Intraspecific variation of trace elements in the kelp gull (Larus dominicanus): influence of age, sex and location

Claudinei José Rodrigues,Jorge Henrique Pedrobom,André S. Barreto,Everton Tiago Sulato,Amauri A. Menegário,Hendryk Gemeiner,Marcus Antônio Gonçalves de Araújo Júnior,Lucas Pellegrini Elias,Patrícia Pereira Serafini

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e05994

Abstract

Hepatic tissue of Larus dominicanus sampled on the coastline of the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil between October 2016 and May 2018 was used to evaluate intraspecific trends and spatial distribution of essential trace elements (Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Mo and Cr) and non-essential trace elements (As, Pb, Cd, Hg, Ba and V). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated differences in the bioaccumulation of trace elements between female adults and male adults, differences to sex and age were indicated by Kruskal-Wallis test. Heat maps suggest hot spots in locals with high concentration of trace elements in liver of Larus dominicanus. In general, the concentration of trace elements were comparable with values reported in other studies carried out for this species in South America and other regions of the world. The heat maps showed to be a promising tool to identify influences of the locality on bioaccumulation of trace elements in Larus dominicanus.

Highlights

Marine environments are vulnerable to contamination by pollutants originated by anthropogenic activities like the burning of fossil fuels, oil spills, production of chemicals as well as mining and agricultural activities in coastal areas (Halpern et al, 2008)
Limits of detection (LD) and Limits of Quantification (LQ) were substantially lower than the concentration values obtained for the study samples (Table 1)
The concentrations of trace elements found in livers of dead Larus dominicanus on the coast of Santa Catarina state were in similar ranges than those found in other regions of Brazil and in other countries (Table 3) (Moura et al, 2018; Vermeer and Castilla 1991; Numata et al, 2008; Cortes and Luna-Jorquera 2011; Lock et al, 1992)

Summary

Introduction

Marine environments are vulnerable to contamination by pollutants originated by anthropogenic activities like the burning of fossil fuels, oil spills, production of chemicals as well as mining and agricultural activities in coastal areas (Halpern et al, 2008). The Santos Basin Beach Monitoring Project (Projeto de Monitoramento de Praias da Bacia de Santos PMP-BS) is coordinated by the principal Brazilian oil company, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A – PETROBRAS. This project is one of the monitoring programs required by the Brazilian Federal Environmental Agency (IBAMA) for the environmental licensing of oil and natural gas production and their transport by Petrobras at the Pre-Sal Province (250050S 420350W to 250550S 430340W). The program project involves the sampling of individuals found stranded during beach surveys at a corridor of 1500 km at the coastline of Brazil (Godoy et al, 2020)

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion