Anthropogenic Chemicals As Underestimated Drivers of Biodiversity Loss: Scientific and Societal Implications

Groh, Ksenia J.; Berg, Colette vom; Schirmer, Kristin; Tlili, Ahmed

doi:10.1021/acs.est.1c08399

Cited by 73 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Showing global contamination at a wildlife population level, our findings provide support for a better understanding of unintentional impacts of pesticides in agro-ecosystems, underlying that effects on biodiversity might not only be related to acute accidental poisoning and cascading resource depletion effects but also to chronic exposure. This constitutes a timely issue towards biodiversity conservation and also towards societal implications 6 , 85 , 86 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pervasive exposure of wild small mammals to legacy and currently used pesticide mixtures in arable landscapes

Fritsch

Appenzeller

Burkart

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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Knowledge gaps regarding the potential role of pesticides in the loss of agricultural biodiversity worldwide and mixture-related issues hamper proper risk assessment of unintentional impacts of pesticides, rendering essential the monitoring of wildlife exposure to these compounds. Free-ranging mammal exposure to legacy (Banned and Restricted: BRPs) and currently used (CUPs) pesticides was investigated, testing the hypotheses of: (1) a background bioaccumulation for BRPs whereas a “hot-spot” pattern for CUPs, (2) different contamination profiles between carnivores and granivores/omnivores, and (3) the role of non-treated areas as refuges towards exposure to CUPs. Apodemus mice (omnivore) and Crocidura shrews (insectivore) were sampled over two French agricultural landscapes (n = 93). The concentrations of 140 parent chemicals and metabolites were screened in hair samples. A total of 112 compounds were detected, showing small mammal exposure to fungicides, herbicides and insecticides with 32 to 65 residues detected per individual (13–26 BRPs and 18–41 CUPs). Detection frequencies exceeded 75% of individuals for 13 BRPs and 25 CUPs. Concentrations above 10 ng/g were quantified for 7 BRPs and 29 CUPs (in 46% and 72% of individuals, respectively), and above 100 ng/g for 10 CUPs (in 22% of individuals). Contamination (number of compounds or concentrations) was overall higher in shrews than rodents and higher in animals captured in hedgerows and cereal crops than in grasslands, but did not differ significantly between conventional and organic farming. A general, ubiquitous contamination by legacy and current pesticides was shown, raising issues about exposure pathways and impacts on ecosystems. We propose a concept referred to as “biowidening”, depicting an increase of compound diversity at higher trophic levels. This work suggests that wildlife exposure to pesticide mixtures is a rule rather than an exception, highlighting the need for consideration of the exposome concept and questioning appropriateness of current risk assessment and mitigation processes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pervasive exposure of wild small mammals to legacy and currently used pesticide mixtures in arable landscapes

Fritsch

Appenzeller

Burkart

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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“…Human health threats triggered by chemical pollution are typically accompanied by impairments of ecosystems and a decline of biodiversity [ 86 , 87 ]. For Europe it has been shown that aquatic ecosystems are exposed to ambient mixtures of toxic pollution [ 88 ] at a level of which chemicals are of similar importance for the impaired ecological status as other well-accepted drivers, such as habitat degradation and excessive loads of nutrients [ 89 ].…”

Section: Follow a One-health Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

One planet: one health. A call to support the initiative on a global science–policy body on chemicals and waste

et al. 2022

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The chemical pollution crisis severely threatens human and environmental health globally. To tackle this challenge the establishment of an overarching international science–policy body has recently been suggested. We strongly support this initiative based on the awareness that humanity has already likely left the safe operating space within planetary boundaries for novel entities including chemical pollution. Immediate action is essential and needs to be informed by sound scientific knowledge and data compiled and critically evaluated by an overarching science–policy interface body. Major challenges for such a body are (i) to foster global knowledge production on exposure, impacts and governance going beyond data-rich regions (e.g., Europe and North America), (ii) to cover the entirety of hazardous chemicals, mixtures and wastes, (iii) to follow a one-health perspective considering the risks posed by chemicals and waste on ecosystem and human health, and (iv) to strive for solution-oriented assessments based on systems thinking. Based on multiple evidence on urgent action on a global scale, we call scientists and practitioners to mobilize their scientific networks and to intensify science–policy interaction with national governments to support the negotiations on the establishment of an intergovernmental body based on scientific knowledge explaining the anticipated benefit for human and environmental health.

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“…40]. These initiatives further support the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan [1] for reducing the impact of chemical pollution as well as the EU Biodiversity Strategy [41], where chemical pollution is recognised as an important threat to biodiversity [42].…”

Section: Development Of Online Database Systemsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Using environmental monitoring data from apex predators for chemicals management: towards harmonised sampling and processing of archived wildlife samples to increase the regulatory uptake of monitoring data in chemicals management

et al. 2022

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Monitoring data from apex predators were key drivers in the development of early chemicals legislations due to the population declines of many species during the twentieth century, which was linked to certain persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Besides triggering the development of global treaties (e.g. the Stockholm Convention), chemical monitoring data from apex predators have been particularly important for identifying compounds with bioaccumulative properties under field conditions. Many apex predators are protected species and only a few environmental specimen banks (ESBs) regularly collect samples as many ESBs were established during the 1980–1990s when apex predators were scarce. Today, many POPs have been banned, which contributed to the recovery of many apex predator populations. As a consequence, apex predator samples are now available in research collections (RCs) and natural history museums (NHMs). These samples can be used for routine analysis as well as for screening studies using novel analytical techniques and advanced data treatment workflows, such as suspect and non-target screening. The LIFE APEX project has demonstrated how these samples can be used in a cost-efficient way to generate data on legacy compounds and contaminants of emerging concern. Furthermore, it has described quality assurance/control measures to ensure high quality and comparable data, with a view to uses in chemicals risk assessment and management. To increase the visibility of available sample collections and monitoring data from apex predators we developed accessible online database systems. Additionally, the acquired high-resolution mass spectrometric data were stored in a digital sample freezing platform that allows retrospective suspect screening in previously analysed samples for substances that may be of concern/under assessment in the future. These databases provide open access to a wide range of chemical data, for use by regulators, researchers, industry and the general public, and contribute to a stronger link between science and policy.

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Anthropogenic Chemicals As Underestimated Drivers of Biodiversity Loss: Scientific and Societal Implications

Cited by 73 publications

References 6 publications

Pervasive exposure of wild small mammals to legacy and currently used pesticide mixtures in arable landscapes

Pervasive exposure of wild small mammals to legacy and currently used pesticide mixtures in arable landscapes

One planet: one health. A call to support the initiative on a global science–policy body on chemicals and waste

Using environmental monitoring data from apex predators for chemicals management: towards harmonised sampling and processing of archived wildlife samples to increase the regulatory uptake of monitoring data in chemicals management

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