a
Mammalian Ecology Group, Department of Animal Ecology and
Systematics, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26,
Giessen, Germany
b Animal Ecology, Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Giessen,
b Animal Ecology, Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, Giessen,
Abstract
Transfer of
contaminants from freshwater sediments via aquatic insects to
terrestrial predators is well documented in spiders and birds. Here, we
analyzed the metal exposure of Myotis daubentonii using an urban pond as
their preferred foraging area before and after a remediation measure
(sediment dredging) at this pond.Six metal elements (Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb
and Ni) were measured in the sediment of the pond, in EDTA extracts of
the sediment and in hair samples of M. daubentonii foraging at the pond.
Samples were taken before remediation in 2011 and after remediation in
2013. Metal concentrations were quantified by ICP-OES after miniaturized
microwave assisted extraction.In 2011, the pond sediment exhibited a
high contamination with nickel, a moderate contamination with copper and
chromium and low contents of zinc, cadmium and lead. While sediment
metal contents declined only weakly after remediation, a much more
pronounced reduction in the concentrations of zinc, copper, chromium and
lead concentrations was observed in bat hair.Our results suggest a
marked decline in metal exposure of the bats foraging at the pond as a
consequence of the remediation measure. It is concluded that Daubenton's
bats are suitable bioindicators of metal contamination in aquatic
environments, integrating metal exposure via prey insects over their
entire foraging area. We further suggest that bat hair is a useful
monitoring unit, allowing a non-destructive and non-invasive assessment
of metal exposure in bats. © 2015 Elsevier B.V.
Author keywords
Bioindicator; Metal elements; Remediation; Transfer; Trawling bat
Indexed keywords
Engineering controlled terms: Biomarkers; Cadmium;
Chromium; Contamination; Dredging; Fisheries; Lakes; Lead; Metals;
Nickel; Noninvasive medical procedures; Pollution; Remediation;
Sediments; Zinc
Aquatic environments; Metal concentrations; Metal
contamination; Metal elements; Non-invasive assessments; Remediation
measures; Transfer; Trawling bat
Engineering main heading: Copper
Species Index: Araneae; Aves; Hexapoda; Myotis daubentoni
ISSN: 00489697
CODEN: STEVASource Type: Journal
Original language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.131Document Type: Article
Publisher: Elsevier
