Organochlorine residues in blood of cinereous vultures and Eurasian griffon vultures in a northeastern Mediterranean area of nature conservation

Abstract

In the National Park of Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest (Dadia NP, Greece), seven "target" PCBs and 16 organochlorine pesticides (OCs) were analysed in blood samples of cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) and Eurasian griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus). PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 predominated in both species' blood samples. In both species, no differences were detected in congener levels between successive age classes, but in cinereous vulture, there were significant differences between adult and nestling in levels of PCB 28, 52, 101, 118 and between nestling and immature in levels of PCB 101. Regarding pesticides, p,p'-DDE dominated in both vultures followed by β-HCH, lindane and endosulfan sulphate, but ∑OCs were higher in griffon vulture. Significant differences were detected only between nestling and sub-adult cinereous vultures in heptachlor levels and between nestling and adult in p,p'-DDT. The origin of pollutants differs between the two vulture species and pollution patterns may not reflect those at Dadia NP.

Examination of Eurasian Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus fulvus) in Israel for Exposure to Environmental Toxicants Using Dried Blood Spots

“…The studies in India found p,p 0 -DDE in GV to be 16.2 ng/ml in plasma (maximum value 26.5), in whiterumped vultures to be 16.3 ng/ml (maximum value 39.5), in Egyptian vultures to be 8.8 ng/ml (maximum value 25.6), and in black kites to be 15.3 ng/ml (maximum value 137) . Whole blood levels of p,p 0 -DDE in GV and cinereous vultures in Greece were 4.49 and 3.80 ng/g, respectively (maximum values 10.59 and 9.42 ng/g, respectively) (Goutner et al 2011). In the nestlings of African vultures, the two specimens of cape griffon vultures examined had concentrations of 12.8 and 29.9 ng/ml in whole blood, with lower levels in the other two vulture species (van Wyk et al 2001).…”

“…Levels of PCB 153 in GV and cinereous vultures in Greece were 4.00 and 3.42 ng/g, respectively (Goutner et al 2011). Egyptian vultures in Spain showed levels ranging from means of 0.54-4.1 ng/ml in serum (maximum value 20) (Gomara et al 2004).…”

“…Fifty-one black kites had mean plasma levels for p,p 0 -DDT of 19.2 ng/ml (maximum value 227) . Whole blood of GV and cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) sampled in Spain in 2003 to 2005 contained 0.25 and 0.2 ng/g, respectively, p,p 0 -DDT (Goutner et al 2011). Egyptian vultures in Spain in 1999 to 2001 showed values of p,p 0 -DDT in 27 birds from 5 areas ranging from mean levels of 0.22 to 1.9 ng/ml in serum (maximum value 5.0) (Gomara et al 2004).…”

“…Mean b-HCH levels found in the Indian GV studies were 5.9 ng/ml in plasma (maximum value 11.3), in white-rumped vultures were 83 ng/ml (maximum value 661), and in Egyptian vultures were 41.4 ng/ml (maximum value 79.1) . Whole-blood levels of b-HCH in GV and cinereous vultures in Greece were 2.31 and 2.03 ng/g, respectively (Goutner et al 2011). Samples from small numbers of nestlings of three species of African vultures, including the cape griffon vulture (G. coprotheres), were examined (van Wyk et al 2001(van Wyk et al ) during 1993(van Wyk et al -1995 in South Africa.…”

Long‐term griffon vulture population dynamics at Gamla Nature Reserve

“…These facts led us to suggest that latent factors, which are not yet clear, may be influencing the decline. Exposure to environmental contaminants that have an endocrine disrupting effect may be a path worth exploring (Younes 1999, Vos et al 2000, Fisher et al 2006, Frederick and Jayasena 2010, Goutner et al 2011). One of the first studies conducted in Israel regarding possible contamination exposure has reported low levels of heavy metals in griffons' blood (Shlosberg et al 2012).…”