Exposure of Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) and Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) to Metals and Selenium in Rio de Janeiro State (Brazil) Coastal Waters

This study used feathers of brown booby (Sula leucogaster) and magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) from Cagarras Archipelago, an area under strong anthropogenic influence, for evaluating the exposure of these seabirds to Cd, Sn, Mn, Cu and Se. Average concentrations (µg.Kg-1, dry weight) in feathers of brown booby were Cd 28.1, Sn 210.6, Cu 8233.4, Se 2343 and Mn 1635.7 and for frigatebird were Cd 82.9, Sn 319.6, Cu 8008.6, Se 3026 and Mn 5143. Regarding brown boobies, no significant difference was found between sexes or age (adults vs. juveniles) considering all measured elements. In addition, no significant correlation was observed between Sn, Cd and Cu concentrations and the following biometric parameters (BPs): body weight (BW) and tarsus (TrL), wing (WL), tail (TiL) and beak length (BL), for both species. However, significant negative correlations were observed between Se concentrations and TrL for magnificent frigatebird and brown booby. Concerning possible interspecific dissimilarities for juveniles, there was no significant difference for Sn, Se and Cd concentrations; however, significantly higher Cu and Mn concentrations were found in brown boobies. When adults were compared, significantly higher Cd and Mn concentrations were found in magnificent frigatebirds. These interspecific differences may occur due to dissimilarities in diet; however, the feeding habits of these seabirds around the study area are unknown. Additional studies on the diet of these species are necessary to shed further light on the interspecific differences verified. The concentrations found in the feathers of the seabirds in question do not denote a risk for the survival of the seabirds of the Cagarras Archipelago. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i2.1050</p

Perfluoroalkylated compounds in the eggs and feathers of resident and migratory seabirds from the Antarctic Peninsula.

peer reviewedIn this study, we investigated factors that influence the differences in exposure of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) from eight species of Antarctic seabirds, including Pygoscelis penguins, Stercorarius maccormicki, and Macronectes giganteus. We analyzed the relationship between foraging ecology (based on δ13C, δ15N, and δ34S values) and PFAAs accumulated in eggs and breast feathers. Ten out of 15 targeted PFAAs were detected in eggs compared to eight in feathers. Mean ∑PFAA concentrations in feathers ranged from 0.47 in P. antarcticus to 17.4 ng/g dry weight (dw) in S. maccormicki. In eggs, ∑PFAA concentrations ranged from 3.51 in P. adeliae to 117 ng/g dw in S. maccormicki. The highest concentrations of most PFAAs were found in trans-equatorial migrators such as S. maccormicki, probably due their high trophic position and higher concentrations of PFAAs in the Northern Hemisphere compared to the Southern Hemisphere. Based on stable isotopes correlations, our results suggest that the trophic position (δ15N) and the foraging area (δ13C and δ34S) influence PFAAs concentrations in Antarctic seabirds. Our results point to the possibility that long-distance migratory birds may have as bio-vectors in the transport of pollutants, including PFCAs, in Antarctic environments, although this must be further confirmed in future studies using a mass balanced approach, such as extractable organofluorine (EOF)

Persistence, bioaccumulation and vertical transfer of pollutants in long-finned pilot whales stranded in Chilean Patagonia

International audienc

Metals and Arsenic in Water Supply for Riverine Communities Affected by the Largest Environmental Disaster in Brazil: The Dam Collapse on Doce River

Considered the worst environmental disaster in Brazilian history, the collapse of Samarco dam directly affected the Doce river. Inhabitants living along the river who relied mainly on Doce river's water supply for agriculture and human consumption faced risk from the mining residue exposure. This study aimed to investigate the disaster’s impact on small family farmers living in Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo States by water elemental quantification and evaluate the potential pathways of contamination by survey. In July 2016, 48 water points - including well, river and public distributed water - of 3 cities (Belo Oriente, Governador Valadares and Colatina) were sampled for determination of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sn and Zn elements. Ninety-eight percent of the inhabitants interviewed related Doce river water usage before the tragedy for diversified purposes, while only thirty-six per cent used it after the disaster, mainly for irrigation. Fe and Mn presented concentrations above the Brazilian legislation for drinking water and irrigation in all locations, but not in all samples. Pb concentration was above the drinking water legislation in one location. All the other elements concentrations were within safe limits. Colatina, the farthest city from the dam, presented the highest values, followed by Governador Valadares and Belo Oriente. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i4.1081</p