Publication
Title
Mercury uptake affects the development of Larus fuscus chicks
Author
Abstract
Current emission and mobilization rates of mercury (Hg) in the environment pose extensive threats to both wildlife and human health. Assessing the exposure risk and effects of Hg contamination in model species such as seabirds is essential to understand Hg risks at the population and ecosystem levels. The lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus), a generalist seabird species, is an excellent model species because it forages in both marine and terrestrial habitats, which in turn differ in their Hg exposure risk. To identify possible deleterious effects of Hg exposure on developingL. fuscuschicks, a dietary experiment was carried out and chicks were provided a marine, terrestrial, or mixed diet. The effects of embryonic and dietary Hg exposure on chick body condition and physiological state were assessed at different developmental stages until fledging age (30 d). Overall physiological condition was lower in chicks fed a predominantly marine diet, which coincided with higher Hg loads in blood and primary feathers. However, no effect of dietary uptake of Hg was observed on body condition or in terms of genotoxic damage. Body condition and genotoxic damage correlated instead with Hg exposure during embryonic development, which seems to indicate that embryonic exposure to Hg may result in carry-over effects on later chick development.Environ Toxicol Chem2020;39:2008-2017. (c) 2020 SETAC
Language
English
Source (journal)
Environmental toxicology and chemistry. - New York, N.Y., 1982, currens
Publication
New York, N.Y. : 2020
ISSN
0730-7268 [print]
1552-8618 [online]
DOI
10.1002/ETC.4823
Volume/pages
39 :10 (2020) , p. 2008-2017
ISI
000572516400014
Pubmed ID
32678941
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 19.10.2020
Last edited 13.11.2024
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