Experimental manipulation of dietary arsenic levels in great tit nestlings: Accumulation pattern and effects on growth, survival and plasma biochemistry

Sánchez‐Virosta, Pablo; Espín, Silvia; Ruiz, Sandra; Salminen, Juha‐Pekka; García-Fernández, Antonio J.; Eeva, Tapio

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.113

Cited by 26 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…The effects of As on ecosystems are poorly known, especially in birds. As reported by Sanchez-Virosta et al [ 40 ], its presence in body tissues has influenced reproductive success and wing growth; it has induced apoptosis and autophagy in mucous membrane cells of birds gizzard [ 41 ], and it has behaved as an endocrine disruptor causing individuals death [ 42 , 43 ]. Birds that feed on arthropod and aquatic macroinvertebrates may accumulate As and levels of As in bird feathers reflect its presence in the background or preys at the upper trophic level, as suggested by Lucia et al [ 44 ] and Ali and Khan [ 45 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of Low-Habitat Contamination Using Feathers of Three Heron Species as a Biomonitor of Inorganic Elemental Pollution

Canova

Sturini

Profumo

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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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’ survival and growth rate. Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn were in the range 7–69 mg Kg−1, while lower levels of Pb, Ni, As, and Se (0.27–1.45 mg Kg−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’ 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.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence of Low-Habitat Contamination Using Feathers of Three Heron Species as a Biomonitor of Inorganic Elemental Pollution

Canova

Sturini

Profumo

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…Most studies of the effect of As in birds have been correlative and have trouble distinguishing the effect of As from that of other heavy metals (Sánchez‐Virosta et al ). However, a recent study that dosed great tits ( Parus major ) in the field (using nest boxes) showed that nestlings with feather concentrations averaging 1.3 ppm exhibited some declines in wing growth, whereas nestlings with feather concentrations that averaged 13.6 ppm showed increased mortality in the nest (Sánchez‐Virosta et al ). Hence, the levels that we report for adult birds may have health consequences, particularly at specific sites on the largest river (Dahuanjiang).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heavy Metal, Arsenic, and Selenium Concentrations in Bird Feathers from a Region in Southern China Impacted by Intensive Mining of Nonferrous Metals

Liu

et al. 2019

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Heavy metal pollution is widespread in China, particularly in its mining regions. Mercury (Hg) concentrations in birds from Guizhou Province were recently reported to be above adverse effect levels, even in nonmining areas. We sampled birds to investigate whether Hg might be a threat near lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and tin (Sn) mines in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. We measured concentrations of 8 metals/metalloids in feathers of 627 resident birds representing 60 species sampled across 14 sites on 5 rivers. We found that Hg concentrations (mean ± standard deviation, 1.27 ± 2.02 ppm) were lower than in the recent Guizhou study. Mercury had the fewest correlations with other metals/metalloids; the mined metals (Pb, Sn, Zn) had the most such correlations. Levels of cadmium (Cd; 1.12 ± 2.64 ppm), arsenic (As; 4.78 ± 17.11 ppm), and Pb (17.18 ± 24.49 ppm) were closer to thresholds of adverse effects or relatively high compared to other studies. With the exception of a few hot spots for Hg, Cd, and As near mines, metal/metalloid levels were fairly evenly distributed among sites, consistent with the regional occurrence of mineable ore deposits. It appears that Hg is not threatening to all avian species in China, although it may be problematic for some species near Hg mines. In addition to Hg, however, other metals/metalloids may pose wildlife health hazards. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:371-380.

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“…The arsenic exposure, dosages and sampling are described in detail in Sánchez-Virosta et al (2020; 2018). In short, the experiment was conducted in a nest-box population in western Finland, with known history of very low pollution levels (Eeva, Ryömä, & Riihimaki, 2005).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Arsenic exposure has been reported to negatively affect multiple fitness-related traits (growth, physiology, behavior and even egg-laying) in several birds species (reviewed in Sánchez-Virosta et al, 2015). For great tits specifically, we have previously reported (using the same experimental protocol) that arsenic exposure increased nestling mortality, reduced wing growth (Sánchez-Virosta et al, 2018) and decreased an intracellular antioxidant, catalase, in nestlings (Sánchez-Virosta et al, 2020). More specifically, we here experimentally exposed nestlings in non-polluted sites to environmentally relevant levels (1μg/g body mass) of dietary arsenic during the entire post-hatching growth period, and compared their DNA methylation levels to respective controls.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Does arsenic contamination affect DNA methylation patterns in a wild bird population? An experimental approach

Laine

Verschuuren

Oers

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Pollutants, like toxic metals, negatively influence organismal health and performance, even leading to population collapses. Studies in model organisms have shown that epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation, can be modulated by various environmental factors, including pollutants, influencing gene expression and various organismal traits. Yet experimental data on the effects of pollution on DNA methylation from wild animal populations is largely lacking. We here investigated experimentally for the first time the effects of early-life exposure to environmentally relevant levels of a key pollutant, arsenic (As) on genome-wide DNA methylation status in a wild bird population. We experimentally exposed nestlings of great tits (Parus major) to arsenic during their post-natal developmental period (3 to 14 days post-hatching) and compared their DNA methylation levels to those of respective controls. In contrast to predictions, we found no overall hypomethylation in the arsenic group. We found evidence for loci to be differentially methylated between the treatment groups, but for five CpG sites only. This may be explained by the heterogenous, environment, relatively low dose (compared to previous laboratory studies), or choice of tissue. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether epigenetic dysregulation is a commonly observed phenomena in polluted populations, and what are its consequences for organism functioning and for populations.

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Experimental manipulation of dietary arsenic levels in great tit nestlings: Accumulation pattern and effects on growth, survival and plasma biochemistry

Cited by 26 publications

References 52 publications

Evidence of Low-Habitat Contamination Using Feathers of Three Heron Species as a Biomonitor of Inorganic Elemental Pollution

Evidence of Low-Habitat Contamination Using Feathers of Three Heron Species as a Biomonitor of Inorganic Elemental Pollution

Heavy Metal, Arsenic, and Selenium Concentrations in Bird Feathers from a Region in Southern China Impacted by Intensive Mining of Nonferrous Metals

Does arsenic contamination affect DNA methylation patterns in a wild bird population? An experimental approach

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