DigitalUM :: Browsing by Subject "Biomonitoring"

Browsing by Subject "Biomonitoring"

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Open Access
Active monitoring of long-eared owl (Asio otus) nestlings reveals widespread exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides across different agricultural landscapes
(Elsevier, 2024-03-25) Spadetto, Livia; Zamora Marín, José Manuel; León Ortega, Mario; Díaz García, Sarah; Tecles, Fernando; Fenoll, José; Cava, Juana; Calvo, José Francisco,; García Fernández, Antonio Juan; Gómez Ramírez, Pilar; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
The widespread use of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) poses a worldwide threat to farmland wildlife. These compounds accumulate in tissues of both target and non-target species, potentially endangering both direct consumers and their predators. However, investigations on ARs in blood of free-ranging predatory birds are rare. Here, the long-eared owl (Asio otus) has been used as a model predator to assess AR exposure in different agricultural landscapes from a Mediterranean semiarid region. A total of 69 owlets from 38 nests were blood-sampled over 2021 and 2022, aiming to detect AR residues and explore factors that determine their exposure, such as land uses. In addition, prothrombin time (PT) test was conducted to assess potential effects of AR contamination. Overall, nearly all the samples (98.6 %) tested positive for at least one compound and multiple ARs were found in most of the individuals (82.6 %). Among the ARs detected, flocoumafen was the most common compound (88.4 % of the samples). AR total concentration (Sigma ARs) in blood ranged from 0.06 to 34.18 ng mL(-1), detecting the highest levels in the most intensively cultivated area. The analysis of owl pellets from 19 breeding territories showed relevant among-site differences in the contribution of rodents and birds into the diet of long-eared owls, supporting its high dietary plasticity and indicating AR presence at multiple trophic levels. Moreover, a positive and significant correlation was found between Sigma ARs and PT (Rho = 0.547, p < 0.001), which demonstrates the direct effect of ARs on free-living nestlings. Our results provide a preliminary overview of AR exposure in a little-studied owl species inhabiting agricultural and rural landscapes. Despite the low detected levels, these findings indicate widespread exposure -often to multiple compounds- from early life stages, which raises concern and draws attention to an ongoing and unresolved contamination issue.
Open Access
Comparative study of immunological biomarkers in the carpet shell clams (Ruditapes decussatus) from metal‑contaminated sites in the South Lagoon of Tunis (Tunisia)
(Springer, 2022-09-14) Mansour, Chalbia; Esteban Abad, María de los Ángeles; Rouane Hacene, Omar; Saidane Mosbahi, Dalila; Guardiola Abellán, Francisco Antonio; Biología Celular e Histología; Facultad de Biología
The South Lagoon of Tunis (Tunisia) is a Mediterranean lagoon adversely affected by industrial contaminants, harbour activity and untreated urban sewage. In this lagoon, the clam Ruditapes decussatus has been widely used as a biomonitor of seawater pollution through measurements of parameters related to oxidative stress and neurotoxicity. However, few studies have considered parameters of the immune system of this species in the South Lagoon of Tunis. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to evaluate several immune-related parameters in the cell-free haemolymph of carpet shell clams sampled during August and February from three polluted sites in the South Lagoon of Tunis (S1, S2 and S3) and one less polluted site as a reference site (RS) in order to identify suitable biomarkers for environmental quality assessments of this ecosystem. Concerning the immune-related parameters, seasonal factors modulated phenoloxidase, lysozyme, protease and esterase activity, with lower values measured for samples collected in August than for samples collected in February. In fact, bactericidal activity against two of the pathogenic bacteria tested and the activity of most immune-related enzymes were reduced in the cell-free haemolymph of clams collected from the most sampling sites in August compared to February one. In addition, values of abiotic parameters (temperature, salinity and pH) and metal (cadmium, copper, iron, lead and zinc) concentrations in the clams’ soft tissues, previously obtained and published by the authors, as well as the values of immune-related parameters were integrated using principal component analyses. Results indicated that the values of all measured immune-related parameters were negatively correlated with the temperature values and the variations most of these parameters highlighted that the chemical industrial area (S3) was the most impacted location within the South Lagoon of Tunis. The present study illustrates that the immune-related parameters measured in carpet shell clam cell-free haemolymph represent suitable biomarkers for environmental quality assessments because they provide effective seasonal and spatial discrimination.
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Effect of nutritive status on Mytilus galloprovincialis pollution biomarkers: Implications for large-scale monitoring programs
(Elsevier, 2015-07-21) González-Fernández, Carmen; Albentosa, Marina; Campillo, Juan A.; Viñas, Lucía; Romero García, Diego; Franco, Ángeles; Bellas, Juan
Biomarkers have been extensively used in monitoring programs with the aim of assessing the biological effects of pollutants on marine organisms and determining environmental status. Data obtained from these programs are sometimes difficult to interpret due to the large amount of natural variables affecting biological processes, which could act as confounding factors on biomarker responses. The main aim of this work was to identify the effect of one of these variables, the food availability, and consequently, the mussel nutritive status, on biomarker responses. For that purpose, mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were conditioned to three different food rations for 2 months in order to create three mussel nutritive statuses and afterwards, each status was exposed to three nominal concentrations of fluoranthene (FLU) for 3 weeks. A battery of biomarkers was considered in this study to cover a wide range of organism responses, both physiological (scope for growth – SFG) and biochemical (superoxide dismutase – SOD, catalase – CAT, glutathione reductase – GR, glutathione peroxidase – GPx, glutathione-S-transferase – GST and phenoloxidase – PO activities, and lipid membrane peroxidation – LPO). The results obtained, evidenced that most of the studied biomarkers (SFG, SOD, CAT, GPx, and PO) were strongly affected by mussel nutritive status, showing higher values at lower status, whereas the effect of toxicant was not always evident, masked by the nutritive status effect. This paper demonstrates that toxicants are not the only source of variability modulating pollution biomarkers, and confirms nutritive status as a major factor altering biochemical and physiological biomarkers.
Open Access
Evaluation of C-reactive-like protein in Mytilus galloprovincialis
(Elsevier, 2019-07-05) Franco-Martínez, Lorena; Tvarijonaviciute, Asta; Mateo, Sandra V.; Cerón, José J.; Romero, Diego; Oliveira, Miguel; Teles, Mariana; Martínez-Subiela, Silvia; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein of the innate immune system with an important role as biomarker in many biological processes in mammals. However, there is a lack of information regarding CRP in molluscs and there is no data about the presence of CRP-like protein in mussels. In the present work, CPR-like protein was identified and purified from the digestive gland of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis In addition, it was demonstrated that CRP-like protein can be measured accurately and precisely by a high- throughput automated method. Finally, higher levels of CRP-like protein in mussels exposed to hypoxia and nanoplastics were detected when compared to controls. The results obtained indicate that CRP-like protein could be a suitable novel biomarker of inflammatory response in mussels for biomonitoring programs being economic, easy and rapid to determine.
Open Access
Exploring anticoagulant rodenticide exposure and effects in eagle owl (Bubo bubo) nestlings from a Mediterranean semiarid region
(Elsevier, ) Spadetto, Livia; León Ortega, Mario; Zamora-López, Antonio; Díaz-García, Sarah; Zamora Marín, José Manuel; Tecles Vicente, Fernando; Pardo Marín, Luis; Fenoll, José; Calvo, José Francisco; García Fernández, Antonio Juan; Gómez Ramírez, Pilar; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are widely used for pest control, resulting in their pervasive presence in the environment and posing significant toxicological risks to a range of predatory and scavenging species. Our study mainly aimed to evaluate AR exposure and effects in nestlings of eagle owl (Bubo bubo) from the Region of Murcia (southeastern Spain). We analysed ARs in blood samples (n = 106) using high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole (HPLC-TQ), assessed the influence of potential anthropogenic (presence of livestock farms, landfills and human population density) and environmental (land uses and proximity to watercourses) variables, and measured prothrombin time (PT) and plasma biochemical parameters as biomarkers of effects. Our results showed the presence of AR residues in 91.5% of the nestlings, with 70.8% exhibiting multiple ARs (up to six compounds in a single individual). Second-generation ARs (SGARs) were the most prevalent compounds. The analysis of biochemical parameters indicated that the sampled individuals were in good physiological condition. Although PT was positively correlated with total AR concentration (ΣARs), the relationship was not significant (Rho = 0.04; p = 0.49). Regarding environmental factors, higher ΣARs were asso ciated with the most urbanised study site and the presence of landfills, likely due to the increased availability of rodent prey. The prevalence of two SGARs (brodifacoum and difenacoum) was linked to closer proximity to riverbeds, suggesting a contamination pathway associated with inland aquatic ecosystems, where these AR compounds may concentrate due to water scarcity. This study underscores the widespread exposure of eagle owls to ARs and highlights the importance of effective monitoring and management of these pollutants to protect conservation-concern wildlife in Mediterranean semiarid regions.
Open Access
First detection of thiamethoxam in a free-ranging insectivorous bird after its agricultural use ban in Spain.
(Oxford Academy, 2024-08-01) Klaas Fábregas, Marina; Fernández Gómez, Lola; Alfonso i Prieto, Jesús; Garrido, Isabel; Cava, Juana; Martínez Escudero, Carmen M.; Fenoll, José; Pérez García, Juan M.; Insecticide; Gómez Ramírez, Pilar; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Neonicotinoids are insecticides used worldwide in phytosanitary and biocidal products and veterinary pharma- ceuticals. Recently, some restrictions and bans have been imposed due to their adverse effects on nontarget invertebrates, including pollinators. Although they may have direct and indirect effects on wild vertebrates, few studies have assessed exposure to these compounds in wild birds, so our knowledge remains limited. In the present pilot study we have assessed the prevalence of seven neonicotinoid insecticides and some of their metabolites in whole blood samples from 19 European roller (Coracias garrulus) nestlings and five adult common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) in an area treated with neonicotinoids to control the palm weevil (Rynchophorus ferrugineus) in southeastern Spain. One European roller nestling born in a palm tree was positive for thiamethoxam, with a concentration of 2.26 ng mL−1 , but no residues of neonicotinoids or their me- tabolites were found in adult common kestrels. Future studies are needed to elucidate potential exposure to neonicotinoids at different times of the year. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of thiamethoxam residues in whole blood of a wild bird species after its ban in Spain.
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Functional redundancy as a tool for bioassessment: A test using riparian vegetation
(Elsevier, 2016-06-05) Bruno, Daniel; Gutiérrez Cánovas, Cayetano; Velasco, Josefa; Sánchez Fernández, David; Ecología e Hidrología
There is an urgent need to track how natural systems are responding to global change in order to better guide management efforts. Traditionally, taxonomically based metrics have been used as indicators of ecosystem integrity and conservation status. However, functional approaches offer promising advantages that can improve bioassessment performance. In this study,we aimto test the applicability of functional redundancy (FR), a functional feature related to the stability, resistance and resilience of ecosystems, as a tool for bioassessment, looking at woody riparian communities in particular. We used linear mixed-effect models to investigate the response of FR and other traditional biomonitoring indices to natural (drought duration) and anthropogenic stress gradients (flow regulation and agriculture) in a Mediterranean basin. Such indices include species richness, a taxonomic index, and the Riparian Quality Index, which is an index of ecological status. Then, we explored the ability of FR and the other indices to discriminate between different intensities of human alteration. FR showed higher explanatory capacity in response to multiple stressors, although we found significant negative relationships between all the biological indices (taxonomic, functional and ecological quality) and stress gradients. In addition, FRwas the most accurate index to discriminate among different categories of human alteration in both perennial and intermittent river reaches, which allowed us to set threshold values to identify undisturbed (reference condition), moderately disturbed and highly disturbed reaches in the two types of river. Using these thresholds and the best-fitting model, we generated a map of human impact on the functional redundancy of riparian communities for all the stretches of the river network. Our results demonstrate that FR presents clear advantages over traditional methods, which suggests that it should be part of the biomonitoring toolbox used for environmental management so as to obtain better predictions of ecosystem response to environmental changes.
Open Access
Sampling and Contaminant Monitoring Protocol for Raptors.
(Research Networking Programme-European Science Foundation, 2025-03-26) Espín, S.; Herzke, D.; Shore, R.F.; van Hattum, B.; Martínez-López, E.; Courdassier, M.; Eulaers, I.; Fritsch, C.; Jaspers, V.L.B.; Krone, O.; Duke, G.; Helander, B.; Mateo, R.; Movalli, P.; Sonne, C.; Van den Brink, N.W.; García Fernández, Antonio Juan; Gómez Ramírez, Pilar; Facultad de Veterinaria
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Spatiotemporal variations of organochlorine pesticides in an apex predator: Influence of government regulations and farming practices
(Elsevier, 2019-06-20) Pérez-García, Juan Manuel; León-Ortega, Mario; Enrique Martínez, José; Francisco Calvo, José; Sánchez-Zapata, José Antonio; Botella, Francisco; María-Mojica, Pedro; Martínez-López, Emma; García Fernández, Antonio Juan; Gómez Ramírez, Pilar; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Background Intensification of agricultural practices has caused several negative effects to the environment. The use of fertilizers and pesticides may alter geochemical cycles or cause direct wildlife intoxication. Detrimental effects of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have forced the authorities to ban or restrict its use. This study evaluates the variation in levels of OCPs in a sentinel species in relation to changes in government regulations and the spatial configuration of agricultural practices around the nests. Methods Between 2003 and 2007, we analysed OCP levels in 256 blood samples of Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) chicks nesting in area of intensive commercial agriculture with historical frequent use of pesticides, in South-eastern Spain. We studied year-to-year variations in OCP concentrations and their relation with land use configuration around raptor nests by Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMM). Results OCPs were detected in 100% samples surveyed in 2003 and 2004, while dropped to 27% in 2005, 6.8% in 2006 and 6.3% in 2007, coinciding with the ban of OCPs. The presence of the main OCPs was related to agricultural practices. In particular, endosulfan and lindane were related to irrigated crops and urban areas, while DDT-related compounds and dieldrin were associated with dry land farming. Conclusions OCP concentrations in blood samples of Eurasian Eagle-owls may respond quickly to the implementations of new regulations about the use of agricultural products. This raptor was confirmed as a good sentinel species allowing rapid detection of changes in pesticides use.
Embargo
Temporal trends of inorganic elements in a common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) population from south west Spain
(Elsevier, 2021-01-18) Manzano, Javier; Mendez-Fernández, Paula; Gil-Jiménez, Esperanza; Romero, Diego; Ferrer, Miguel; Ciencias Sociosanitarias
Historical variations (1966e2016) in the exposure to inorganic elements in raptors of South West Spain have been little studied. Therefore, uncertainty exists concerning whether environmental or anthropo genic inputs, as well as dietary strategy shift, may cause changes in exposure patterns. To address this gap, essential and non-essential inorganic elements were measured in Common kestrel (Falco tinnun culus) feathers from museum specimens and free-living individuals spanning a 50-year period. Moreover, stable isotopes of d13C and d15N were also measured as proxies of Common kestrel feeding ecology over time. In general, all elements showed significant increasing trends overtime, suggesting changes of in puts from local sources. Moreover, d15N signatures were correlated to the variations in Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sr, Ti, V and Zn concentrations, suggesting trophic changes in this kestrel popu lation as well as possible biomagnification processes. Finally, some values of Cr, Mn and Pb were above the threshold concentrations of potential toxicity.

Browsing by Subject "Biomonitoring"

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