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Trace metals and metalloids in Andean flamingos (Phoenicoparrus andinus) and Puna flamingos (P. jamesi) at two wetlands with different risk of exposure in the Bolivian Altiplano

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Abstract

Birds are widely used as bioindicators in monitoring programs in wetlands. We compare concentrations of seven trace metals and metalloids (TMM) As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Znin both feathers and blood in two flamingo species in two high-altitude wetlands in Bolivia, with different levels of anthropogenic point source pollution. Lake Uru Uru (LUU) receives discharges from mining operations, and also effluents from the nearby city of Oruro, while Laguna Colorada (LCo) does not receive contaminants from anthropogenic sources. We sampled water and sediments at each site, as well as flamingos in three age classes in an effort to establish a benchmark for long-term monitoring. Metal concentrations in water did not differ between sites, whereas Zn and Pb concentrations of TMM in sediments were higher at LUU, and Hg higher at LCo. TMM concentrations were highly specific for all separate elements, but results point to differences between Andean flamingo (Phoenicoparrus andinus) chicks and the rest of the classes considered. As flamingo chicks did not molt before sampling, we pose that TMM concentrations in their blood and feathers may respond mainly to local conditions. Eggshells provide additional information, since adults transfer some TMM during egg development. Long-term monitoring in these species should include different age classes and sample both feathers and eggshells to monitor the environmental conditions and bioaccumulation of TMM in these species. Future studies should include sites devoid of natural sources of TMM to help distinguish sources of contamination, since some TMM (As and Pb) may be naturally in high concentrations in remote areas, like Laguna Colorada.

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Acknowledgements

Fernando Guerra and Basilio Alvarez assisted with fieldwork. Flavia Montaño helped with the MANOVA analyses. Research and collection permits were obtained from the Dirección General de Biodiversidad y Áreas Protegidas, and Servicio Nacional de Áreas Protegidas of the Bolivian government. Marcela Uhart, Ignacio Rodríguez-Jorquera, Carlos Molina, Mónica Olivera, Marisol Buenfil, Marcelo Romano, Chad Seewagen, and Darío Achá provided helpful comments that improved an earlier version of this manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by Minera Escondida Ltda.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Estudios en Biología Teórica y Aplicada – BIOTA, Av, Las Retamas No. 15, Zona de Cota Cota, La Paz, Bolivia

    O. Rocha, L. F. Pacheco, G. R. Ayala & F. Varela

  2. Colección Boliviana de Fauna, Instituto de Ecología, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Campus Universitario, Calle 27, Cota Cota, Casilla 10077, Correo Central, La Paz, Bolivia

    L. F. Pacheco

  3. Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, American Museum of Natural History, 200 Central Park West, New York, NY, 10024, USA

    F. Arengo

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  1. O. Rocha
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  3. G. R. Ayala
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  4. F. Varela
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  5. F. Arengo
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O. Rocha designed the study. O. Rocha, Glenda Ayala, and Franklin Varela collected field and laboratory data. Luis Pacheco analyzed data and along with Omar Rocha wrote the first draft of the manuscript. Felicity Arengo followed the whole process. All authors edited the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to L. F. Pacheco.

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The project that includes capture and management of flamingos has been reviewed and approved by Bolivian authorities more than a decade ago. No official certificate was issued at that time.

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All authors approved the manuscript submission.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Rocha, O., Pacheco, L.F., Ayala, G.R. et al. Trace metals and metalloids in Andean flamingos (Phoenicoparrus andinus) and Puna flamingos (P. jamesi) at two wetlands with different risk of exposure in the Bolivian Altiplano. Environ Monit Assess 193, 535 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09340-3

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