- Effects of contaminants on physiology, growth and survival of wild passerine birds

PI: Silvia Espín Luján

This project aims to evaluate contaminant exposure and related effects on physiological parameters, growth and survival of passerines in the wild. For this purpose, we established more than 150 nest-boxes in different scenarios in Murcia (Spain).

Link to Population in Murcia

- Effects of metals on antioxidant status, calcium metabolism and biochemistry in wild birds / Fundación Séneca

PI: Silvia Espín Luján

The main aim of this project is to assess the pathogenic mechanisms and effects of metal pollution on the health of wild bird individuals and populations inhabiting ecosystems affected by mining activities. We are working with different wild bird species, including eagle owl, little owl, red-necked nightjar, Eurasian blackbird and feral pigeon, among others.

Link to Project Summary

- European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility, ERBFacility / COST Action 16224

Chair: Guy Duke

We are an open network of researchers and practitioners working towards coordinated Europe-wide monitoring of contaminants in raptors (birds of prey) with a view to supporting the implementation of EU chemicals regulations and thereby reducing chemical risks to raptors themselves, to the wider environment and to human health.

Link to the COST Action webpage

- New inshights in the Anticoagulant Rodenticides Risk Assessment on Non-Target Species / Fundación Séneca

PI: A.J. García Fernández & P. Gómez Ramírez

Our main aim is to improve ecological and toxicological risk assessment of secondary exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) and their mixtures in free-living non-target predatory and scavenger species.

More info here

1. I. Valverde; S. Espín; P. Gómez-Ramírez; I. Navas; P. María-Mojica; P. Sánchez-Virosta; P. Jiménez; M.Y. Torres-Chaparro; A.J. García-Fernández. 2021. Wildlife poisoning: a novel scoring system and review of analytical methods for anticoagulant rodenticide determination. Ecotoxicology. 30(5), pp. 767-782. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-021-02411-8
2. M. Dulsat-Masvidal, R. Lourenço, S. Lacorte, M. D'Amico, T. Albayrak, J. Andevski, A. Aradis, E. Baltag, O. Berger-Tal, P. Berny, Y. Choresh, G. Duke, S. Espín, A.J. García-Fernández, P. Gómez-Ramírez, G.T. Hallgrimsson, V. Jaspers, U. Johansson, A. Kovacs, O. Krone, M. Leivits, E. Martínez-López, R. Mateo, P. Movalli, P. Sánchez-Virosta, R.F. Shore, J. Valkama, A. Vrezec, S. Xirouchakis, L.A. Walker, C. Wernham. 2021. A review of constraints and solutions for collecting raptor samples and contextual data for a European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility. Science of the Total Environment. Accepted.
3. V. Laine; M. Verschuuren; K. van Oers; S. Espín; P. Sánchez-Virosta; T. Eeva; S. Ruuskanen. 2021. Does arsenic contamination affect DNA methylation patterns in a wild bird population? An experimental approach. Environmental Science & Technology. In press.
4. S. Espín; J. Andevski; G. Duke; et al; A.J. García-Fernández. 2021. A schematic sampling protocol for contaminant monitoring in raptors. Ambio. 50, pp. 95-100, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-020-01341-9
5. S. Espín; P. Sánchez-Virosta. 2021. A review of metal-induced effects on vitamins A, E and D3 in birds. Ecotoxicology. Online, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-020-02296-z.
6. A.J. García-Fernández; S. Espín; P. Gómez-Ramírez; P. Sánchez-Virosta; I. Navas. 2021. Water quality and Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs). Book: Chemometrics and Cheminformatics in Aquatic Toxicology. Kunal Roy Ed. Wiley.
7. P. Gómez-Ramírez; S. Espín; M. León-Ortega; F. Botella; J.F. Calvo; P. Jiménez; P. María-Mojica; J.E. Martínez; I. Navas; J.M. Pérez-García; J.A. Sánchez-Zapata; A. Taliansky; N. Van Den Brink; E. Martínez-López; A.J. García-Fernández. 2021. A 25 years overview of the contaminant exposure and effects in Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) from southern Spain. AIRO 29, pp. 145-167.
8. T. Eeva; N. Raivikko; S. Espín; P. Sánchez-Virosta; S. Ruuskanen; J. Sorvari; M. Rainio. 2020. Bird feces as indicators of metal pollution: pitfalls and solutions. Toxics 8(4), pp. 124, https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics8040124
9. S. Espín; P. Sánchez-Virosta; S. Ruiz; T. Eeva. 2020. Female oxidative status in relation to calcium availability, metal pollution and offspring development in a wild passerine. Environmental Pollution. 260, pp.113921.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.113921
10. A.J. García-Fernández; S. Espín; P. Gómez-Ramírez; E. Martínez-López; I. Navas. 2020. Wildlife Sentinels for Human and Environmental Health Hazards in Ecotoxicological Risk Assessment. Book: Ecotoxicological QSARs. Kunal Roy Ed. Springer.Springer. 978-1-07-160150-1.
11. S. Espín; P. Sánchez-Virosta; J.M. Zamora-Marín; et al; A.J. García-Fernández. 2020. Physiological effects of toxic elements on a wild nightjar species. Environmental Pollution. 263, pp.114568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114568
12. S. Espín; P. Sánchez-Virosta; J.M. Zamora-Marín; et al; A.J. García-Fernández. 2020. Toxic elements in blood of red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis) inhabiting differently polluted environments. Environmental Pollution. 262, pp.114334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114334
13. I. Valverde; S. Espín; P. Gómez-Ramírez; I. Navas; P. Sánchez-Virosta; M.Y. Torres-Chaparro; P. Jiménez; P. María-Mojica; A.J. García-Fernández. 2020. Temporal persistence of bromadiolone in decomposing bodies of Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). Toxics. 8(4), 98. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics8040098
14. I. Valverde; S. Espín; P. María-Mojica; A.J. García-Fernández. 2020. Protocol to classify the stages of carcass decomposition and estimate the time of death in small-size raptors. European Journal of Wildlife Research. 66-93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-020-01429-3
15. S. Albertos; N.I. Berenguer; P. Sánchez-Virosta; et al; S. Espín. 2020. Mercury Exposure in Birds Linked to Marine Ecosystems in the Western Mediterranean. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 79, pp. 435-453, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-020-00768-1
16. P. Sánchez-Virosta; S. Espín; S. Ruiz; et al; T. Eeva. 2020. Arsenic-related oxidative stress in experimentally-dosed wild great tit nestlings. Environmental Pollution. 259, pp.113813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113813
17. P. Sánchez-Virosta; M. León-Ortega; J.F. Calvo; et al; S. Espín. 2020. Blood concentrations of 50 elements in Eagle owl (Bubo bubo) at different contamination scenarios and related effects on plasma vitamin levels. Environmental Pollution. 265, pp.115012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115012
18. T. Eeva; S. Espín; P. Sánchez-Virosta; M. Rainio. 2020. Weather effects on breeding parameters of two insectivorous passerines in a polluted area. Science of the Total Environment. 138913, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138913
19. P. Gómez-Ramírez*; S. Espín*; I. Navas; E. Martínez-López; P. Jiménez; P. María-Mojica; J. Peñalver; A.J. García-Fernández. 2020. Mercury and Organochlorine Pesticides in Tissues of Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) Stranded Along the Southwestern Mediterranean Coastline (Andalusia, Spain). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 104, pp.559–567, (*Co-first authors). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-020-02822-z
20. G.F. Aver; S. Espín; R. De Boni Dal Corno; A.J. García-Fernández; M.V. Petry. 2020. Organochlorine pesticides in feathers of three raptor species in southern Brazil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 27, pp.5971-5980. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-07370-6
21. A. Culina; F. Adriaensen; M. Burgess; A. Charmantier; E. Cole; T. Eeva; E. Matthysen; C. Nater; B. Sheldon; B. Sæther; S. Vriend; …S. Espín; et al. 2020. Connected data landscape of long-term ecological studies: the SPI-Birds data hub. Journal of Animal Ecology. Online. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13388
22. P. Sánchez-Virosta; S. Espín; S. Ruiz; J. Stauffer; M. Kanerva; A.J. García-Fernández; T. Eeva. 2019. Effects of calcium supplementation on oxidative stress and oxidative damage in great tit nestlings inhabiting a metal-polluted area. Environmental Research. Elsevier. 171, pp.484-492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2019.01.047
23. I. Valverde; S. Espín; I. Navas; P. María-Mojica; J.M. Gil; A.J. García-Fernández. 2019. Lead exposure in common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna): Tracking the success of the Pb shot ban for hunting in Spanish wetlands. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 106, pp.147-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2019.05.002
24. P. Movalli et al. 2019. Progress on bringing together raptor collections in Europe for contaminant research and monitoring in relation to chemicals regulation. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05340-6
25. S. Ruuskanen; S. Espín; P. Sánchez-Virosta; et al; T. Eeva. 2019. Transgenerational endocrine disruption: does elemental pollution affect egg or nestling thyroid hormone levels in a wild songbird? Environmental Pollution. 247, pp.725-735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.01.088
26. S. Espín; J. Terraube; B. Arroyo; et al; F. Mougeot. 2018. Blood concentrations of p,p’-DDE and PCBs in harriers breeding in Spain and Kazakhstan. Science of the Total Environment. Elsevier. 624, pp.1287-1297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.210
27. P. Sánchez Virosta; S. Espín; S. Ruiz; J-P. Salminen; A.J. García Fernández; Tapio Eeva. 2018. Experimental manipulation of dietary arsenic levels in great tit nestlings: accumulation pattern and effects on growth, survival and plasma biochemistry. Environmental Pollution. 233, pp.764-773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.113
28. T. Eeva; H. Holmström; S. Espín; P. Sánchez-Virosta; T. Klemola. 2018. Leaves, berries and herbivorous larvae of bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus as sources of metals in food chains at a Cu-Ni smelter site. Chemosphere. 210, pp.859-866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.07.099
29. A. Malik; N. Dharaiya; S. Espín. 2018. Is current information on organochlorine exposure sufficient to conserve birds in India? Ecotoxicology. Springer. 27-8, pp.1137-1149. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-018-1969-6
30. S. Espín; P. Sánchez-Virosta; A.J. García-Fernández; T. Eeva. 2017. A microplate adaptation of the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay to determine lipid peroxidation fluorometrically in small sample volumes. Revista de Toxicología. 34, pp.94-98.
31. F. Lisón; S. Espín; B. Aroca; J.F. Calvo; A.J. García Fernández. 2017. Assessment of mercury exposure and maternal-foetal transfer in Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera: Miniopteridae) from southeastern Iberian Peninsula. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 24-6, pp.5497-5508. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-8271-z
32. E. Tatay; S. Espín; A.J. García Fernández; M.J. Ruiz. 2017. Estrogenic activity of zearalenone, α-zearalenol and β-zearalenol assessed using the E-Screen assay in MCF-7 cells. Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods. 28, pp.239-242. https://doi.org/10.1080/15376516.2017.1395501
33. E. Martínez López; P. Gómez Ramírez; S. Espín; M.P. Aldeguer; A.J. García Fernández. 2017. Influence of a former mining area in the heavy metals concentrations in blood of free-living Mediterranean pond turtles (Mauremys leprosa). Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 99-2, pp.167-172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-017-2122-6
34. E. Tatay; S. Espín; A.J. García Fernández; M.J. Ruiz. 2017. Oxidative damage and disturbance of antioxidant capacity by zearalenone and its metabolites in human cells. Toxicology in Vitro. 45, pp.334-339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tiv.2017.04.026
35. S. Espín; S. Ruiz; P. Sánchez Virosta; T. Lilley; T. Eeva. 2017. Oxidative status in relation to metal pollution and calcium availability in pied flycatcher nestlings – A calcium manipulation experiment. Environmental Pollution. 229, pp.448-458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.05.094
36. T. Eeva; S. Espín; S. Ruiz; P. Sánchez Virosta; M. Rainio. 2017. Polluted environment does not speed up age-related change in reproductive performance of the pied flycatcher. Journal of Ornithology. 159, pp.173-182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-017-1487-y
37. S. Ruiz; S. Espín; P. Sánchez Virosta; J-P. Salminen; T. Lilley; T. Eeva. 2017. Vitamin profiles in two free-living passerine birds under a metal pollution gradient - a calcium supplementation experiment. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 138, pp.242-252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2016.12.037
38. S. Espín; S. Ruiz; P. Sánchez-Virosta; T. Eeva. 2016. Effects of calcium supplementation on growth and biochemistry in two passerine species breeding in a Ca-poor and metal-polluted area. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 23-10, pp.9809-9821. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6219-y
39. S. Ruiz; S. Espín; M. Rainio; S. Ruuskanen; J.-P. Salminen; T. Lilley; T. Eeva. 2016. Effects of dietary lead exposure on vitamin levels in great tit nestlings - An experimental manipulation. Environmental Pollution. 13, pp.688-697. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.03.042
40. S. Espín; S. Ruiz; P. Sánchez-Virosta; J.P. Salminen; T. Eeva. 2016. Effects of experimental calcium availability and anthropogenic metal pollution on eggshell characteristics and yolk carotenoid and vitamin levels in two passerine birds. Chemosphere. 151, pp.189-201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.02.074
41. P. Gómez Ramírez; E. Martínez López; S. Espín; P. Jiménez; P. María Mojica; J.M. Pérez García; M. León Ortega; A.J. García Fernández. 2016. Haematocrit and blood biochemical parameters in free-living Eurasian eagle owls (Bubo bubo) from Southeastern Spain: study of age and sex differences. European Journal of Wildlife Research. 62-5, pp.557-564. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-016-1028-7
42. S. Espín; E. Martínez-López; P. Jiménez; P. María-Mojica; A.J. García-Fernández. 2016. Interspecific differences in the antioxidant capacity of two Laridae species exposed to metals. Environmental Research. 147, pp.115-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2016.01.029
43. S. Espín; A.J. García-Fernández; D. Herzke; et al; N.W. van den Brink. 2016. Tracking pan-continental trends in environmental contamination using sentinel raptors — what types of samples should we use? Ecotoxicology. 25-4, pp.777-801. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-016-1636-8
44. E. Martínez-López; S. Espín; F. Barbar; S.A. Lambertucci; P. Gómez-Ramírez; A.J. García-Fernández. 2015. Contaminants in the southern tip of South America: analysis of organochlorine compounds in feathers of avian scavengers from Argentinean Patagonia. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 115, pp.83-92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.02.011
45. S. Espín; E. Martínez-López; P. Jiménez; P. María-Mojica; A.J. García-Fernández. 2015. Delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (δALAD) activity in four free-living bird species exposed to different levels of lead under natural conditions. Environmental Research. 137, pp.185-198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2014.12.017
46. P. Sánchez-Virosta; S. Espín; A.J. García-Fernández; T. Eeva. 2015. A review on exposure and effects of arsenic in passerine birds. Science of the Total Environment. Elsevier. 512-513, pp.506-525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.01.069
47. S. Espín; E. Martínez-López; P. Jiménez; P. María-Mojica; A.J. García-Fernández. 2014. Effects of heavy metals on biomarkers for oxidative stress in Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus). Environmental Research. 129, pp.59-68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2013.11.008
48. S. Espín; E. Martínez-López; M. León-Ortega; J.F. Calvo; A.J. García-Fernández. 2014. Factors that influence mercury concentrations in nestling Eagle Owls (Bubo bubo). Science of The Total Environment. 470-471, pp.1132-1139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.10.063
49. S. Espín; E. Martínez-López; M. León-Ortega; J.E. Martínez; A.J. García-Fernández. 2014. Oxidative stress biomarkers in Eurasian Eagle owls (Bubo bubo) in three different scenarios of heavy metal exposure. Environmental Research. 131, pp.134-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2014.03.015
50. S. Espín; A.J. García-Fernández. 2014. Azathioprine. Wexler, P. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Toxicology, 3rd edition. Elsevier Inc., Academic Press. 1, pp.347-350.
51. S. Espín; A.J. García-Fernández. 2014. Nitrapyrin. Wexler, P. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Toxicology, 3rd edition. Elsevier Inc., Academic Press. 1, pp.519-522.
52. A.J. García-Fernández; S. Espín; P. Gómez-Ramírez; E. Martínez-López. 2014. Oxalates. Wexler, P. (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Toxicology, 3rd edition. Elsevier Inc., Academic Press. 1, pp.730-734.
53. S. Espín; A.J. García-Fernández; D. Herzke; et al; N.W. Van den Brink. 2014. Sampling and Contaminant Monitoring Protocol for Raptors Research Networking Programme-EURAPMON (Research and monitoring for and with raptors in Europe). Environmental Science Foundation, EURAPMON. Available at http://www.eurapmon.net./results/contaminant-monitoring-protocol
54. A.J. García-Fernández*; S. Espín*; E. Martínez-López. 2013. Feathers as biomonitoring tool of polyhalogenated compounds: a review. Environmental Science and Technology. 47-7, pp.3028-3043. (*Co-first authors). https://doi.org/10.1021/es302758x
55. S. Espín; E. Martínez-López; P. María-Mojica; A.J. García-Fernández. 2012. Razorbill (Alca torda) feathers as an alternative tool for evaluating exposure to organochlorine pesticides. Ecotoxicology. 21-1, pp.183-190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-011-0777-z
56. S. Espín; E. Martínez-López; P. Gómez-Ramírez; P. María-Mojica; A.J. García-Fernández. 2012. Razorbills (Alca torda) as bioindicators of mercury pollution in the southwestern Mediterranean. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 64, pp.2461-2470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.07.045
57. S. Espín; E. Martínez-López; P. Gómez-Ramírez; P. María-Mojica; A.J. García-Fernández. 2010. Assessment of organochlorine pesticide exposure in a wintering population of razorbills (Alca torda) from the Southwestern Mediterranean. Chemosphere. 80-10, pp.1190-1198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.06.015
58. S. Espín; E. Martínez-López; P. María-Mojica; A.J. García-Fernández. 2010. Development of an analytical method for extracting organochlorine pesticides from feathers (Desarrollo de un método analítico para la extracción de plaguicidas organoclorados en plumas). Anales de Veterinaria (Murcia). Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Murcia. 26-1, pp.77-90.