![]() ![]() Gebbink & Letcher, Citation2012 Sagerup et al., Citation2009). Substances are thus often determined in the main target tissues for toxic effects: liver, brain, muscle, kidney or in subcutaneous fat (e.g. In all vertebrates the majority of detoxification and excretion of metabolites and parent compounds happens in the liver and kidneys, where the compounds may also be accumulated (Lehman-McKeeman, Citation2008). Contaminant levels may be reported as concentrations in internal tissues from collected dead or randomly selected sacrificed individuals. These features, and their wide applicability, make PFASs especially interesting for ecotoxicological studies.īefore designing biomonitoring studies, one of the most important things is the choice of species and matrix. In 2019 also PFOA was added to the Stockholm Convention list (UNEP), and PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid) is under consideration (UNEP). As it is a stable end product of the degradation of PFASs, is often found in both the environment and biota (Dauwe et al., Citation2007). In 2009, PFOS, which is one of the most persistent and bioaccumulative PFASs, was declared one of the legacy POPs by the Stockholm Convention (UNEP). The best known PFASs are perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluooctanoic acid (PFOA) (Pereira et al., Citation2021). They also have very high surface tension lowering potential, and thus would behave differently in the marine ecosystem than do classical POPs (Herzke et al., Citation2009). ![]() PFASs are thermally and chemically stable and may affect body condition and health (Ask et al., Citation2021 Tartu et al., Citation2014). fire-fighting foam, and impregnation agents for carpets and textiles (Tartu et al., Citation2014). ![]() Among the best known examples of EOPs are poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs), which are used in a variety of products, e.g. Many of these, too, are not regulated and not enough ecotoxicological data on these compounds are available (Tartu et al., Citation2014). In 2021, this list, only for the group of compounds subject to elimination (Annex A), has been updated to 26 chemicals (UNEP, accessed September 27, 2021).Įmerging organic pollutants (EOPs) can also constitute a high threat, as they continue to be introduced into the environment. The Stockholm Convention list of legacy POPs causing adverse effects on humans and the ecosystem originally included 12 compounds (pesticides, industrial chemicals and by-products). However, they are still ubiquitous and can be found in abiotic components as well as biota, even in the polar areas (UNEP Souza et al., Citation2021 Svendsen et al., Citation2018). For many compounds, such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), global regulation restricts the use and production of the substances with the highest toxicity potential (Espín et al., Citation2016). Compounds such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are of highest concern due to their high toxicity, low potential to biodegradation and easy bioaccumulation and sometimes biomagnification within the food web (UNEP ). Knowing their accumulation profile, concentrations and distribution within tissues enables us to make better predictions about habitat quality and future population status, which is especially important for threatened species.Ī multitude of contaminants emitted to the environment ends up being introduced to the food chain. Therefore, this paper presents the current status of the non-lethal approach in avian species for determination of PCBs, OCPs, PBDEs and PFASs.Ĭomprehensive quantitative analyses of pollutant presence in tissues and other biological samples collected from representative species provide valuable information about the delivery and transfer of pollutants into the trophic network and their impact on biota. It is not my intention to single out one of them as the ultimate tool for organic compound analysis, but rather to present their utility in order to support or advise on future choices, as a single matrix might not be sufficient to fully evaluate birds’ exposure. The selected samples are feathers, blood, preen oil and eggs, as these are the types of biological materials most often chosen and may reveal birds’ exposure from their diet. The main aim of this review is to bring to closer attention the utility of non-lethally collected samples from avian species, based on recent literature. However, not all sample matrices are suitable for biomonitoring of certain compounds. Non-lethally collected samples have recently been gaining greater attention as they offer several ethical and practical advantages. During the design of biomonitoring studies one of the first issues after choosing species is the choice of biological material. ![]() Birds are considered as good bio-monitors and they can provide highly valuable data about the level of contamination in their habitat. ![]()
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