Lead in feathers and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity in three raptor species from an unpolluted Mediterranean forest (Southeastern Spain)

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
E Martinez-LopezA J Garcia-Fernandez

Abstract

This paper presents the levels of lead found in the feathers of adult and blood of nestlings of booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), European buzzard ( Buteo buteo), and goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) sampled in the 1999 and 2000 breeding seasons in a Mediterranean forest of the Province of Murcia (Southeastern Spain) located far from potential sources of metal contamination. Levels of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity (delta-ALAD) in blood were also measured in the nestlings. Lead concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 11.21 microg/dl in blood of nestlings and from 0.35 to 1.66 mg/kg d.w. in the feathers of their parents. A significant relationship was found between blood delta-ALAD and lead (rho = -568), showing a negative correlation with blood lead levels even at lead concentrations below 5 microg/dl. This fact suggests the usefulness of this enzymatic biomarker for low lead exposure in forest raptors. There were also positive relationships between the lead concentrations in blood of nestlings and those in feathers of their parents (rho = 0.817), suggesting the usefulness of feathers for biomonitoring environmental exposure to lead.

Citations

Feb 18, 2011·Ecotoxicology·Julia Rodriguez-Ramos FernandezJuan Manuel Blanco
Oct 8, 2013·Ecotoxicology·Martin Lodenius, Tapio Solonen
Jan 25, 2017·The Science of the Total Environment·Esperanza Gil-JiménezMiguel Ferrer
Jul 12, 2005·Environmental Toxicology·A J Garcia-FernandezP Jimenez
Jan 10, 2012·Journal of Environmental Monitoring : JEM·Jungsoo Kim, Jong-Min Oh
Jun 10, 2017·Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·E Martínez-LópezA J García-Fernández
May 2, 2020·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Alessandro Di MarzioEmma Martínez-López
Mar 8, 2018·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Alessandro Di MarzioEmma Martínez-López
Nov 25, 2018·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Marián Janiga, Martina Haas
Mar 18, 2020·Environmental Pollution·Silvia EspínAntonio J García-Fernández
Jun 9, 2021·Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·G López-BerenguerE Martínez-López
Sep 3, 2021·Environmental Science & Technology·Garth HerringJames J Willacker
Oct 21, 2006·Environmental Science & Technology·Molly E ChurchDonald R Smith

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.