Monitoring Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Pollution in the Marine Environment after the Prestige Oil Spill by Means of Seabird Blood Analysis

Abstract

In this study we tested the use of seabird blood as a bioindicator of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pollution in the marine environment. Blood cells of breeding yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) were able to track spatial and temporal changes consistent with the massive oil pollution pulse that resulted from the Prestige oil spill. Thus, in 2004, blood samples from yellow-legged gulls breeding in colonies that were in the trajectory of the spill doubled in their total PAH concentrations when compared to samples from unoiled colonies. Furthermore, PAH levels in gulls from an oiled colony decreased by nearly a third in two consecutive breeding seasons (2004 and 2005). Experimental evidence was gathered by means of an oilingestion field experiment. The total concentration of PAHs in the blood of gulls given oil supplements was 30% higher compared to controls. This strongly suggested that measures of PAHs in the blood of gulls are sensitive to the ingestion of small quantities of oil. Our study provides evidence that seabirds were exposed to residual Prestige oil 17 months after the spill commenced and gives support to the nondestructive use of seabirds as biomonitors of oil pollution in marine environments.

Bird mortality from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. II. Carcass sampling and exposure probability in the coastal Gulf of Mexico

“…We did not include estimates for indirect (Velando et al 2005) or chronic population effects (Irons et al 2000), either of which can increase the avian mortality (Pérez et al 2008). For example, oil cleanup and other response activities reduce bird survival (Burger & Tsipoura 1998).…”

Rapid quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe extraction with novel phospholipid cleanup: A streamlined ultra high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection approach for screening polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in avian blood cells and plasma

“…A variety of instrumental methods of analysis for PAHs are routinely used, including HPLC coupled with fluorescence detection, GC-MS, GC-MS/MS, and LC-MS/MS [16][17][18][19][20][21]. Although detection itself in most cases is straightforward, reliable sample preparation is not.…”

Sublethal effects on seabirds after the Prestige oil-spill are mirrored in sexual signals

“…Previous studies indicate that high plasma AST levels were induced by exposure to Prestige oil (Alonso- Alvarez et al 2007a,b). We sampled gulls in colonies exposed to residual Prestige oil (Pérez et al 2008b). The AST plasma levels increase after oil pollution owing to the activation of the hepatic cytochrome P450 (see Golet et al 2002).…”

“…This study was carried out at four insular yellow-legged gullbreeding colonies of northwestern Spain (Cíes, Ons, Vionta and Lobeiras), located in the pathway of the Prestige oil spill (Pérez et al 2008b). In total, 27 adult birds were nest-trapped in 2004 while incubating (May 23 -June 5), 17 months after the Prestige spill.…”