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Gkotsis G, Nika MC, Nikolopoulou V, Alygizakis N, Bizani E, Aalizadeh R, Badry A, Chadwick E, Cincinelli A, Claßen D, Danielsson S, Dekker R, Duke G, Drost W, Glowacka N, Göckener B, Jansman HAH, Juergens M, Knopf B, Koschorreck J, Krone O, Martellini T, Movalli P, Persson S, Potter ED, Rohner S, Roos A, O' Rourke E, Siebert U, Treu G, van den Brink NW, Walker LA, Williams R, Slobodnik J, Thomaidis NS. Assessment of contaminants of emerging concern in European apex predators and their prey by LC-QToF MS wide-scope target analysis. Environ Int 2022; 170:107623. [PMID: 36379200 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Apex predators are good indicators of environmental pollution since they are relatively long-lived and their high trophic position and spatiotemporal exposure to chemicals provides insights into the persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) properties of chemicals. Although monitoring data from apex predators can considerably support chemicals' management, there is a lack of pan-European studies, and longer-term monitoring of chemicals in organisms from higher trophic levels. The present study investigated the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in 67 freshwater, marine and terrestrial apex predators and in freshwater and marine prey, gathered from four European countries. Generic sample preparation protocols for the extraction of CECs with a broad range of physicochemical properties and the purification of the extracts were used. The analysis was performed utilizing liquid (LC) chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), while the acquired chromatograms were screened for the presence of more than 2,200 CECs through wide-scope target analysis. In total, 145 CECs were determined in the apex predator and their prey samples belonging in different categories, such as pharmaceuticals, plant protection products, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, their metabolites and transformation products. Higher concentration levels were measured in predators compared to prey, suggesting that biomagnification of chemicals through the food chain occurs. The compounds were prioritized for further regulatory risk assessment based on their frequency of detection and their concentration levels. The majority of the prioritized CECs were lipophilic, although the presence of more polar contaminants should not be neglected. This indicates that holistic analytical approaches are required to fully characterize the chemical universe of biota samples. Therefore, the present survey is an attempt to systematically investigate the presence of thousands of chemicals at a European level, aiming to use these data for better chemicals management and contribute to EU Zero Pollution Ambition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Gkotsis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria-Christina Nika
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece.
| | - Varvara Nikolopoulou
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikiforos Alygizakis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece; Environmental Institute, s.r.o., Okružná 784/42, 972 41 Koš, Slovak Republic
| | - Erasmia Bizani
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Reza Aalizadeh
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexander Badry
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Pl. 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Elizabeth Chadwick
- Cardiff University, Biomedical Science Building, Museum Avenue, Postal Code: CF10 3AX Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Alessandra Cincinelli
- University of Florence, Department of Chemistry, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy
| | - Daniela Claßen
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Pl. 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Sara Danielsson
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Frescativägen 40, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - René Dekker
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Guy Duke
- Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, University of Oxford, 3 S Parks Rd, OX1 3QY Oxford, United Kingdom; UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, United Kingdom
| | - Wiebke Drost
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Pl. 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Natalia Glowacka
- Environmental Institute, s.r.o., Okružná 784/42, 972 41 Koš, Slovak Republic
| | - Bernd Göckener
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Auf dem Aberg 1, 57392 Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Hugh A H Jansman
- Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen Environmental Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3-3 A, 6708 PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Monika Juergens
- Center for Ecology and Hydrology, Library Ave, Bailrigg, LA1 4AP Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Burkhard Knopf
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Auf dem Aberg 1, 57392 Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Jan Koschorreck
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Pl. 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Oliver Krone
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Wildlife Diseases, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Tania Martellini
- University of Florence, Department of Chemistry, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (Firenze), Italy
| | - Paola Movalli
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sara Persson
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Frescativägen 40, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elaine D Potter
- Center for Ecology and Hydrology, Library Ave, Bailrigg, LA1 4AP Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Rohner
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Anna Roos
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Frescativägen 40, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emily O' Rourke
- Cardiff University, Biomedical Science Building, Museum Avenue, Postal Code: CF10 3AX Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Ursula Siebert
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Gabriele Treu
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Pl. 1, 06844 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany
| | - Nico W van den Brink
- Wageningen University & Research, Division of Toxicology, Stippeneng 4, 6700EA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Lee A Walker
- Center for Ecology and Hydrology, Library Ave, Bailrigg, LA1 4AP Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Rosie Williams
- Zoological Society of London, Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, NW1 4RY London, United Kingdom
| | - Jaroslav Slobodnik
- Environmental Institute, s.r.o., Okružná 784/42, 972 41 Koš, Slovak Republic
| | - Nikolaos S Thomaidis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece.
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Androulakakis A, Alygizakis N, Gkotsis G, Nika MC, Nikolopoulou V, Bizani E, Chadwick E, Cincinelli A, Claßen D, Danielsson S, Dekker RWRJ, Duke G, Glowacka N, Jansman HAH, Krone O, Martellini T, Movalli P, Persson S, Roos A, O'Rourke E, Siebert U, Treu G, van den Brink NW, Walker LA, Deaville R, Slobodnik J, Thomaidis NS. Determination of 56 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in top predators and their prey from Northern Europe by LC-MS/MS. Chemosphere 2022; 287:131775. [PMID: 34509025 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of emerging substances that have proved to be persistent and highly bioaccumulative. They are broadly used in various applications and are known for their long-distance migration and toxicity. In this study, 65 recent specimens of a terrestrial apex predator (Common buzzard), freshwater and marine apex predators (Eurasian otter, harbour porpoise, grey seal, harbour seal) and their potential prey (bream, roach, herring, eelpout) from northern Europe (United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden) were analyzed for the presence of legacy and emerging PFAS, employing a highly sensitive liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method. 56 compounds from 14 classes were measured; 13 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), 7 perfluoroalkyl sulphonic acids (PFSAs), 3 perfluorooctane sulfonamides (FOSAs), 4 perfluoroalkylphosphonic acids (PFAPAs), 3 perfluoroalkylphosphinic acids (PFPi's), 5 telomer alcohols (FTOHs), 2 mono-substituted polyfluorinated phosphate esters (PAPs), 2 di-substituted polyfluorinated phosphate esters (diPAPs), 6 saturated fluorotelomer acids (FTAS), 3 unsaturated fluorotelomer acids (FTUAs), 2 N-Alkyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs), 3 fluorotelomer sulphonic acids (FTSAs), 2 perfluoroether carboxylic acids (PFECAs) and 1 chlorinated perfluoroether sulphonic acid (Cl-PFESA). All samples were lyophilized before analysis, in order to enhance extraction efficiency, improve the precision and achieve lower detection limits. The analytes were extracted from the dry matrices through generic methods of extraction, using an accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), followed by clean-up through solid phase extraction (SPE). Method detection limits and method quantification limits ranged from 0.02 to 1.25 ng/g wet weight (ww) and from 0.05 to 3.79 ng/g (ww), respectively. Recovery ranged from 40 to 137%. Method precision ranged from 3 to 20 %RSD. The sum of PFAS concentration in apex predators livers ranged from 0.2 to 20.2 μg/g (ww), whereas in the fish species muscle tissues it ranged from 16 to 325 ng/g (ww). All analyzed specimens were primarily contaminated with PFOS, while the three PFPi's included in this study exhibited frequency of appearance (FoA) 100 %. C9 to C13 PFCAs were found at high concentrations in apex predator livers, while the overall PFAS levels in fish fillets also exceeded ecotoxicological thresholds. The findings of our study show a clear association between the PFAS concentrations in apex predators and the geographical origin of the specimens, with samples that were collected in urban and agricultural zones being highly contaminated compared to samples from pristine or semi-pristine areas. The high variety of PFAS and the different PFAS composition in the apex predators and their prey (AP&P) samples is alarming and strengthens the importance of PFAS monitoring across the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Androulakakis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikiforos Alygizakis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece; Environmental Institute, Okružná 784/42, 97241, Koš, Slovak Republic
| | - Georgios Gkotsis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria-Christina Nika
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Varvara Nikolopoulou
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Erasmia Bizani
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece
| | - Elizabeth Chadwick
- Cardiff University, Biomedical Science Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Alessandra Cincinelli
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | | | - Sara Danielsson
- Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Guy Duke
- Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, 3 South Parks Rd, Oxford, OX1 3QY, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia Glowacka
- Environmental Institute, Okružná 784/42, 97241, Koš, Slovak Republic
| | - Hugh A H Jansman
- Wageningen Environmental Research, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Oliver Krone
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Department of Wildlife Diseases, Alfred-Kowalke-Strasse 17, 10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tania Martellini
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Paola Movalli
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2333 RA, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sara Persson
- Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Roos
- Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Box 50007, 104 05, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emily O'Rourke
- Cardiff University, Biomedical Science Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 25761, Buesum, Germany
| | | | - Nico W van den Brink
- Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, 6700EA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Rob Deaville
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | | | - Nikolaos S Thomaidis
- National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771, Athens, Greece.
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Segelbacher G, Strand TM, Quintela M, Axelsson T, Jansman HAH, Koelewijn HP, Höglund J. Analyses of historical and current populations of black grouse in Central Europe reveal strong effects of genetic drift and loss of genetic diversity. CONSERV GENET 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-014-0610-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Larsson JK, Jansman HAH, Segelbacher G, Höglund J, Koelewijn HP. Genetic impoverishment of the last black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) population in the Netherlands: detectable only with a reference from the past. Mol Ecol 2008; 17:1897-904. [PMID: 18346125 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2008.03717.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We have studied a small isolated population of black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) in the Netherlands to examine the impact of isolation and reduction in numbers on genetic diversity. We compared the genetic diversity in the last extant Dutch population with Dutch museum samples and three other black grouse populations (from England, Austria and Norway, respectively) representing isolated and continuous populations. We found significantly lower allelic richness, observed and expected heterozygosities in the present Dutch population compared to the continuous populations (Austria and Norway) and also to the historical Dutch population. However, using a bottleneck test on each population, signs of heterozygosity excess were only found in the likewise isolated English population despite that strong genetic drift was evident in the present Dutch population in comparison to the reference populations, as assessed both in pairwise F(ST)and STRUCTURE analyses. Simulating the effect of a population reduction on the Dutch population from 1948 onwards, using census data and with the Dutch museum samples as a model for the genetic diversity in the initial population, revealed that the loss in number of alleles and observed heterozygosity was according to genetic drift expectations and within the standard error range of the present Dutch population. Thus, the effect of the strong decline in the number of grouse on genetic diversity was only detectable when using a reference from the past. The lack of evidence for a population reduction in the present Dutch population by using the program bottleneck was attributed to a rapidly found new equilibrium as a consequence of a very small effective population size.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Karl Larsson
- Population Biology and Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyv. 18D, SE-752 36, Uppsala, Sweden
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Van den Brink NW, Jansman HAH. Applicability of spraints for monitoring organic contaminants in free-ranging otters (Lutra lutra). Environ Toxicol Chem 2006; 25:2821-6. [PMID: 17089702 DOI: 10.1897/05-611r.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
In the current study, the use of spraints for monitoring levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in individual otters was experimentally validated. On the basis of a detailed pattern analysis, it is concluded that in the current study, PCB concentrations in spraints that contain relatively high concentrations of nonmetabolizable PCB congeners (PCB 138 and 153 > 42.5% of total PCB concentrations) reflect the internal PCB concentrations of the otter that produced the spraint. In general, however, spraints should be selected that contain relative concentrations of PCB138 and PCB153 > 95th percentile of these congeners in samples from local food items of otters. On the basis of relationships between levels in spraints and internal levels and on earlier reported effect concentrations, a threshold level range of 1.0 to 2.3 microg/g (lipid normalized) in such spraints is proposed. The validated methods to monitor PCBs in otters may be combined with genetic marker techniques that can assess the identity of the otter that produced the spraints. In such a design, it is feasible to monitor PCB levels in individual free-ranging otters in a truly animal friendly way.
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Neumann K, Michaux JR, Maak S, Jansman HAH, Kayser A, Mundt G, Gattermann R. Genetic spatial structure of European common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus)--a result of repeated range expansion and demographic bottlenecks. Mol Ecol 2005; 14:1473-83. [PMID: 15813785 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2005.02519.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The spatial genetic structure of common hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) was investigated using three partial mitochondrial (mt) genes and 11 nuclear microsatellite loci. All marker systems revealed significant population differentiation across Europe. Hamsters in central and western Europe belong largely to two allopatric mitochondrial lineages south and northwest of the Carpathian and Sudetes. The southern group, 'Pannonia', comprises populations inside the Carpathian basin (Czech Republic, Hungary) while the second group, 'North', includes hamsters from Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Germany. Isolation of the lineages is maintained by a combination of geographical and ecological barriers. Both main phylogeographical groups show signs of further subdivision. North is separated into highly polymorphic central German and less polymorphic western populations, which most likely split during late glacial expansion (15,000-10,000 bp). Clock estimates based on haplotype distributions predict a divergence of the two major lineages 85,000-147,000 bp. Expansion times fall during the last glaciation (115,000-10,000 bp) corroborating fossil data, which identify Cricetus cricetus as characteristic of colder climatic phases. Despite the allopatry of mt haplotypes, there is an overlap of nuclear microsatellite alleles between phylogeographical units. Although there are strong evidence that Pannonian hamsters have persisted inside the Carpathian basin over the last 50,000 years, genetic differentiation among European hamsters has mainly been caused by immigration from different eastern refugia. Possible source populations are likely to be found in the Ukrainian and the southern Russian plains--core areas of hamster distribution. From there, hamsters have repeatedly expanded during the Quaternary.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Neumann
- Institute of Zoology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Domplatz 4, D-06108 Halle (Saale), Germany.
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