Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland; Area of Toxicology, Department of Socio-Sanitary Sciences, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Department of Biology, University of Turku, Turku FI-20014, Finland.
Environ Pollut. 2018 Feb;233:764-773. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.113. Epub 2017 Nov 8.
Arsenic (As) is a ubiquitous metalloid classified as one of the most hazardous substances, but information about its exposure and effects in free-living passerines is lacking. The aim of this study is to elucidate the effect of an As manipulation experiment on survival, growth and physiology of great tits (Parus major). Wild P. major nestlings inhabiting an unpolluted area were dosed with water, 0.2 or 1 μg g d of sodium arsenite (Control, Low and High As groups), whereas those living in a metal-polluted area were dosed with water (Smelter group). Birds accumulated As in tissues (liver, bone and feathers) in a dose-dependent way. Nestlings exposed to 1 μg g d of sodium arsenite showed reduced number of fledglings per successful nest, and those exposed to 0.2 μg g d had reduced wing growth, which could have post-fledging consequences such as increased predation risk. These results suggest that the LOAEL for effects on nestling survival and development in great tits is likely equal to or below 1 μg g d. However, limited effects on the biochemical parameters evaluated were found. It has been shown that As may produce oxidative stress and tissue damage, so further research exploring this issue will be carried out in a future study.
砷（As）是一种广泛存在的类金属，被归类为最危险的物质之一，但关于其在自由生活的雀形目鸟类中的暴露和影响的信息还很缺乏。本研究旨在阐明砷处理实验对大山雀（Parus major）的存活、生长和生理的影响。生活在未受污染地区的野生大山雀雏鸟被给予水、0.2 或 1μg g d 的亚砷酸钠（对照组、低剂量组和高剂量组），而生活在金属污染地区的雏鸟则给予水（冶炼厂组）。鸟类以剂量依赖的方式在组织（肝脏、骨骼和羽毛）中积累砷。暴露于 1μg g d 亚砷酸钠的雏鸟每窝成功繁殖的雏鸟数量减少，而暴露于 0.2μg g d 的雏鸟翅膀生长减少，这可能会产生离巢后的后果，如增加被捕食的风险。这些结果表明，砷对大山雀雏鸟生存和发育的影响的 LOAEL 可能等于或低于 1μg g d。然而，对评估的生化参数的影响有限。已经表明，砷可能会产生氧化应激和组织损伤，因此未来的研究将进一步探讨这个问题。
