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Published (Version of Record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants in Australian Waterbirds
Environmental toxicology and chemistry, Vol.43(4), pp.736-747
2023
PMID: 38085117
Abstract
There is growing worldwide recognition of the threat posed by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) to wildlife populations. We aimed to measure exposure levels to POPs in a Southern Hemisphere aquatic waterbird species, the nomadic gray teal (Anas gracilis), which is found across Australia. We collected wings from 39 ducks harvested by recreational hunters at two sites (one coastal, one inland) in Victoria, southeastern Australia, in 2021. We examined three groups of POPs: nine congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 13 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The PCBs, OCPs, and PAHs were detected at quantifiable levels in 13%, 72%, and 100% of birds, respectively. Of the congeners we tested for in PCBs, OCPs, and PAHs, 33%, 38%, and 100% were detected at quantifiable levels, respectively. The highest levels of exposure to POPs that we found were to the PAH benzo[b]fluoranthene, occurring at a concentration range of 1.78 to 161.05 ng/g wet weight. There were some trends detected relating to differences between geographical sites, with higher levels of several PAHs at the coastal versus inland site. There were several strong, positive associations among PAHs found. We discuss potential sources for the POPs detected, including industrial and agricultural sources, and the likely role of large-scale forest fires in PAH levels. Our results confirm that while Australian waterbirds are exposed to a variety of POPs, exposure levels are currently relatively low. Additional future investigations are required to further characterize POPs within Australian waterbird species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:736–747. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
Details
- Title
- Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants in Australian Waterbirds
- Authors/Creators
- Damien Nzabanita - RMIT UniversityHao Shen - School of Science, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaStephen Grist - School of Science, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, AustraliaPhoebe J Lewis - Applied Sciences Division, Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Macleod, Victoria, AustraliaJordan O Hampton - Murdoch University, Centre for Terrestrial Ecosystem Science and SustainabilitySimon M Firestone - The University of MelbourneJasmin Hufschmid - The University of MelbourneDayanthi Nugegoda - School of Science, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Publication Details
- Environmental toxicology and chemistry, Vol.43(4), pp.736-747
- Publisher
- Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
- Grant note
- RMIT University Cybec Foundation
- Identifiers
- 991005631467907891
- Copyright
- © 2023 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Harry Butler Institute
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.60 Herbicides, Pesticides & Ground Poisoning
- 3.60.221 Persistent Organic Pollutants
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- Toxicology
- ESI research areas
- Environment/Ecology