A non-invasive assessment of essential trace element utilization at different trophic levels in African wildlife

Webster, Andrea B.; Callealta, F. Javier; Ganswindt, André; Bennett, Nigel C.

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112820

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…In contrast, Archaean gneiss and prominent intrusions of Timbavati gabbroic rock underlie much of the MNR site, particularly in the west (Walraven, 1986). The gabbro intrusions closest to the MNR are associated with relatively high levels of Cr and V as well as elements Co, Fe and Zn (Walraven, 1986), which are considered essential for biological function (Webster et al, 2021b). In addition to site-specific geochemical signatures that may in part account for high concentrations of specific PTE particularly in carnivores, results indicate dietary-niche peculiarities and possible biomagnification of environmental concentrations at both sites.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A broad assessment of environmental matrices within the two protected areas of interest in this study (Webster et al, 2021a) identify unique geological signatures within each reserve, but also highlight some PTE concentrations above acceptable limits outside of geological influence. Given these previously established concerns in environmental matrices, the need for further assessment in biological components of these systems became evident (Webster et al, 2021b). The current study aimed to investigate and compare quantitative differences of eleven PTEs (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, Sb, Sn, Sr, and V) across trophic levels of terrestrial African vertebrates using faeces as a non-invasive analytical matrix.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Trace element analyses was performed on an Agilent 7900 quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) equipped with a High Matrix Introduction system and Agilent Mass Hunter software (version 4.4) for instrument control and data processing(Agilent Technologies, 2009). Detailed parameters for method quantification, adjustments and validation are outlined inWebster et al (2021c), inWebster et al (2021a) for analysis of environmental samples and inWebster et al (2021b) for analysis of essential elements 11 208 Pb except Se. Inter-element corrections were made for possible isobaric interferences of high 115 Sn on115 …”

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confidence: 99%

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Non-Lethal Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements Across Mammalian Trophic Levels in African Savannahs

Webster

Callealta

Bennett

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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South Africa is one of the most diverse countries in the world but the increase in agricultural, industrial and technological development to meet the needs of the growing human population has led to increased amounts of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and other chemicals in the environment. As regional and global environmental processes influence local conditions to differing degrees, all organisms within a specific environment are exposed to highly complex, ill-defined PTE and chemical mixtures. Differences in feeding strategies within and between vertebrate trophic levels are likely to influence the degree to which individuals may be exposed to and affected by PTE presence. Using vertebrate faeces as a biological matrix, we investigate and compare quantitative differences in PTE concentrations in herbivorous, omnivorous and carnivorous terrestrial vertebrates from two protected areas in South African savannah. Of the eleven PTEs assessed [aluminium (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), tin (Sn), strontium (Sr), and vanadium (V)], the highest concentrations of Al, As, Cr, Pb, Sn, and V were found in carnivores. General patterns were evident between groups at each site for specific elements, but absolute values for the same elements were site-specific. This is the first study to non-invasively examine and compare PTE concentrations in a variety of free-ranging mammalian wildlife occupying different trophic levels within South African protected areas. Our results confirm that all individuals across trophic levels within these sites are exposed to multiple and varied PTE mixtures on a continuous basis. Whether PTEs at these concentrations cause synergistic or antagonistic disruption of physiological and biological systems alone or in combination in free-ranging African wildlife species is still unclear and requires further investigation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Non-Lethal Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements Across Mammalian Trophic Levels in African Savannahs

Webster

Callealta

Bennett

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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“…Likewise, immunoassays on faeces allow for the quantification of the faecal metabolites of sexual steroids [72][73][74][75] and can be used, for instance, to monitor the reproductive cycles and pregnancy in endangered species (wombats species [76]; southern white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum simum [77]; collared peccary Pecari tajacu [78]; tigers Panthera tigris [79]). Finally, faeces can also be used to study the diet of vertebrates (either by traditional microscopy or metagenomic techniques: [80][81][82][83]) and to screen for the presence of pollutants or toxic compounds by analytical chemistry [84,85].…”

Section: Faecesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Non-Invasive Sampling in Wildlife Disease and Health Research: What’s New?

Schilling

Mazzamuto

Romeo

2022

Animals

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In the last decades, wildlife diseases and the health status of animal populations have gained increasing attention from the scientific community as part of a One Health framework. Furthermore, the need for non-invasive sampling methods with a minimal impact on wildlife has become paramount in complying with modern ethical standards and regulations, and to collect high-quality and unbiased data. We analysed the publication trends on non-invasive sampling in wildlife health and disease research and offer a comprehensive review on the different samples that can be collected non-invasively. We retrieved 272 articles spanning from 1998 to 2021, with a rapid increase in number from 2010. Thirty-nine percent of the papers were focussed on diseases, 58% on other health-related topics, and 3% on both. Stress and other physiological parameters were the most addressed research topics, followed by viruses, helminths, and bacterial infections. Terrestrial mammals accounted for 75% of all publications, and faeces were the most widely used sample. Our review of the sampling materials and collection methods highlights that, although the use of some types of samples for specific applications is now consolidated, others are perhaps still underutilised and new technologies may offer future opportunities for an even wider use of non-invasively collected samples.

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“…Similarly, elevated concentration of pollutants in elephant ( Loxodonta africana ) feces near mining sites suggests they play an important role in distributing heavy metals in South Africa (Sach et al 2020). Animals in higher‐trophic levels, such as predators and scavengers, are important vectors of pollutants due to the bioaccumulation of these elements in their bodies and excreta (Webster et al 2021 a ). Further research is required to determine the contribution of lower‐trophic organisms, including invertebrates (Monchanin et al 2021).…”

Section: Anthropogenic Impacts On Element Redistribution and Stoichio...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding anthropogenic impacts on zoogeochemistry is essential for ecological restoration

Abraham

Duvall

Ferraro

et al. 2022

Restoration Ecology

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Ecological restoration is critical for climate and biodiversity resilience over the coming century. Today, there is strong evidence that wildlife can significantly influence the distribution and stoichiometry of elements across landscapes, with subsequent impacts on the composition and functioning of ecosystems. Consequently, any anthropogenic activity that modifies this important aspect of zoogeochemistry, such as changes to animal community composition, diet, or movement patterns, may support or hinder restoration goals. It is therefore imperative that the zoogeochemical effects of such anthropogenic modifications are quantified and mapped at high spatiotemporal resolutions to help inform restoration strategies. Here, we first discuss pathways through which human activities shape wildlife-mediated elemental landscapes and outline why current frameworks are inadequate to characterize these processes. We then suggest improvements required to comprehensively model, validate, and monitor element recycling and redistribution by wildlife under differing wildlife management scenarios and discuss how this might be implemented in practice through a specific example in the southern Kalahari Desert. With robust ecological forecasting, zoogeochemical impacts of wildlife can thus be used to support ecological restoration and nature-based solutions to climate change. If ignored in the restoration process, the effects of wildlife on elemental landscapes may delay, or even prevent, restoration success.

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A non-invasive assessment of essential trace element utilization at different trophic levels in African wildlife

Cited by 5 publications

References 67 publications

Non-Lethal Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements Across Mammalian Trophic Levels in African Savannahs

Non-Lethal Assessment of Potentially Toxic Elements Across Mammalian Trophic Levels in African Savannahs

A Review of Non-Invasive Sampling in Wildlife Disease and Health Research: What’s New?

Understanding anthropogenic impacts on zoogeochemistry is essential for ecological restoration

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