Mercury contamination of the snow voles (Chionomys nivalis) in the West Carpathians

Martinková, Bibiána; Janiga, M.; Poganyová, Andrea

doi:10.1007/s11356-019-06714-6

Cited by 10 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Mercury can enter an animal's body through food, starting with small rodents (Abt and Bock 1998). The phenomenon of mercury toxicity in small rodents was described in a recent study on snow voles Chionomys nivalis (Martinková et al 2019). For birds of prey, which are high up on the food chain, biomagnification is common, with serious consequence in wildlife (Wolfe et al 1998;Albers et al 2007;Heinz et al 2009;Ackerman et al 2007).…”

Section: Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury in the feathers of Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) from Western Carpathian, Slovakia

Sabadková,

Janiga,

Korňan

et al. 2024

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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In this study, mercury (Hg) concentrations were detected in feathers of golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), a bird that typically inhabits alpine and forest areas. The mercury rates in feathers were compared in two groups of eagles: first, estimated home range (breeding, hunting, etc.) was located only in forest and lowland meadow habitats; second, the home range also included alpine habitats—rocks and meadows. Consequently, mercury concentration based on the feather typology were observed and the mercury levels in feathers were also compared among different Slovak Western Carpathian districts. It was found that there was no significant difference between groups classified by elevation level, which we attribute to the fact that eagle hunting territories are broad, so that alpine-dwelling and forest-dwelling eagles do not only reflect the pollution of the environments they typically inhabit. Non-significant differences were found also within different feather types, which means that the type of feather is not crucial for tracking mercury in eagle feathers. As the measurement of feather appears to be a simple and non-invasive method, the detection of non-significant differences in diverse types of golden eagle feathers provides useful knowledge for the future environment monitoring. The average mercury concentration measured in eagle samples was lower than the mercury concentration causing health complications among birds of prey. Our assumption that due to past mining activity in the Spiš region, the highest concentration in this region would be observed was confirmed.

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Section: Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mercury in the feathers of Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) from Western Carpathian, Slovakia

Sabadková,

Janiga,

Korňan

et al. 2024

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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“…Such monitoring programs often include the analysis of various tissues or organs of animals, including fish, birds, and mammals, considered suitable bioindicators of environmental Hg pollution (Singh et al 2017;Sun et al 2019a;Poma et al 2020). While several studies have focused on measuring Hg levels in animal organs, such as liver and kidneys (Dip et al 2001;Gamberg et al 2005;Horai et al 2006), fewer studies are currently available on investigating Hg levels in mammalian hair, although this matrix has been praised for its ethical and practical advantages (May Junior et al 2018;Becker et al 2018;Crowley and Hodder 2019;Martinková et al 2019;Kosik-Bogacka et al 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Non-destructive mercury exposure assessment in the Brandt’s hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas): spines as indicators of endogenous concentrations

Behrooz

Poma

Barghi

2022

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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Due to its persistence, bioaccumulation characteristics and toxicity, environmental contamination with mercury (Hg) is of high concern for human health, living organisms and ecosystems, and its biological monitoring is highly relevant. In this study, the levels of total Hg were measured in organs, tissues and spines of 50 individuals of Brandt's hedgehog collected in Iran in 2019. The Hg median levels in kidneys, liver, muscle, and spines were 156, 47, 47 and 20 ng/g dry weight, respectively. The results showed a significant positive correlation between the levels of Hg in kidneys and liver (r = 0.519; p < 0.01) and in spines and muscle (r = 0.337, p < 0.01) and kidneys (r = 0.309, p < 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in Hg levels in organs and tissues were also observed depending on the sex, weight, length, and age of the individuals. In addition, the median levels of total Hg in kidneys of Brandt's hedgehogs from an agricultural ecotype (mean 179±65) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those collected from a forest ecotype (mean 122±50), suggesting that the habitat could have a significant impact on animal contamination.

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“…Biological organisms, at different trophic levels, are often used as bioindicators to provide evidence of the potential adverse effects of exposure to contaminants [ 6 , 7 ]. Monitoring of metals in bird species is useful to assess their health and, at the same time, to evaluate the degree of contamination of the ecosystems where they live [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

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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Mercury contamination of the snow voles (Chionomys nivalis) in the West Carpathians

Cited by 10 publications

References 38 publications

Mercury in the feathers of Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) from Western Carpathian, Slovakia

Mercury in the feathers of Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) from Western Carpathian, Slovakia

Non-destructive mercury exposure assessment in the Brandt’s hedgehog (Paraechinus hypomelas): spines as indicators of endogenous concentrations

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

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