Publication
Title
Perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) profile and concentrations in two co-occurring tit species : distinct differences indicate non-generalizable results across passerines
Author
Abstract
Eggs of terrestrial bird species have often been used to biomonitor both legacy and emerging anthropogenic contaminants, such as perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs). However, few, if any, studies have examined whether results obtained in a given model species can be generalized across bird species. Therefore, we compared potential differences in egg PFAA profile and concentrations between two widely studied passerine species, great tit (Parus major) and blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), which are similar in many aspects of their ecology and life history. Whole clutches of both species were collected from the same breeding season and at the same place (Antwerp, Belgium), enabling us to study laying order effects. Additionally, we evaluated how egg PFAA concentrations for both species changed along a distance gradient from a PFAA point source. Although the sum PFAA concentrations did not significantly differ between great tits and blue tits, large differences in PFAA profile and laying order effects were observed. Great tits showed a more diverse PFAA detection profile, including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and various long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) but no short-chain compounds. Contrarily, short-chain PFCAs (perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)) were only detected in blue tit eggs. The variation of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) concentrations within clutches was large in both species, although laying order effects on PFOA concentrations were only found in blue tits. Although egg PFOA concentrations of both species decreased similarly from the fluorochemical point source onwards, more variation in egg PFOA concentrations could be explained by distance from the fluorochemical plant in great tits (60%) than in blue tits (15%). Results showed that both species markedly differed in terms of egg PFAA profile and concentrations, most likely reflecting differences in diet, foraging habits and egg protein composition. Finally, biomonitoring results of PFAAs in eggs are likely not generalizable across bird species.
Language
English
Source (journal)
The science of the total environment. - Amsterdam, 1972, currens
Publication
Amsterdam : 2021
ISSN
0048-9697 [print]
1879-1026 [online]
DOI
10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2020.143301
Volume/pages
761 (2021) , 9 p.
Article Reference
143301
ISI
000607780900102
Pubmed ID
33183821
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Toxicity of Perfluoralkyl Substances (PFAAs) to terrestrial invertebrates and songbirds. Effects at different levels of biological organization including behaviour and reproduction.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 01.02.2021
Last edited 17.12.2024
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