Metals in feathers of the red-billed chough as a sentinel of exposure to past and recent volcanic activity in La Palma, Canary Islands
The accumulation of metals, and other elements (both essential and non-essential) in feathers of the red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) inhabiting the volcanic island of La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain) was investigated in relation to the recent eruption of the Tajogaite volcano (2021). We...
| Autores: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Tipo de recurso: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2025 |
| País: | España |
| Institución: | Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) |
| Repositorio: | DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:dnet:digitalcsic_::b6dbce78481c2d5ac13d44d039796148 |
| Acceso en línea: | http://hdl.handle.net/10261/429951 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palabra clave: | Canary Islands Environmental contamination Feather bioindicators Heavy metals La Palma Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Sentinel species Tajogaite Volcanic ash Volcanic eruption |
| Sumario: | The accumulation of metals, and other elements (both essential and non-essential) in feathers of the red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) inhabiting the volcanic island of La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain) was investigated in relation to the recent eruption of the Tajogaite volcano (2021). We analyzed feathers developed before and during the eruption, along with samples of volcanic ash, to assess the elemental composition and its variation in response to the event. Element concentrations (including Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, V, and Zn) were measured via ICP-MS after acid digestion. We found a marked increase in concentrations of Al, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni, Sr, and V in feathers developed during the eruption, indicating enhanced exposure related to recent volcanic activity. A strong correlation between ash and feather elemental composition was found, especially in feathers developed during the eruption. These results suggest that volcanic activity significantly influences the elemental exposure of local bird populations, both chronically and acutely. This study highlights the utility of chough feathers as non-invasive bioindicators for monitoring environmental contamination associated with volcanic activity in La Palma. The role of this emblematic species of La Palma as an effective sentinel of environmental health is emphasized. |
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