Article
Environmental Sciences
Cheryl R. Dykstra, William T. Route, Kelly A. Williams
Summary: The study revealed variations in PFAS concentrations in nestling blood plasma among different study areas, with higher levels in industrialized river sites and PFOS being the most abundant analyte. Nestling age was found to significantly influence PFAS concentrations, with levels increasing as nestlings grow.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Ondrej Maca, David Gonzalez-Solis
Summary: The white-tailed eagle has been confirmed as the definitive host for S. lutrae in the Czech Republic based on morphometric and molecular analyses. One of the eagles carried oocysts and sporocysts in the intestinal mucosa, with sequencing showing high similarity to published sequences of S. lutrae from other hosts.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dora Bjedov, Alma Mikuska, Lidija Begovic, Eric Bollinger, Jan Ove Bustnes, Tamas Deme, Tibor Mikuska, Attila Morocz, Ralf Schulz, Jens Sondergaard, Igor Eulaers
Summary: This study assessed the extent and dietary sources of total mercury exposure in a population of white-tailed eagles for the first time. The results showed variations in THg concentrations across different years, with nests containing aquatic prey remains exhibiting higher THg concentrations compared to those with terrestrial remains or a mixed diet.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elisabeth Hansen, Tove Skotnes, Jan Ove Bustnes, Bjorn Helander, Igor Eulaers, Jiachen Sun, Adrian Covaci, Bard-Jorgen Bardsen, Sandrine Zahn, Francois Criscuolo, Sophie Bourgeon
Summary: This study investigated telomere lengths in white-tailed eagle nestlings and found significant year-to-year variations, but no correlation with concentrations of persistent organic pollutants.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elisabeth Hansen, Jiachen Sun, Bjorn Helander, Jan Ove Bustnes, Igor Eulaers, Veerle L. B. Jaspers, Adrian Covaci, Marcel Eens, Sophie Bourgeon
Summary: English Summary: Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as organochlorines (OCs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), can have adverse health effects on wildlife. White-tailed eagles in the Baltic ecosystem have suffered population declines due to severe exposure to DDT and PCB. In this study, feathers from breeding WTE pairs were analyzed to investigate the annual variations in feather corticosterone (fCORT), POPs, and dietary proxies. The results did not support fCORT as a relevant biomarker of contaminant-mediated effects in WTEs, but fCORT can be used as a non-destructive assessment of long-term stress physiology in wild raptors.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
T. Shadbolt, A. Pocknell, A. W. Sainsbury, S. Egerton-Read, D. P. Blake
Summary: This study found a reintroduced white-tailed sea eagle died from muscle parasite infection, revealing a new intermediate host species for the parasite.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bernat Oro-Nolla, Silvia Lacorte, Kristine Vike-Jonas, Susana Gonzalez, Torgeir Nygard, Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos, Veerle L. B. Jaspers
Summary: The study found that white-tailed eagles have accumulated bisphenols and benzophenone UV filters in their livers, raising concerns about potential endocrine-disrupting properties of these emerging contaminants. The high detection frequency of fluorinated BPAF suggests a need for further attention, as other fluorinated compounds have been shown to be persistent and harmful to wildlife.
Article
Microbiology
Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Kohei Ogasawara, Norikazu Isoda, Hitoshi Hatai, Kosuke Okuya, Yukiko Watanabe, Ayato Takada, Yoshihiro Sakoda, Keisuke Saito, Makoto Ozawa
Summary: This study demonstrates the susceptibility of white-tailed sea eagles to H5 HPAI virus and confirms the potential for indirect transmission within the population. Histopathological observations suggest that viral replication in the brain is responsible for the severity and mortality of the disease in this species.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Camilla Ekblad, Igor Eulaers, Ralf Schulz, Torsten Stjernberg, Jens Sondergaard, Jochen Zubrod, Toni Laaksonen
Summary: Human-induced mercury contamination remains a global concern, especially in environmental hotspots like inland aquatic ecosystems. This study focused on white-tailed eagles as sentinel species for environmental mercury contamination, finding elevated mercury concentrations in nestling feathers, influenced by dietary factors and proximity to reservoirs. The findings highlight the complexity of mercury exposure pathways in wildlife and the need for further research in freshwater lake environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Faiz Haque, Anne L. Soerensen, Martin Skoeld, Raed Awad, Kyra M. Spaan, Melanie Z. Lauria, Merle M. Plassmann, Jonathan P. Benskin
Summary: Temporal and spatial trends of 15 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were determined in white-tailed sea eagle (WTSE) eggs from Sweden between 1969 and 2021. PFAS concentrations generally increased from the late 1960s to the 1990s-2010s and then leveled off or declined. Coastal populations showed higher PFAS concentrations, possibly due to diet and proximity to densely populated areas. The majority of extractable organofluorine in the eggs was identified as legacy PFAS, with low levels of novel substances.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Faiz Haque, Anne L. Soerensen, Martin Skold, Raed Awad, Kyra M. Spaan, Melanie Z. Lauria, Merle M. Plassmann, Jonathan P. Benskin
Summary: Temporal and spatial trends of 15 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were determined in white-tailed sea eagle (WTSE) eggs from Sweden between 1969 and 2021. PFAS concentrations generally increased until the 1990s-2010 and then plateaued or declined. Coastal populations had higher PFAS concentrations, possibly due to differences in diet and proximity to densely populated areas. Most extractable organofluorine in WTSE eggs consisted of known PFAS, with low levels of novel substances.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Sohei Tomikawa, Shotaro Nakagun, Yukiko Watanabe, Keisuke Saito, Yoshiyasu Kobayashi
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of trichomonads in the upper alimentary tract of Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed sea eagles, detecting Trichomonas spp. genomic sequences through PCR and culture. Morphologic and molecular characterizations confirmed all isolates as T. gypaetinii, and novel gene sequences were provided. This is the first study to isolate T. gypaetinii from Haliaeetus eagles, showing that T. gypaetinii belong to independent clusters from other Trichomonas spp.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bin Shi, Tieyu Wang, Hongfa Yang, Yunqiao Zhou, Ran Bi, Lu Yang, Seo Joon Yoon, Taewoo Kim, Jong Seong Khim
Summary: Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are recognized as emerging contaminants that have captured worldwide attention due to their persistent and bioaccumulative characteristics. This study detected 15 PFASs in major rivers of rapidly developing coastal areas of China and South Korea, showing significant variations in concentrations and compositions among different regions. Time-trend analysis revealed a decrease in total PFASs concentrations in both China and South Korea, while the proportion of short-chain PFASs increased.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
C. Gallen, A. Bignert, G. Taucare, J. O'Brien, J. Braeunig, T. Reeks, J. Thompson, J. F. Mueller
Summary: PFAS are problematic chemicals detected in wastewater due to daily product usage. Actions have been taken since 2000 to limit their manufacture and usage. A study conducted in an Australian urban population from 2010 to 2020 showed a decline in PFAS concentrations, highlighting the longterm consequences of their use in products.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Vasile Alexe, Adrian Burada, Liliana Teodorof, Mihai Marinov, Alexandru-Catalin Dorosencu, Lucian-Eugen Bolboaca, Cristina Despina, Dana Seceleanu, Marta Peraita, Marian Tudor, Janos Botond Kiss, Dumitru Murariu
Summary: The white-tailed sea-eagle is a top raptor that can serve as a model for contaminants transfer. In this study, significant differences were found in the concentrations of contaminants between juvenile and adult eagles in the study area, suggesting that juveniles are better indicators for pollutants in the region.
TURKISH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Seanan Wild, Igor Eulaers, Adrian Covaci, Rossana Bossi, Darryl Hawker, Roger Cropp, Colin Southwell, Louise Emmerson, Gilles Lepoint, Pascale Eisenmann, Susan Bengtson Nash
Summary: The study revealed that the migratory South polar skua and the endemic Adelie penguin have clear differences in their contaminant burdens and profiles, with the former being dominant in certain persistent organic pollutants characteristic of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean region. Detection of specific chemicals in both species suggests local exposure, indicating limited long-range environmental transport capacity to the eastern Antarctic sector.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elisabeth Hansen, Tove Skotnes, Jan Ove Bustnes, Bjorn Helander, Igor Eulaers, Jiachen Sun, Adrian Covaci, Bard-Jorgen Bardsen, Sandrine Zahn, Francois Criscuolo, Sophie Bourgeon
Summary: This study investigated telomere lengths in white-tailed eagle nestlings and found significant year-to-year variations, but no correlation with concentrations of persistent organic pollutants.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Andrea Alfaro Garcia, Sebastien Descamps, Dorte Herzke, Olivier Chastel, Alice Carravieri, Yves Cherel, Pierre Labadie, Helene Budzinski, Gabriel Munoz, Paco Bustamante, Anuschka Polder, Geir Wing Gabrielsen, Jan Ove Bustnes, Katrine Borga
Summary: Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are found in high levels in the South Polar Skua in Antarctica. This study shows that the available prey during the breeding period significantly contributes to the PFAS contamination in skuas.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ashild O. Pedersen, Bard-Jorgen Bardsen, Vebjorn Veiberg, Robert Justin Irvine, Brage B. Hansen
Summary: Hunter-collected data and samples are used to monitor the population performance of high Arctic reindeer. Skeleton size measurements, such as lower jawbone length and hind-leg length, can serve as good predictors of carcass mass, especially in young age classes. However, the relationships weaken in adults due to skeletal growth ceasing and increased variance in mass with age, potentially caused by annual environmental fluctuations.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Felix Tulatz, Geir Wing Gabrielsen, Sophie Bourgeon, Dorte Herzke, Rupert Krapp, Magdalene Langset, Svenja Neumann, Anna Lippold, France Collard
Summary: Procellariiform seabirds, such as northern fulmars, are prone to ingesting and accumulating floating plastic. A study conducted in the North Sea region found that adult fulmars had lower plastic burdens compared to younger age classes, possibly due to parental transfer of plastic to chicks. In order to investigate this mechanism, researchers examined plastic ingestion in fulmars from Kongsfjorden and found that fledglings had significantly more plastic than older fulmars. The study supported the hypothesis that fulmar chicks from Svalbard are fed high quantities of plastic by their parents. However, adverse effects of plastic on fulmars were indicated by the presence of perforations in the stomach and intestine.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Quentin Devalloir, Clementine Fritsch, Georg Bangjord, Bard-J Bardsen, Sophie Bourgeon, Igor Eulaers, Jan O. Bustnes
Summary: Due to regulations, the deposition of most toxic metals and metalloids in Europe has decreased over the past few decades. However, little is known about the impact of this reduction on exposure levels in terrestrial food webs. This study used tawny owls as biomonitoring species to investigate temporal and spatial trends of exposure to these elements. The results showed a significant decline in toxic elements over time, while beneficial elements exhibited fluctuations but an overall decline. The distance to potential sources of contamination influenced the spatial patterns and temporal trends of element concentrations.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Isabel Gomann, Dorte Herzke, Andreas Held, Janina Schulz, Vladimir Nikiforov, Christoph Georgi, Nikolaos Evangeliou, Sabine Eckhardt, Gunnar Gerdts, Oliver Wurl, Barbara M. Scholz-Boettcher
Summary: This study evaluated the occurrence of microplastics in the marine atmosphere using active air sampling devices, showing their ubiquity even in remote Arctic areas. The study detected tire wear particles and clusters of polyethylene terephthalate, as well as other plastic particles in the marine atmosphere. Atmospheric transport and dispersion models suggested that microplastics are introduced into the marine atmosphere from both sea- and land-based emissions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Carolina M. F. Coelho, Lara Cioni, Wendy Van Dreunen, Vivian Berg, Charlotta Rylander, Ilona Urbarova, Dorte Herzke, Torkjel M. Sandanger
Summary: This study assessed the indirect contribution of oxidizable PFAA precursors and discovered that it accounted for 12% of the total PFAS burden. Several unknown PFAA precursors were also identified, and factors associated with their increased concentrations were found.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lara Cioni, Merle Plassmann, Jonathan P. Benskin, Ana Carolina M. F. Coelho, Therese H. Nost, Charlotta Rylander, Vladimir Nikiforov, Torkjel M. Sandanger, Dorte Herzke
Summary: A comprehensive study on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in human serum samples was conducted, revealing that only a small fraction of PFAS are commonly monitored, which may lead to underestimation of human exposure. The study applied a fluorine mass balance approach and observed that total fluorine (TF) concentrations remained stable over time, while extractable organic fluorine (EOF) decreased. Furthermore, sex was found to influence the levels of unidentified EOF (UEOF) in a different way compared to target PFAS.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Tayler N. LaSharr, Rhiannon P. Jakopak, Bard-Jorgen Bardsen, Timothy J. Robinson, Samantha P. H. Dwinnell, Jill Randall, Rusty C. Kaiser, Mark Thonhoff, Brandon Scurlock, Troy Fieseler, Neil Hymas, Kevin L. Monteith
Summary: The balance of resource allocation to life-history traits can have significant consequences for survival, reproduction, and fitness for species in unpredictable environments. Environmental severity, food availability, and population size all influence the allocation of resources in animals. Animals facing extreme resource limitation may allocate resources to body reserves for survival at the cost of reproduction. In contrast, animals in relatively benign landscapes may allocate resources to reproduction. The theory of risk-sensitive allocation suggests that animals may shift resource allocation to building capital over reproduction when exposed to unprecedented or life-threatening conditions. This study on mule deer found that a life-threatening winter and a reduction in population abundance influenced how animals acquired and allocated energy to survival. Fat accumulation was influenced by per capita precipitation and the reduction in population abundance. Fat accrual in preparation for winter was associated with shifts in risk tolerance, supporting the idea of risk-sensitive allocation as an essential adaptation for animals in rapidly changing landscapes.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Correction
Ornithology
B. J. Bardsen, J. Ove Bustnes
Summary: This article examines the negative impacts of multiple stressors, specifically nest predation, on the viability of a threatened gull. The study finds that the effect varies depending on different environmental conditions.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
T. Husoy, I. H. Caspersen, E. Thepaut, H. Knutsen, L. S. Haug, M. Andreassen, A. Gkrillas, B. Lindeman, C. Thomsen, D. Herzke, H. Dirven, M. W. Wojewodzic
Summary: This study analyzed the dietary and dermal external exposure to PFOA in the European population using a PBPK model. The results showed that diet was the main contributor to internal exposure, but for some women participating in the study, personal care products also played a significant role. Therefore, further studies on exposure to PFOA and other PFAS from personal care products, especially for women, are needed.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lara Cioni, Merle Plassmann, Jonathan P. Benskin, Ana Carolina M. F. Coelho, Therese H. Nost, Charlotta Rylander, Vladimir Nikiforov, Torkjel M. Sandanger, Dorte Herzke
Summary: This study used a comprehensive fluorine mass balance approach to analyze human serum samples collected over 28 years in Tromso, Norway, and found that human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be underestimated.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Guro Lovise Hole Fisktjonmo, Bard-Jorgen Bardsen, Ivar Folstad
Summary: The asymmetric grandparental investment in humans may be explained by the paternity uncertainty hypothesis. However, the specific mechanisms leading to grandparental bias in investment in grandchildren are unclear. A study found that comments on resemblance of children occurred more frequently among siblings after both became parents, suggesting that resemblance descriptions may become more important after both siblings have children. Furthermore, sisters were more proactive in commenting on resemblance of their brothers' child, potentially influencing alloparents' perception of resemblance and influencing alloparental investments.
EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Jan Ove Bustnes, Morten Helberg, Bard-Jorgen Bardsen
Summary: This study analyzes the reproductive output of the northern Lesser Black-backed Gull in relation to the occurrence of breeding Ravens. The study finds that the breeding and fledglings brought by Ravens result in a high nest predation rate and a decline in the number of gulls. It also finds that the number of gulls does not decline in neighboring colonies without Ravens.