Trace metal accumulation with age in bats: a case study on Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus from a relatively unpolluted area

Bats, as exceptionally long-lived small mammals, are at particular risk of metal poisoning due to the tendency of metals to bioaccumulate throughout their lives. In our study, we investigated the general question of how trace metal concentrations change with age in different bat tissues on the examp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science and pollution research international 2024-12, Vol.31 (57), p.65638-65647
Main Authors: Timofieieva, Olha, Labecka, Anna Maria, Vlaschenko, Anton, Shulenko, Alona, Laskowski, Ryszard
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Animals
Aquatic Pollution
Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution
Atomic absorption spectroscopy
Bats
Bioaccumulation
Bones
Cadmium
Canine teeth
Chiroptera
Copper
Earth and Environmental Science
Ecotoxicology
Environment
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Health
Environmental Monitoring
Lead
Metal concentrations
Metals
Pipistrellus kuhlii
Research Article
Spectral analysis
Spectrometry
Trace metals
Urban environments
Waste Water Technology
Water Management
Water Pollution Control
Zinc
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Summary:Bats, as exceptionally long-lived small mammals, are at particular risk of metal poisoning due to the tendency of metals to bioaccumulate throughout their lives. In our study, we investigated the general question of how trace metal concentrations change with age in different bat tissues on the example of Pipistrellus kuhlii lepidus , which lives for years in one area and is strongly associated with urban environments. To determine the exact age of the individuals, osteochronology was applied, counting the number of dentine rings in cross-sections of the upper canine tooth of each individual. The age of 57 individuals of P. kuhlii lepidus , representing ca. 10% of the colony, was identified. Whole internal organs (liver, kidneys, lungs, and forearm bones) and samples of external tissues (fur and wing membrane) were analyzed for concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn using atomic absorption spectrometry. We found that concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn, but not Cu, increase with the age of the bats, but in relatively unpolluted areas, metal concentrations do not reach the level which can cause chronic adverse effects. Nevertheless, due to the confirmed accumulation of metals in bat tissues with age, toxic effects can be expected in older individuals in areas where trace metal concentrations are elevated.
ISSN:1614-7499
0944-1344
1614-7499
DOI:10.1007/s11356-024-35611-w