Tracing microplastics in environmental sources and migratory shorebirds along the Central Asian Flyway.

Microplastic pollution poses a significant threat to coastal ecosystems worldwide. Despite its widespread occurrence, knowledge on the prevalence and fate of microplastics across food webs is limited. To bridge this gap, we conducted an extensive study on microplastic contamination in mudflats, mangroves, and sand beaches being key habitats for wintering shorebirds on the west coast of India.

Fatty acid carbon isotopes as tracers of trophic structure and contaminant biomagnification in Arctic marine food webs.

Mercury (Hg) and persistent organic pollutant (POP) accumulation among species and biomagnification through food webs is typically assessed using stable isotopes of nitrogen (δN) and carbon (δC) in bulk (whole) tissues. Yet, bulk isotopic approaches have limitations, notably from the potential overlap of isotope values from different dietary sources and from spatial variation in source (baseline) signals. Here, we explore the potential of fatty acid carbon isotopes (FA δC) to (1) evaluate the trophic structure of a marine food web, (2) distinguish feeding patterns among four marine mammal consumers, (3) trace contaminant biomagnification through a food web, and (4) explain interspecific variation in contaminants among high-trophic position predators.

A global meta-analysis of gillnet bycatch of toothed whales: Mitigation measures and research gaps.

Odontocetes are globally distributed and are foundational to the structure and function of marine food webs, and hence bycatch impacts from gillnet fishing need to be considered in the context of their conservation and population viability. Currently, global gillnet bycatch numbers are unknown yet are estimated to be the greatest in Asia, East Africa, and the west coasts of North and South America. Here we provide the first global meta-analyses of small- and large-scale gillnet bycatch estimates of odontocetes during 1990-2020, compiling population size, estimated gillnet bycatch, and conservation status in support of geographical and species-specific risk estimates.

Pediatric Patients With Acute Flaccid Myelitis: Long-term Respiratory and Neurologic Outcomes.

Background: Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), an infection-mediated neurologic condition, may be accompanied by respiratory failure and subsequent variable recovery. This study assessed and provided prescriptive data on long-term respiratory and neurologic outcomes according to respiratory status at the time of presentation.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using a large, single-payer healthcare database to identify children 1-18 years old, diagnosed with AFM between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2019.

From mother to egg: Variability in maternal transfer of trace elements and steroid hormones in common eider (Somateria mollissima).

The Baltic Sea is among the most polluted seas worldwide with elevated concentrations of trace elements (TEs). TEs can induce negative effects on organisms and may be transferred to eggs causing endocrine-disrupting effects on embryos. The Baltic Sea population of common eider (Somateria mollissima) has declined over the last thirty years, but the potential contribution of TEs to this decline is understudied.

Cross-cutting studies of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in Arctic wildlife and humans.

This cross-cutting review focuses on the presence and impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Arctic. Several PFAS undergo long-range transport via atmospheric (volatile polyfluorinated compounds) and oceanic pathways (perfluorinated alkyl acids, PFAAs), causing widespread contamination of the Arctic. Beyond targeting a few well-known PFAS, applying sum parameters, suspect and non-targeted screening are promising approaches to elucidate predominant sources, transport, and pathways of PFAS in the Arctic environment, wildlife, and humans, and establish their time-trends.

Element Concentrations and Histopathology of Liver and Kidney in West Greenland Ringed Seals ().

Ringed seals are consumed in Greenland and are therefore included as a key biomonitoring species with the focus on pollution exposure and health effects. Ringed seals in Central West Greenland (Qeqertarsuaq) and in North West Greenland (Qaanaaq) were analyzed for metal concentrations in the liver and histological changes in the liver and kidney. The mean liver concentration of mercury in Qaanaaq was 3.

A review of phytoremediation of environmental lead (pb) contamination.

An estimated one billion people globally are exposed to hazardous levels of lead (Pb), resulting in intellectual disabilities for over 600,000 children each year. This critical issue aligns with the expanding worldwide population and the demand for food security, emphasizing the urgency of effectively addressing heavy metal pollution especially from Pb for sustainable development. Phytoremediation, a highly favoured approach in conjunction with conventional physical, chemical, and microbial methods, is a promising approach to mitigating soil and environmental contamination.

Nontarget and suspect screening reveals the presence of multiple plastic-related compounds in polar bear, killer whale, narwhal and long-finned pilot whale blubber from East Greenland.

The monitoring of legacy contaminants in sentinel northern marine mammals has revealed some of the highest concentrations globally. However, investigations into the presence of chemicals of emerging Arctic concern (CEACs) and other lesser-known chemicals are rarely conducted, if at all. Here, we used a nontarget/suspect approach to screen for thousands of different chemicals, including many CEACs and plastic-related compounds (PRCs) in blubber/adipose from killer whales (Orcinus orca), narwhals (Monodon monoceros), long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in East Greenland.

Comparative transcriptome and methylome of polar bears, giant and red pandas reveal diet-driven adaptive evolution.

Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in the evolution of species adaptations, yet little information is available on the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the adaptive evolution of bamboo-eating in both giant pandas () and red pandas (). To investigate the potential contribution of epigenetic to the adaptive evolution of bamboo-eating in giant and red pandas, we performed hepatic comparative transcriptome and methylome analyses between bamboo-eating pandas and carnivorous polar bears (). We found that genes involved in carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, and protein metabolism showed significant differences in methylation and expression levels between the two panda species and polar bears.

Exploring avian exposure to parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): Using the common eider Somateria mollissima in a global context.

Compared to other organic contaminants, birds are rarely studied for their exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mainly due to their effective metabolization of parent PAHs. However, as some studies suggest, exposure to PAHs may result in adverse health effects including decreased survival, especially following oil spills. In the present study, we analyzed samples from a sea duck, the common eider Somateria mollissima including feathers, preen oil, blood, liver and bile, to evaluate whether non- lethally collected samples could be reliably used for avian biomonitoring strategies.

Effects of Social Facilitation and Introduction Methods for Cattle on Virtual Fence Adaptation.

Agricultural industries rely on physical fences to manage livestock. However, these present practical, financial, and ecological challenges, which may be solved using virtual fencing. This study aimed to identify how experienced cattle through social facilitation and the introduction method influence inexperienced cattle.