Lead in Feathers and ?-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Activity in Three Raptor Species from an Unpolluted Mediterranean Forest (Southeastern Spain)

Martínez-López, Emma; Martínez, José Enrique; María-Mójica, Pedro; Peñalver, J.; Pulido, Manuel A.; Calvo, José F.; García-Fernández, Antonio J.

doi:10.1007/s00244-004-3027-z

Cited by 51 publications

(26 citation statements)

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“…Mean concentration of blood lead levels for the whole population (3.73 ± 4.2 lg/dl) is close to the range considered by several authors for birds non-exposed to lead (García-Fernández et al 1997;Henny et al 1991;Martínez-López et al 2004;Scheuhammer, 1989) and, therefore, similar to the levels found in several raptor species inhabiting non-polluted areas (Henny et al 1994;Martínez-López et al 2004;McBride et al 2004), or even lower if adults were included in other studies (García-Fernández et al 1997) (Table 1). However, about 10% of the samples presented blood lead levels above 10 lg/dl, being in eight individuals higher than 14.87 lg/dl.…”

Section: Blood Lead Levelssupporting

confidence: 64%

Blood lead levels and δ-ALAD inhibition in nestlings of Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) to assess lead exposure associated to an abandoned mining area

et al. 2010

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In order to biomonitor lead contamination in Southeastern Spain, 218 blood samples from 28 to 30-day old Eurasian Eagle Owl chicks (Bubo bubo) born between 2003 and 2007 were analysed. In general, mean lead levels showed that chicks were exposed to background concentrations. However, mean levels in chicks born in an ancient and abandoned mining site ("Sierra Minera Cartagena-La Union") or in their surroundings (Geometric mean (GM) = 5.83 μg/dl, range 0.49-25.61 μg/dl), an area highly polluted by lead and other metals, were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than the rest of the population (GM = 1.66 μg/dl, range = Non detected-18.37 μg/dl). Because δ-ALAD activity is considered the best biomarker for lead exposure and effect in birds, the activity of this enzyme was also evaluated and correlated with lead levels in blood. In this study, low levels of blood lead inhibited δ-ALAD, even when lead concentrations were lower than the limits described by other authors in raptors. Adverse effects caused by this inhibition may occur when blood lead levels were above 15 μg/dl, although only eight chicks presented these concentrations in their blood. Sampling site also influenced enzymatic activity, since it decreased about 60% in the polluted area in relation to the rest. For all these reasons, further research regarding risk assessment for lead exposure in Eagle Owls nesting in the polluted area is advisable. Our results suggest that the Eurasian Eagle Owl can be considered a suitable sentinel animal for monitoring lead contamination and δ-ALAD activity can be used as a sensitive biomarker for lead exposure and effect in this species.

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Section: Blood Lead Levelssupporting

confidence: 64%

Blood lead levels and δ-ALAD inhibition in nestlings of Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) to assess lead exposure associated to an abandoned mining area

et al. 2010

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“…(Figures 1 and 2). Finally, other studies have reported feather lead levels as a biomarker of exposure and toxicity (e.g., 34,[50][51][52][53], though to our knowledge none have used serial sampling and stable isotopic analyses to determine the bird's lead exposure history.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ammunition is the Principal Source of Lead Accumulated by California Condors Re-Introduced to the Wild

Church

Gwiazda

Risebrough

et al. 2006

Environ. Sci. Technol.

158

105

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The endangered California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) was reduced to a total population of 22 birds by the end of 1982. Their captive-bred descendants are now being released back into the wild in California, Arizona, and Baja California, where monitoring indicates they may accumulate lead to toxic levels. Fragments of ammunition in the carcasses of game animals such as deer, elk, and feral pigs not retrieved by hunters or in gut piles left in the field have been considered a plausible source of the lead, though little direct evidence is available to support this hypothesis. Here, we measured lead concentrations and isotope ratios in blood from 18 condors living in the wild in central California, in 8 pre-release birds, and in diet and ammunition samples to determine the importance of ammunition as a source of exposure. Blood lead levels in pre-release condors were low (average 27.7 ng/mL, SD 4.9 ng/mL) and isotopically similar to dietary and background environmental lead in California. In contrast, blood lead levels in free-flying condors were substantially higher (average 246 ng/mL, SD 229 ng/mL) with lead isotopic compositions that approached or matched those of the lead ammunition. A two-endmember mixing model defined by the background 207Pb/206Pb ratio of representative condor diet samples (0.8346) and the upper 207Pb/206Pb ratio of the ammunition samples (0.8184) was able to account for the blood lead isotopic compositions in 20 out of the 26 live condors sampled in this study (i.e., 77%). Finally, lead in tissues and in a serially sampled growing feather recovered post-mortem from a lead-poisoned condor in Arizona evidence acute exposure from an isotopically distinct lead source. Together, these data indicate that incidental ingestion of ammunition in carcasses of animals killed by hunters is the principal source of elevated lead exposure that threatens the recovery in the wild of this endangered species.

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“…We are unaware of any other studies reporting lead in feathers of Golden Eagles. However, Martinez-Lopez et al (2004) reported mean lead level of 0.72 ppm in Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) feathers from what they considered an unpolluted environment in Spain. That level is above mean lead feather concentration of Golden Eagles reported here and suggests summer environments of Montana Golden Eagles may be relatively clean.…”

Section: Leadmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lead, Mercury, Selenium, and Other Trace Elements in Tissues of Golden Eagles From Southwestern Montana, Usa

Harmata

Restani

2013

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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ABSTRACT:Lead-based rifle bullets, used in game hunting and recreational shooting, fragment when striking bone and soft tissues. Lead fragments may be ingested by birds scavenging offal piles or nonretrieved carcasses and therefore pose a poisoning risk. We captured and sampled 74 Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in southwestern Montana, USA, from 2008 to 2010 to evaluate levels of lead, mercury, selenium, and 13 other trace elements in blood and feathers. Lead was detected in blood of most (97%, n570) eagles; mean blood level was 0.26 parts per million (ppm). Most eagles (65%) had background levels (,0.2 ppm), 29% had elevated levels (0.2-0.5 ppm), 13% had chronic levels (0.51-1.0 ppm), and 3% had acute levels (.1.0 ppm) in blood. Lead in blood decreased from winter to spring. Resident eagles had higher lead levels than eagles of unknown residency. Mercury was detected in few eagles, whereas selenium was detected in all, but at a low level (0.36 ppm). Other chemical elements in blood were at low or biologically appropriate levels. Lead in feathers (n529) was correlated with blood lead (P50.010), as was mercury in blood and feathers (n548; P50.003). Concentrations of lead and mercury in feathers were higher in adults than in juveniles and immatures (P,0.016) and both elements tended to increase with age. Selenium in feathers (n548) appeared stable across plumage classes. Although detection rates of lead in blood of eagles captured in spring increased from 1985-1993 to 2008-2010, mean levels decreased (P,0.023) between periods, as did proportions of eagles exhibiting above background levels (.0.2 ppm; P,0.02).

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Lead in Feathers and ?-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase Activity in Three Raptor Species from an Unpolluted Mediterranean Forest (Southeastern Spain)

Cited by 51 publications

References 1 publication

Blood lead levels and δ-ALAD inhibition in nestlings of Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) to assess lead exposure associated to an abandoned mining area

Blood lead levels and δ-ALAD inhibition in nestlings of Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) to assess lead exposure associated to an abandoned mining area

Ammunition is the Principal Source of Lead Accumulated by California Condors Re-Introduced to the Wild

Lead, Mercury, Selenium, and Other Trace Elements in Tissues of Golden Eagles From Southwestern Montana, Usa

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