Evidence of Low-Habitat Contamination Using Feathers of Three Heron Species as a Biomonitor of Inorganic Elemental Pollution
| Autor: | Federica Maraschi, Luca Canova, Antonella Profumo, Michela Sturini |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2020 |
| Předmět: |
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Little egret Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences Health Toxicology and Mutagenesis lcsh:Medicine Egretta 010501 environmental sciences 01 natural sciences Article Birds Metals Heavy biology.animal Animals Egret Ardea Little Egret Egretta garzetta Ecosystem Bubulcus ibis 0105 earth and related environmental sciences trophic ecology biology Chemistry lcsh:R Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health Feathers biology.organism_classification Grey heron Italy Environmental chemistry Feather visual_art visual_art.visual_art_medium biomonitoring of inorganic elements Heron Environmental Monitoring |
| Zdroj: | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Volume 17 Issue 21 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 17, Iss 7776, p 7776 (2020) |
| ISSN: | 1660-4601 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/ijerph17217776 |
| Popis: | The concentration of 12 elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) has been investigated in the feathers of three species of Ardeidae, namely the Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, the Little Egret Egretta garzetta, and the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis, all breeding at a colony located in the southern Padana Plain (NW Italy). This study is a first step for an evaluation of possible direct effects of these elements on chicks&rsquo survival and growth rate. Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn were in the range 7&ndash 69 mg Kg&minus 1, while lower levels of Pb, Ni, As, and Se (0.27&ndash 1.45 mg Kg&minus 1) were measured. Co, Cd, and Cr were close to the method detection limits (MDLs) in all the species. The measured concentrations of the most abundant trace elements, such as Zn and Cu, seem to reflect the geochemical pattern of the background (running water and soil), while Hg concentration is lower and it appears to be biomagnified, particularly in Grey Heron feathers. Its concentration is higher in adults than in chicks, and it differs among the three species, as it is closely related to the fish-based dietary pattern. The measured trace elements&rsquo concentrations are below the threshold levels in all the heron species, and consequently, harmful and acute effects on the local population are unlikely the conservation status of herons populations in northern Italy is probably more affected by other factors, such as climate changes, altered aquatic environment, and, consequently, food quality. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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