Mercury contamination in gull chicks raised in natural vs. urban habitats.

Anthropogenic activities have increased pressure on marine ecosystems through the continuous overflow of pollutants like mercury (Hg). Seabirds, particularly chicks, serve as effective local bioindicators of marine ecosystem health. This study assessed the influence of trophic ecology (inferred from δC and δN values) and colony location on Hg concentrations in the blood of yellow-legged (YLG, Larus michahellis) and Audouin's (AG, Ichthyaetus audouinii) gull chicks raised in natural (YLG, AG) vs.

The role of seabird foraging strategies on the uptake of mercury: A case study using gulls and shearwaters from the Portuguese coast.

Mercury (Hg) is a non-essential element that bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in food webs through site-specific biogeochemical processes. Seabirds are valuable bioindicators of Hg contamination, yet certain regions, like the Portuguese coast, remain underrepresented. This study measured Hg concentrations in the blood of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis), Audouin's gulls (Ichthyaetus audouinii), and Cory's shearwaters (Calonectris borealis) breeding along the Portuguese coastline.

Assessing the impacts of trace element contamination on the physiology and health of seabirds breeding along the western and southern coasts of Portugal.

Coastal seabirds serve as sentinels of ecosystem health due to their vulnerability to contamination from human activities. However, our understanding on how contaminant burdens affect the physiological and health condition of seabirds is still scarce, raising the uncertainty on the species' vulnerability vs tolerance to environmental contamination. Here, we quantified 15 Trace Elements (TE) in the blood of gull (yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis and Audouin's gull Ichthyaetus audouinii) and shearwater (Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis) adults, breeding in five colonies along the Portuguese coastline.

Pediatric Organ and Tissue Donation-A 10-Year Retrospective Study in Portugal.

Organ and tissue donation can transform lives. One donor can ensure the survival of up to 8 people through their organs and improve the quality of life for dozens more through tissue donation. Portugal has an excellent transplantation rate, but deaths still occur while waiting for an organ.

Ingestion of anthropogenic materials by yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) in natural, urban, and landfill sites along Portugal in relation to diet composition.

Pollution is a global concern, increasing rapidly throughout marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and affecting many species. Urbanization enhances waste production, leading to the opening of landfills that constitute a spatially and temporally predictable food source for opportunistic species. Several species of gulls are known to exploit and breed in urban areas, taking advantage of accessible and diverse food resources.

Characterization of anthropogenic materials on yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) nests breeding in natural and urban sites along the coast of Portugal.

Anthropogenic materials are a persistent pressure on ecosystems, affecting many species. Seabirds can collect these materials to construct their nests, which may modify nest characteristics and cause entanglement of chicks and adults, with possible consequences on breeding success. The incorporation of anthropogenic materials in nests of seabird species that breed in both natural and urban environments, such as gulls, is poorly known.