EFFECT OF METAL(LOID)S ON BIOMARKERS IN BLOOD OF WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia) NESTLINGS FROM CONTINENTAL CROATIA

doctoral thesis

• Title (croatian): UČINAK METAL(OID)A NA BIOMARKERE U KRVI PTIĆA BIJELE RODE (Ciconia ciconia) NA PODRUČJU KONTINENTALNE HRVATSKE
• Author: Dora Bjedov
• Mentor: Mirna Velki (mentor)
• Mentor: Alma Mikuška (komentor)
• Committee member: Mirjana Pavlica (predsjednik povjerenstva)
• Committee member: Željka Lončarić (član povjerenstva)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2023-07-11, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology
• Universal decimal classification (UDC): 57 - Biological sciences. Physical anthropology. Biodiversity

Abstract

Apex bird species are proven to be relevant bioindicators for assessing environmental
pollutants. To achieve this, the goal of this work was to compare biomarker responses in two
fractions of white stork (Ciconia ciconia) nestling blood; establish novel biomarker approaches
(esterase, fluorescent dyes, metallothioneins), apply previously analysed biomarkers
(glutathione-dependent enzymes); investigate the differences in biomarker responses related to
metal(loid)s in white stork nestling's blood from Croatia. Results indicate differences between
the fractions in biomarker response based on variability. The pollutant impact from the
surrounding metal, petroleum, and agricultural industry appears to affect the biomarkers
responses/levels in white stork nestlings, which are often seen as early-warning signals.
Observed increased metal(loid) levels at the landfill and agricultural areas might cause adverse
effects on the nestlings. This first-time metal(loid) analyses in Croatian white stork nestlings
indicate the necessity of biomonitoring and local assessments of pollution impact to prevent
detrimental effects on the environment.

Abstract (croatian)

Bijela roda izvrsna je modelna vrsta za praćenje zagađenja u okolišu. U ovom doktorskom radu
provedeno je istraživanje odgovora biomarkera i koncentracije metal(oid)a u krvi ptića bijele
rode (Ciconia ciconia) s područja Hrvatske. Ciljevi rada su: usporediti odgovore biomarkera u
dvije frakcije krvi, uspostaviti nove protokole za mjerenje biomarkera (aktivnost esteraze,
fluorescentne boje za detekciju oksidativnog stresa i razine metalotioneina), primijeniti
prethodno analizirane biomarkere (glutation-ovisne enzime) i istražiti razlike u odgovorima
biomarkera vezanih za metal(oid)e. Rezultati ukazuju na razlike između frakcija u odgovoru
biomarkera. Moguć je utjecaj zagađivala iz okolne metalne, naftne i poljoprivredne industrije
na biomarkere u ptićima bijele rode, koji se često smatraju ranim znakovima upozorenja.
Povećane razine metal(loid)a na odlagalištima i poljoprivrednim površinama mogu uzrokovati
štetne učinke na ptiće. Ovo je prvo istraživanje metal(loid)a u ptićima bijele rode s područja
Hrvatske te ukazuju na neophodan monitoring za procjenu utjecaja zagađenja kako bi se
spriječili štetni učinci.

• Keywords: blood; birds; apex predator; biomarker; toxic metals; pollution impact
• Keywords (croatian): krv; ptice; vršni predator; biomarkeri; toksični metali; utjecaj zagađenja
• Language: english
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:908377
• Promotion: 2023
• Study programme: Title: Biology; Study programme type: university; Study level: postgraduate; Academic / professional title: doktor/doktorica znanosti, područje prirodnih znanosti, polje biologija (doktor/doktorica znanosti, područje prirodnih znanosti, polje biologija)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2023-09-06 09:48:19