Evaluating threats to an endangered species by proxy: air pollution as threat to the blue swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea) in South Africa.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
Henrik KylinSteven W Evans

Abstract

The blue swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea) is one of the most threatened bird species in southern Africa. Among terrestrial birds, its plumage is known to be the most water repellent, an adaptation to foraging on the wing in dense fog. Despite this unique adaptation, the nesting success of the blue swallow at the Blue Swallow Natural Heritage Site (BSNHS) is lower during years with high incidence of fog. As the phenomenon is not observed at other nesting sites, we hypothesized that this is due to changes in the air chemistry at the BSNHS. In the immediate proximity of the BSNHS, plantations of exotic trees (e.g., pines and eucalypts), rich in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are dominant features. In addition, air pollution from the Johannesburg area is transported with the surface winds and mix with VOCs released from exotic trees. Together with the high humidity and high elevation, these conditions may result in the formation of sulphonates. Sulphonates are strong detergents, and the presence of these in the fog could lead to decreased water repellence of the plumage. This study was performed in order to determine the occurrence and distribution of sulphonates in the BSNHS and to compare these with sulphonates formed in other ...Continue Reading

References

Jan 27, 2005·Environmental Science & Technology·Mohd Talib Latif, Peter Brimblecombe
Mar 16, 2007·Revista de biología tropical·Knut Eisermann, Ulrich Schulz
Dec 18, 2007·Journal of Environmental Management·T G O'Connor, P Kuyler
Apr 11, 2008·Nature·J LelieveldJ Williams
Dec 1, 1996·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·H Kylin

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Citations

May 9, 2012·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Steven L Chown
Jun 17, 2021·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Ju-Hee KimSeung-Hoon Yoo

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