open access

https://hdl.handle.net/2115/76475

Biotransport of metallic trace elements from marine to terrestrial ecosystems by seabirds

英語

Machine learning

2019-01

John Wiley & Sons

Environmental toxicology and chemistry

38(1)

106-114

Physical systems, such as currents and winds, have traditionally been considered responsible for transporting contaminants. Although evidence is mounting that animals play a role in this process through their movements, we still know little about how such contaminant biotransport occurs and the extent of effects at deposition sites. In the present study, we address this question by studying how rhinoceros auklets (Cerorhinca monocerata), a seabird that occurs in immense colonies (∼300 000 pairs at our study site, Teuri Island), affect contaminant levels at their colony and at nearby sites. More specifically, we hypothesize that contaminants are transported and deposited by seabirds at their colony and that these contaminants are passed on locally to the terrestrial ecosystem. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the concentration of 9 heavy metal and metalloids, as well as δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes, in bird tissues, plants, and soil, both within and outside of the colony. The results show that rhinoceros auklets transport marine‐derived mercury (Hg), possibly from their wintering location, and deposit Hg via their feces at their breeding site, thereby contaminating plants and soils within the breeding colony. The present study confirms not only that animals can transport contaminants from marine to terrestrial ecosystems, potentially over unexpectedly long distances, but also that bird tissues contribute locally to plant contamination.

学術雑誌論文

Accepted Manuscript

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Shoji, A. , Elliott, K. , Aris‐Brosou, S. , Mizukawa, H. , Nakayama, S. , Ikenaka, Y. , Ishizuka, M. , Kuwae, T. , Watanabe, K. , Escoruela Gonzalez, J. and Watanuki, Y. (2019), Biotransport of metallic trace elements from marine to terrestrial ecosystems by seabirds. Environ Toxicol Chem, 38: 106-114, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4286. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.

0730-7268