P. Gómez-Ramírez

An overview of existing raptor contaminant monitoring activities in Europe

Biomonitoring using raptors as sentinels can provide early warning of the potential impacts of contaminants on humans and the environment and also a means of tracking the success of associated mitigation measures. Examples include detection of heavy metal-induced immune system impairment, PCB-induced altered reproductive impacts, and toxicity associated with lead in shot game. Authorisation of such releases and implementation of mitigation is now increasingly delivered through EU-wide directives but there is little established pan-European monitoring to quantify outcomes. We investigated the potential for EU-wide coordinated contaminant monitoring using raptors as sentinels. We did this using a questionnaire to ascertain the current scale of national activity across 44 European countries. According to this survey, there have been 52 different contaminant monitoring schemes with raptors over the last 50years. There were active schemes in 15 (predominantly western European) countries and 23 schemes have been running for >20years; most monitoring was conducted for >5years. Legacy persistent organic compounds (specifically organochlorine insecticides and PCBs), and metals/metalloids were monitored in most of the 15 countries. Fungicides, flame retardants and anticoagulant rodenticides were also relatively frequently monitored (each in at least 6 countries). Common buzzard (Buteo buteo), common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), tawny owl (Strix aluco) and barn owl (Tyto alba) were most commonly monitored (each in 6-10 countries). Feathers and eggs were most widely analysed although many schemes also analysed body tissues. Our study reveals an existing capability across multiple European countries for contaminant monitoring using raptors. However, coordination between existing schemes and expansion of monitoring into Eastern Europe is needed. This would enable assessment of the appropriateness of the EU-regulation of substances that are hazardous to humans and the environment, the effectiveness of EU level mitigation policies, and identify pan-European spatial and temporal trends in current and emerging contaminants of concern.

Heavy metals in tissues from loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the southwestern Mediterranean (Spain)

Cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc were measured in tissues of 21 loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) from the southwestern Mediterranean coastline. Mean concentrations (dry weight) of essential elements (Zn and Cu) were 107 and 21.6 microg/g in liver, 27.9 and 3.8 microg/g in kidney, 65.4 and 5.0 microg/g in pectoral muscle, 11.1 and 3.45 microg/g in brain, and finally 19.2 microg/g and undetected in bone, respectively. Mean concentrations of heavy metals (Cd and Pb) were 23.4 and 2.8 microg/g in liver, 31.5 and 0.5 microg/g in kidney, 0.2 and 0.3 microg/g in pectoral muscle, 0.2 and 0.7 microg/g in brain, and undetected and 1.2 microg/g in bone, respectively. Metal concentrations were similar to other studies conducted on Mediterranean turtles. However, cadmium concentrations varied widely among individuals, which has been associated with potential sources of cadmium in Mediterranean Sea. This is the first study into metal accumulation in tissues of loggerhead turtle from Spanish Mediterranean coastline.

Razorbills (Alca torda) as bioindicators of mercury pollution in the southwestern Mediterranean.

Levels of mercury (Hg) were analyzed in the tissues of 50 Razorbills (Alca torda), from the Mediterranean area, which had drowned in fishing nets. The mercury distribution pattern in tissues was similar to those of other studies (liver > feather vane > kidney > muscle > brain > feather shaft), with mercury concentrations of 2.85 ± 0.90, 2.66 ± 1.60, 2.23 ± 0.87, 1.54 ± 0.54, 1.48 ± 0.54 and 1.30 ± 0.76 mg/kg (dry weight), respectively. It could be considered that Razorbills in the southwestern Mediterranean were chronically exposed to relatively low levels of MeHg, probably below 0.5 ppm, via dietary intake. We have proposed prediction equations for brain and kidney Hg concentrations using feather shafts as non-invasive samples. This work provides a solid understanding of Razorbill Hg exposure both in their wintering and breeding grounds, and shows that this species can be useful for assessing marine environmental health in the Mediterranean area.

In vitro evaluation of cell death induced by cadmium, lead and their binary mixtures on erythrocytes of Common buzzard (Buteo buteo).

Cadmium and lead are persistent and ubiquitous metals that can cause several deleterious effects in living beings. Apoptosis and necrosis are two types of cell death that can be found after in vivo and in vitro exposure to these metals. In this study, isolated red blood cells from living captive Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) were exposed in vitro to different concentrations of lead, cadmium, and the mixture lead-cadmium in a proportion of 1:10 (similar to that found in previous field studies). Data obtained from dose-response curves were used to evaluate the interactive effects of metal mixtures on cell viability. In general, except for the exposure to NOEC, additivity was the most frequently observed response. As described in human, after in vitro exposure, lead was highly accumulated in buzzard erythrocytes, while cadmium accumulation was scarce. Finally, the type of cell death (apoptosis or necrosis) induced by the exposure to different concentrations of these heavy metals and their mixtures was evaluated in the red blood cells. Apoptosis was found to be the main type of cell death observed after cadmium and/or lead exposure. However, this exposure caused an increase in lysis or necrosis, especially if red blood cells were exposed to high doses.

Validation of a QuECheRS method for analysis of neonicotinoids in small volumes of blood and assessment of exposure in Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) nestlings

Neonicotinoid pesticides have gained great interest in the last years both for agricultural and domestic use. Since the information on their environmental distribution or the effects derived from exposure to ecosystems and biota is scarce, new analytical techniques are being developed for monitoring studies. In this sense, two extraction techniques based on QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) methodology to detect the neonicotinoids authorised in Spain (acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, nitenpyram and thiamethoxam) were adapted and compared: a) using acetate buffer (AB); and b) using citrate buffer (CB). For detection and quantification, high performance liquid chromatography coupled with time of flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/TOF-MS) was used. The CB method provided a wide range of recoveries (68-134%) and accuracy (4-9%). The AB method provided good recoveries (59-76%, 59% corresponded to clothianidin) precision (4-11%) linearity (0.987-0.998%) and limit of quantification (2-10ng/mL) for all the compounds. To test the effectiveness of the technique, we analysed 30 blood samples of free-ranging nestlings of Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo). The only compound detected, in one nestling from a dry land farming area, was imidacloprid, with a concentration of 3.28ng/mL. To our knowledge, this is the first study of neonicotinoid pesticides in free-ranging birds of prey using non-destructive samples, providing the first insight for biomonitoring studies. Further studies, including toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, are recommended to assess the risk for these species.

Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) liver and thyroid gland histopathology as a result of in ovo exposure to the flame retardants tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate and Dechlorane Plus

ABSTRACT Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) were exposed in ovo to tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP; 500 ng/µl), Dechlorane Plus (DP; 500 ng/µl), or a 1:1 mixture of these two to investigate the effects on liver and thyroid gland morphology. Histological examination of 14-day-old quails showed that exposure to TDCIPP or the mixture induced hepatic sinusoidal dilatation. No marked effects were seen for DP alone. In addition, the mixture produced divergence of thyroid gland follicles and proliferation of follicular cells. Our study is the first demonstrating histopathological alterations as a result of exposure during early development to the flame retardants TDCIPP or a TDCIPP–DP mixture suggesting the need for further research efforts to investigate potential adverse health effects associated with exposure to these environmental chemicals in wild birds.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in plasma and feathers of nestling birds of prey from northern Norway

Abstract Plasma samples from nestlings of two top predators, White‐tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) from northern Norway were analysed for a wide range of per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Body feathers from the White‐tailed eagles were also analysed and significant associations between specific PFASs in blood plasma and body feathers were found (0.36 < R2 < 0.67; all p < 0.05). This result suggests that analysing body feathers of White‐tailed eagle could potentially be a useful non‐invasive strategy to monitor PFASs exposure in nestlings of this species. White‐tailed eagles showed significantly higher levels of contaminants than Northern goshawks (plasma &Sgr;PFASs Median = 45.83 vs 17.02 ng mL−1, p <0.05). The different exposure between both species seemed to be related to different dietary input, as quantified by stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of body feathers. A priori, the bird of prey populations studied are not at risk for PFASs, since the levels in plasma of both species were hundreds to thousand times lower than the toxic reference values reported for predatory birds. However, further studies on larger sample sizes are needed to confirm this hypothesis since toxic thresholds for nestling birds of prey are not established. HighlightsThe association between PFASs in blood and feathers of birds of prey is unknown.PFASs, &dgr;13C and &dgr;15N were analysed in plasma and feathers of birds of prey nestlings.Some associations between PFASs in plasma and body feathers were found.Differences in contaminants between species seemed related to different diet.The Norwegian populations studied do not seem to be at risk for PFASs.

Blood clinical-chemical parameters and feeding history in growing Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) chicks exposed to Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate and Dechlorane Plus in ovo

ABSTRACT Blood clinical-chemical parameters (BCCPs) are used to investigate physiological consequences attributed to exposure to anthropogenic stressors, such as exposure to Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) and Dechlorane Plus (DP), which are flame retardants (FRs), on avian health. Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) were used as a model species to investigate individual and mixture effects of both FRs by injecting different concentrations (5, 50, or 500 ng/µL) of either of these compounds as well as a 1:1 mixture of both into fertilized eggs. To estimate post-hatching effects, 18 BCCPs were evaluated from 101 chicks at day 14. Albumin levels were found to be significantly elevated in the groups exposed to high doses of TDCIPP alone as well as a mixture of TDCIPP and DP. However, during the course of the study, the initial corn-based feed had to be substituted by a fishmeal-based feed. The 8 days consuming the new feed played a significant role on 12 of 18 BCCPs measured. Consequently, it is recommended that dietary habits need to be considered when investigating the physiological impact of contaminants using BCCPs as biomarkers in growing nestlings both in controlled in vivo and field experiments.

Corrigendum to "Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in plasma and feathers of nestling birds of prey from Northern Norway" [Environ. Res. 158 (2017) 277-285].

a Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain b Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, The Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway c Aarhus University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark d Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 9010 Tromsø, Norway e Laboratory of Oceanology, University of Liège, B6c, 4000 Liège, Belgium f Ecology Area, Department of Applied Biology. University Miguel Hernández, 03202 Elche, Spain g Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain h Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7024 Trondheim, Norway

Trace element concentrations in feathers and blood of Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) nestlings from Norway and Spain

Information on trace element pollution in the terrestrial environment and its biota is limited compared to the marine environment. In the present study, we collected body feathers and blood of 37 Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) nestlings from Tromsø (northern Norway), Trondheim (central Norway), and Murcia (southeastern Spain) to study regional exposure, hypothesizing the potential health risks of metals and other trace elements. Blood and body feathers were analyzed by a high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (HR-ICP-MS) for aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb). The influence of regional differences, urbanization and agricultural land usage in proximity to the nesting Northern goshawks was investigated using particular spatial analysis techniques. Most trace elements were detected below literature blood toxicity thresholds, except for elevated concentrations (mean ± SD µgml-1 ww) found for Zn (5.4 ± 1.5), Cd (0.00023 ± 0.0002), and Hg (0.021 ± 0.01). Corresponding mean concentrations in feathers (mean ± SD µgg-1 dw) were 82.0 ± 12.4, 0.0018 ± 0.002, and 0.26 ± 0.2 for Zn, Cd and Hg respectively. Multiple linear regressions indicated region was a significant factor influencing Al, Zn, Se and Hg feather concentrations. Blood Cd and Hg concentrations were significantly influenced by agricultural land cover. Urbanization did not have a significant impact on trace element concentrations in either blood or feathers. Overall metal and trace element levels do not indicate a high risk for toxic effects in the nestlings. Levels of Cd in Tromsø and Hg in Trondheim were however above sub-lethal toxic threshold levels. For holistic risk assessment purposes it is important that the concentrations found in the nestlings of this study indicate that terrestrial raptors are exposed to various trace elements.