1
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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.
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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
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2
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Jones EM, Koch AJ, Pay JM, Jones ME, Hamede RK, Hampton JO. Lead exposure and source attribution for a mammalian scavenger before and after a culling program. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 940:173686. [PMID: 38830425 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Lead-based ammunition is a significant source of environmental lead and threatens species that scavenge lead-shot carcasses, particularly in areas with intensive shooting. With the impacts of lead on avian scavengers well established, there is increasing focus on the effects of lead on mammalian scavengers. We investigated lead exposure in a morphologically specialized mammalian scavenger, the Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), by analyzing their blood lead levels (BLLs) before and after a marsupial culling program using linear mixed effects models. We compared lead isotope signatures in devil blood to those in the culling ammunition to inform potential source attributions. We sampled 23 devils before culling and 15 after culling, finding no significant difference in mean BLLs pre and post-culling. However, devils captured closer to forestry coupes where culling had occurred had higher BLLs, and a greater proportion of devils displayed elevated BLLs post-culling (33 % compared to 18 % pre-culling). The highest BLL (7.93 μg/dL) was found in a devil post-culling and this individual had lead isotope signatures that matched the ammunition samples analyzed, suggesting the individual was exposed to lead from scavenging on culled carcasses. While 18 % of the devil blood lead samples had isotope signatures consistent with the ammunition samples, most were measurably different, indicating other sources of lead in the landscape. BLLs in our study landscape were similar to published BLLs for wild devils across Tasmania. That said, lead isotope signatures in the blood of individual devils sampled both before and after culling shifted closer to those of ammunition samples post-culling. Our results indicate that while some individual devils may have been exposed to lead from culling, most devils in the landscape did not show evidence of recent exposure. However, even low lead levels can adversely impact wildlife health and immunity, a particular concern for devils, a species endangered by disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evie M Jones
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06511, USA; School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia.
| | - Amelia J Koch
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia; Forest Practices Authority, 30 Patrick St, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - James M Pay
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Menna E Jones
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Rodrigo K Hamede
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 55, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia
| | - Jordan O Hampton
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
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3
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Katzner TE, Pain DJ, McTee M, Brown L, Cuadros S, Pokras M, Slabe VA, Watson RT, Wiemeyer G, Bedrosian B, Hampton JO, Parish CN, Pay JM, Saito K, Schulz JH. Lead poisoning of raptors: state of the science and cross-discipline mitigation options for a global problem. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 38693847 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13087] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Lead poisoning is an important global conservation problem for many species of wildlife, especially raptors. Despite the increasing number of individual studies and regional reviews of lead poisoning of raptors, it has been over a decade since this information has been compiled into a comprehensive global review. Here, we summarize the state of knowledge of lead poisoning of raptors, we review developments in manufacturing of non-lead ammunition, the use of which can reduce the most pervasive source of lead these birds encounter, and we compile data on voluntary and regulatory mitigation options and their associated sociological context. We support our literature review with case studies of mitigation actions, largely provided by the conservation practitioners who study or manage these efforts. Our review illustrates the growing awareness and understanding of lead exposure of raptors, and it shows that the science underpinning this understanding has expanded considerably in recent years. We also show that the political and social appetite for managing lead ammunition appears to vary substantially across administrative regions, countries, and continents. Improved understanding of the drivers of this variation could support more effective mitigation of lead exposure of wildlife. This review also shows that mitigation strategies are likely to be most effective when they are outcome driven, consider behavioural theory, local cultures, and environmental conditions, effectively monitor participation, compliance, and levels of raptor exposure, and support both environmental and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd E Katzner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 230 North Collins Road, Boise, ID, 83702, USA
| | - Deborah J Pain
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
- Zoology Department, University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Michael McTee
- MPG Ranch, 19400 Lower Woodchuck Road, Florence, MT, 59833, USA
| | - Leland Brown
- Oregon Zoo, North American Non-lead Partnership, 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR, 97221, USA
| | - Sandra Cuadros
- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 410 Summer Valley Rd, Orwigsburg, PA, 17961, USA
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, 1177 Research Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Mark Pokras
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, 200 Westboro Rd, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Vincent A Slabe
- Conservation Science Global, Bozeman, MT, USA
- The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID, 83709, USA
| | - Richard T Watson
- The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID, 83709, USA
| | - Guillermo Wiemeyer
- CONICET- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Calle 5 esq. 116 MO L6360, Gral. Pico, La Pampa, Argentina
| | | | - Jordan O Hampton
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | | | - James M Pay
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Churchill Ave, Hobart, Tasmania, 7005, Australia
| | - Keisuke Saito
- Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan 2-2101 Hokuto, Kushiro, Hokkaido, 084-0922, Japan
| | - John H Schulz
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, 1111 Rollins St, Columbia, MO, 65203, USA
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4
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Rattner BA, Bean TG, Beasley VR, Berny P, Eisenreich KM, Elliott JE, Eng ML, Fuchsman PC, King MD, Mateo R, Meyer CB, O'Brien JM, Salice CJ. Wildlife ecological risk assessment in the 21st century: Promising technologies to assess toxicological effects. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024; 20:725-748. [PMID: 37417421 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in toxicity testing and the development of new approach methodologies (NAMs) for hazard assessment, the ecological risk assessment (ERA) framework for terrestrial wildlife (i.e., air-breathing amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) has remained unchanged for decades. While survival, growth, and reproductive endpoints derived from whole-animal toxicity tests are central to hazard assessment, nonstandard measures of biological effects at multiple levels of biological organization (e.g., molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, organism, population, community, ecosystem) have the potential to enhance the relevance of prospective and retrospective wildlife ERAs. Other factors (e.g., indirect effects of contaminants on food supplies and infectious disease processes) are influenced by toxicants at individual, population, and community levels, and need to be factored into chemically based risk assessments to enhance the "eco" component of ERAs. Regulatory and logistical challenges often relegate such nonstandard endpoints and indirect effects to postregistration evaluations of pesticides and industrial chemicals and contaminated site evaluations. While NAMs are being developed, to date, their applications in ERAs focused on wildlife have been limited. No single magic tool or model will address all uncertainties in hazard assessment. Modernizing wildlife ERAs will likely entail combinations of laboratory- and field-derived data at multiple levels of biological organization, knowledge collection solutions (e.g., systematic review, adverse outcome pathway frameworks), and inferential methods that facilitate integrations and risk estimations focused on species, populations, interspecific extrapolations, and ecosystem services modeling, with less dependence on whole-animal data and simple hazard ratios. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:725-748. © 2023 His Majesty the King in Right of Canada and The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada. This article has been contributed to by US Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barnett A Rattner
- US Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Val R Beasley
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Karen M Eisenreich
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - John E Elliott
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Margaret L Eng
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | | | - Mason D King
- Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | - Jason M O'Brien
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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5
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Karabanina E, Lansink GMJ, Ponnikas S, Kvist L. A renewed glance at the Palearctic golden eagle: Genetic variation in space and time. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11109. [PMID: 38469039 PMCID: PMC10925523 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic pressures on nature have been causing population declines for centuries. Intensified persecution of apex predators, like the golden eagle, resulted in population bottlenecks during the 19th and 20th centuries. To study population genetics and demographic history of the golden eagle throughout its distribution, we collected museum samples from previously underrepresented regions, such as Russia and Central Asia. We used 12 microsatellite loci and a fragment of the mitochondrial DNA control region to re-evaluate phylogeography of Eurasian golden eagles and study the impacts of the population bottleneck. Our results revealed a north-south genetic gradient, expressed by the difference between Mediterranean and Holarctic lineages, as well as genetically distinct Northern Europe and Central Asia and Caucasus regions. Furthermore, Northern Europe exhibited the lowest, whereas Central Asia and Caucasus had the highest genetic diversity. Although golden eagles maintained relatively high genetic diversity, we detected genetic signatures of the recent bottleneck, including reduced genetic diversity and a decline in the effective female population size around the year 1975. Our study improves the knowledge of the genetic composition of Eurasian golden eagles and highlights the importance of understanding their historical population dynamics in the face of ongoing and future conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Suvi Ponnikas
- Ecology and Genetics Research UnitUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
| | - Laura Kvist
- Ecology and Genetics Research UnitUniversity of OuluOuluFinland
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6
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Thomason EC, Turley NJ, Belthoff JR, Conkling TJ, Katzner TE. Illegal shooting is now a leading cause of death of birds along power lines in the western USA. iScience 2023; 26:107274. [PMID: 37609628 PMCID: PMC10440709 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Human actions, both legal and illegal, affect wildlife in many ways. Inaccurate diagnosis of cause of death undermines law enforcement, management, threat assessment, and mitigation. We found 410 dead birds collected along 196 km of power lines in four western USA states during 2019-2022. We necropsied these carcasses to test conventional wisdom suggesting that electrocution is the leading cause of death of birds at electrical infrastructure. Of 175 birds with a known cause of death, 66% died from gunshot. Both raptors and corvids were more likely to die from gunshot than from other causes, along both transmission and distribution lines. Past mitigation to reduce avian deaths along power lines has focused almost exclusively on reducing electrocutions or collisions. Our work suggests that, although electrocution and collision remain important, addressing illegal shooting now may have greater relevance for avian conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eve C. Thomason
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
- Raptor Research Center, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | | | - James R. Belthoff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
- Raptor Research Center, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Tara J. Conkling
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, ID 83702, USA
| | - Todd E. Katzner
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, ID 83702, USA
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7
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Pain DJ, Green RE, Bates N, Guiu M, Taggart MA. Lead concentrations in commercial dogfood containing pheasant in the UK. AMBIO 2023; 52:1339-1349. [PMID: 37131044 PMCID: PMC10272007 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01856-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
UK and EU regulators are evaluating the potential health benefits of restricting the use of lead ammunition. Little information is available on exposure of pets to ammunition-derived dietary lead from petfood containing meat from wild-shot game animals. We found dogfood including wild-shot pheasant meat to be widely available in the UK. 77% of samples from three raw pheasant dogfood products exceeded the EU maximum residue level (MRL) for lead in animal feed, with mean concentrations approximately 245, 135 and 49 times above the MRL. Concentrations > MRL were also found in a dried food containing pheasant, but not in a processed food, nor in chicken-based products. Lead concentrations in raw pheasant dogfood considerably exceeded those in pheasant meat sold for human consumption, possibly because the dogfood mincing process further fragmented lead particles from shot. Dogs frequently consuming such high-lead food risk adverse health effects; this should be considered within decision-making processes about regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J. Pain
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, NR4 7TJ UK
| | - Rhys E. Green
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ UK
- Centre for Conservation Science, RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, SG19 2DL Bedfordshire UK
| | - Nicola Bates
- Veterinary Poisons Information Service, 2nd Floor, Godfree Court, 29–35 Long Lane, London, SE1 4PL UK
| | - Maider Guiu
- Environmental Research Institute, University of the Highlands and Islands, Castle Street, Thurso, KW14 7AP UK
| | - Mark A. Taggart
- Environmental Research Institute, University of the Highlands and Islands, Castle Street, Thurso, KW14 7AP UK
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8
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Guo H, Tang Y, Li Y, Tian H, Zhang T, Li Y, Liu L, He B, Hu L, Jiang G. Endocytosis-Mediated Transport of Pb in Rat Blood Cells. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:8514-8523. [PMID: 37252706 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02182] [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: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Blood is an important reservoir for Pb storage in living organisms, and the storage of Pb in blood cells inhibits its discharge from blood. However, the mechanism and molecular targets of Pb entry and exit from blood cells have not been elucidated, which is the major barrier to reducing blood Pb levels in normal human beings. In this study, we explored the effect of Pb-binding proteins on blood Pb levels in rats at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.32 μg/g) by identifying the functions of Pb-binding proteins and validating them with inhibitors. The results showed that Pb-binding proteins in blood cells were mainly related to phagocytosis, while in plasma, they were mainly involved in the regulation of endopeptidase activity. Meanwhile, at the normal population Pb levels, endocytosis inhibitors, endopeptidase activity inhibitors, and coadministration of both can reduce the level of Pb in MEL (mouse erythroleukemia cells) cells by up to 50, 40, and 50%, respectively, while in rat blood, the reduction can reach up to 26, 13, and 32%, respectively. Collectively, these findings reveal that endocytosis increases blood Pb levels and provides a possible molecular target for Pb excretion at ambient concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Guo
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yinyin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Haozhong Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Tingting Zhang
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yingying Li
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Lihong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Bin He
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ligang Hu
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
- School of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Guibin Jiang
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
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9
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Hampton JO, Lohr MT, Specht AJ, Nzabanita D, Hufschmid J, Berger L, McGinnis K, Melville J, Bennett E, Pay JM. Lead exposure of mainland Australia's top avian predator. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023:122004. [PMID: 37302786 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) toxicity, through ingestion of lead ammunition in carcasses, is a threat to scavenging birds worldwide, but has received little attention in Australia. We analyzed lead exposure in the wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax), the largest raptor species found in mainland Australia and a facultative scavenger. Eagle carcasses were collected opportunistically throughout south-eastern mainland Australia between 1996 and 2022. Lead concentrations were measured in bone samples from 62 animals via portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Lead was detected (concentration >1 ppm) in 84% (n = 52) of the bone samples. The mean lead concentration of birds in which lead was detected was 9.10 ppm (±SE 1.66). Bone lead concentrations were elevated (10-20 ppm) in 12.9% of samples, and severe (>20 ppm) in 4.8% of samples. These proportions are moderately higher than equivalent data for the same species from the island of Tasmania, and are comparable to data from threatened eagle species from other continents. Lead exposure at these levels is likely to have negative impacts on wedge-tailed eagles at the level of the individual and perhaps at a population level. Our results suggest that studies of lead exposure in other Australian avian scavenger species are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan O Hampton
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia.
| | - Michael T Lohr
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Western Australia, 6027, Australia; SLR Consulting, 500 Hay St, Subiaco, Western Australia, 6008, Australia
| | - Aaron J Specht
- Purdue University, 610 Purdue Mall, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, United States
| | - Damien Nzabanita
- School of Science, RMIT University, 264 Plenty Road, Bundoora, Victoria, 3083, Australia
| | - Jasmin Hufschmid
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Lee Berger
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Kate McGinnis
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia; Animal Welfare League Queensland, Shelter Road, Coombabah, Queensland, 4216, Australia
| | - Jane Melville
- Museums Victoria Research Institute, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3053, Australia; School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Emma Bennett
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, 25 Rainforest Walk, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - James M Pay
- University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Hobart, Tasmania, 7005, Australia
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10
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Brown L, Fuchs B, Arnemo JM, Kindberg J, Rodushkin I, Zedrosser A, Pelletier F. Lead exposure in brown bears is linked to environmental levels and the distribution of moose kills. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 873:162099. [PMID: 36764533 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is heterogeneously distributed in the environment and multiple sources like Pb ammunition and fossil fuel combustion can increase the risk of exposure in wildlife. Brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Sweden have higher blood Pb levels compared to bears from other populations, but the sources and routes of exposure are unknown. The objective of this study was to quantify the contribution of two potential sources of Pb exposure in female brown bears (n = 34 individuals; n = 61 samples). We used multiple linear regressions to determine the contribution of both environmental Pb levels estimated from plant roots and moose (Alces alces) kills to blood Pb concentrations in female brown bears. We found positive relationships between blood Pb concentrations in bears and both the distribution of moose kills by hunters and environmental Pb levels around capture locations. Our results suggest that the consumption of slaughter remains discarded by moose hunters is a likely significant pathway of Pb exposure and this exposure is additive to environmental Pb exposure in female brown bears in Sweden. We suggest that spatially explicit models, incorporating habitat selection analyses of harvest data, may prove useful in predicting Pb exposure in scavengers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovick Brown
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada.
| | - Boris Fuchs
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Koppang, Norway; Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jonas Kindberg
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ilia Rodushkin
- Division of Geosciences, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden; ALS Scandinavia AB, Luleå, Sweden
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, Bø, Telemark, Norway; Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fanie Pelletier
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada
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11
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Luo J, Ji Q, Wu Y, Gao X, Wang J, Ju MG. Eco-friendly inorganic molecular novel antiperovskites for light-emitting application. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:1678-1688. [PMID: 36809540 DOI: 10.1039/d2mh01216b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) has progressed rapidly over the past several years, with high external quantum efficiencies exceeding 20%. However, the deployment of PeLEDs in commercial devices still faces severe challenges, such as environmental pollution, instability and low photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs). In this work, we perform high-throughput calculations to exhaustively search the unexplored and eco-friendly novel antiperovskite space (formula: X3B[MN4], with octahedron [BX6] and tetrahedron [MN4]). The novel antiperovskites have a unique structure whereby a tetrahedron can be embedded into an octahedral skeleton as a light-emitting center causing a space confinement effect, leading to the characteristics of a low-dimensional electronic structure, which then makes these materials potential light-emitting material candidates with a high PLQY and light-emitting stability. Under the guidance of newly derived tolerance, octahedral, and tetrahedral factors, 266 stable candidates are successfully screened out from 6320 compounds. Moreover, the antiperovskite materials Ba3I0.5F0.5(SbS4), Ca3O(SnO4), Ba3F0.5I0.5(InSe4), Ba3O0.5S0.5(ZrS4), Ca3O(TiO4), and Rb3Cl0.5I0.5(ZnI4) possess an appropriate bandgap, thermodynamic and kinetic stability, and excellent electronic and optical properties, making them promising light-emitting materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Luo
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
| | - Qun Ji
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
| | - Yilei Wu
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
| | - Xinying Gao
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
| | - Jinlan Wang
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
| | - Ming-Gang Ju
- School of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China.
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12
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Durkalec MM, Nawrocka A, Kitowski I, Filipek A, Sell B, Kmiecik M, Jedziniak P. Lead, cadmium, and other trace elements in the liver of golden eagles and white-tailed eagles: recent data from Poland and a systematic review of previous studies. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:38566-38581. [PMID: 36585589 PMCID: PMC10039830 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-25024-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), being apex predators and facultative scavengers, can bioaccumulate different environmental contaminants, including toxic elements that may adversely affect their health. We analyzed the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and other metals and metalloids, including arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), selenium (Se), thorium (Th), thallium (Tl), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) in liver samples taken from three golden eagles and 36 white-tailed eagles that were found dead across Poland to verify their exposure. We also used a systematic review to summarize the available literature data on Cd, Pb, and other studied elements in the liver of both eagle species. Analyses of trace elements in the liver samples of the Polish eagles revealed interspecific differences in Cd, Cu, and Mn and differences in Co, Mn, Tl, and Zn among study regions. All elements tested except Pb were below the suggested thresholds linked with adverse health effects in birds. The hepatic Pb found in almost half of all the tested individuals suggests environmental exposure to this toxic element. One of the tested white-tailed eagles had hepatic Pb above the threshold of sublethal poisoning. Although our results seem optimistic, as previous Polish studies showed a higher prevalence of birds with hepatic Pb exceeding the toxicity threshold, they indicate that exposure to this toxic metal could still pose an additional threat to the health of Polish eagles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Marcin Durkalec
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Nawrocka
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Ignacy Kitowski
- Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950, Lublin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Filipek
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Bartosz Sell
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Mirosława Kmiecik
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
| | - Piotr Jedziniak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary Research Institute, Aleja Partyzantów 57, 24-100, Puławy, Poland
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13
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Sonne C, Lam SS, Kanstrup N. The environmental threats from lead ammunition. ECO-ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH 2023; 2:16-17. [PMID: 38074451 PMCID: PMC10702884 DOI: 10.1016/j.eehl.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2024]
Abstract
Image 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Technological Sciences, Department of Ecoscience, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- University Centre for Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Niels Kanstrup
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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14
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Li F, Yang B, Yang F, Wu J, Chen J, Song S, Jia J. Stabilization mechanism of Pb with an amino- and mercapto-polymer to assist phytoremediation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 442:130139. [PMID: 36303361 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
An important concern during phytoremediation of heavy metal contamination in soils is the risk of leaching of heavy metals before they can be taken up by plants. The most effective method is to use heavy metal stabilizers. However, the stabilization without selectivity will greatly inhibit the phytoremediation effect of all heavy metals. A novel polymer with amino and mercapto groups named as AMP has been prepared as a new exclusive soil stabilizer for Pb. The adsorption of AMP toward Pb belonged to a monolayer adsorption and chemical process. The adsorption capacity of Pb increased with the increase of pH and initial Pb concentration, and obeyed the Langmuir model and pseudo-second-order model, respectively. An amazing maximum adsorption capacity of 588 mg Pb g-1 was reached for AMP when initial concentration was 300 mg Pb L-1, while K2 of 0.594 g mg-1 min-1 was obtained when the initial Pb concentration was 2.0 mg L-1. The distribution coefficient of AMP to Pb in the mixture of five heavy metals was as high as 3110 mL g-1, which was at least 7-fold greater than those of other heavy metals, exhibiting high selective to Pb. AMP showed a fast, large adsorption capacity and good selectivity due to the abundance of sulfhydryl and amino functional groups in the polymer and their interaction with metal ions. The effects of AMP in soil remediation were further tested by a soil column leaching experiment and a pot experiment, and the good stabilization effect of AMP on Pb and the less effect on bioavailability of other heavy metals at recommended doses were verified. This study was expected to solve the problem of leaching risk of the target metal such as Pb in sludge during land use. It provided a new idea of exclusive stabilization to assist phytoremediation of non-target heavy metals by reducing the leaching risk of some special target metal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feili Li
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, PR China
| | - Boxuan Yang
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, PR China
| | - Feng Yang
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, PR China
| | - Jiahao Wu
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, PR China
| | - Jing Chen
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, PR China
| | - Shuang Song
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, PR China.
| | - Jianhong Jia
- College of Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, PR China
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15
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Bald eagle mortality and nest failure due to clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza a virus. Sci Rep 2023; 13:191. [PMID: 36604450 PMCID: PMC9813463 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27446-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a culturally and ecologically vital species in North America that embodies conservation success but continues to face threats that include emerging pathogens. The introduction of A/goose/Guangdong/1/1996 lineage highly pathogenic (HP) clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 influenza A virus (IAV) in North America in late 2021 resulted in high rates of mortality among bald eagles. Here we show an alarming rate of bald eagle nest failure and mortality attributed to HP IAV. We documented fatal, systemic HP IAV infection in breeding adult and nestling bald eagles along the southeastern U.S. coast. Concurrently, annual bald eagle nest surveys in Georgia and Florida revealed a precipitous drop in success in coastal counties compared with previous years, portending negative impacts on population recruitment. As an apex predator and efficient scavenger, it is likely that bald eagles become infected through consumption of infected waterfowl. These results and similar reports of raptor mortality in Europe, Asia, and Africa, indicate a clear threat to raptor health. The possible long-term persistence of HP H5N1 IAV in North America poses an impending threat to bald eagle populations not only related to direct mortality but also decreased recruitment and warrants continued efforts to understand these potential impacts.
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16
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Brown L, Rosabal M, Dussault C, Arnemo JM, Fuchs B, Zedrosser A, Pelletier F. Lead exposure in American black bears increases with age and big game harvest density. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120427. [PMID: 36243189 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120427] [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: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Hunting has multiple consequences for wildlife, and it can be an important source of environmental pollution. Most big game hunters use lead (Pb) ammunition that shed metal fragments in the tissues of harvested animals. These Pb fragments become available to scavengers when hunters discard contaminated slaughter remains in the environment. This exposure route has been extensively studied in avian scavengers, but few studies have investigated Pb exposure from ammunition in mammals. Mammalian scavengers, including American black bears (Ursus americanus), frequently use slaughter remains discarded by hunters. The objective of this study was to investigate whether big game harvest density influenced long-term Pb exposure in American black bears from Quebec, Canada. Our results showed that female black bears had higher tooth Pb concentrations in areas with higher big game harvest densities, but such relationship was not evident in males. We also showed that older bears had higher tooth Pb concentrations compared to younger ones. Overall, our study showed that Pb exposure increases with age in black bears and that some of that Pb likely comes from bullet fragments embedded in slaughter remains discarded by hunters. These results suggest that hunters may drive mammalian scavengers into an evolutionary trap, whereby the long-term benefits of consuming slaughter remains could be negated due to increased Pb exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovick Brown
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada.
| | - Maikel Rosabal
- Groupe de Recherche Interuniversitaire en Limnologie (GRIL), Département des Sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, P.O. Box 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Christian Dussault
- Direction de l'expertise sur la Faune Terrestre, l'herpétofaune et l'avifaune, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, 880 Chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec, QC, G1S 4X4, Canada
| | - Jon M Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway; Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 901 83, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Boris Fuchs
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, 2418, Elverum, Norway
| | - Andreas Zedrosser
- Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3800, Bø, Telemark, Norway; Institute for Wildlife Biology and Game Management, University for Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fanie Pelletier
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, QC, J1K 2R1, Canada
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17
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WILDLIFE HEALTH AND THE NORTH AMERICAN MODEL OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION. J Zoo Wildl Med 2022; 53:493-503. [DOI: 10.1638/2021-0114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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18
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Sonne C, Adams DH, Alstrup AKO, Lam SS, Dietz R, Kanstrup N. Denmark passes total ban of leaded ammunition. Science 2022; 377:1054-1055. [PMID: 36048932 DOI: 10.1126/science.ade3150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Denmark.,Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | | | | | - Su Shiung Lam
- University Malaysia Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Denmark
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Meyer CB, Walker TA, Francisco AB, Morrison EB, Meyer JS. Method to assess the potential magnitude of terrestrial European avian population reductions from ingestion of lead ammunition. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273572. [PMID: 36037158 PMCID: PMC9423653 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Current estimates of terrestrial bird losses across Europe from ingestion of lead ammunition are based on uncertain or generic assumptions. A method is needed to develop defensible European-specific estimates compatible with available data that does not require long-term field studies. We propose a 2-step method using carcass data and population models. The method estimates percentage of deaths diagnosed as directly caused by lead poisoning as a lower bound and, as an upper bound, the percentage of possible deaths from sublethal lead poisoning that weakens birds, making them susceptible to death by other causes. We use these estimates to modify known population-level annual mortality. Our method also allows for potential reductions in reproduction from lead shot ingestion because reductions in survival and reproduction are entered into population models of species with life histories representative of the most groups of susceptible species. The models estimate the sustainability and potential population decreases from lead poisoning in Europe. Using the best available data, we demonstrate the method on two taxonomic groups of birds: gallinaceous birds and diurnal raptors. The direction of the population trends affects the estimate, and we incorporated such trends into the method. Our midpoint estimates of the reduction in population size of the European gallinaceous bird (< 2%) group and raptor group (2.9–7.7%) depend on the species life history, maximum growth rate, population trend, and if reproduction is assumed to be reduced. Our estimates can be refined as more information becomes available in countries with data gaps. We advocate use of this method to improve upon or supplement approaches currently being used. As we demonstrate, the method also can be applied to individual species of concern if enough data across countries are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn B. Meyer
- Arcadis, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | | | - Joseph S. Meyer
- Applied Limnology Professionals LLC, Golden, Colorado, United States of America
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McTee M, Stone K. The scavenger spyglass: how recruiting hunters to watch carrion boosts wildlife research. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael McTee
- MPG Ranch 19400 Lower Woodchuck Road Florence MT 59833 USA
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21
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Hampton JO, Pay JM, Katzner TE, Arnemo JM, Pokras MA, Buenz E, Kanstrup N, Thomas VG, Uhart M, Lambertucci SA, Krone O, Singh NJ, Naidoo V, Ishizuka M, Saito K, Helander B, Green RE. Managing macropods without poisoning ecosystems. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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22
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Hampton JO, Dunstan H, Toop SD, Flesch JS, Andreotti A, Pain DJ. Lead ammunition residues in a hunted Australian grassland bird, the stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis): Implications for human and wildlife health. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267401. [PMID: 35446880 PMCID: PMC9022800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Scavenging and predatory wildlife can ingest lead (Pb) from lead-based ammunition and become poisoned when feeding on shot game animals. Humans can similarly be exposed to ammunition-derived lead when consuming wild-shot game animals. Studies have assessed the degree of lead contamination in the carcasses of game animals but this scrutiny has not so far extended to Australia. Stubble quail (Coturnix pectoralis) are one of the only native non-waterfowl bird species that can be legally hunted in Australia, where it is commonly hunted with lead shot. The aim of this study was to characterize lead contamination in quail harvested with lead-based ammunition. The frequency, dimensions, and number of lead fragments embedded in carcasses were assessed through use of radiography (X-ray). From these data, the average quantity of lead available to scavenging wildlife was estimated along with potential risks to human consumers. We radiographed 37 stubble quail harvested by hunters using 12-gauge (2.75”) shotguns to fire shells containing 28 g (1 oz) of #9 (2 mm or 0.08” diameter) lead shot in western Victoria, Australia, in Autumn 2021. Radiographs revealed that 81% of carcasses contained embedded pellets and/or fragments with an average of 1.62 embedded pellets detected per bird. By excising and weighing a sample of 30 shotgun pellets (all had a mass of 0.75 grain or 48.6 mg), we calculated an average lead load of 78 mg/100 g of body mass. This was a conservative estimate, because fragments were not considered. This level of lead contamination was comparable to hunted bird species examined using similar methods in Europe. The quantity and characteristics of lead ammunition residues found suggest that predatory and scavenging wildlife and some groups of human consumers will be at risk of negative health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan O. Hampton
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Heath Dunstan
- Game Management Authority, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon D. Toop
- Game Management Authority, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Alessandro Andreotti
- Area Avifauna Migratrice, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Deborah J. Pain
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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