Long-range air pollution and its impact on heavy metal accumulation in dippers Cinclus cinclus in Norway

Nybø, Signe; Fjeld, Per E.; Jerstad, Kurt; Nissen, August L.

doi:10.1016/s0269-7491(96)00103-0

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…These industrial spillages stimulated the research into the possible use of aquatic organisms to evaluate and monitor the various forms of pollution (e.g. Nybø et al, 1996;Miles and Tome, 1997;Hernández et al, 1999). Certain aquatic or semi-aquatic birds are among the few vertebrate species that have been used as biological monitors of environmental pollution, especially metal pollution.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metal concentrations in selected organs and tissues of five Red-knobbed Coot (<i>Fulica cristata</i>) populations

Eeden¹

2004

WSA

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The Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata is an abundant aquatic bird in South Africa and was anticipated to have indicator abilities for metal pollution. This hypothesis was tested on 83 coot samples collected from five selected aquatic ecosystem areas supporting substantial coot populations, of which various abiotic and biotic components are known to contain varying levels of a number of metals. The aim of this study was achieved by determining the variations in Cd, Cu, Ni and Pb concentrations in liver, kidney, bone and blood samples, with the use of standard flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry techniques. Coots from the Germiston Lake sampling site showed the highest concentrations of cadmium in liver (2.2 µg/g d.w.) and kidney (5.4 µg/g d.w.). The absence of metalprocessing industries in the catchments of the Florida Lake and the Steynsrus farm dams reflects the low liver and kidney concentrations of Cd, Ni and Cu, respectively. The blood of the Natalspruit wetland coots contained the highest dry weight concentrations of Ni (11.4 µg/g), Cd (1.8 µg/g) and Cu (14.4 µg/g). The statistical evaluation points towards small-scale geographical differences, especially in the concentrations of Cu, Ni and Pb and in the liver, kidney and blood. However, in terms of actual metal concentrations recorded, no significant differences existed between coots of the reference site (Steynsrus farm dams) and those from the other four localities. It is concluded that the impact of metal-containing diets on the tissue concentrations of these metals in birds plays a far more significant role compared to the migratory habits or short-range movements of the coots.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metal concentrations in selected organs and tissues of five Red-knobbed Coot (<i>Fulica cristata</i>) populations

Eeden¹

2004

WSA

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“…A series of studies conducted at the University of Barcelona in the 1990s sought to investigate changes in the tracheal epithelium of birds exposed to SO 2 , NO x , and particulate emissions from coal-fired power plants in northeastern Spain (Llacuna et al 1993, 1996, Gorriz et al 1994. Goldfinches (Carduelis carduelis) exposed to emissions from a power plant showed greater mucus production, a shortening of the cilia in the epithelial cells lining the trachea, and an increase in the number and size of secretory vesicles.…”

Section: In Situ Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Exposure to industrial air pollution has been linked to genotoxic effects in birds (Baesse et al 2015), including higher rates of heritable genetic mutations (Yauk and Quinn 1996, Yauk et al 2000, King et al 2014. Exposure to air pollution has also been associated with the bioaccumulation of metals in the tissues of vital organs of birds that occupy habitats near point sources of air pollution (Nyholm 1994, 1995, Llacuna et al 1995, Hui 2002, Lovett et al 2009, Berglund et al 2011 or habitats affected by long-range transport of air pollution (Nybø et al 1996). Exposure to metals may lead to oxidative stress in some birds (Koivula and Eeva 2010, Rainio et al 2013).…”

Section: In Situ Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The researchers wanted to determine if the reproductive success of these birds was impaired at study sites closer to the copper smelter due to the production of low-quality eggs and increased nestling mortality. This hypothesis was based on previous work showing that exposure to heavy metals and acidifying compounds might impair avian reproductive success by affecting calcium metabolism and reducing the availability of calcium in local food resources, all of which results in eggs with thinner shells and growth abnormalities in nestlings (Scheuhammer 1991, Eeva and Lehikoinen 1995, 1996. Both the pied flycatchers and the great tits occupying nest boxes at sites closest to the smelter laid fewer eggs, but the pied flycatcher showed an overall greater vulnerability to exposure to industrial air pollution than did the great tit.…”

Section: In Situ Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

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Air pollution impacts on avian species via inhalation exposure and associated outcomes

Sanderfoot

Holloway

2017

Environ. Res. Lett.

120

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Despite the well-established links between air pollution and human health, vegetation, and aquatic ecosystems, less attention has been paid to the potential impact of reactive atmospheric gases and aerosols on avian species. In this literature review, we summarize findings published since 1950 regarding avian responses to air pollution and discuss knowledge gaps that could be addressed in future studies. We find consistent evidence for adverse health impacts on birds attributable to exposure to gas-phase and particulate air pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O 3 ), sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), smoke, and heavy metals, as well as mixtures of urban and industrial emissions. Avian responses to air pollution include respiratory distress and illness, increased detoxification effort, elevated stress levels, immunosuppression, behavioral changes, and impaired reproductive success. Exposure to air pollution may furthermore reduce population density, species diversity, and species richness in bird communities.

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“…Trout is less affected by acidification than salmon (Poléo et al., ), and viable populations were retained in many locations where salmon became extinct (Hesthagen et al., ; Larsen, Hesthagen, Thorstad, & Diserud, ). The dipper, along with many other bird species, underwent a period with thinning of eggshells and subsequent reduction in fitness (Muniz, ; Nybø et al., ; Øigarden & Linløkken, ; Ormerod, O'Halloran, Gribbin, & Tyler, ; Ormerod & Tyler, ) due to aluminum and heavy metal body accumulation (Nybø, Fjeld, Jerstad, & Nissen, ), possible scarcity of calcium‐rich prey (Ormerod et al., ), and alterations in the macroinvertebrate prey community (Buckton, Brewin, Lewis, Stevens, & Ormerod, ; Muniz, ; Ormerod et al., ). Breeding on acidic streams leads to reduced clutch sizes, delayed breeding, and reduced nestling growth compared to on circumneutral streams (Ormerod et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential influence of Atlantic salmonSalmo salarand brown troutSalmo truttaon density and breeding of the white‐throated dipperCinclus cinclus

Nilsson

L’Abée-Lund

Vøllestad

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Interactions between birds and fish are often overlooked in aquatic ecosystems. We studied the influence of Atlantic salmon and brown trout on the breeding population size and reproductive output of the white‐throated dipper in a Norwegian river. Acidic precipitation led to the extinction of salmon, but salmon recolonized after liming was initiated in 1991. We compared the dipper population size and reproductive output before (1978–1992) and after (1993–2014) salmon recolonization. Despite a rapid and substantial increase in juvenile salmon, the breeding dipper population size and reproductive output were not influenced by juvenile salmon, trout, or total salmonid density. This might be due to different feeding strategies in salmonids and dippers, where salmonids are mainly feeding on drift, while the dipper is a benthic feeder. The correlation between the size of the dipper population upstream and downstream of a salmonid migratory barrier was similar before and after recolonization, indicating that the downstream territories were not less attractive after the recolonization of salmon. Upstream dipper breeding success rates declined before the recolonization event and increased after, indicating improved water quality due to liming, and increasing invertebrate prey abundances and biodiversity. Surprisingly, upstream the migratory barrier, juvenile trout had a weak positive effect on the dipper population size, indicating that dippers may prey upon small trout. It is possible that wider downstream reaches might have higher abundances of alternative food, rending juvenile trout unimportant as prey. Abiotic factors such as winter temperatures and acidic precipitation with subsequent liming, potentially mediated by prey abundance, seem to play the most important role in the life history of the dipper.

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Long-range air pollution and its impact on heavy metal accumulation in dippers Cinclus cinclus in Norway

Cited by 13 publications

References 16 publications

Metal concentrations in selected organs and tissues of five Red-knobbed Coot (<i>Fulica cristata</i>) populations

Metal concentrations in selected organs and tissues of five Red-knobbed Coot (<i>Fulica cristata</i>) populations

Air pollution impacts on avian species via inhalation exposure and associated outcomes

The potential influence of Atlantic salmonSalmo salarand brown troutSalmo truttaon density and breeding of the white‐throated dipperCinclus cinclus

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