Assessment of organochlorine pesticide exposure in a wintering population of razorbills (Alca torda) from the southwestern Mediterranean

Espín, Silvia; Martínez-López, Emma; Gómez‐Ramírez, Pilar; María-Mójica, Pedro; García-Fernández, Antonio J.

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.06.015

Cited by 24 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Behrooz et al (2009b) concluded that the average concentrations of p,p 0 -DDE in their study ranged from 0.5 to 248 ng/g feather in the range of bird species they investigated, which would relate to a maximum concentration of 24,500 ng/g muscle, this being only slightly lower than concentrations at which side-effects have been observed. Levels found in the present study are related to maximum concentrations in liver from Espín et al (2010a) of 1654.54 ng/g for P HCH, 1171.72 ng/g for P Heptachlor, 1965.76 ng/g for P Endrin, 3365.13 ng/g for P Endosulfan and 4176.76 ng/g for P DDT. These levels of exposure rarely result in adverse reproductive effects, behavioral abnormalities, or other signs of organochlorine pesticide poisoning in birds (Pratt 1972;Sharma et al 1976).…”

Section: Oc Levels In Feathersmentioning

confidence: 65%

“…Southeastern Spain is mainly an agricultural region and these contaminants have frequently been detected in biota, water and soil. The OC concentrations in the internal tissues of razorbill (Alca torda) collected from this area are higher than those of other studies on Alcides, which is probably due to the habitat in which they were found (Espín et al 2010a). The razorbill is a migratory seabird which winters in the Mediterranean area ( Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…The compounds that reached the highest geometric mean levels were DDE, heptachlor epoxide, lindane and heptachlor, respectively. Moreover, DDE was one of the compounds most frequently detected, a finding similar to that in brain and liver tissues from the same individuals (Espín et al 2010a). As in research by Dauwe et al (2005) into persistent organic pollutants in great tit feathers (Parus major), the RDDT-group concentrations followed the order of DDE [ DDD [ DDT (Table 1).…”

Section: Oc Levels In Feathersmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…They were collected by the staff of ''Santa Faz'' Wildlife Recovery Center (Alicante, Spain), and taken to the laboratory under refrigerated conditions. The criteria used to establish age, sex and physical conditions are reported in Espín et al (2010a). Briefly, three criteria were used to age the razorbills: bill development (Anker-Nilssen et al 1998), size and appearance of the gonads (Camphuysen and Van Franeker, 2007;Van Franeker 2004), and presence and size of the bursa Fabricii, one of the glands in the endocrine system of birds (Camphuysen and Van Franeker 2007).…”

Section: Species and Sample Sizementioning

confidence: 99%

“…OC can produce negative effects on the endocrine, immune, nervous and reproductive systems (Furness et al 1993). Although most of these compounds were banned in developed countries, they are still frequently found in tissues or fluid samples from many species (Espín et al 2010a;Van Drooge et al 2008), especially in agricultural regions, such as the southwestern Mediterranean, where these contaminants were widely used in agricultural practices during the second half of the twentieth century.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Razorbill (Alca torda) feathers as an alternative tool for evaluating exposure to organochlorine pesticides

et al. 2011

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The aim of this study was to explore the usefulness of feathers as a biomonitoring tool for organochlorine pesticides (OC) in a razorbill population (Alca torda). Fifteen OC were analyzed in feathers, including α-, β- and δ-hexachlorocyclohexane, lindane, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, endosulfan I and II, endosulfan sulfate, p,p'-DDT, DDD, DDE, heptachlor and its epoxide. The geometric mean concentrations observed in this study were ∑DDT 67.40 ng/g, ∑HCH 62.88 ng/g, ∑Heptachlor 61.75 ng/g, ∑Endosulfan 19.70 ng/g, and ∑Drins 10.17 ng/g. The higher OC levels found in this study compared with other studies are probably affected by the razorbill diet and migration status. However, levels found in the feathers of the present study are related to concentrations in internal tissues below those which cause adverse reproductive and behavioral effects or other signs of organochlorine-pesticide poisoning in birds. Age does affect the concentration of OC pesticides in feathers. Thus, feathers would appear to be a promising tool for OC biomonitoring in seabirds, since it is possible to quantify OC compounds.

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Section: Oc Levels In Feathersmentioning

confidence: 65%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Section: Oc Levels In Feathersmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Species and Sample Sizementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Razorbill (Alca torda) feathers as an alternative tool for evaluating exposure to organochlorine pesticides

et al. 2011

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Body condition of stranded Razorbills and Atlantic Puffins in the Western Mediterranean

Trapletti‐Lanti,

Expósito‐Granados,

López‐Martínez

et al. 2024

Ecology and Evolution

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Annual mass migrations of seabirds between their breeding and wintering grounds are critical for ensuring their survival and reproductive success. It is essential to comprehend their physical condition in order to identify the causes of death and to facilitate conservation efforts. This study focuses on evaluating the age, body condition index, and metabolites in liver and muscle (triglycerides, glycerol, glycogen, cholesterol, lactate, and glucose) of stranded Razorbills (n = 84) and Atlantic puffins (n = 11). The study was conducted along the Andalusian coast of Spain during the winter season of 2022–2023. The study examined the body condition of stranded individuals and their metabolic state to determine potential factors that may have caused their deaths. The study found that the majority of stranded individuals were juveniles. Both species exhibited low levels of carbohydrate (glucose and glycogen) in their tissues and high levels of lactate in their muscles. These findings could suggest that the individuals had undergone prolonged, strenuous exercise, demanding energy on anaerobic pathways, which may have been associated with migration. The study highlights the significance of adhering to standardized protocols when assessing the body condition of stranded seabirds. Doing so can help to identify causes of death and facilitate conservation efforts. A proposed index for body condition, which incorporates biometric measurements and individual physical condition, provides a comprehensive means of understanding the health of these unique species. This study underscores the importance of further research into the conservation measures and recommendations for protecting seabird populations. It is critical to comprehend the contributing factors of mass mortality incidents to work towards safeguarding these species and preserving their vital migration patterns.

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Temporal variation in circulating concentrations of organochlorine pollutants in a pelagic seabird breeding in the high Arctic

Bustnes

Bårdsen

Moe

et al. 2016

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Assessment of organochlorine pesticide exposure in a wintering population of razorbills (Alca torda) from the southwestern Mediterranean

Cited by 24 publications

References 51 publications

Razorbill (Alca torda) feathers as an alternative tool for evaluating exposure to organochlorine pesticides

Razorbill (Alca torda) feathers as an alternative tool for evaluating exposure to organochlorine pesticides

Body condition of stranded Razorbills and Atlantic Puffins in the Western Mediterranean

Temporal variation in circulating concentrations of organochlorine pollutants in a pelagic seabird breeding in the high Arctic

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