Biological and anthropogenic predictors of metal concentration in the Eurasian otter, a sentinel of freshwater ecosystems

Brand, Anne-Fleur; Hynes, Juliet; Walker, Lee A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1471-7075; Pereira, M. Gloria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3740-0019; Lawlor, Alan J.; Williams, Richard J.; Shore, Richard F.; Chadwick, Elizabeth A.. 2020 Biological and anthropogenic predictors of metal concentration in the Eurasian otter, a sentinel of freshwater ecosystems. Environmental Pollution, 266 (3), 115280. 9, pp. 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115280

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115280

Abstract/Summary

Toxic metals have been linked to a range of adverse health effects in freshwater organisms. However, for higher vertebrates, there is little understanding of the large-scale drivers of exposure. We quantified toxic metal/semi-metal concentrations in a sentinel freshwater top predator, the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), across England and Wales, and determined how this varied with key natural and anthropogenic factors. We related liver concentrations in 278 otters that died between 2006 and 2017 to habitat biogeochemistry, proximity to point source contamination and to biological characteristics (length, sex, condition). Evidence for any positive association with putative anthropogenic sources (mining, human population, known discharges) was weak or lacking in nearly all cases, with the exception of a positive association between lead and human population density. Despite concerns that burgeoning use of nanosilver in consumer products might increase silver concentrations in waste waters, there was no increase over time. Spatial variation in soil/sediment pH, precipitation, and soil calcium oxide are indicated as significant predictors of metal concentrations in otters (higher cadmium and silver in areas with lower pH and higher rainfall, and higher chromium and lead in areas of lower calcium oxide). Liver chromium and nickel concentrations declined significantly over time (Cr 0.030 ± 1.2 to 0.015 ± 1.3 μg/g dry weight, Ni 0.0038 ± 1.2 to 0.00068 ± 1.5 μg/g, between 2006–2009 and 2014–2017), but other metals showed no temporal change. Biotic associations were important, with age related accumulation indicated for mercury and cadmium (as well as interactions with body condition). Our results suggest that larger-scale geochemical and hydrological processes are important in determining metal exposure in otters, and we provide an indication of risk factors that may be of relevance for freshwater vertebrates in other countries with well-developed water pollution management.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115280
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Pollution (Science Area 2017-) UKCEH Fellows
ISSN:	0269-7491
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	toxic heavy metals, nanosilver, drivers of bioaccumulation, Lutra lutra, pH, rainfall, age class
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Biology and Microbiology
Date made live:	26 Aug 2020 10:26 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/528383

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115280

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Pollution (Science Area 2017-)
UKCEH Fellows

ISSN:

0269-7491

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

toxic heavy metals, nanosilver, drivers of bioaccumulation, Lutra lutra, pH, rainfall, age class