Article
Environmental Sciences
Dominik Boz, Igor Zivkovic, Marta Jagodic Hudobivnik, Joze Kotnik, David Amouroux, Marko Strok, Milena Horvat
Summary: Bio-monitoring of mercury using transplanted and in-situ lichens was conducted at three locations in Slovenia. The results indicate that the Idrija area has the highest mercury contamination, and seasonality may affect the isotopic fractionation of mercury.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Jan M. Strugnell, Helen McGregor, Nerida G. Wilson, Karina T. Meredith, Steven L. Chown, Sally C. Y. Lau, Sharon A. Robinson, Krystyna M. Saunders
Summary: Anthropogenic climate change is causing observable changes in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, impacting local ecosystems and the Earth's climate system. Understanding Antarctica's paleoecosystems and past climate change helps constrain future projections. Biological archives provide valuable information about past ecological change and help constrain current models.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Huizhong Sun, Yingming Li, Pu Wang, Ruiqiang Yang, Zhiguo Pei, Qinghua Zhang, Guibin Jiang
Summary: This study found that the concentrations of total PBDEs in soil and vegetation samples from the Arctic were higher than those from Antarctica, while the concentrations of MeO-PBDEs and OH-PBDEs were lower in the Arctic samples. Long-range atmospheric transport and human activities were identified as potential sources of PBDEs in polar regions, with ortho-substituted MeO-PBDE and OH-PBDE congeners dominating in terrestrial matrices, indicating the importance of natural sources. This study is the first report on MeO-PBDEs and OH-PBDEs in the terrestrial environment of polar regions.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qi Wang, Cheng Cheng, Evgenios Agathokleous, Yuanyuan Liu, Xuewei Li, Xiafang Sheng
Summary: This study revealed the significant impact of mosses and lichens on microbial communities inhabiting rock surfaces, enhancing bacterial diversity and rock-weathering activity. Moss-covered and lichen-covered rock surfaces showed higher diversity and greater weathering activity compared to bare rock surfaces.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Quang Tri Ho, Sylvia Frantzen, Bente M. Nilsen, Ole Jakob Nostbakken, Atabak M. Azad, Arne Duinker, Lise Madsen, Michael S. Bank
Summary: This study investigated the bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in marine fish from the North-East Atlantic Ocean (NEAO). It was found that POPs congener composition profiles were mainly influenced by fish species rather than geographical location. The study also revealed that factors such as fat content, fish size, trophic position, and latitude had an impact on POPs concentrations in fish. Additionally, a non-linear relationship between POPs concentrations and fat content was observed, with concentrations reaching saturation when fat content exceeded 10%.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Alice Bartalini, Juan Munoz-Amanz, Natalia Garcia-Alvarez, Antonio Fernandez, Begona Jimenez
Summary: This review provides a summary of the occurrence and impacts of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in cetaceans globally, focusing on the species with the highest reported levels and potential impacts. The review highlights the anthropogenic and environmental factors that may increase concentrations and associated risks for these species. It also discusses the potential effects of climate change processes on PBDE exposure and accumulation in cetaceans.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juan Manuel Rios, Sabrina B. Mammana, Eugenia Moreira, Giulia Poma, Govindan Malarvannan, Esteban Barrera-Oro, Adrian Covaci, Nestor F. Ciocco, Jorgelina C. Altamirano
Summary: This research reports on the concentrations of PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs in three species of notothenioid fish from the South Shetland Islands in Antarctica. The study found significant differences in the accumulation of MeO-BDEs among the species, with feeding ecology traits explaining the patterns of accumulation. The accumulation of PBDEs was not specific to species or tissues, highlighting the importance of species-specificity in MeO-PBDE accumulation.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juan Munoz-Arnanz, Alice Bartalini, Luis Alves, Marco FL. Lemos, Sara C. Novais, Begona Jimenez
Summary: This study investigated the contamination levels of blue sharks from the North East Atlantic in 2019, specifically focusing on PCBs, PCDD/Fs, and PBDEs. The results showed an increase in PBDE loads, potentially reflecting the growing environmental presence of these pollutants. The different congener profiles observed in blue sharks from different geographical areas highlight the species' potential as a bioindicator of regional pollution. Significant differences in pollutant concentrations between muscle and liver were observed, likely due to varying toxicokinetics. The concentrations of PCBs and dioxin-like POPs in muscle were below the EU maximum allowed levels, while concentrations in the liver exceeded the European levels for tolerable intake. PBDE concentrations surpassed the EQS established by the European Water Framework Directive in both liver and muscle samples.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
C. Vodopivez, A. Curtosi, E. Pelletier, R. Saint-Louis, L. U. Spairani, E. A. Hernandez, A. Zakrajsek, A. Genez, W. P. Mac Cormack
Summary: The Northern region of the Antarctic Peninsula has the highest human presence in West Antarctica, which poses a potential risk of chemical pollution. This study conducted monitoring of POPs in surface sediment to evaluate the environmental status of this ecologically relevant and sensitive area. Although some evidence of pollution was found in certain areas, a clear pollution pattern was not identified.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lai Wei, Qinghui Huang, Yanling Qiu, Jianfu Zhao, Panu Rantakokko, Hongwen Gao, Fei Huang, Anders Bignert, Ake Bergman
Summary: Black-crowned night heron eggs are useful indicators for biomonitoring environmental pollution in China. This study examined the presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in thirty eggs collected from the upper Yangtze River Basin. The results showed the eggs contained POPs, with organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) being the dominant contaminants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Danhe Wang, Hongmei Ma, Zhenlou Chen, Guitao Shi
Summary: This study investigates the occurrence and spatial pattern of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in soils from the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. The main contaminants identified were organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The results indicate that OCPs in soils are primarily caused by long-distance atmospheric transport, while local sources can also contribute in areas heavily impacted by human activities. Different distribution patterns were observed for PCBs and PBDEs, indicating the possibility of multiple pollution sources.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonia Weltmeyer, Gulsah Dogruer, Henner Hollert, Jacob D. Ouellet, Kathy Townsend, Adrian Covaci, Liesbeth Weijs
Summary: This study investigated the accumulation and potential toxicity of POPs and MeO-PBDEs in different tissues of turtles. While low concentrations were found compared to other marine wildlife, the presence of dioxin-like compounds in the turtles could cause biological effects, with muscle having the highest biological toxicity equivalences.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simonetta Corsolini, America Metzdorff, Davide Baroni, Jose L. Roscales, Begona Jimenez, Elena Cerro-Galvez, Jordi Dachs, Cristobal Galban-Malagon, Ondrej Audy, Jiri Kohoutek, Petra Pribylova, Matias Poblete-Morales, Ruben Avendano-Herrera, Elisa Bergami, Karla Pozo
Summary: The low air humidity in Antarctica necessitates the use of flame retardants in research facilities to prevent fires. Different types and concentrations of flame retardants were found in dust samples from various research stations and rooms.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Bengt Gunnar Jonsson, Jonas Dahlgren, Magnus Ekstrom, Per-Anders Esseen, Anton Grafstrom, Goran Stahl, Bertil Westerlund
Summary: Permanent plot data from the National Forest Inventory (NFI) in Sweden was analyzed to study changes in vegetation over a ten-year period. The results showed a significant decrease in many species and species groups, with the only increase observed in certain moss species in the southern regions.
Article
Microbiology
Katerina V. Sazanova (nee Barinova), Marina S. Zelenskaya, Vera V. Manurtdinova, Alina R. Izatulina, Aleksei V. Rusakov, Dmitry Yu. Vlasov, Olga V. Frank-Kamenetskaya
Summary: A study was conducted on the accumulation pattern of elements in biodeposits on different bedrocks in historical monuments in Saint Petersburg, using biological and mineralogical methods. It was found that the elemental composition of biodeposits is mainly influenced by the environment and microbial community, with leaching of mineral grains under the action of microbial metabolites playing a significant role.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aourell Mauffret, Tiphaine Chouvelon, Nathalie Wessel, Pierre Cresson, Daniela Banaru, Jerome Baudrier, Paco Bustamante, Rachida Chekri, Petru Jitaru, Francois Le Loc'h, Benoit Mialet, Vincent Vaccher, Mireille Harmelin-Vivien
Summary: Chemical contaminant concentrations in wild organisms are used to assess environmental status, but they are challenged by intra- and inter-species variability and regional differences. This study monitored concentrations of trace elements and organic pollutants in 8 fish species from three French regions, aiming to identify contaminated species or regions and determine how to account for variability in environmental assessment. The results showed higher concentrations in benthic and demersal piscivores, while lipid-normalized concentrations were similar in most teleost species. Regional differences were observed, with higher concentrations in the Eastern English Channel and Gulf of Lions compared to the Bay of Biscay. Taxa-specific thresholds might be a more practical approach for environmental assessment than normalizing to trophic levels.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fanny Cusset, S. James Reynolds, Alice Carravieri, David Amouroux, Oceane Asensio, Roger C. Dickey, Jerome Fort, B. John Hughes, Vitor H. Paiva, Jaime A. Ramos, Laura Shearer, Emmanuel Tessier, Colin P. Wearn, Yves Cherel, Paco Bustamante
Summary: This study investigates the temporal variations in mercury exposure in sooty terns, a tropical seabird, and its relationship with trophic changes and ecosystem-wide changes. The findings reveal a significant increase in mercury concentrations in the feathers of sooty terns over the past 145 years, highlighting the impact of global mercury emissions and ecosystem changes on tropical marine predators.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alice Carravieri, Sophie Lorioux, Frederic Angelier, Olivier Chastel, Celine Albert, Vegard Sandoy Brathen, Emile Brisson-Curadeau, Manon Clairbaux, Karine Delord, Mathieu Giraudeau, Samuel Perret, Timothee Poupart, Cecile Ribout, Amelia Viricel-Pante, David Gremillet, Paco Bustamante, Jerome Fort
Summary: Many animals migrate after reproduction to respond to seasonal environmental changes. Environmental conditions experienced on non-breeding sites can have carryover effects on fitness. This study focused on quantifying winter mercury (Hg) contamination and its carryover effects in the little auk, a common Arctic seabird. The results showed that winter Hg contamination in adult birds had negative effects on the growth rate of their chicks in summer, suggesting the importance of considering parental contamination on non-breeding sites to understand trans-generational effects in migrating seabirds.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Andrea S. Grunst, Melissa L. Grunst, David Gremillet, Akiko Kato, Paco Bustamante, Celine Albert, Emile Brisson-Curadeau, Manon Clairbaux, Marta Cruz-Flores, Sophie Gentes, Samuel Perret, Eric Ste-Marie, Katarzyna Wojczulanis-Jakubas, Jerome Fort
Summary: The study investigated the combined effects of multiple climate change-associated stressors on Arctic seabirds, specifically their behavior and population resilience. The results showed that changes in sea surface temperature and sea ice coverage caused shifts in activity patterns and diving behaviors, leading to decreased resting, increased flight, and longer dives. Mercury contamination was not directly associated with behavior, but highly contaminated birds showed longer interdive breaks during long dives, suggesting physiological limitations. As dive durations increased with warm sea surface temperature, subtle toxicological effects could limit diving and foraging efficiency, with potential ecosystem-wide consequences.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jessica B. Jones, Paco Bustamante, Gael Guillou, Alexander I. Arkhipkin
Summary: Stable isotopes are a valuable tool for studying diet and migration in squid, which are important in marine food webs. The Patagonian long-finned squid fishery in Falkland Islands waters is managed separately for different fishing seasons and sub-areas, but the factors causing differences in recruitment timing and squid size between sub-areas have not been resolved. In this study, stable isotopes were used to reconstruct a chronological record of habitat and feeding variations, and the results indicate that spatial differences in life history parameters are not due to dietary variation. The data obtained from this study can be used for future research on the role of squid in the Patagonian Shelf marine ecosystem, as well as for studying other loliginid squid species.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
K. El Hanafi, B. Gomez-Gomez, Z. Pedrero, P. Bustamante, Y. Cherel, D. Amouroux, Y. Madrid
Summary: This study explores the potential of formic acid for extracting tiemannite (HgSe) nanoparticles from seabird tissues, particularly giant petrels, for the first time. The results show that formic acid extraction exhibits comparable stability and extraction efficiency to the conventional enzymatic treatment. It demonstrates that formic acid can be a simple, cost-effective, and green alternative for extracting HgSe nanoparticles from animal tissues.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sophie Gentes, Antoine Minet, Christelle Lopes, Emmanuel Tessier, Claire Gassie, Remy Guyoneaud, Peter W. Swarzenski, Paco Bustamante, Marc Metian, David Amouroux, Thomas Lacoue-Labarthe
Summary: This study demonstrates that increased pCO2 (partial pressure of carbon dioxide) has no impact on the accumulation efficiency of mercury (both organo-mercury and inorganic mercury) in cuttlefish, as well as the organotropism. Furthermore, the study reveals that the digestive gland is a key organ for in vivo demethylation of organo-mercury. Consequently, cuttlefish exposed to environmental levels of organo-mercury may undergo in vivo demethylation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Tobias Buring, Jessica B. Jones, Graham Pierce, Francisco Rocha, Paco Bustamante, Maud Brault-Favrou, Alexander I. Arkhipkin
Summary: This study compared the stable isotope signatures of muscle and gladius tissues of the autumn and spring spawning cohorts and different sizes of the Patagonian longfin squid. The results showed that the autumn spawning cohort had higher delta C-13 values and delta N-15 values increased with increasing size. Muscle tissue was enriched in N-15 but slightly depleted in C-13 compared to gladius tissue. The estimated trophic level of adult squid was 3.2, with no significant differences between spawning cohorts.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Reyd A. Smith, Jerome Fort, Pierre Legagneux, Olivier Chastel, Mark L. Mallory, Paco Bustamante, Johannis Danielsen, Sveinn A. Hanssen, Jon Einar Jonsson, Ellen Magnusdottir, Borge Moe, Charline Parenteau, Kyle J. L. Parkinson, Glen J. Parsons, Grigori Tertitski, Oliver P. Love
Summary: Global climate change is leading to abiotic shifts and disappearing sea ice in Arctic ecosystems, which in turn affect Arctic-breeding seabird foraging ecology and exposure to mercury. These changes can alter the secretion of reproductive hormones and ultimately impact reproductive success in these seabirds. Further research is needed to understand these relationships.
GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Anaid Gouveneaux, Antoine Minet, Christelle Jozet-Alves, Thomas Knigge, Paco Bustamante, Thomas Lacoue-Labarthe, Cecile Bellanger
Summary: Behavioral ecotoxicology has grown due to standardized analyses, but it mainly focuses on a few model species, limiting extrapolation and prediction of toxicological effects. To overcome this, assessing critical species-specific behavioral responses is recommended, such as cephalopods. We discuss the relevance of cephalopods as a toxicological model based on research on environmental stressors and the challenge of quantifying color change.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Petra Quillfeldt, Yuliana Bedolla-Guzman, Marcela M. Libertelli, Yves Cherel, Melanie Massaro, Paco Bustamante
Summary: Ocean pollution caused by global industrial production and consumer behavior affects wildlife in distant areas. This study compared mercury levels among different species of storm-petrels in various breeding and non-breeding areas, revealing variations based on species distribution and prey choice.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paco Bustamante, Aniel Guillen-Arruebarruena, Thomas Lacoue-Labarthe, Tiphaine Chouvelon, Michel Warnau, Carlos M. Alonso Hernandez, Jerome Spitz
Summary: 210Po is the main contributor to radiation dose in marine organisms, and it is concentrated in the digestive gland of cephalopods. Little is known about the factors influencing 210Po levels in cephalopods, and no studies have investigated 210Po levels in different species at the same time. This study analyzed 210Po levels in the digestive gland of 62 individuals from 11 species, and found significant differences in activity among species but no significant differences based on habitat.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Dalia C. Barragan-Barrera, Federico G. Riet-Sapriza, Diego F. Mojica-Moncada, Javier Negrete, Antonio Curtosi, Paco Bustamante, Susana Caballero, Andrea Luna-Acosta
Summary: The southern elephant seal (SES) breeds and migrates between breeding or molting areas and foraging areas on sub-Antarctic islands. Despite being in protected areas, pollutants can still reach these remote locations. Analysis of skin samples from free-ranging molting individuals suggests that the southern elephant seal is potentially contaminated with mercury.
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carlos Yure B. Oliveira, Barbara de Cassia S. Brandao, Luiz Gustavo de S. Jannuzzi, Deyvid Willame S. Oliveira, Gilvan Takeshi Yogui, Marius N. Mueller, Alfredo O. Galvez
Summary: This study explores how endosymbiotic dinoflagellates are affected by concentration and source of nitrogen. The results show that high nitrogen concentrations promote dinoflagellate growth, while the uptake of urea can alleviate the impact of thermal stress on the dinoflagellates, thus mitigating coral bleaching events.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Vinicius Faria Patire, Ana Cecilia Rizzatti de Albergaria-Barbosa, Isana Souza Barreto, Satie Taniguchi, Wellington Silva Fernandez, June Ferraz Dias, Denis A. M. da Silva, Marcia Caruso Bicego
Summary: This study evaluated the bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Santos Bay (SB) and the adjacent Santos Continental Shelf (SCS) in Brazil. Biliary metabolites were measured in several fish species to establish a baseline for future monitoring programs. The concentrations of naphthalene, phenanthrene, and benzo[a]pyrene metabolites were measured, and the levels of naphthalene metabolites were in regions of low-contamination, while benzo[a]pyrene metabolite were in the same range as those reported in moderately contaminated areas. No significant differences in the metabolite concentrations were found between the SB and the SCS samples or during the periods of collection.
OCEAN AND COASTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
