Variability of faecal microbiota and antibiotic resistance genes in flocks of migratory gulls and comparison with the surrounding environment

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 359, P. 124563 - 124563

Published: July 15, 2024

Gulls commonly rely on human-generated waste as their primary food source, contributing to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes, both locally globally. Our understanding this process remains incomplete, particularly in relation its potential interaction with surrounding soil water. We studied lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus, a model examine spatial variation faecal bacterial communities, antibiotic genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs) relationship water soil. conducted sampling campaigns within connectivity network different flocks gulls moving across functional units (FUs), each which represents module highly interconnected patches habitats used for roosting feeding. The FUs vary habitat use, some using more polluted sites (notably landfills), while others prefer natural environments (e.g., wetlands or beaches). Faecal communities from that visit spend time landfills exhibited higher richness diversity. microbiota showed high compositional overlap was greater when compared landfill (11%) than wetland soils (6%), much lower (2% 1% water, respectively). relative abundance ARGs MGEs were similar between FUs, variations observed only specific families MGEs. When exploring carriage bird faeces compartments, gull enriched classified High-Risk. results shed light complex dynamics wild populations, providing insights into interactions among movement feeding behavior, characteristics, dissemination determinants environmental reservoirs.

Language: Английский

Microplastics characteristics and environmental correlates of their presence in the nests of white stork: An evidence for biotransfer and biocirculation in the ecosystem

Ecological Indicators, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 162, P. 112005 - 112005

Published: April 11, 2024

Plastic has become a widely used material over the past century. The continuous production of various products created large amount plastic waste, which, despite recently introduced recycling processes, entered environment. common presence plastics resulted in their progressive use by animals, leading to transfer and circulation ecosystem. Numerous bird species started as nesting at an early stage emergence. However, most studies conducted date have focused on coarse debris, ignoring problem deposition microplastics (MCs) nests. aim our research was determine characteristics MCs deposited nests White Stork Ciconia ciconia, iconic farmland species. were investigated using Nicolet iN10 FTIR microscope 47 samples collected NE Poland. On average 4.4 pieces kg−1 0.2 g recorded nest material, with wide variety types, sizes, shapes colours. Polypropylene polyethylene form fibers fragments dominated among detected MCs, notable share < 1 mm debris. Our indicates significant relationship between amounts selected environmental characteristics, such land cover farming type within radius 500 m 2500 around We revealed positive relationships number or mass percentage meadows landscape density cattle. results define need for educational campaigns society scientific biotransfer biocirculation environment special emphasis effects ecosystem general birds particular.

Language: Английский