Sex- and age-related variation in metal content of penguin feathers

Squadrone, Stefania; Abete, Maria Cesarina; Brizio, Paola; Monaco, G.; Colussi, Silvia; Biolatti, Cristina; Modesto, Paola; Acutis, Pier Luigi; Pessani, Daniela; Favaro, Livio

doi:10.1007/s10646-015-1593-7

Cited by 23 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Surface lipids and contaminants were removed from feathers following a protocol already described (Squadrone et al, 2016), then minced with a stainless steel scissors. Mercury was quantified with a Direct Mercury Analyzer (Milestone, Shelton, CT, USA) and the other elements by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (Thermo Scientific, Bremen, Germany) after being subjected to microwave digestion as already described (Squadrone et al, 2016). Multi-elemental determination was performed with ICP-MS after daily optimization of instrumental parameters and using an external standard calibration curve; rodium and germanium were used as internal standards.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this zoological facility, penguins were kept in an outdoor communal exhibit of 1500 m 2 , which included a pond of 120 m 2 (maximum depth: 3 m). Feather samples were collected as previously described (Squadrone et al, 2016). In addition, the whole bodies of several herring (Clupea harengus) were collected in the same period from the penguins' food stock.…”

Section: Samples Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Metals in Feathers of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus): Considerations for the Welfare and Management of Seabirds Under Human Care

Squadrone

Abete

Brizio

et al. 2018

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol

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Bird feathers have been proven to be reliable indicators of metal exposure originating from contaminated food and polluted environments. The concentrations of 15 essential and non-essential metals were investigated in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) feathers from a Northwestern Italian zoological facility. These birds are exclusively fed with herring from the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Certain elements, such as Hg and Cd, reflected the bioaccumulation phenomena that occur through the marine food chain. The levels of Cr, Mn, and Ni were comparable to those registered in feathers of birds living in polluted areas. These results are important for comparative studies regarding the health, nutrition and welfare of endangered seabirds kept under human care.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Samples Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metals in Feathers of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus): Considerations for the Welfare and Management of Seabirds Under Human Care

Squadrone

Abete

Brizio

et al. 2018

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol

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“…same uptake rate) due to similarities in diet between the sexes. Even though diet is the primary source of metal accumulation, however, the bioaccumulation rate is very species-specific (Burger and Gochfeld, 2000;Squadrone et al, 2016). While contrary to previous research in passerines (Jackson et al, 2011), subtle species specific food chain differences may affect bioaccumulation and should be explored in future research.…”

Section: Sex-specific Concentrationsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Heavy metal bioaccumulation in two passerines with differing migration strategies

Cooper

Bringolf

Cooper

et al. 2017

Science of The Total Environment

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Various anthropogenic activities have resulted in concentration of heavy metals and contamination of surrounding environments. Historically, heavy metal contamination at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in South Carolina has resulted from accidental releases of stored waste generated from nuclear weapon production in the early 1950s. Songbirds inhabiting and using resources from these areas have the potential to bioaccumulate metals but there is limited information on metal concentration levels in areas suspected of contamination as well as uncontaminated sites. Nonlethal tissues samples from avian blood and feathers provide a reliable approach for determining the bioavailability of these pollutants (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn). The objectives of this study were to survey terrestrial heavy metal contamination at the SRS on potentially bioavailable contaminated (PBC) sites through blood and feather samples from resident Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) and migratory Great Crested Flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus) and quantify sex-specific concentrations within species. Samples were collected in April to June of 2016. Cardinals had lower blood concentrations of Hg (β=-0.17, 85% CL=-0.26, -0.09) and Se (β=-0.33, 85% CL=-0.50, -0.16) than flycatchers. Cr feather concentrations were less in cardinals (β=-1.46, 85% CL=-2.44, -0.49) and all feathers of both species from reference locations had significantly less Zn (β=-67.92, 85% CL=-128.71, -7.14). Results indicate flycatchers were exposed to differing heavy metal levels during feather formation on their wintering grounds as compared to their recent exposure (through bloods samples) on their breeding grounds. Sex of individuals did not have a significant impact on bioaccumulation in either species. Overall, metal concentration levels in both species indicate minimal risk for acute toxicity; however, there is limited research on wild passerine populations with similar concentration levels. Therefore, further research on reproductive success of these birds should be explored.

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“…Surface lipids and contaminants were removed from feathers as previously described (Squadrone et al 2016;. Feathers were then minced and subjected to microwave digestion utilizing an ultrawave oven (ETHOS 1, Milestone,) with 7 mL of HNO3 (70% v/v) and 1.5 mL of H2O2 (30% v/v).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For the two last decades, bird's feathers have, in fact, become one of the best choices to investigate metal pollution in natural habitats (Burger 1993;Dmowski 1993;Burger and Gochfeld 2000;Dauwe 2000;Deng et al 2007;Burger et al 2008;Lucia et al 2010;Markowski et al 2013), especially in penguins (Metcheva et al 2006(Metcheva et al , 2011Jerez et al, 2011;Frias et al, 2012;Carravieri et al 2013;Lodenious and Solonen 2013;Squadrone et al 2016Squadrone et al , 2018.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Humboldt penguins' feathers as bioindicators of metal exposure

Squadrone

Brizio

Favaro

et al. 2019

Science of The Total Environment

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Avian feathers have the potential to accumulate trace elements originating from contaminated food and polluted environments. In fact, in feathers, metals bind to keratin, a sulphur-containing protein for which several metals have a strong affinity. Here, the concentrations of 18 essential and nonessential elements were investigated in a Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) colony housed at the Acquario di Cattolica (Italy). This species is listed as vulnerable in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. According to the literature, there is usually a link between metal levels in the diet of birds and levels detected in their feathers. Thus, metals were also determined in the penguins' food (capelin, Mallotus villosus). We hypothesize that the controlled conditions in which birds are kept in captivity, and the homogeneous diet that they follow could allow a better understanding of metal bioaccumulation (such as mercury) or bio-dilution (such as arsenic) in the marine food chain, indicated by penguins' feathers. Moreover, comparisons with our previous investigations performed on an ex-situ African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) colony suggest that penguins living indoors have lower body burden of metals than those living outdoors. Indeed, environmental contaminants usually found in areas subjected to anthropogenic impact, where zoos and aquaria are often located, are not accumulated to levels of concern.

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Sex- and age-related variation in metal content of penguin feathers

Cited by 23 publications

References 36 publications

Metals in Feathers of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus): Considerations for the Welfare and Management of Seabirds Under Human Care

Metals in Feathers of African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus): Considerations for the Welfare and Management of Seabirds Under Human Care

Heavy metal bioaccumulation in two passerines with differing migration strategies

Humboldt penguins' feathers as bioindicators of metal exposure

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