Tracking pan-continental trends in environmental contamination using sentinel raptors—what types of samples should we use?

• DOI: 10.1007/s10646-016-1636-8
• Publication Date: 2016-03-05T03:01:03Z
• Authors: S. Espín; A. J. García-Fern...; D. Herzke; R. F. Shore; B. van Hattum; E. Martínez-López; M. Coeurdassier; I. Eulaers; C. Fritsch; P. Gómez-Ramírez; V. L. B. Jaspers; O. Krone; G. Duke; B. Helander; R. Mateo; P. Movalli; C. Sonne; N. W. van den Brink
• Keywords: Environmental Monitoring; European community

Biomonitoring using birds of prey as sentinel species has been mooted a way to evaluate the success European Union directives that are designed protect people and environment across Europe from industrial contaminants pesticides. No such pan-European evaluation currently exists. Coordination large scale monitoring would require harmonisation multiple countries types samples collected analysed-matrices vary in ease with which they can be information provide. We report first ever assessment raptor review their suitability for biomonitoring. Currently, some 182 programmes 33 collect variety samples, we discuss relative merits each current priority emerging compounds. Of matrices collected, blood liver used most extensively quantifying trends recent longer-term contaminant exposure, respectively. These potentially effective biomonitoring but not so widely frequently others. found failed eggs feathers samples. Because this ubiquity, may provide best opportunities widescale biomonitoring, although neither is suitable all advocate piloting selected compounds these developing read-across approaches accommodate any effects trophic pathway differences accumulation have on our ability track environmental contaminants.