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Chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls and potentially toxic heavy metals in organs of white-tailed eagles and northern goshawks
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Titelblatt und Inhaltsverzeichnis
Vorwort
Kapitel 1: Einleitung und Ăberblick
Kapitel 2: Heavy metals in soft tissue of white-tailed eagles found dead or
moribund in Germany and Austria from 1993 to 2000
Kapitel 3: Organochlorine contaminants in body tissue of free-ranging white-
tailed eagles from northern regions of Germany
Kapitel 4: Environmental contaminants in organs of free-ranging northern
goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) from three regions of Germany
Synthese
Summary
Publikationen, VortrÀge, PosterIn dieser Studie wurden Organproben, sowohl von 145 Seeadlern (Haliaeetus
albicilla) aus Deutschland und z.T. aus Ăsterreich, als auch von 62 Habichten
(Accipiter gentilis) aus regional unterschiedlichen Populationen auf
chlororganische Pestizide, polychlorierte Biphenyle (PCB) und potentiell
toxische Schwermetalle analysiert. Eine signifikante Abnahme von
Hexachlorbenzol und fĂŒr DDT, und dessen Metabolit DDE, in Leberproben von 127
Seeadlern von 1990 bis 2001 konnte gezeigt werden. Diese Abnahme der DDT-
Konzentrationen, nach dem Verbot von DDT in der DDR im Jahre 1988, wird mit
der aktuell verbesserten Reproduktion der Seeadler diskutiert. Die Organ-
Konzentrationen von gamma-Hexachlorcylohexan, PCB 28 und PCB 52 sind
vernachlÀssigbar gering, insbesondere die höher chlorierten Biphenyle (PCB
118, PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 180) akkumulieren in der Leber und im Fettgewebe.
Die Interpretation der Konzentrationen der chlorierten Kohlenwasserstoffe
(CKW) ist durch die starke AbhÀngigkeit von dem individuellen
ErnÀhrungszustand des Vogels erschwert. Mit der Metabolisierung von
Fettreserven werden die lipophilen CKW mobilisiert und ĂŒber das Blut im
Organismus verteilt, dabei kommt es zu einer Akkumulation von CKW in
metabolisch stark aktiven Organen, wie z.B. der Leber. Dadurch haben Vögel mit
abnehmenden Fettreserven höhere Organwerte fĂŒr CKW. WĂ€hrend nur ein Seeadler
aus dem Jahre 1979 extrem hohe Leberkonzentrationen fĂŒr DDT hatte, die eine
letale Intoxikation vermuten lassen, konnte eine weiterhin bestehende starke
GefĂ€hrdung fĂŒr Seeadler gezeigt werden. Von 57 Seeadlern aus Deutschland und
Ăsterreich hatten 28% der Vögel Bleikonzentrationen in der Leber, die eine
Bleiintoxikation anzeigen. Die Quellen einer Bleiexposition bei Greifvögeln
sind das Erbeuten von angeschossenen und dadurch gehandicapter Wildtiere, z.B.
von Wasservögel, der Verzehr von angeschossenen und anschlieĂend verendeter
Wildtiere oder von bleihaltigem Wildaufbruch. Die Organkonzentrationen von
Quecksilber (Hg) sind deutlich niedriger als zu Zeiten, als Hg-Verbindungen
als Saatgutbeizmittel in der Landwirtschaft verwendet wurden. Die
Konzentrationen von Cadmium sind in der Regel in der Niere zwei- bis zehnfach
höher als in der Leber und im Bereich der natĂŒrlichen
Hintergrundkonzentrationen bei Wildvögeln. Eine akute Bleivergiftung konnte
bei einem Habicht diagnostiziert werden. Zwei weitere hatten
Bleikonzentrationen in den Organen, die eine Bleiexposition anzeigen. Alle
weiteren Schwermetallkonzentrationen lagen im Bereich der natĂŒrlichen
Hintergrundkontamination. Die Organkonzentrationen fĂŒr Cadmium entsprechen der
Verteilung, die bereits bei den Seeadlern beschrieben wurde. Signifikant
höhere Leberkonzentrationen fĂŒr DDT hatten Habichte aus Berlin und Brandenburg
im Vergleich mit Habichten aus Niedersachsen. Diese hohen DDT-Werte werden
durch die verstÀrkte DDT-Applikation in den Jahren 1983/84 und das spÀte
Verbot von DDT in der DDR, als auch die ehemalige Herstellung von DDT
innerhalb Berlins diskutiert. Stark kontaminierte Stadttauben als
Hauptbeutetier der Berliner Habichte werden als Vektor fĂŒr deren hohe CKW-
Belastung vermutet. Wie bei Seeadlern besteht ein signifikanter Zusammenhang
zwischen dem ErnÀhrungszustand und den Organkonzentrationen der CKW.In the present study, we examined organs of 145 white-tailed eagles
(Haliaeetus albicilla) from Germany and 5 specimen from Austria, as well as 62
northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) from different regions of Germany for
their organ concentrations of chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCB) and potentially toxic heavy metals. We proved a significant
decline of DDT concentrations in livers of 127 white-tailed eagles (WTE)
collected between 1990 and 2001. Considering the final ban of DDT in the
former German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1988, the decline of DDT
concentrations in organs of WTE and the improved reproduction and the
population increase in northern Germany in recent years are discussed. The
concentrations for gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, PCB 28 and PCB 52 were
negligible. The penta-, hexa-, heptachlorinated biphenyls (PCB 118, PCB 138,
PCB 153, PCB 180) accumulate in hepatic and adipose tissue, respectively.
Interpretation of these organ concentrations was difficult, because individual
body condition revealed a strongly negative relationship with hepatic
contaminant concentrations. During catabolic metabolism the stored body fat is
metabolized and the lipophilic organochlorines (OC) are mobilized and
distributed through the blood stream to highly metabolic active organs, e.g.
the liver. Therefore birds with decreasing fat deposits had elevated
concentrations of the OC in the liver. One adult WTE, found dead in the year
1979, had hepatic concentrations for DDT that were assumed for a lethal
intoxication. However, we proved that WTE are at high risk for metal
toxicosis. Twenty-eight percent (28%) out of 57 free-ranging WTE from Germany
and Austria had elevated lead concentrations in their liver, indicating lethal
lead exposure. Birds of prey are exposed to lead ammunition through foraging
of shot-crippled and therefore handicapped prey, e.g. waterfowl, and
scavenging of shot game or gut piles. We measured mercury concentrations in
organs, which were far below the concentrations reported in studies conducted
during the period when mercury compounds were used as seed dressings. The
concentrations for cadmium were in general two up to ten magnitudes higher in
kidneys than in liver tissue. All cadmium concentrations were considered to be
harmless for birds. One out of 62 examined goshawks was diagnosed for lethal
lead poisoning. Two further goshawks had lead concentrations in their organs,
which were indicative for acute lead exposure. Goshawks from Berlin and
Brandenburg had significantly higher hepatic concentrations for DDT than birds
from Lower Saxony. These higher DDT concentrations in goshawks from regions of
the former GDR were assumed to result from application of DDT in the years
1983 and 1984 in Brandenburg and the overall late ban of DDT in these regions.
Furthermore, we discuss the manufacturing of DDT in Berlin during the past as
a local source for the extraordinary high DDT concentrations in some "urban"
goshawks from Berlin. Highly contaminated feral pigeons as main prey were
suspected as vectors for these high levels of chlorinated contaminants in the
livers of goshawks in Berlin. Similar to the WTE we proved a strong
relationship between individual body condition and organ concentrations for
the OCs. Beside the three goshawks with high lead concentrations, all other
metal concentrations in organs were harmless and in the range of background
contaminations. The organ distributions for cadmium is similar to those
described for the WTE
To get sick or not to get sickâTrichomonas infections in two Accipiter species from Germany
Trichomonosis caused by the flagellate Trichomonas gallinae is one of the most important avian diseases worldwide. The parasite is localised in the oesophageal area of its host and mainly infects pigeon and dove species. During the last decade, a host expansion to passerine birds occurred, making the disease a potential threat for passerine predators as naĂŻve host species. Here, we investigated the effect of the parasite on two Accipiter species in Germany which show a comparable lifestyle but differ in prey choice, the Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) mainly hunting pigeons and the Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) mainly feeding on passerines. We genetically identified the parasite strains using the Fe-Hydrogenase gene as marker locus and compared the incidence of parasite presence and clinical signs of trichomonosis between nestlings of the two Accipiter species. In total, we identified 14 strains, with nine strains unknown so far. There was a higher strain diversity and prevalence of Trichomonas spp. in goshawks than sparrowhawks (42.4% vs. 21.2%) whereas sparrowhawks when being infected more often displayed clinical signs of trichomonosis than goshawks (37.1% vs. 6.1%). Even though sparrowhawks were mainly infected with the finch epidemic strain and genetic data indicated some variation between isolates, no correlation with virulence could be detected. All in all, goshawks seem to be better adapted to Trichomonas infections, whereas to sparrowhawks, this is a novel disease with more severe manifestations, from individual morbidity to a higher risk of population decline caused by trichomonosis
Mortality Factors, Environmental Contaminants, and Parasites of White-Tailed Sea Eagles from Greenland
Kapitel 3 Organochlorine contaminants in body tissue of free-ranging white-tailed eagles from northern regions of Germany
Mitochondrial DNA and nuclear microsatellites reveal high diversity and genetic structure in an avian top predator, the white-tailed sea eagle, in central Europe
We analysed 123 white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) from (primarily central) Europe with respect to variability and differentiation based on 499 bp of the mitochondrial control region and genotypes at seven unlinked nuclear microsatellites. Variability was high (overall expected heterozygosity, haplotype and nucleotide diversity being 0.70, 0.764 and 0.00698, respectively) and both marker systems showed a subdivision into two main genetic clusters (microsatellites) or haplogroups (mtDNA). In line with earlier analyses focusing on populations from northern and eastern Europe, as well as from Asia, we found a high level of admixture in Europe and no signs of a bottleneck â despite a severe decline of white-tailed sea eagle populations during the 20th century. Europe is thus a global stronghold for this species not only with respect to the number of breeding pairs but also regarding the proportion of species-wide genetic diversity. Our dense sampling revealed a possibly clinal variation within central Europe from north-west to south-east that was reflected by the distribution of mtDNA haplotypes as well as the two microsatellite-based clusters. This population differentiation in central Europe probably originated from a geographically structured postglacial colonization and was later enhanced by recent demographic fluctuations
Mitochondrial DNA and nuclear microsatellites reveal high diversity and genetic structure in an avian top predator, the white-tailed sea eagle, in central Europe
Phantom of the forest or successful citizen? Analysing how Northern Goshawks (<i>Accipiter gentilis</i>) cope with the urban environment
By 2040, roughly two-thirds of humanity are expected to live in urban areas. As cities expand, humans irreversibly transform natural ecosystems, creating both opportunities and challenges for wildlife. Here, we investigate how the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is adjusting to urban environments. We measured a variety of behavioural and ecological parameters in three urban and four rural study sites. City life appeared related to all parameters we measured. Urban female goshawks were overall 21.7 (CI95.13-130) times more likely to defend their nestlings from humans than rural females. Urban goshawks were 3.64 (CI95.05-6.66) times more likely to feed on pigeons and had diets exhibiting lower overall species richness and diversity. Urban females laid eggs 12.5 (CI95.12-17.4) days earlier than rural individuals and were 2.22 (CI95.984-4.73) times more likely to produce a brood of more than three nestlings. Nonetheless, urban goshawks suffered more from infections with the parasite Trichomonas gallinae, which was the second most common cause of mortality (14.6, after collisions with windows (33.1. In conclusion, although city life is associated with significant risks, goshawks appear to thrive in some urban environments, most likely as a result of high local availability of profitable pigeon prey. We conclude that the Northern Goshawk can be classified as an urban exploiter in parts of its distribution
Phantom of the forest or successful citizen? Analysing how Northern Goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) cope with the urban environment
M.M. was part of the Graduate School IMPact-Vector funded by the Senate Competition Committee grant (SAW-2014-SGN-3) of the Leibniz Association. M.M. is also an associated doctoral student of the GRK2046 from the German Research Foundation (DFG). We are grateful for additional funding (Jagdabgabe) from the âStiftung Naturschutz Berlin' (J0056 & J0088), the âMinisterium fĂŒr lĂ€ndliche Entwicklung, Umwelt und Landwirtschaft des Landes Brandenburg' (35-21340/7+5-51/16), the âBehörde fĂŒr Wirtschaft, Verkehr und Innovation der freien Hansestadt Hamburg' (title: âGesundheitsstatus und Ausbreitungsverhalten von Habichtnestlingen in Hamburg') and the âMinisterium fĂŒr Energiewende, Landwirtschaft, Umwelt und lĂ€ndliche RĂ€ume des Landes Schleswig-Holsteinâ (V 542â42902/2016).By 2040, roughly two-thirds of humanity are expected to live in urban areas. As cities expand, humans irreversibly transform natural ecosystems, creating both opportunities and challenges for wildlife. Here, we investigate how the Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is adjusting to urban environments. We measured a variety of behavioural and ecological parameters in three urban and four rural study sites. City life appeared related to all parameters we measured. Urban female goshawks were overall 21.7 (CI95.13-130) times more likely to defend their nestlings from humans than rural females. Urban goshawks were 3.64 (CI95.05-6.66) times more likely to feed on pigeons and had diets exhibiting lower overall species richness and diversity. Urban females laid eggs 12.5 (CI95.12-17.4) days earlier than rural individuals and were 2.22 (CI95.984-4.73) times more likely to produce a brood of more than three nestlings. Nonetheless, urban goshawks suffered more from infections with the parasite Trichomonas gallinae, which was the second most common cause of mortality (14.6, after collisions with windows (33.1. In conclusion, although city life is associated with significant risks, goshawks appear to thrive in some urban environments, most likely as a result of high local availability of profitable pigeon prey. We conclude that the Northern Goshawk can be classified as an urban exploiter in parts of its distribution.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe