Leakage of plastics and other debris from landfills to a highly protected lake by wintering gulls

Waste Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 177, P. 13 - 23

Published: Jan. 28, 2024

Gulls ingest plastic and other litter while foraging in open landfills, because organic matter is mixed with debris. Therefore, gulls are potential biovectors of pollution into natural habitats, especially when they concentrate wetlands for roosting. We quantified, the first time, flow anthropogenic debris from landfills to a lake via movement gulls. focused on Fuente de Piedra, an inland closed-basin Spain that internationally important biodiversity. In 2022, we sampled gull pellets regurgitated by lesser black-backed Larus fuscus feed as well their faeces, then characterized quantified particles ≥0.5 mm. By combining GPS census data 2010 together quantification based FTIR-ATR analysis, estimated average annual deposition wintering population lake. 86 % contained plastics, 94 such glass textiles. Polyethylene (54 %), polypropylene (11.5 %) polystyrene were main polymers. An mean 400 kg plastics moved Only 1 mass was imported faeces. Incorporating biovectoring role birds can provide more holistic view cycle waste management. Biovectoring predictable sites worldwide where waterbirds roost wetlands. discuss bird deterrence ways mitigating leakage aquatic ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Ecotoxicological impacts of landfill sites: Towards risk assessment, mitigation policies and the role of artificial intelligence

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 927, P. 171804 - 171804

Published: March 20, 2024

Waste disposal in landfills remains a global concern. Despite technological developments, landfill leachate poses hazard to ecosystems and human health since they act as secondary reservoir for legacy emerging pollutants. This study provides systematic scientometric review of the nature toxicity pollutants generated by means assessing their potential risks. Regarding health, unregulated waste pathogens are leading causes diseases reported local populations. Both vitro vivo approaches have been employed ecotoxicological risk assessment leachate, with model organisms ranging from bacteria birds. These studies demonstrate wide range toxic effects that reflect complex composition geographical variations climate, resource availability, management practices. Based on bioassay (and other) evidence, categories persistent chemicals most concern include brominated flame retardants, per- polyfluorinated chemicals, pharmaceuticals, alkyl phenol ethoxylates. However, more general literature microplastic suggests these particles might also be problematic leachate. Various mitigation strategies identified, focussing improving design or treatment, developing alternative methods reducing volume through recycling using sustainable materials. The success efforts will rely policies practices enforcement, which is seen particular challenge nations at international transboundary) level. Artificial intelligence machine learning afford options evaluating risks associated leachates gaseous emissions landfills, various tested having discussed. addressing limitations data collection, accuracy, real-time monitoring our understanding environmental impacts critical realising this potential.

Language: Английский

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Connectivity at the human-wildlife interface: starling movements relate to carriage of E. coli

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 926, P. 171899 - 171899

Published: March 26, 2024

Synanthropic bird species in human, poultry or livestock environments can increase the spread of pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria between wild domestic animals. We present first telemetry-based spatial networks for a small songbird. quantified landscape connectivity exerted by spotless starling movements, aimed to determine if patterns were related carriage potential pathogens. captured 28 starlings on partridge farm 2020 tested them Avian influenza virus, West Nile virus WNV, orthoavulavirus 1, Coronavirus, Salmonella spp. Escherichia coli. did not detect any viruses Salmonella, but one individual had antibodies against WNV cross-reacting Flaviviruses. found E. coli 61 % (17 28) starlings, 76 (13 17) which resistant gentamicin, 12 (2 cefotaxime/enrofloxacin 6 (1 phenotypic extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) carriers. GPS-tracked 17 constructed showing how their movements (i.e. links) connect different farms with nearby urban natural habitats nodes attributes). Using as proxy acquisition/dispersal bacteria, we differences across positive (n = 7) negative 9) starlings. used Exponential Random Graph Models reveal significant networks. In particular, an roost was more connected other sites than Furthermore, open pine forest mainly roosting pathogen carried pathways that could provide farms, habitats.

Language: Английский

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Medicated livestock carcasses and landfill sites: Sources of highly toxic veterinary pharmaceuticals and caffeine for avian scavengers

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 459, P. 132195 - 132195

Published: July 31, 2023

Language: Английский

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Winged resistance: Storks and gulls increase carriage of antibiotic resistance by shifting from paddy fields to landfills

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 914, P. 169946 - 169946

Published: Jan. 8, 2024

Waterbirds are vectors for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance across environments, with some species increasingly reliant on highly anthropized habitats feeding. However, data impact their feeding habits carriage antibiotic genes (ARGs) still scarce. To fill this gap, we examined microbiota (16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing) and prevalence ARG (high-throughput qPCR 47 genes) in faeces from white storks (Ciconia ciconia) lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) (landfill) less (paddy fields) polluted habitats. Faecal bacterial richness diversity were higher upon landfills showed a greater abundance potential pathogens, such as Staphylococcus. In contrast, faecal communities similar regardless habitat preferences, maybe due to intense use compared gulls. addition, birds landfill carried burden ARGs surrounding soil surface waters. Network analysis revealed strong correlations between particularly tetM (resistance tetracyclines), blaCMY (beta-lactam resistance), sul1 (sulfonamide resistance) members genera Streptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, Peptoclostridium. Our work demonstrates how transitioning paddy fields fosters pathogens bird gut, shedding light ecological role these avian dissemination.

Language: Английский

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Environmental factors influencing the odds of livestock predations by wolves in North–Eastern Italy across 10 years: a network analysis approach

Italian Journal of Animal Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 24(1), P. 842 - 858

Published: April 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Where Have All the Storks Gone? Impact of Landfill use on White Stork Behaviour and Population Dynamics

Waterbirds, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 47(4)

Published: April 8, 2025

Language: Английский

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Biovectoring of plastic by white storks from a landfill to a complex of salt ponds and marshes

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 197, P. 115773 - 115773

Published: Nov. 22, 2023

Research into plastic pollution has extensively focused on abiotic vectors, overlooking transport by animals. Opportunistic birds, such as white storks (Ciconia ciconia) often forage landfills, where abounds. We assess loading ingestion and regurgitation of landfill in Cadiz Bay, a major stopover area for migratory south-west Spain. On average, we counted 599 per day moving between complex salt ponds marshes, they regurgitated pellets that each contained mean 0.47 g debris, dominated polyethylene. Modelling reliant GPS tracking estimated 99 kg >2 million particles were biovectored the wetland during 2022, with seasonal peaks followed migration patterns. data enabled correction field censuses identification deposition hotspots. This study highlights important role biovectoring plays coastal wetlands.

Language: Английский

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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

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Evil and allies: Opportunistic gulls as both spreaders and sentinels of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria in human‐transformed landscapes

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 61(11), P. 2809 - 2821

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Abstract Human‐transformed residuals, especially those derived from human waste (dumps), farmland, and livestock are involved in the emergence of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria (ARB) environment. Wildlife can act as vectors ARB dispersal through different environments, but also sentinels to detect early spread determine sources. The development integrated monitoring programmes focused on wildlife would help anticipate risks humans livestock. We used yellow‐legged gull ( Larus michahellis ) a model species investigate monitor spatial patterns across an extensive farmland region located northeastern Spain (Lleida). By integrating GPS tracking data clinical testing for 26 individuals within network analysis framework, we modelled risk pathogen faeces during bacteria‐transmission latency period (16 days after sample collection). Additionally, created connectivity main sources area, focusing three habitats special infection: dumps, facilities, irrigation ponds. Seven were infected by Escherichia coli , with one co‐infected Listeria monocytogenes Salmonella spp. Potential distances ranged 1.13 km 23.13 breeding colony. Our analyses revealed 54 nodes (i.e. high‐risk recurrently visited tracked gulls) 1182 links among them. findings high degree between shallow lake, nearby highlighting them significant contributors dispersal. Synthesis applications : integration data, shed further light dynamics creating maps identifying In combination complementary molecular epidemiology techniques One Health our approach emerge important tool highly human‐transformed ecosystems. This may empower managers targeted effective mitigation strategies, ultimately improving both animal public health.

Language: Английский

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