Metal and arsenic contamination of a terrestrial top-predator, the black kite (Milvus migrans), after the Aznalcóllar mine spill (southwestern Spain): Temporal trends and fitness consequences

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177291
• Publication Date: 2024-11-07T21:53:24Z
• Authors: Raquel Baos; Alessandro Tanferna; Julio Blas; Begoña Jiménez; María José González; Fernando Hiraldo; Fabrizio Sergio
• Keywords: Blood; Survival; Breeding success; Black kite; Raptor; Sentinel species

Top-predators serve as sentinels of ecosystem health due to their sensitivity to environmental contamination. However, our understanding on how contaminants affect individual fitness is still scarce, especially for long-lived species. Here, we measured blood concentrations of 4 metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn) and one metalloid (As) in black kite (Milvus migrans) adults from Doñana National Park (SW Spain) following a major mine spill. Besides temporal variation (1998–2001) in metal and As concentrations, we tested how metal and As profiles changed across individuals in relation to their sex, age or breeding status, and examined whether metal and As concentrations affected individuals' fitness (breeding success and mortality). We found that, overall, blood concentrations of Pb, Cd and As increased throughout the study period in black kites, mirroring the progressive increase previously reported for their main prey. Both sex (Cu and Zn) and breeding status (Zn and Pb) affected element concentrations. Non-breeding (<br/>We appreciate the fieldwork assistance of F.G. Vilches, G. García, J. M. Terrero, S. Cabezas, M. Guerrero, A. Sánchez, F.J. Hernández, F.J. Gómez-Chicano, and L. López-Jiménez. We also thank M.C. Tabera and G. G´ omez for analyzing heavy metals and arsenic. Part of this study was funded by project PID2022-138848NB-I00 of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation with Feder Funds to F.S. and J.B. The “Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía” also provided funds throughout the PICOVER program. R.B. received financial support from Junta de Andalucía(Consejería de Economía, Conocimiento, Empresas y Universidad) and the EU (FSE; D1113102E3) through a postdoctoral contract (REF.: DOC_00639). Pictures in the Graphical Abstract were provided by F.S. and the “Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía”.<br/>