Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alexei Konoplev, Volodymyr Kanivets, Olga Zhukova, Maria Germenchuk, Hrigoryi Derkach
Summary: The study found that the particulate Cs-137 wash-off ratios for the Fukushima contaminated catchments are comparable to or slightly lower than those for Chernobyl, while the dissolved Cs-137 wash-off ratios for Fukushima are at least one order of magnitude lower than those for Chernobyl. The proposed diffusional model satisfactorily describes the temporal trends in Cs-137 wash-off characteristics and can be used as a tool for predicting Cs-137 wash-off after a nuclear accident.
Article
Ecology
Carrie Sadowski, Jeff Bowman
Summary: The muskrat is an iconic species in Canada valued for its fur and role in wetland ecosystems, but evidence suggests widespread population declines. Replicated surveys at two wetlands confirm declines in muskrat abundance, possibly due to changes in habitat quality. The loss of muskrats may indicate broader marsh ecosystem degradation, highlighting the importance of continued research on muskrat populations and their habitats.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joshua G. Otten, Lisa Williams, Jeanine M. Refsnider
Summary: The long-term impacts of oil spill disasters on wildlife extend beyond short-term mass mortalities and oiling. The northern map turtle population in the Kalamazoo River, MI, experienced shifts in demography and size distribution following a major oil spill in 2010. Changes in population size, body size distribution, and sex ratio were detected almost 10 years after the spill, indicating negative demographic impacts and failed recruitment.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jon Einar Jonsson, Fiona S. Rickowski, Florian Ruland, Arni Asgeirsson, Jonathan M. Jeschke
Summary: Bird species on islands, such as the Icelandic common eider, are greatly affected by biological invasions. The invasive American mink has a more significant impact on the population dynamics of the eiders compared to climate change. The eider nest numbers decreased by approximately 60% due to the presence of the invasive predator, while the return of the native arctic fox did not have such an effect. This difference may be attributed to the lack of evolutionary adaptation to the invasive mink.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Javan M. Bauder, Maximilian L. Allen, Adam A. Ahlers, Thomas J. Benson, Craig A. Miller, Kirk W. Stodola
Summary: Interspecific interactions among predators can shape ecological communities, but the strength and directions of these interactions may vary spatially and temporally. By studying abundance indices of red foxes and gray foxes, it was found that increasing coyote abundance may have led to decreases in fox population abundances. The effects of landscape changes on fox populations varied by species.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Chanchanok Sudta, Danielle M. Salcido, Matthew L. Forister, Thomas R. Walla, Santiago Villamarin-Cortez, Lee A. Dyer
Summary: More specialized caterpillars are locally more abundant, while generalist species have broader distribution across different locations. This study reveals the relationship between species specialization, abundance, and distribution in an ecological system.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin Ashe, Rob Williams, Christopher Clark, Christine Erbe, Leah R. Gerber, Ailsa J. Hall, Philip S. Hammond, Robert C. Lacy, Randall Reeves, Nicole L. Vollmer
Summary: Preventing declines in common marine mammal species, especially dolphins, is crucial for maintaining marine ecosystem structure and function. This study used population viability analyses to model the dynamics of four oceanic dolphin populations off the United States West Coast and found that long-beaked common dolphins are at the greatest risk of serious declines. Monitoring programs in the US may not detect these declines, highlighting the importance of proactive management and identifying priorities for future research.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
John F. Grider, Robin E. Russell, Anne E. Ballmann, Trevor J. Hefley
Summary: Our evaluation of factors associated with the presence of the causative fungal agent of white-nose syndrome, Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), in the continental United States revealed that only hibernaculum type significantly affected Pd presence.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kyle McLean, David M. Mushet, Wesley E. Newton, Jon N. Sweetman
Summary: Interactions between climate and hydrogeologic settings impact hydrologic and chemical variability in depressional wetlands, influencing aquatic communities. Key drivers of aquatic-macroinvertebrate community composition in prairie-pothole wetlands were found to be related to wetland placement along the Wetland Continuum axes, with factors such as wetland elevation and proportion of ponded area being influential. Predatory and non-predatory invertebrate abundance had minimal impact on community composition.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Ben J. Walton, Leah J. Findlay, Russell A. Hill
Summary: This study used GPS and accelerometer bio-loggers to track a group of baboons in crop fields in South Africa and found that the baboons tended to avoid the fields for most of the year, perceiving them as high-risk habitat. When they did visit the fields, it was usually when plant productivity was low, indicating crops were a backup food source. Activity levels were significantly higher in crop fields compared to the rest of the landscape, suggesting crop-foraging is energetically costly. Additionally, activity levels were lower near the field edges, indicating baboons may wait there to assess risks before entering the fields.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Greta M. Schmidt, Rebecca L. Lewison, Hilary M. Swarts
Summary: Roads have negative impacts on wildlife populations through mortality and habitat fragmentation, but wildlife crossing structures and roadside fencing can help mitigate these effects. Study results show that seasonal felid abundance is linked to precipitation and the effectiveness of crossing structures is influenced by factors like abundance estimates, individual variation, and environmental conditions. This highlights the importance of considering ongoing population processes when evaluating the effectiveness of mitigation strategies.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katherine Burgstahler, Jessica Isidro, Dirk H. Van Vuren, Amy C. Collins, Jaclyn R. Aliperti, Caitlin P. Wells
Summary: Expanding road networks in the wildland-urban interface may increase wildlife mortality from vehicle collisions. However, long-term studies are essential to accurately understand roadkill rates and their impacts on vertebrate populations. A 31-year study on golden-mantled ground squirrels in Colorado revealed that adult female mortality was high and increased with female cohort size, while adult roadkill rates correlated with traffic volume. Weekly surveys would underestimate 71% of roadkill events, highlighting the importance of long-term studies and paired demographic data to properly assess population-level impacts.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tina Petras, Al Vrezec
Summary: The loss of biodiversity is leading to a homogeneous avifauna in Europe, with declining populations for most species, except for those of northeastern European origin. Short-distance migrants with higher productivity and flexible behavior have a greater chance of surviving in the changing environment.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Meng Yue Wu, Han Wei Chong, Yen Yi Tan, Bryan T. M. Lim, Anna M. S. Wong, Rachel Rui Ying Oh, Jessica G. H. Lee, Elize Y. X. Ng, Frank E. Rheindt
Summary: Wildlife trade is a major cause of biodiversity loss in Southeast Asia, particularly for songbirds. Using genomic data, researchers have identified trade routes and provenance of animals, providing valuable information for conservation efforts. A study on Swinhoe's white-eye, a widely traded songbird, revealed shifts in trade routes from China to Malaysia through Singapore, emphasizing the importance of accurately identifying trade routes in addressing the songbird crisis in the region.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xuanxuan Wang, Liu Liu, Qiankun Niu, Hao Li, Zongxue Xu
Summary: The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin are sensitive to global climate change, attracting global attention to changes in terrestrial water storage. Using multiple data sources, this study found that TWSC estimated by the SS method based on GLDAS is most consistent with GRACE results.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adelaide Lerebours, Samuel Robson, Colin Sharpe, Jim T. Smith
Article
Environmental Sciences
Donovan Anderson, Nicholas A. Beresford, Hiroko Ishiniwa, Manabu Onuma, Kenji Nanba, Thomas G. Hinton
Summary: Radiocesium was dispersed from the Fukushima Dai-ichi disaster in March 2011, causing high radioactive contamination in nearby environments. Monitoring of radionuclide concentrations in wild rodents in Fukushima from 2012 to 2016 revealed a lack of whole organism to soil transfer parameters. By collecting soil activity concentrations and developing corresponding CRwo-soil values, the study enhanced the Wildlife Transfer Database and supported the development of the International Commission on Radiological Protection's environmental protection framework. The study also found significant variation in CRwo-soil values within Fukushima Prefecture and estimated absorbed dose rates for wild rodents in the area, with dose rates decreasing from 2012 to 2016.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mathew P. Johansen, Donovan Anderson, David Child, Michael A. C. Hotchkis, Hirofumi Tsukada, Kei Okuda, Thomas G. Hinton
Summary: Accelerator Mass Spectrometry methods were used to distinguish plutonium from the Fukushima accident and Nagasaki detonation, showing Fukushima accident contributed new plutonium while Nagasaki detonation had a greater lasting legacy.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
John Bruce, Andrew Green, Mike Fowler, Jim Smith
Summary: This passage discusses the contribution of nickel in PM10 to health problems, as well as its measurement in the UK. It identifies localized sources of nickel in Sheffield exceeding EU target values, and assesses fugitive dust emissions from a steelworks using a novel approach. The study reveals that increased concentrations during the study period were not derived from the study site, indicating other sources in the area.
ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ciara Baines, Adelaide Lerebours, Frederic Thomas, Jerome Fort, Randel Kreitsberg, Sophie Gentes, Richard Meitern, Lauri Saks, Beata Ujvari, Mathieu Giraudeau, Tuul Sepp
Summary: This article discusses the relationship between pollution and cancer in aquatic ecosystems and suggests further research directions. The focus should be on specific physiological pathways and pathologies that link pollution to wildlife health deterioration, and determining the vulnerability of different wild populations to pollution-induced cancer. Novel research avenues and methods are proposed for future studies.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adelaide Lerebours, Svetlana Murzina, You Song, Knut Erik Tollefsen, Maura Benedetti, Francesco Regoli, Jeanette M. Rotchell, Jasmine Nahrgang
Summary: The study aimed to characterize the susceptibility of polar cod to model carcinogens over a six-month exposure period. Results showed that polar cod were not susceptible to carcinogenesis using the BaP exposure regime employed in the study.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kelly Cunningham, Thomas G. Hinton, Jared J. Luxton, Aryn Bordman, Kei Okuda, Lynn E. Taylor, Josh Hayes, Hannah C. Gerke, Sarah M. Chinn, Donovan Anderson, Mark L. Laudenslager, Tsugiko Takase, Yui Nemoto, Hiroko Ishiniwa, James C. Beasley, Susan M. Bailey
Summary: The health effects of chronic low-dose, low-dose rate radiation exposure on wildlife in Fukushima, Japan were studied using biomarkers of DNA damage and stress in wild boar and snakes. No significant relationship was found between chromosome frequencies or telomere length and radiation dose, although cortisol levels were associated with higher dose rates. Overall, the results suggest that the wildlife studied did not experience significant adverse health effects despite chronic exposure to radiation.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adelaide Lerebours, Marguerite Bathie, Justine Receveur, Ronan Jezequel, Emmanuel Dubillot, Pascal Brunello, Pierrick Barbier, Stephane Le Floch, Helene Thomas
Summary: The pilot study aimed to provide an overview of organic contaminant concentration levels in the littoral ecosystems of the Pertuis seas. Oysters accumulated a higher number of pesticides than blue mussels, but the study found that the POPs detected in water or sediments were not ultimately found accumulated in bivalves.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hannah C. Gerke, Thomas G. Hinton, Kei Okuda, James C. Beasley
Summary: The evacuation after the Fukushima nuclear accident had an impact on the ecosystem processes, particularly on scavenger communities. The increase in wild boar population in the Fukushima Exclusion Zone had implications for the distribution of nutrients and contaminants. Carcass size was found to have a greater influence on scavenging dynamics compared to human activity or habitat.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Donovan Anderson, Shingo Kaneko, Amber Harshman, Kei Okuda, Toshihito Takagi, Sarah Chinn, James C. Beasley, Kenji Nanba, Hiroko Ishiniwa, Thomas G. Hinton
Summary: Genetic effects and radioactive contamination of wild boar in Fukushima were studied. The concentration of radiocesium in boar decreased over time, but remained high near the power plant. Despite chronic radiation exposure, no significant accumulation of mutation events was found. The effective dose to humans from consuming contaminated wild boar meat was calculated to be below the ingestion limit.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Thierno Diallo, Yassine Makni, Adelaide Lerebours, Helene Thomas, Thierry Guerin, Julien Parinet
Summary: A qualitative screening high resolution mass spectrometry method was developed and validated according to EU guidelines for the analysis of pesticides in bivalve species. The optimized method allowed for quick screening and detection of pesticides in different bivalve samples, and successfully identified diuron and its metabolite.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adelaide Lerebours, Marguerite Bathie, Maria Kazour, Rachid Amara, Valerie Huet, Helene Thomas
Summary: This study assessed the seasonal pattern of microplastics (MPs) contamination in the French littoral area of Pertuis Charentais, a major shellfish production region. The contamination of blue mussels and Pacific oysters by fibers and fragments was found to be significantly higher in mussels, and varied across seasons and sites. The study provides valuable insights into the variations of plastic fibers and fragments contamination in farming areas throughout the seasons.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Thierno Diallo, Julia Leleu, Julien Parinet, Thierry Guerin, Helene Thomas, Adelaide Lerebours
Summary: Due to agricultural runoff, pesticides end up in marine bivalves, posing potential risks to human and aquatic ecosystems. Previous studies mainly focused on old generation pesticides, leaving a knowledge gap on newly emerging pesticides. A better understanding of reliable methods is crucial for accurate detection of various environmentally relevant pesticides in marine bivalves. This study highlights the use of environmentally friendly materials and advanced mass spectrometry techniques for pesticide analysis, showing promising perspectives in detecting a wide range of pesticides.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Adelaide Lerebours, Thierno Diallo, Annie Lecureuil, Justine Receveur, Valerie Huet, Julien Parinet, Thierry Guerin, Stephane Le Floch, Helene Thomas
Summary: Biomarkers involved in detoxification, oxidative stress, immune response, and neurotoxic disorders were analyzed in oysters and mussels collected from Pertuis sea in France. Seasonal variations in pesticide concentrations were found in seawater, with metolachlor being the main pesticide detected. Most pesticide concentrations in sediment were below the limit of detection. Contamination differences were observed in mussels for chlortoluron, but no relationships with the selected biomarkers were found. In oysters, GST activity was correlated with low concentrations of alpha-, beta-BHC, and alachlor, while AChE activity and MDA content were associated with hexachlorobenzene levels. In mussels, laccase was correlated with low concentrations of methylparathion, parathion, and beta-BHC.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Hannah C. Gerke, Thomas G. Hinton, James C. Beasley
Summary: The study found that Japanese rat snakes within the Fukushima Exclusion Zone tended to select areas close to streams and avoid evergreen broadleaf forests within their home ranges. They also frequently utilized habitat features such as trees and buildings.
ICHTHYOLOGY AND HERPETOLOGY
(2021)
