Legacy and Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Tree Swallows Along an Agricultural to Industrial Gradient: Maumee River, Ohio

Abstract

Exposure to multiple classes of contaminants, both legacy and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), were assessed in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) tissue and diet samples from 6 sites along the Maumee River, Ohio, USA, to understand both exposure and possible effects of exposure to those CECs for which there are little avian data. The 6 sites represented a gradient from intensive agriculture upstream to highly urbanized and industrial landscapes downstream; 1 or 2 remote Wisconsin lakes were assessed for comparative purposes. Cytochrome P450 induction, DNA damage, and thyroid function were also assessed relative to contaminant exposure. Bioaccumulative CECs, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and perfluorinated substances, did not follow any upstream to downstream gradient; but both had significantly greater concentrations along the Maumee River than at the remote lake sites. Greater exposure to PBDEs was apparent in swallows at or near wastewater-treatment facilities than at other sites. Total polychlorinated biphenyl and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations were greater in swallows at downstream locations compared to upstream sites and were associated with higher ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase activity. Few herbicides or nonorganochlorine insecticides were detected in swallow tissues or their food, except for atrazine and its metabolite desethylatrazine. Few pharmaceuticals and personal care products were detected except for DEET and iopamidol. Both were detected in most liver samples but not in eggs, as well as detected at the remote lake sites. This is one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of exposure and effects of a wide variety of CECs in birds.

A review of the bioaccumulation and adverse effects of PFAS in free-living organisms from contaminated sites nearby fluorochemical production plants

“…Besides accumulation, the potential adverse effects induced by PFOS exposure in free-living birds were investigated by measuring the alterations of total protein content, cholesterol, triglyceride, and uric acid concentrations in the plasma of great tit adults only. PFOS levels measured in lapwing eggs (46,182 ng/g ww) were higher than those recorded in the other species, as well as with respect to previous surveys performed in the same area [36][37][38] . According to Groffen and coauthors, the levels of PFOS accumulated in eggs of lapwing and great tit decreased with distance from the FCP, up to 1700 m from the FCP [38] .…”

“…PFOS levels measured in lapwing eggs (46,182 ng/g ww) were higher than those recorded in the other species, as well as with respect to previous surveys performed in the same area [36][37][38] . According to Groffen and coauthors, the levels of PFOS accumulated in eggs of lapwing and great tit decreased with distance from the FCP, up to 1700 m from the FCP [38] . In contrast, no differences in PFOS concentrations were noted in the eggs of the three species collected at 1700 and 5500 m from the FCP.…”

“…While previous studies were specifically focused on PFOS, the investigation performed by Groffen and coauthors measured the accumulation of 12 perfluoroalkyl acids [PFAA, namely four perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSA) and eight perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA)], as well as the contamination fingerprint, in the eggs of great tit individuals collected along a gradient away from the Antwerp FCP (from 1 to 70 km from the FCP) [38] . The median concentrations of PFOS, perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorodecane sulfonate (PFDS), and PFOA measured in great tit eggs collected in the surroundings of the FCP were 10,380 (extrapolated), 99.3, 47.7, and 19.8 ng/g ww, respectively.…”

Pathway‐Based Approaches for Assessing Biological Hazards of Complex Mixtures of Contaminants: A Case Study in the Maumee River

“…Specifically, EAR data (and associated AOPs), HTS measurements of bioactivity in surface water, and determination of hepatic cyp1a1 in caged fish all indicate the presence of chemicals that interact with different CYPs, in terms of either inhibition or induction. Notably, studies conducted with tree swallows in 2016 at terrestrial locations adjacent to some of sites where caged fish deployments occurred also indicated effects on CYPs (induction of activity associated with CYP1A) in livers of the birds (Custer et al 2020). Some CYPs have critical roles in processes such as the synthesis or degradation of steroids, so inhibition of these CYPs could affect normal physiological functions.…”

Linking field and laboratory studies: Reproductive effects of perfluorinated substances on avian populations

“…Although water is currently the abiotic sampling matrix of choice for PFASs, which is understandable because of human health concerns, sediment may be a better predictor in understanding exposure and effect levels throughout an ecosystem. Concentrations of various contaminants in water did not predict the presence and extent of many contaminants in tree swallow tissues (Custer et al 2020), whereas sediment contaminant levels did, especially for the organochlorine contaminants (Jayaraman et al 2009). Additional work to determine whether, or which, abiotic media adequately predict biotic exposure would be useful.…”