Feathers as a nondestructive biomonitor for persistent organic pollutants

Abstract

Keratinous tissues of mammals and humans, such as hair, have been used to determine the exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides. In the present study, we investigated the accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs; PCBs, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane [DDD], p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene [DDE], hexachlorobenzene [HCB], oxychlordane, trans-nonachlor, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polybrominated biphenyls [PBBs]) in feathers of the great tit (Parus major). The accumulation of POPs in feathers and fat samples of 27 adult great tits collected in April 2000 and December 2002 was compared with regard to possible temporal and spatial differences. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, PBBs, trans-nonachlor, and HCB could not be quantified in feathers. Most PCB congeners and DDTs (p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDD, and p,p'-DDT) could be determined in feathers, although concentrations in feathers were markedly lower (sigmaPCB concentration range, 28.2-87.1 ng/g) than concentrations in fat (sigmaPCB concentration range, 1244-10074 ng/g). Feathers had relatively higher levels of low-chlorinated PCBs (tetra- and pentachlorinated biphenyls) and p,p'-DDD compared to levels in fat, presumably reflecting levels in blood. Persistent organic pollutant concentrations did not increase with the age of the feather, suggesting that exogenous or aerial depositions of POPs onto the feather surface had no, or only minimal, influence on levels in feathers. For almost all compounds studied, POPs in feathers and fat were significantly positively correlated in samples collected during the breeding season but not in samples collected during the winter. This temporal difference may have been caused by seasonal changes in lipid reserves. Although further research is required, feathers appear to be a promising new, nondestructive biomonitor for PCBs and DDTs in avian wildlife.

Evaluation of the usefulness of bird feathers as a non-destructive biomonitoring tool for organic pollutants: A comparative and meta-analytical approach

“…Sum PCBs concentrations were similar (median 50 ng/g, range 28-87 ng/g) to those in the common moorhen (mean±CI: 25±14 ng/g, range 3.5-81 ng/g), while sum DDT concentrations were rather low (median 4.1 ng/g, range 2.3-11 ng/g), even lower than concentrations reported in the common moorhen (mean±CI: 12±3.5 ng/g, range 6.6-26 ng/g). Overall, concentrations measured in the birds of this study (not including the common moorhen) were higher than concentrations measured by Dauwe et al (2005). Moreover, all organohalogenated pollutants (even PBDEs, HCB and CHLs) could be quantified in one single feather of the predatory birds under study.…”

“…Furthermore, birds feeding mainly in aquatic environments are expected to show lower OCPs levels, than birds feeding in terrestrial environments where pesticides are commonly applied. Dauwe et al (2005) have reported concentrations of organic pollutants in feathers of a small passerine bird, the great tit. PBDEs, HCB and CHLs could not be detected in feathers of great tits, similar to the results for the common moorhen in the present study.…”

“…Depending on the species, 100 to 500 mg of the feathers was weighed and incubated overnight at 40 °C with hydrochloric acid (4 N) and a mixture of hexane and dichloromethane (4:1, v:v). After liquid extraction, clean-up was performed on acidified silica, as described by Dauwe et al (2005).…”

“…Moreover, since one feather can easily be removed from a living bird without causing severe damage, this technique could be valuable as a non-destructive biomonitoring tool for endangered species. Bird feathers have been used previously for monitoring heavy metals in numerous studies, but the use of feathers as monitors of organic pollutants has only recently been investigated (Dauwe et al, 2005;Jaspers et al, 2006b;Van den Steen et al, in press). The study of Dauwe et al (2005) was performed on a small passerine bird (Parus major) and although concentrations of most PCBs and DDTs could be quantified, levels of other OCPs and PBDEs could not be measured in the feathers due to generally low levels in passerine species.…”

“…Bird feathers have been used previously for monitoring heavy metals in numerous studies, but the use of feathers as monitors of organic pollutants has only recently been investigated (Dauwe et al, 2005;Jaspers et al, 2006b;Van den Steen et al, in press). The study of Dauwe et al (2005) was performed on a small passerine bird (Parus major) and although concentrations of most PCBs and DDTs could be quantified, levels of other OCPs and PBDEs could not be measured in the feathers due to generally low levels in passerine species. In addition, given the large amount of feathers needed for analysis, feather sampling could not be considered non-destructive for passerine birds.…”