Changes in blood pesticide levels in booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) associated with agricultural land practices.
We estimated the degree of exposure to lindane and endosulfan in the blood of booted eagle nestlings (Hieraaetus pennatus) (1999-2003), in order to assess the usefulness of these samples as a unit for monitoring changes in exposure as a result of shifts in agricultural practices and the implementation of legal measures. The highest blood lindane concentrations were obtained 1 year prior to its prohibition by the European Union. Subsequent to that year, the drop in blood concentrations was dramatic. Furthermore, endosulfan blood concentrations follow a progression coinciding with an increase in olive, grape and plum-tree crops. We conclude that concentrations of organochlorine pesticides in the blood of booted eagle nestlings may be used to monitor the use of those pesticides over a particular agricultural region and alert the authorities of possible environmental or health risks.
Martínez-López
Emma
E
Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Romero
Diego
D
Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
María-Mojica
Pedro
P
Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Martínez
Jose E
JE
Department of Ecology and Hydrology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Calvo
Jose F
JF
Department of Ecology and Hydrology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
García-Fernández
Antonio J
AJ
Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain. Electronic address: ajgf@um.es.
D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D025041:Animal Migration; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D002980:Climate; D020307:Eagles / Q000097:blood*; D017753:Ecosystem; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D010575:Pesticides / Q000097:blood* / Q000633:toxicity; D013030:Spain
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010575:Pesticides