1
|
Gangoso L, Mateo R, Santamaría-Cervantes C, García-Alfonso M, Gimeno-Castellano C, Arrondo E, Serrano D, van Overveld T, de la Riva M, Cabrera MA, Donázar JA. Blood lead levels in an endangered vulture decline following changes in hunting activity. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118712. [PMID: 38548255 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118712] [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: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Lead ammunition stands out as one of the most pervasive pollutants affecting wildlife. Its impact on bird populations have spurred efforts for the phase-out of leaded gunshot in several countries, although with varying scopes and applications. Ongoing and future policy changes require data to assess the effectiveness of adopted measures, particularly in the current context of biodiversity loss. Here, we assessed the long-term changes in blood lead (Pb) levels of Egyptian vultures from the Canary Islands, Spain, which have been severely affected by Pb poisoning over the past two decades. During this period, the reduction in hunting pressure and changes in legislation regarding firearms usage for small game hunting likely contributed to a decrease in environmental Pb availability. As anticipated, our results show a reduction in Pb levels, especially after the ban on wild rabbit hunting with shotgun since 2010. This effect was stronger in the preadult fraction of the vulture population. However, we still observed elevated blood Pb levels above the background and clinical thresholds in 5.6% and 1.5% of individuals, respectively. Our results highlight the positive impact of reducing the availability of Pb from ammunition sources on individual health. Nonetheless, the continued use of Pb gunshot remains an important source of poisoning, even lethal, mainly affecting adult individuals. This poses a particular concern for long-lived birds, compounding by potential chronic effects associated with Pb bioaccumulation. Our findings align with recent studies indicating insufficient reductions in Pb levels among European birds of prey, attributed to limited policy changes and their uneven implementation. We anticipated further reductions in Pb levels among Egyptian vultures with expanded restrictions on hunting practices, including a blanket ban on Pb shot usage across all small game species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L Gangoso
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, C/ José Antonio Novais 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain.
| | - R Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - C Santamaría-Cervantes
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - M García-Alfonso
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - C Gimeno-Castellano
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - E Arrondo
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain; Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Avenida Fuente Nueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - D Serrano
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - T van Overveld
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - M de la Riva
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - M A Cabrera
- Dirección general de Espacios Naturales y Biodiversidad. Consejería de Transición Ecológica y Energía, Gobierno de Canarias, C/ Prof. Agustín Millares Carló, 18, 35071, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - J A Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Américo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Muñoz-Arnanz J, Cortés-Avizanda A, Donázar-Aramendía I, Arrondo E, Ceballos O, Colomer-Vidal P, Jiménez B, Donázar JA. Levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and the role of anthropic subsidies in the diet of avian scavengers tracked by stable isotopes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123188. [PMID: 38123115 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have been identified as a significant factor driving declines in wildlife populations. These contaminants exhibit a dual tendency to biomagnify up the food chains and persist within tissues, rendering long-lived vertebrates, such as raptors, highly vulnerable to their adverse effects. We assessed the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in fledglings of two vulture species, the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), coexisting in northern Spain. Vultures, currently facing a severe threat with a population decline exceeding 90%, represent one of the most critically endangered avian groups in the Old World. Despite this critical situation, there remains a scarcity of research examining the intricate relationship between contaminant levels and individual foraging behaviors. In parallel, we analyzed stable isotope levels (δ15N and δ13C) in fledgling's feathers and prey hair to determine the association between individual dietary and contaminant burdens. Our findings revealed higher levels of PCBs in Egyptian vultures, while pesticide concentrations remained very similar between focal species. Furthermore, higher individual values of δ13C, indicating a diet based on intensive farming carcasses and landfills, were associated with higher levels of PCBs. While the levels of POPs found do not raise immediate alarm, the presence of individuals with unusually high values reveals the existence of accessible contamination sources in the environment for avian scavengers. The increasing reliance of these birds on intensive livestock farming and landfills, due to the decline of extensive livestock farming, necessitates long-term monitoring of potential contaminant effects on their populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Muñoz-Arnanz
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
| | - A Cortés-Avizanda
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, Av. Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain; Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/. Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - I Donázar-Aramendía
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Seville Aquarium R + D + I Biological Research Area, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Sevilla, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - E Arrondo
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/. Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain; Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain; Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Spain
| | - O Ceballos
- UGARRA, Avda. Carlos III 1, 31002, Pamplona, Navarre, Spain
| | - P Colomer-Vidal
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - B Jiménez
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - J A Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/. Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Arévalo-Ayala DJ, Real J, Mañosa S, Aymerich J, Durà C, Hernández-Matías A. Age-Specific Demographic Response of a Long-Lived Scavenger Species to Reduction of Organic Matter in a Landfill. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3529. [PMID: 38003146 PMCID: PMC10668657 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Food availability shapes demographic parameters and population dynamics. Certain species have adapted to predictable anthropogenic food resources like landfills. However, abrupt shifts in food availability can negatively impact such populations. While changes in survival are expected, the age-related effects remain poorly understood, particularly in long-lived scavenger species. We investigated the age-specific demographic response of a Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) population to a reduction in organic matter in a landfill and analyzed apparent survival and the probability of transience after initial capture using a Bayesian Cormack-Jolly-Seber model on data from 2012-2022. The proportion of transients among newly captured immatures and adults increased after the reduction in food. Juvenile apparent survival declined, increased in immature residents, and decreased in adult residents. These results suggest that there was a greater likelihood of permanent emigration due to intensified intraspecific competition following the reduction in food. Interestingly, resident immatures showed the opposite trend, suggesting the persistence of high-quality individuals despite the food scarcity. Although the reasons behind the reduced apparent survival of resident adults in the final four years of the study remain unclear, non-natural mortality potentially plays a part. In Europe landfill closure regulations are being implemented and pose a threat to avian scavenger populations, which underlines the need for research on food scarcity scenarios and proper conservation measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diego J. Arévalo-Ayala
- Equip de Biologia de la Conservació, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (J.R.); (S.M.); (A.H.-M.)
| | - Joan Real
- Equip de Biologia de la Conservació, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (J.R.); (S.M.); (A.H.-M.)
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santi Mañosa
- Equip de Biologia de la Conservació, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (J.R.); (S.M.); (A.H.-M.)
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Aymerich
- Grup d’Anellament de Calldetenes-Osona (GACO), 08506 Calldetenes, Spain; (J.A.); (C.D.)
| | - Carles Durà
- Grup d’Anellament de Calldetenes-Osona (GACO), 08506 Calldetenes, Spain; (J.A.); (C.D.)
- Estació Biològica del Montseny, Institut Català d’Ornitologia (ICO), Edifici Fontmartina, 08081 Fogars de Montclús, Spain
| | - Antonio Hernández-Matías
- Equip de Biologia de la Conservació, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (J.R.); (S.M.); (A.H.-M.)
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Quirici V, Valeris-Chacín CE, Parada P, Cuevas E, Wingfield JC. Baseline Corticosterone, Stress Responses, and Leukocyte Profiles in Chicks of Precocial Birds in Rural and Urban Environments. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2138. [PMID: 38004278 PMCID: PMC10672541 DOI: 10.3390/life13112138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The urban environment produces complex relationship among urban stressors that could change the levels of the steroid hormone, glucocorticoid (GCs). Studies that have evaluated baseline corticosterone (Cort) levels (the main GC in birds) and stress responses during development in urban and rural environments have obtained contrasting results. This ambiguity could partially be because the studies were carried out in altricial species, where parental care and sibling competition can affect Cort levels. Therefore, in this study, we compared levels of circulating baseline levels of CORT (blood sample obtained within 3 min of capture) and stress responses (blood sample obtained 30 min after capture) and the H/L ratio (an alternative method to measure stress) in chicks of a precocial bird, southern lapwings (Vanellus chilensis), from one rural (6 chicks), one urban low-polluted (13 chicks), and one urban high-polluted (10 chicks) site of Metropolitan Region of Santiago de Chile. We observed higher baseline Cort (2.41 ± 1.78 ng/mL) in the urban high-polluted site, a higher H/L ratio (0.51 ± 0.20) in the urban low-polluted site, and similar stress response across the three sites. We propose that the difference in stress physiology we observed within Santiago de Chile is because the two zones are at extremes in terms of stressors (noise, light, chemical, and human presence). It is unusual to find a precocious bird that lives in both urban and rural areas; therefore, the results of this study will advance our knowledge of the effect of the urban environment during the development of wildlife, which is relevant in terms of management and conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Quirici
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 440, Santiago 8370251, Chile
| | - Carlos E. Valeris-Chacín
- Departamento de Ciencias Ecológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8330015, Chile
- Cape Horn International Center for Global Change Studies and Biocultural Conservation (CHIC), O’Higgins 310, Cabo de Hornos, Puerto Williams 6350000, Chile
| | - Pablo Parada
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 440, Santiago 8370251, Chile
| | - Elfego Cuevas
- Centro de Investigación para la Sustentabilidad, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Av. República 440, Santiago 8370251, Chile
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andrés Bello, Quillota 980, Viña del Mar 2520000, Chile
| | - John C. Wingfield
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Dulsat-Masvidal M, Bertolero A, Mateo R, Lacorte S. Legacy and emerging contaminants in flamingos' chicks' blood from the Ebro Delta Natural Park. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 312:137205. [PMID: 36368533 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137205] [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] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The Ebro Delta is a wetland of international importance for waterbird conservation but severally affected by intensive agriculture, toxic waste discharges from a past chloro-alkali industry and affluence of tourism. The discharge of contaminants associated to these activities pose waterbirds breeding in the Ebro Delta at risk. The aim of this study is to evaluate the exposure of 91 emerging and legacy micropollutants in flamingo chicks (Phoenicopterus roseus), an emblematic species of the area. Fifty chicks of 45-60 days were captured, biometric parameters measured and whole blood collected. Compounds analyzed included perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), pharmaceuticals, organophosphate esters (OPEs), in-use pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results indicate a multi-exposure of flamingo's chicks from a very young age. PFASs were the most ubiquitous compounds with ∑PFASs ranging from 9.34 to 576 ng/mL, being PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS detected in all samples. ∑PAHs ranged from 0.19 to 423 ng/mL, ∑PCBs from 0.5 to 15.6 ng/mL and ∑OCs from 1.35 to 37.8 ng/mL. Pharmaceuticals, OPEs and in-use pesticides were not detected. The flamingo's filtering behavior on mud and maternal ovo-transference are the more likely routes of exposure of organic micropollutants to flamingos' chicks. The reported levels of micropollutants were not associated with any alteration in the body condition of chicks. This is the first study to describe flamingos chicks' exposure to multiple contaminants, highlighting the importance of biomonitoring for wildlife conservation and biodiversity preservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dulsat-Masvidal
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Bertolero
- Associació Ornitològica Picampall de les Terres de l'Ebre, Trinquet 8, 43580, Deltebre, Spain
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Silvia Lacorte
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Oliva-Vidal P, Martínez JM, Sánchez-Barbudo IS, Camarero PR, Colomer MÀ, Margalida A, Mateo R. Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in the blood of obligate and facultative European avian scavengers. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120385. [PMID: 36257565 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) and their high persistence in animal tissues has led to these compounds becoming ubiquitous in rodent-predator-scavenger food webs. Exposure to SGARs has usually been investigated in wildlife species found dead, and despite growing evidence of the potential risk of secondary poisoning of predators and scavengers, the current worldwide exposure of free-living scavenging birds to SGARs remains scarcely investigated. We present the first active monitoring of blood SGAR concentrations and prevalence in the four European obligate (i.e., vultures) and facultative (red and black kites) avian scavengers in NE Spain. We analysed 261 free-living birds and detected SGARs in 39.1% (n = 102) of individuals. Both SGAR prevalence and concentrations (ΣSGARs) were related to the age and foraging behaviour of the species studied. Black kites showed the highest prevalence (100%), followed by red kites (66.7%), Egyptian (64.2%), bearded (20.9%), griffon (16.9%) and cinereous (6.3%) vultures. Overall, both the prevalence and average ΣSGARs were higher in non-nestlings than nestlings, and in species such as kites and Egyptian vultures foraging in anthropic landscapes (e.g., landfill sites and livestock farms) and exploiting small/medium-sized carrions. Brodifacoum was most prevalent (28.8%), followed by difenacoum (16.1%), flocoumafen (12.3%) and bromadiolone (7.3%). In SGAR-positive birds, the ΣSGAR (mean ± SE) was 7.52 ± 0.95 ng mL-1; the highest level detected being 53.50 ng mL-1. The most abundant diastereomer forms were trans-bromadiolone and flocoumafen, and cis-brodifacoum and difenacoum, showing that lower impact formulations could reduce secondary exposures of non-target species. Our findings suggest that SGARs can bioaccumulate in scavenging birds, showing the potential risk to avian scavenging guilds in Europe and elsewhere. We highlight the need for further studies on the potential adverse effects associated with concentrations of SGARSs in the blood to better interpret active monitoring studies of free-living birds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Oliva-Vidal
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain; Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 191, 25198, Spain.
| | - José María Martínez
- Gobierno de Aragón, Subdirección General de Desarrollo Rural y Sostenibilidad, Departamento Medio Ambiente, C/ General Lasheras 8, E-22003 Huesca, Spain
| | - Inés S Sánchez-Barbudo
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pablo R Camarero
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Mª Àngels Colomer
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, Avda. Alcalde Rovira Roure, 191, 25198, Spain
| | - Antoni Margalida
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain; Pyrenean Institute of Ecology (CSIC), Avda. Nuestra Señora de la Victoria, 12, 22700, Jaca, Spain
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo, 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bangma J, Guillette TC, Bommarito PA, Ng C, Reiner JL, Lindstrom AB, Strynar MJ. Understanding the dynamics of physiological changes, protein expression, and PFAS in wildlife. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 159:107037. [PMID: 34896671 PMCID: PMC8802192 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.107037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) accumulation and elimination in both wildlife and humans is largely attributed to PFAS interactions with proteins, including but not limited to organic anion transporters (OATs), fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs), and serum proteins such as albumin. In wildlife, changes in the biotic and abiotic environment (e.g. salinity, temperature, reproductive stage, and health status) often lead to dynamic and responsive physiological changes that alter the prevalence and location of many proteins, including PFAS-related proteins. Therefore, we hypothesize that if key PFAS-related proteins are impacted as a result of environmentally induced as well as biologically programmed physiological changes (e.g. reproduction), then PFAS that associate with those proteins will also be impacted. Changes in tissue distribution across tissues of PFAS due to these dynamics may have implications for wildlife studies where these chemicals are measured in biological matrices (e.g., serum, feathers, eggs). For example, failure to account for factors contributing to PFAS variability in a tissue may result in exposure misclassification as measured concentrations may not reflect average exposure levels. The goal of this review is to share general information with the PFAS research community on what biotic and abiotic changes might be important to consider when designing and interpreting a biomonitoring or an ecotoxicity based wildlife study. This review will also draw on parallels from the epidemiological discipline to improve study design in wildlife research. Overall, understanding these connections between biotic and abiotic environments, dynamic protein levels, PFAS levels measured in wildlife, and epidemiology serves to strengthen study design and study interpretation and thus strengthen conclusions derived from wildlife studies for years to come.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - T C Guillette
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Paige A Bommarito
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Carla Ng
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jessica L Reiner
- Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 331 Fort Johnson Rd, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Andrew B Lindstrom
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Mark J Strynar
- Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 109 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
González-Rubio S, Ballesteros-Gómez A, Asimakopoulos AG, Jaspers VLB. A review on contaminants of emerging concern in European raptors (2002-2020). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 760:143337. [PMID: 33190891 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Raptors (birds of prey and owls) have been widely used as suitable bioindicators of environmental pollution. They occupy the highest trophic positions in their food chains and are documented to bioaccumulate high concentrations of persistent pollutants such as toxic metals and legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs).Whereas raptors played a critical role in developing awareness of and policy for chemical pollution, they have thus far played a much smaller role in current research on contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). Given the critical knowledge obtained from monitoring 'legacy contaminants' in raptors, more information on the levels and effects of CECs on raptors is urgently needed. This study critically reviews studies on raptors from Europe reporting the occurrence of CECs with focus on the investigated species, the sampled matrices, and the bioanalytical methods applied. Based on this, we aimed to identify future needs for monitoring CECs in Europe. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), novel flame retardants (NFRs), and to a lesser extent UV-filters, neonicotinoids, chlorinated paraffins, parabens and bisphenols have been reported in European raptors. White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) were the most frequently studied raptor species. Among matrices, eggs, feathers and plasma were the most widely employed, although the potential role of the preen gland as an excretory organ for CECs has recently been proposed. This review highlights the following research priorities for pollution research on raptors in Europe: 1) studies covering all the main classes of CECs; 2) research in other European regions (mainly East Europe); 3) identification of the most suitable matrices and species for the analysis of different CECs; and 4) the application of alternative sample treatment strategies (e.g. QuEChERS or pressurized liquid extraction) is still limited and conventional solvent-extraction is the preferred choice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soledad González-Rubio
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemistry and Nanochemistry, Marie Curie Annex Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain; Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Ana Ballesteros-Gómez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Fine Chemistry and Nanochemistry, Marie Curie Annex Building, Campus of Rabanales, University of Córdoba, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Alexandros G Asimakopoulos
- Department of Chemistry, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Veerle L B Jaspers
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Espín S, Sánchez-Virosta P. A review of metal-induced effects on vitamins A, E and D3 in birds. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 30:1-16. [PMID: 33151447 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-020-02296-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Birds have been historically affected by metals and are considered powerful sentinels of environmental pollution. Some toxic elements (Pb, Cd, Hg, As) have been broadly studied in avian species and are well known for their accumulation capacity and deleterious effects, including alterations in vitamin levels. Vitamins A, E and D3 are fat-soluble nutrients involved in multiple physiological functions (e.g., immune function, vision, reproduction, growth and development). Publications reporting metal-induced effects on vitamins in birds are growing and, in some cases, results seem contradictory, making them difficult to interpret. Therefore, a clear view of the overall picture is needed. This mini-review article aims to compile relevant data and describe current knowledge on the effects of the most toxic elements (i.e., Pb, Cd, Hg, As) on vitamins A, E and D3 in birds. Although vitamins are diet dependent, they are strongly regulated and transformed in the organism, and metal-related disruption in their homeostasis may provoke alterations in different directions. Moreover, vitamin status and form in vivo is the result of complex interacting processes in the organism and metal exposure may produce cascade effects. Different factors that may contribute to the variable response of vitamins to metals in birds are discussed. Some final remarks and recommendations are provided for future studies. This mini-review shows an overview of the current knowledge in metal-induced alterations in vitamins of special concern for avian ecotoxicology, a research discipline facing important challenges in the coming years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Espín
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain.
| | - Pablo Sánchez-Virosta
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|