An overview of existing raptor contaminant monitoring activities in Europe

• Published in: Environment International
• Main Authors: Gómez-Ramírez, P., Shore, R.F., Brink, N.W. van den, Hattum, B. van, Bustnes, J.O., Duke, G., Fritsch, Clémentine, García-Fernández, A.J., Helander, B.O., Jaspers, V., Krone, O., Martínez-López, E., Mateo, R., Movalli, P., Sonne, C.
• Other Authors: Laboratoire Chrono-environnement - CNRS - UBFC (UMR 6249) (LCE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Franche-Comté (UFC), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté COMUE (UBFC)-Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté COMUE (UBFC), European Science Foundation; MINECO CGL2011-16063-E, EURAPMON
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2014
• Subjects: Biomonitoring; Contaminants; Raptors; Inventory; Europe; envir; geo; Falco peregrinus; Haliaeetus albicilla; Aquila chrysaetos; golden eagle
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2014.02.004; https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01094325

International audience Biomonitoring using raptors as sentinels can provide early warning of the potential impacts of contaminants onhumans and the environment and also a means of tracking the success of associated mitigation measures. Examplesinclude detection of heavy metal-induced immune system impairment, PCB-induced altered reproductiveimpacts, and toxicity associated with lead in shot game. Authorisation of such releases and implementation ofmitigation is now increasingly delivered through EU-wide directives but there is little established pan-European monitoring to quantify outcomes.We investigated the potential for EU-wide coordinated contaminantmonitoring using raptors as sentinels. We did this using a questionnaire to ascertain the current scale of nationalactivity across 44 European countries. According to this survey, there have been 52 different contaminant monitoringschemes with raptors over the last 50 years. There were active schemes in 15 (predominantly westernEuropean) countries and 23 schemes have been running for N20 years; most monitoring was conducted forN5 years. Legacy persistent organic compounds (specifically organochlorine insecticides and PCBs), and metals/metalloids weremonitored inmost of the 15 countries. Fungicides, flame retardants and anticoagulant rodenticideswere also relatively frequently monitored (each in at least 6 countries). Common buzzard (Buteo buteo), commonkestrel (Falco tinnunculus), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), peregrinefalcon (Falco peregrinus), tawny owl (Strix aluco) and barn owl (Tyto alba) were most commonly monitored (eachin 6–10 countries). Feathers and eggs were most widely analysed although many schemes also analysed bodytissues. Our study reveals an existing capability across multiple European countries for contaminant monitoringusing raptors. However, coordination between existing schemes and expansion of monitoring into Eastern Europeis needed. This would enable assessment of the appropriateness of the ...