Porphyrin Pattern and Methemoglobin Levels in Columba livia Applied to Assess Toxicological Risk by Air Pollution in Urban Areas

Abstract

The study has explored two conservative biomarkers, porphyrin pattern in guano and methemoglobin levels in blood of Columba livia, in order to assay their potential use for monitoring toxic effects induced by exposure to urban air pollution. Fieldwork was conducted between October 2003 and June 2005 in the city of Milan, Italy, by sampling the pigeons in different areas almost twice a week. Six air contaminants, CO, PM10, NO(2), O(3), SO(2), and C(6)H(6), plus polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fine particles, temperature, and UV index, were considered. Protoporphyrins from pigeon excreta sampled outdoors were always higher than in indoor animals, particularly in winter. A positive correlation (p < 0.001) of protoporphyrin with PAHs was observed. In terms of the values of methemoglobinemia, animals exposed to urban air showed significant differences from season to season but only in summer and autumn did the outdoor pigeons show higher values than indoor animals. In summer, a regression model with a positive correlation between O(3) and benzene was determined (p < 0.01). The use of Columba livia as a sentinel for urban air pollution as well as for detecting complex interactions between contaminants in the urban air pollutant mixture was discussed.

Reproduction and survival in the city: which fitness components drive urban colonization in a reed-nesting waterbird?

“…2005 ). Some air pollutants, like CO, NO X , SO X , and other fuel combustion products, also induce excessive hemoglobin oxidation and may lead to methemoglobinemia ( Sicolo et al. 2009 ).…”

Identifying Sources of Pb Exposure in Waterbirds and Effects on Porphyrin Metabolism Using Noninvasive Fecal Sampling

“…In addition, increased biliary excretion of protoporphyrin IX has been previously described in Pb poisoned mallards, which suggests that increased protoporphyrin IX in feces would be expected in birds being poisoned by Pb . Increased fecal protoporphyrin IX has also been described in pigeons ( Columba livia ) exposed to urban air pollution . Elevated Pb exposure in birds leads to hemolytic anemia, which manifests itself by causing gall bladder enlargement, viscous bile, and biliverdinuria (green-stained feces) .…”

“…25 Increased fecal protoporphyrin IX has also been described in pigeons (Columba livia) exposed to urban air pollution. 33 Elevated Pb exposure in birds leads to hemolytic anemia, which manifests itself by causing gall bladder enlargement, viscous bile, and biliverdinuria (green-stained feces). 34 Biliverdin is a bile pigment that is produced during the biodegradation of heme, which increases in bile of Pb poisoned birds; 25 here, although no statistically significant effect on this pigment was observed, mean concentrations were twice as high in mallards with g34 μg/g d.w. Pb when compared to those with less than this level (Table S3 of the Supporting Information).…”