, Brazil
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Oliveira E, Ignácio ARA, Lázaro WL, Díez S, Guimarães JRD, Santos-Filho M. Green Kingfishers as Sentinel Species for Mercury Contamination in Amazon. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023:10.1007/s00244-023-01009-x. [PMID: 37355496 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-023-01009-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Mercury is a global contaminant found in the Amazon; it can be biomagnified in the aquatic trophic chain. The use of piscivorous birds for biomonitoring of mercury contamination is increasing, mainly due to the non-mobility of mercury in bird feathers. We examined the concentrations of total mercury and methylmercury in different tissues of the green kingfisher, Chloroceryle americana collected from the Teles Pires and Juruena Rivers in the southern Brazilian Amazon. We also evaluated total mercury in small Characidae fish (potential C. americana food) in the same areas. The results indicate contamination of the birds with high concentrations, on average two-times higher in the green kingfishers from the Teles Pires River compared to the Juruena River; the same results were found for the fish specimens. Fifty-eight per cent of the feather samples from the Juruena River and 90% from the Teles Pires River had total mercury concentrations above 5 µg/g, a level previously associated with adverse effects related to bird breeding. The methylmercury concentration was lowest in the liver, followed by feathers and highest in muscle. Although Juruena River bird feathers had a lower total mercury concentration, > 96% of the total mercury was methylmercury, the highest amount for specimens from both rivers. Although the concentration of Hg in the muscle of the green kingfisher is higher when compared to the feather and liver, the non-invasive monitoring through analysis of samples of feathers is an efficient biomonitoring tool for evaluation of mercury contamination in tropical birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edvagner Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Estudos em Limnologia, Biodiversidade e Etnobiologia do Pantanal, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Cáceres, Brazil.
| | - Aurea Regina Alves Ignácio
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Estudos em Limnologia, Biodiversidade e Etnobiologia do Pantanal, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Cáceres, Brazil
| | - Wilkinson Lopes Lázaro
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Estudos em Limnologia, Biodiversidade e Etnobiologia do Pantanal, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Cáceres, Brazil
| | - Sergi Díez
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jean Remy Davee Guimarães
- Laboratório de Traçadores. Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal Do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Manoel Santos-Filho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Centro de Estudos em Limnologia, Biodiversidade e Etnobiologia do Pantanal, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Cáceres, Brazil
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Quadri-Adrogué A, Gómez-Ramírez P, García-Fernández AJ, García GO, Seco-Pon JP, Miglioranza KSB. Feather mercury levels in beached Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) in northern Argentina during the non-breeding season. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:24793-24801. [PMID: 34826079 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17539-7] [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: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a great concern for marine environments. Bird feathers have been widely used to assess Hg pollution. In this study, we determine mercury concentrations in body feathers of juvenile Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) from the southeastern sector of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, during a non-breeding season, considering both sexes. Hg levels, considering both females and males together, ranged between 265.5 and 1515.52 ng/g. These levels are well below the concentrations in feathers suggested for taking actions focused on the protection of seabirds. Non-significant differences between sexes regarding Hg levels were found, probably because juveniles were sexually immature and females did not excrete Hg by egg laying yet. Hg concentrations found in this study were an order of magnitude higher than those reported 10 years ago for the species in breeding areas on the Argentine coast. Thus, the present study provides relevant information indicating a possible increase of Hg pollution in the southwestern region of the Atlantic Ocean and thus trigger for the development of monitoring programs and regional strategies to improve the conservation status of this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustina Quadri-Adrogué
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología y Contaminación Ambiental, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Vertebrados, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Pilar Gómez-Ramírez
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Research Group, IMIB‑Arrixaca, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Antonio Juan García-Fernández
- Toxicology and Risk Assessment Research Group, IMIB‑Arrixaca, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| | - Germán Oscar García
- Laboratorio de Vertebrados, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC) (UNMDP-CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Juan Pablo Seco-Pon
- Laboratorio de Vertebrados, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC) (UNMDP-CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina.
| | - Karina Silvia Beatriz Miglioranza
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología y Contaminación Ambiental, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC) (UNMDP-CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina
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McKenzie AC, Silvestro AM, Marti LJ, Emslie SD. Intraspecific Variation in Mercury, δ 15 N, and δ 13 C Among 3 Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) Populations in the Northern Antarctic Peninsula Region. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:2791-2801. [PMID: 34265110 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is a pervasive environmental contaminant that accumulates in the organs and tissues of seabirds at concentrations capable of causing acute or long-term adverse health effects. In the present study, Hg concentrations in Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) egg membranes and chick feathers served as a proxy for Hg bioavailability in the marine environment surrounding the northern Antarctic Peninsula. Stable isotopes were measured in conjunction with Hg to infer information regarding feeding habits (δ15 N, diet/trophic level; δ13 C, foraging habitat). The Hg concentrations were low relative to toxicity benchmark values associated with adverse health effects in birds and ranged between 0.006 and 0.080 µg g-1 dry weight (n = 65) in egg membranes and 0.140 to 1.05 µg g-1 fresh weight (n = 38) in feathers. Egg membrane δ15 N signatures suggested that females from different breeding colonies had similar diets consisting of lower and higher trophic prey prior to arrival to breeding grounds. In contrast, δ15 N signatures in feathers indicated that chick diet varied by colony. The Hg concentrations demonstrated significant positive relationships with δ15 N, providing support for the hypothesis of Hg biomagnification up the food chain. The δ13 C signatures in both tissue types provided evidence of foraging habitat segregation among populations. The differences in Hg exposure and foraging ecology suggest that each colony has localized foraging behaviors by breeding adults that warrant additional investigation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2791-2801. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley C McKenzie
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anahí M Silvestro
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica, Esquel, Chubut, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Lucas J Marti
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad CAECE, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Steven D Emslie
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
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Schutt D, Brasso RL, Vajda AM, Wunder MB. Comparison of feather mercury concentrations in live-caught vs. found-dead chick carcasses of Gentoo Penguins (Pygoscelis papua). Polar Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-021-02929-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Quinete N, Hauser-Davis RA, Lemos LS, Moura JF, Siciliano S, Gardinali PR. Occurrence and tissue distribution of organochlorinated compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) from the southeastern coast of Brazil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 749:141473. [PMID: 32836122 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Seabirds are suitable biomonitors for several persistent organic pollutants (POP), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), although scarce studies of PAHs in seabirds are available, especially in South American populations. Therefore, this study aimed to assess OCPs, PCBs and PAHs, through gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses, in liver (n = 9) and muscle tissue (n = 13) from juvenile Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) found stranded on the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. DDT-related compounds were the most frequently detected OCP, and 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), the main DDT metabolite found in penguin tissues. OCP concentrations in liver were two-fold higher than in muscle tissues. Compound specific ratios identified recent exposure of penguins to some OCPs as well as evidence of legacy pollution associated with industrial sources. The predominant PCB congeners were PCB 8/5, PCB 138/160 and PCB 153/132, with concentrations ranging from <LOQ and 1500 ng g-1 dry weight. This study comprises one of the few PAHs reports in penguin tissues, and, although most compounds were detected at very low levels or below the limit of quantitation (LOQ), the concentrations reported herein were up to 100-fold higher than in previous studies in penguins. Therefore, considering penguin vulnerability to marine oil spills during migration routes, further assessments are required in different tissues in order to assess potential environmental health risks to these sentinel species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Quinete
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Miami, FL 33199, USA; Institute of Environment and Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
| | - Rachel Ann Hauser-Davis
- Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Marinhos da Região dos Lagos (GEMM-Lagos), Rua São José 1.260, Praia Seca, Araruama, RJ 28970-000, Brazil; Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/Fiocruz, Av. Brazil, 4.365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Leila S Lemos
- Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Marinhos da Região dos Lagos (GEMM-Lagos), Rua São José 1.260, Praia Seca, Araruama, RJ 28970-000, Brazil; Marine Mammal Institute, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, 2030 SE Marine Science Dr, Newport, OR 97365, USA
| | - Jailson F Moura
- Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Marinhos da Região dos Lagos (GEMM-Lagos), Rua São José 1.260, Praia Seca, Araruama, RJ 28970-000, Brazil; Systems Ecology Group, Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Salvatore Siciliano
- Grupo de Estudos de Mamíferos Marinhos da Região dos Lagos (GEMM-Lagos), Rua São José 1.260, Praia Seca, Araruama, RJ 28970-000, Brazil; Laboratório de Biodiversidade, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Pavilhão Mourisco sala 217, Av. Brasil, 4.365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Piero R Gardinali
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Miami, FL 33199, USA; Institute of Environment and Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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Nardiello V, Fidalgo LE, López-Beceiro A, Bertero A, Martínez-Morcillo S, Míguez MP, Soler F, Caloni F, Pérez-López M. Metal content in the liver, kidney, and feathers of Northern gannets, Morus bassanus, sampled on the Spanish coast. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:19646-19654. [PMID: 31079298 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05356-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The value of birds as bioindicators for monitoring the environmental inorganic elements has been globally recognized. In this context, due to its well-known ecology and population stability, the Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) could be particularly useful. Dead Northern gannets (n = 30) were collected and samples from the liver, kidney, and feathers were taken, dried, mineralized, and finally analyzed via ICP-MS. Metals and metalloids, namely As, Cd, Hg, Pb, and Zn, associated with environmental pollution and toxicity on living organisms, were evaluated. The mean highest concentrations of As, Hg, and Zn were found in the liver (0.916, 7.026, and 89.81 mg/kg dry weight, respectively). For Cd, the kidney showed the highest mean concentration (17.51 mg/kg dry weight), whereas for Pb, this value corresponded to the feathers (0.399 mg/kg dry weight). Significant differences were found between the age classes in terms of contaminant concentrations, with the adults exhibiting higher metal levels. This difference was significantly relevant for Pb and Hg, where the effect of age was observed for all the considered tissues. When considering the effect of gender, no significant differences were observed, in agreement with similar studies performed in other geographical regions. Finally, positive correlations between the concentrations of Hg and Pb in the feathers and in the liver (r = 0.688, p < 0.001 and r = 0.566, p < 0.001, respectively) were observed, as well as between the feather and kidney concentrations (r = 0.685, p < 0.001) indicating the possibility to use feathers, a non-invasive biomonitoring tissue, for better understanding Hg and Pb exposure in seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Nardiello
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luis Eusebio Fidalgo
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (USC), 27003, Lugo, Spain
| | - Ana López-Beceiro
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (USC), 27003, Lugo, Spain
| | - Alessia Bertero
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | | | - María Prado Míguez
- Toxicology Area, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UEX), 10003, Caceres, Spain
- INBIO G+C, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francisco Soler
- Toxicology Area, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UEX), 10003, Caceres, Spain
- IPROCAR Research Institutes, Cáceres, Spain
| | - Francesca Caloni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine (DIMEVET), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Marcos Pérez-López
- Toxicology Area, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UEX), 10003, Caceres, Spain.
- INBIO G+C, Cáceres, Spain.
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Plaza PI, Uhart M, Caselli A, Wiemeyer G, Lambertucci SA. A review of lead contamination in South American birds: The need for more research and policy changes. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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Moura JF, Tavares DC, Lemos LS, Silveira VVB, Siciliano S, Hauser-Davis RA. Variation in mercury concentration in juvenile Magellanic penguins during their migration path along the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 238:397-403. [PMID: 29587210 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The vulnerability of seabirds related to their migratory dynamics is frequently linked to environmental problems along the migration path. In this context, Magellanic penguins (Sphenicus magellanicus) seem to be vulnerable to an extensive range of environmental disturbances during their northward migration along the Atlantic waters of South America, which include by catch, marine debris ingestion, overfishing and environmental contamination. In this study, we investigate mercury accumulation in muscle and hepatic tissues of juveniles penguins collected along the Brazilian coast during three migratory seasonal years (2006, 2008 and 2012) and three areas along a latitudinal gradient. We found significant differences in Hg levels across the years, with higher hepatic Hg levels found in tissues of penguins sampled in 2008. The higher Hg levels in samples of penguins from 2008 might be attributed to variations in body condition or Hg uptake, associated with the trophic imbalance linked to an extreme El Niño event during that year. Significant differences in Hg accumulation across the latitudinal areas were also observed. The penguins sampled at the farthest area from the breeding ground presented the higher levels of Hg and also the poorest body condition. Body condition and other traits may influence the levels of chemical pollutants and decrease the migratory success rate in the juvenile age phase, compromising population dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jailson F Moura
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research - ZMT, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Davi C Tavares
- Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research - ZMT, Bremen, Germany
| | - Leila S Lemos
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Newport, USA
| | | | | | - Rachel A Hauser-Davis
- Centro de Estudos da Saúde do Trabalhador e Ecologia Humana, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Kehrig HA, Hauser-Davis RA, Seixas TG, Fillmann G. Trace-elements, methylmercury and metallothionein levels in Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) found stranded on the Southern Brazilian coast. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2015; 96:450-455. [PMID: 25960272 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Magellanic penguins have been reported as good biomonitors for several types of pollutants, including trace-elements. In this context, selenium (Se), total mercury, methylmercury, inorganic mercury (Hg(inorg)), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), as well as metallothionein (MT) levels, were evaluated in the feathers, liver and kidney of juvenile Magellanic penguins found stranded along the coast of Southern Brazil. The highest concentrations of all trace-elements and methylmercury were found in internal organs. Concentrations of Cd and Se in feathers were extremely low in comparison with their concentrations in soft tissues. The results showed that both Se and MT are involved in the detoxification of trace-elements (Cd, Pb and Hg(inorg)) since statistically significant relationships were found in liver. Conversely, hepatic Se was shown to be the only detoxifying agent for methylmercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena A Kehrig
- Lab. de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, 28013-602 Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ, Brazil; Lab. de Radioisótopos Eduardo Penna Franca, IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | | | - Tércia G Seixas
- Lab. de Radioisótopos Eduardo Penna Franca, IBCCF, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Dep. de Química, PUC - Rio, 22453-900 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Gilberto Fillmann
- Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, 96203-900 Rio Grande, RS, Brazil.
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Summers CF, Bowerman WW, Parsons N, Chao WY, Bridges WC. Lead and cadmium in the blood of nine species of seabirds, Marion Island, South Africa. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2014; 93:417-422. [PMID: 25149279 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-014-1359-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Levels of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) were investigated as potential stressors in nine species of breeding seabirds on Marion Island, South Africa. The majority of blood Pb levels (95 %) were below background exposure levels. Species was a significant factor in ranked means analysis for mean blood Pb levels. Fewer individual blood Cd levels (<60 %) were within background exposure levels and species was not significant. Elevated levels of Cd have been documented in other seabird species without apparent outward effects, which suggests that seabirds may be adapted to high cadmium environments, particularly from their diets. Overall, the results suggest Pb and Cd are not primary causes for concern in these seabirds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly F Summers
- School of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences, Clemson University, 261 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA,
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de Moura JF, Emin-Lima R, Hacon SS, Vega CM, de Campos RC, Siciliano S. Mercury status of the Amazon Continental Shelf: Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis, Van Benédén 1864) as a bioindicator. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2012; 89:412-418. [PMID: 22562419 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-012-0663-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2011] [Accepted: 04/20/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Total mercury (Hg) was analyzed in muscle tissue of 27 accidentally captured Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) in order to evaluate Hg contamination levels present in the Amazon Continental Shelf, in Amapá state, North Brazil. The samples showed a mean concentration of 0.4 ± 0.16 μg/g wet weight (ww), ranging from 0.07 to 0.79 μg/g ww. As observed in several other cetacean species, Hg concentrations presented positive correlations to body length, related to the capacity to bioaccumulate this element throughout life. Hg concentrations were not significantly different between males (mean = 0.38 μg/g ww; n = 15) and females (mean = 0.42 μg/g ww; n = 12). Concentrations were low when compared to results of studies carried out with small cetaceans in the Northern Hemisphere, and with some previous studies in the south-eastern region of Brazil. In contrast with high Hg concentrations normally detected in river dolphin samples from Amazon River tributaries, our results suggest that the Amazon coast contains low levels of Hg in bioavailable form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jailson Fulgencio de Moura
- PPG em Saúde Pública e Meio Ambiente, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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