Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Lead pollution from hunting ammunition in Argentina and current state of lead shot replacement efforts

  • Lead Use in Hunting
  • Published:
Ambio Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Waterfowl hunting in Argentina is a profitable industry that attracts hunters from all over the world. Most hunting occurs as high-end hunting tourism, through which registered outfitters service predominantly foreign clients on private lands. Lead pollution from hunting ammunition is increasingly recognized as a significant local problem, impacting wildlife, aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and extending to vulnerable human rural communities. Regulatory frameworks that restrict lead shot use are a budding success story but remain challenged by their constrained geographic range and limited compliance rooted in unavailable nontoxic ammunition. Changes in hunting practices in Argentina are long overdue.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. http://catcyc.org.ar/index.php.

  2. https://www.lanacion.com.ar/1881738-palomeros-para-los-extranjeros-la-meca-de-la-caza-de-aves-esta-en-la-argentina.

  3. Resolution 123/16 https://www.santafe.gov.ar/index.php/web/content/view/full/222271/(subtema)/210019.

  4. https://www.daviddenies.com/bird-hunting-by-lodge/pica-zuro-lodge/.

  5. http://www.sanjavierenreflejos.com.ar/?p=137.

  6. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS), Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica.

  7. Cámara de empresas de turismo cinegético y pesca deportiva de la provincia de Santa Fe.

  8. Resolution 123/16 https://www.santafe.gov.ar/index.php/web/content/view/full/222271/(subtema)/210019.

  9. Resolution 10/19 http://www.santafe.gob.ar/index.php/web/content/download/251068/1318769/file/HABILITACION%20CAZA%20DEPORTIVA%202019-%2014821-6.pdf.

  10. Resolution No. 1115/2011. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=2ahUKEwjJ8sb04ZrgAhVlGLkGHelxDNwQFjAAegQIAxAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cba.gov.ar%2Fwp-content%2F4p96humuzp%2F2014%2F07%2FRes.-1115-Turismo-cinegetico.pdf&usg=AOvVaw3hhyQPj1lbp_KXc_-3H_Zq.

  11. Resolution No. 63/13 http://www.gob.gba.gov.ar/legislacion/legislacion/opds-13-63.html.

  12. Resolution 7/2016 http://cofema.ambiente.gob.ar/?aplicacion=normativa&IdNorma=1602&IdSeccion=32.

  13. Servicios y Aventuras (https://serviciosyaventuras.com.ar/), Tucumán, Argentina. March 20th, 2019.

  14. https://www.custodiosdelterritorio.com.ar/.

References

  • Arnemo, J.M., O. Andersen, S. Stokke, V.G. Thomas, O. Krone, D.J. Pain, and R. Mateo. 2016. Health and environmental risks from lead-based ammunition: science versus socio-politics. EcoHealth 13: 618–622. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-016-1177-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Avery, D., and T. Watson. 2009. Regulation of lead-based ammunition around the world. In Ingestion of lead from spent ammunition: Implications for wildlife and humans, ed. R.T. Watson, M. Fuller, M. Pokras, and W.G. Hunt, 161–168. Boise: The Peregrine Fund. https://doi.org/10.4080/ilsa.2009.0115.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Benzaquén, L., D.E. Blanco, R. Bo, P. Kandus, G. Lingua, P. Minotti, and R. Quintana (eds.). 2017. Wetland regions of Argentina. San Martin: Ministerio de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable, Fundación Humedales/Wetlands International, Universidad Nacional de San Martín y Universidad de Buenos Aires (in Spanish). ISBN 978-987-29811-6-7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Birdlife International. 2017. Vultur gryphus. The IUCN red list of threatened species 2017: E.T22697641A117360971. Cambridge: Birdlife International. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Camus, A.C., M.M. Mitchell, J.F. Williams, and P.H. Jowett. 1998. Elevated lead levels in farmed American alligators Alligator Mississippiensis consuming nutria Myocastor coypus meat contaminated by lead bullets. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 29: 370–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caselli, A., A. Tammone, M. Guerrero, M.E. Funes, and C. Ramírez. 2018. Strategic Sites for Birds and Education. In Conclusiones de las VI Jornadas de Extensión de MERCOSUR. I Coloquio regional de la reforma universitaria: 2018, ed. D.E. Herrero. Tandil: Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (in Spanish). ISBN 978-950-658-448-1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cromie, R.L., J.L. Newth, J.P. Reeves, M.F. O’Brien, K.M. Beckmann, and M.J. Brown. 2015. The sociological and political aspects of reducing lead poisoning from ammunition in the UK: why the transition to non-toxic ammunition is so difficult. In Proceedings of the Oxford lead symposium. Lead ammunition: Understanding and minimising the risks to human and environmental health, eds. R.J. Delahay and C.J. Spray, 104–124. Oxford: Edward Grey Institute, The University of Oxford.

  • Ferreyra, H., M. Romano, and M. Uhart. 2009. Recent and chronic exposure of wild ducks to lead in human-modified wetlands in Santa Fe Province, Argentina. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 45: 823–827. https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-45.3.823.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreyra, H., M. Romano, P. Beldoménico, A. Caselli, A. Correa, and M. Uhart. 2014. Lead gunshot pellet ingestion and tissue lead levels in wild ducks from Argentine hunting hotspots. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 103: 74–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2013.10.015.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreyra, H., P. Beldoménico, K. Marchese, M. Romano, A. Caselli, A. Correa, and M. Uhart. 2015. Lead exposure affects health indices in free-ranging ducks in Argentina. Ecotoxicology 24: 735–745. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-015-1419-7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friend, M., J.C. Franson, and W.L. Anderson. 2009. Biological and societal dimensions of lead poisoning in birds in the USA. In Ingestion of lead from spent ammunition: Implications for wildlife and humans, ed. R.T. Watson, M. Fuller, M. Pokras, and W.G. Hunt, 34–60. Boise: The Peregrine Fund. https://doi.org/10.4080/ilsa.2009.0104.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Giraudo, A.R., V. Arzamendia, G.P. Bellini, M. Chiaraviglio, G. Cardozo, P. Rivera, and V. Di Cola. 2012. Eunectes notaeus Cope, 1862. Curiyú/Yellow Anaconda. In Categorización del estado de conservación de la herpetofauna de la República Argentina. Ficha de los Taxones. Serpientes. Cuadernos de Herpetología 26: 327–374 (in Spanish).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hampton, J.O., M. Laidlaw, E. Buenz, and J.M. Arnemo. 2018. Heads in the sand: public health and ecological risks of lead-based bullets for wildlife shooting in Australia. Wildlife Research 45: 287–306. https://doi.org/10.1071/wr17180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanstrup, N. 2015. Practical and social barriers to switching from lead to non-toxic gunshot—A perspective from the EU. In Proceedings of the Oxford Lead Symposium. Lead ammunition: Understanding and minimising the risks to human and environmental health, eds. R.J. Delahay and C.J. Spray, 98–103. Oxford: Edward Grey Institute, The University of Oxford.

  • Kanstrup, N., and V.G. Thomas. 2019. Availability and prices of non-lead gunshot cartridges in the European retail market. In Lead in hunting ammunition: Persistent problems and solutions, eds. N. Kanstrup, V.G. Thomas, and A.D. Fox, Ambio vol. 48, Special Issue. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01151-8.

  • Kanstrup, N., J. Swift, D.A. Stroud, and M. Lewis. 2018. Hunting with lead ammunition is not sustainable: European perspectives. Ambio 47: 846–857. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-018-1042-y.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lambertucci, S.A., J.A. Donázar, A.D. Huertas, B. Jiménez, M. Sáez, J.A. Sanchez-Zapata, and F. Hiraldo. 2011. Widening the problem of lead poisoning to a South-American top scavenger: Lead concentrations in feathers of wild Andean condors. Biological Conservation 144: 1464–1471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lance, V.A., T.R. Horn, R.M. Elsey, and A. De Peyster. 2006. Chronic incidental lead ingestion in a group of captive-reared alligators (Alligator mississippiensis): possible contribution to reproductive failure. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part C: Toxicology & Pharmacology 142: 30–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mateo, R. 2009. Lead poisoning in wild birds in Europe and the regulations adopted by different Countries. In Ingestion of lead from spent ammunition: Implications for wildlife and humans, ed. R.T. Watson, M. Fuller, M. Pokras, and W.G. Hunt, 71–98. Boise: The Peregrine Fund. https://doi.org/10.4080/ilsa.2009.0107.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Mateo, R., A. Martlnez-Vilalta, and R. Guitart. 1997. Lead shot pellets in the Ebro Delta, Spain: densities in sediments and prevalence of exposure in waterfowl. Environmental Pollution 96: 335–341.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mateo, R., N. Vallverdú-Coll, A. López-Antia, M.A. Taggart, M. Martínez-Haro, R. Guitart, and M.E. Ortiz-Santaliestra. 2014. Reducing Pb poisoning in birds and Pb exposure in game meat consumers: The dual benefit of effective Pb shot regulation. Environment International 63: 163–168.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Natalini, M. B., R. Berisso, and A. Caselli. 2014. Bone strength in three species of wild ducks exposed to chronic lead pollution from hunting ammunition. Undergraduate thesis, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, UNICEN. https://biblio.unicen.edu.ar//biblioteca/thesis/61094-1.pdf. Accessed Jan 2019 (in Spanish).

  • Pain, J.D. 1990. Lead shot ingestion by waterbirds in the Camargue, France: An investigation of levels and interspecific differences. Environmental Pollution 66: 273–285.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rago M.V., H. Ferreyra, T. Waller, M. Barros, J. Draque, P. Micucci, C.A. Gabrielle, G. Brandi, P.M. Beldoménico, and M. Uhart. 2012. Health assessment in Yellow Anacondas (Eunectes Notaeus): A fundamental component for the sustainable use of this emblematic species in Argentina. In X Congreso Internacional de Manejo de Fauna Silvestre en la Amazonía y América Latina; Salta, Argentina. Proceedings, 163–164. http://www.comfauna.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Resumenes-del-XCIMFAUNA.pdf. Accessed Feb 2019 (in Spanish).

  • Romano, M., H. Ferreyra, G. Ferreyroa, F.V. Molina, A. Caselli, I. Barberis, P. Beldoménico, and M. Uhart. 2016. Lead pollution from waterfowl hunting in wetlands and rice fields in Argentina. Science of the Total Environment 545: 104–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.075.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rubio, M., A. Germanier, M.F. Mera, S.N. Faudone, R.D. Sbarato, J.M. Campos, V. Zampar, E. Bonzi, and C.A. Pérez. 2014. Study of lead levels in soils by weathering of metallic Pb bullets used in dove hunting in Córdoba, Argentina. X-Ray Spectrometry 43: 186–192. https://doi.org/10.1002/xrs.2539.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salazar, M.J., J.H. Rodriguez, G.L. Nieto, and M.L. Pignata. 2012. Effects of heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Zn and Pb) in agricultural soils near different emission sources on quality, accumulation and food safety in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]. Journal of Hazardous Materials 233: 244–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.07.026.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tranel, M.A., and R.O. Kimmel. 2009. Impacts of lead ammunition on wildlife, the environment, and human health—A literature review and implications for Minnesota. In Ingestion of lead from spent ammunition: Implications for wildlife and humans, ed. R.T. Watson, M. Fuller, M. Pokras, and W.G. Hunt, 318–337. Boise: The Peregrine Fund.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wannaz, E.D., H.A. Carreras, J.H. Rodriguez, and M.L. Pignata. 2012. Use of biomonitors for the identification of heavy metals emission sources. Ecological Indicators 20: 163–169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.02.022.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wiemeyer, G.M., M.A. Pérez, L.T. Bianchini, L. Sampietro, G.F. Bravo, N.L. Jácome, V. Astore, and S.A. Lambertucci. 2017. Repeated conservation threats across the Americas: High levels of blood and bone lead in the Andean Condor widen the problem to a continental scale. Environmental Pollution 220: 672–679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.10.025.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zaccagnini, M.E. 2002. Ducks in rice farms from Northeastern Argentina: Plague or resource for hunting and sustainable tourism? In 1st workshop on waterfowl hunting. Towards a strategy for the sustainable use of wetland resources, ed. D.E. Blanco, J. Beltrán, and V. de la Balze, 35–57. Buenos Aires: Wetlands International (in Spanish).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaccagnini, M.E., and J.J. Venturino. 1992. Ducks in Argentina—A pest or a tourist hunting resource? A lesson for sustainable use. In Waterfowl and Wetland Conservation in the 1990s—A global perspective, Proceedings IWRB Symposium, St. Petersburg Beach, IWRB special publ. no. 26, eds. M. Moser, R.C. Prentice, and J. van Vessem, 97–101. Great Britain: Slimbridge.

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was possible because of the drive and commitment of more people than can be named here. Special thanks are due to N. Kanstrup and W.G. Conway for inspiring us to take on this challenging problem; to C. Kreuder Johnson, T. Kelly, K. Gilardi, and J. Mazet for encouragement and assurance; and to W. Karesh, S. Alexander, H. Lee, D. McAloose, K. Conley, C. Rodrigues, P. Calle, B. Raphael, and W. Weisman for friendship and daily support, especially during the tough, early years. We thank J. Uhart for unrelenting praise and support and many translations; P. Beldoménico for research design and analytical support; and numerous volunteers and students for their dedicated help. We offer our thanks to our institutions for allowing and backing our engagement in this effort, particularly the Wildlife Conservation Society where M.U., H.F., M.R., and A.C. were based at the onset of this path. We applaud Santa Fe province for leading the change with conviction, and we commend F. Roberti for pioneering steel shot manufacture in Argentina. We are grateful to the Community-based Territory Conservation Program (CTCP) for their education and conservation actions to protect wetlands and biodiversity, essential for a better and sustainable future. We recognize collaborators L.T. Andersen, A. Saint Antonin, R. Biasatti, M. Parvellotti, P. Favre, and R. Banchs who offered trust and a platform for our work, and the many officers and stakeholders who give us hope that policy and practices will soon change.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, 1089 Veterinary Medicine Drive, VM3B Ground Floor, Davis, CA, 95616, USA

    Marcela Uhart

  2. Instituto de Ciencia Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Nacional de Villa Maria, Obispo Ferreyra 411, Villa del Rosario, 5963, Córdoba, Argentina

    Hebe del Valle Ferreyra

  3. Centro de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Ambiente “Ecosur”, Pje. Sunchales 329, 2000, Rosario, Argentina

    Marcelo Romano

  4. San Javier Municipality, Av. J. Migno e Independencia, 3005, San Javier, Argentina

    Ayelén Muchiutti

  5. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNICEN), Pinto 399, 7000, Tandil, Argentina

    Silvia Alzuagaray & Andrea Caselli

  6. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNICEN), Pinto 399, 7000, Tandil, Argentina

    Martín Santiago

Authors
  1. Marcela Uhart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hebe del Valle Ferreyra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marcelo Romano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ayelén Muchiutti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Silvia Alzuagaray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Martín Santiago
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Andrea Caselli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marcela Uhart.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Uhart, M., Ferreyra, H.d., Romano, M. et al. Lead pollution from hunting ammunition in Argentina and current state of lead shot replacement efforts. Ambio 48, 1015–1022 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01178-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-019-01178-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation