Organochlorine pesticide residues in feathers of four bird species from western part of Turkey

Abstract

The use of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) has decreased considerably worldwide; they have been banned in most countries due to adverse impacts on wildlife. The purpose of the study was to investigate OCP residue levels in wild birds from Aegean, Marmara, Mediterranean, and Central Anatolia geographical regions of Turkey. Feather samples (n = 80) of four bird species in four regions were collected from anthropogenically dead birds such as roadkill and wind turbine collision. Feather samples were analysed using GC/MS and scanned for 23 pesticide congeners. Analysis results showed dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HCCPD), and their derivatives were present in almost all samples at high levels. Regions and birds differed significantly as well as among themselves in terms of total residue levels (P < 0.05). The Marmara region (36.257 ng/g) and the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) (55.109 ng/g) had the highest residue levels compared with others. The study shows that OCP residues reach a considerable level in birds and other wild threatened species populations. The results also indicate that the feather can be used for terrestrial pesticide monitoring as a nondestructive method.

Persistent organochlorine pollutant residues in water, sediment, and fish from Efteni Lake, North-West Türkiye

“…The POPs affect not only aquatic animals like fish but also terrestrial animals and birds through the food web. Some researchers have stated that POP residues can reach a substantial level in birds (Arıkan et al, 2018a;Arıkan and Turan, 2020) and have suggested that their feathers can be used as a nondestructive method for terrestrial pesticide monitoring. There are only limited studies from Turkey on the effects of OCPs on birds.…”

“…Mammals, another vertebrate group, are also exposed to significant levels of OCP pollutants (Mason and O'sullivan, 1992;Harding, 1999;D'Have, 2006;Arıkan et al, 2018b). Other researchers have also reported that OCP residues, in particular DDTs, cause the most concerns, which include the problems of reproductive failure and declining breeding success (Arıkan and Turan, 2020;Scharenberg and Looft, 2004;Toschik et al, 2005;Corsolini et al, 2006;Hernández et al, 2008). Studies related to OCP residues in the keratinous tissue of mammals (Arıkan et al, 2018b), birds (Arıkan et al, 2018a;Arıkan and Turan, 2020;Arıkan et al, 2017;Ayaş et al, 1997), and fish (Coelhan et al, 2006) in Turkey show that DDTs are at the highest levels when compared with other congeners.…”

Breeding phenology of Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) and its reproduction biology with artificial nests in Northeastern Ukraine

“…Progressive anthropogenic impact, climate change and the subsequent transformation of natural biogeocenoses significantly alter the number of species or whole complexes and affect the restructuring of bird populations, their phenology and reproductive biology (Kuranov 2009, Arikan & Turan 2020. Birds are most sensitive to anthropogenic changes during their reproductive period.…”

Distribution and Occurrence of Vairimorpha plodiae (Opisthokonta: Microspora) in the Indian Meal Moth, Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Populations: An Extensive Field Study

“…However, the use of fumigants is problematic because of their effects on the environment and high costs. Due to the harmful effects of chemicals on humans as well as non-target organisms (Arıkan and Turan 2020), different alternative control methods are sought today. Entomopathogenic organisms are environmentally friendly control agents and suppress pest populations under natural conditions.…”