Trace elements fingerprint of feathers differs between breeding and non-breeding areas in an Afro-Palearctic migratory b
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Trace elements fingerprint of feathers differs between breeding and non-breeding areas in an Afro-Palearctic migratory bird, the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) Marco Parolini 1 & Michela Sturini 2 & Federica Maraschi 2 & Antonella Profumo 2 & Alessandra Costanzo 1 & Manuela Caprioli 1 & Diego Rubolini 1 & Roberto Ambrosini 1 & Luca Canova 2 Received: 17 May 2020 / Accepted: 9 November 2020 # The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Trace elements are widespread contaminants that can potentially threaten ecosystems and human health. Considering their distribution and toxicity, monitoring their presence in animals represents a priority in environmental risk assessment. Migratory birds have been suggested to be useful biomonitors for trace elements because they can provide information on contaminants even from remote areas that they may exploit during their life cycle. The aim of this study was to analyse the contamination fingerprint of trace elements of African non-breeding staging grounds and European breeding areas in a long-distance migratory passerine bird, the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica). We collected feathers grown in the African non-breeding grounds and those grown in the breeding areas of Northern Italy and measured the levels of 12 trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn) by DRC-ICP-MS. Multivariate analysis showed that elemental profiles of feathers grown in African non-breeding areas and in the Italian breeding ones clearly differed, with feathers grown in Africa showing higher concentrations of Al, Cu, Fe, Mn and Ni, but lower concentrations of As, Se and Zn, compared to those grown in Italy. In addition, levels of trace elements were age-dependent, with higher levels in older individuals than in younger ones. Our results add to the growing evidence that feathers of long-distance migratory birds are useful tools to monitor trace elements contamination profiles across continents. Keywords Biomonitoring . Trace elements . Feathers . Barn swallow
Introduction The spread into the environment of a growing number of organic and inorganic contaminants due to human activities represents one of the main risks that all the living organisms have to face. Trace elements, in particular, have been recognized for a long time as an ubiquitous threat to the environment and human health (Abbasi et al. 2015). Trace elements are non-biodegradable, globally distributed contaminants originating by natural geological and diverse anthropogenic Responsible Editor: Philippe Garrigues * Roberto Ambrosini [email protected] 1
Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, I-20133 Milan, Italy
2
Department of Chemistry, University of Pavia, via Taramelli 12, I-27100 Pavia, Italy
processes (Burger and Gochfeld 1991). Although some trace elements play an essential role in biological functions (e.g. zinc, copper and iron) or may have positive effects even in small quantities (e.g. manganese or nickel), others have no biological role and may exert toxi
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