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March 28, 2024 article Open access Aachen paper

Significant Turning Point: Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) Exposure to Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides in the United Kingdom

Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 58, pp. 6093–6104

DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09052 Full text (OA) OpenAlex

Abstract

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are widely used to control rodent populations, resulting in the serious secondary exposure of predators to these contaminants. In the United Kingdom (UK), professional use and purchase of SGARs were revised in the 2010s. Certain highly toxic SGARs have been authorized since then to be used outdoors around buildings as resistance-breaking chemicals under risk mitigation procedures. However, it is still uncertain whether and how these regulatory changes have influenced the secondary exposure of birds of prey to SGARs. Based on biomonitoring of the UK Common Buzzard ( Buteo buteo ) collected from 2001 to 2019, we assessed the temporal trend of exposure to SGARs and statistically determined potential turning points. The magnitude of difenacoum decreased over time with a seasonal fluctuation, while the magnitude and prevalence of more toxic brodifacoum, authorized to be used outdoors around buildings after the regulatory changes, increased. The summer of 2016 was statistically identified as a turning point for exposure to brodifacoum and summed SGARs that increased after this point. This time point coincided with the aforementioned regulatory changes. Our findings suggest a possible shift in SGAR use to brodifacoum from difenacoum over the decades, which may pose higher risks of impacts on wildlife.

Authors 19

  1. Shinji Ozaki corresponding

    UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

    Affiliation as printed

    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom

  2. Paola Movalli Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center

    Naturalis Biodiversity Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, Netherlands

  3. Alessandra Cincinelli

    University of Florence

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Florence, Italy

  4. Nikiforos A. Alygizakis

    National and Kapodistrian University of Athens · Environmental Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zographou, 15771 Athens, Greece

    Environmental Institute, Okružná 784/42, 97241 Koš, Slovak Republic

  5. Alexander Badry

    German Environment Agency

    Affiliation as printed

    German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany

  6. Heather Carter

    UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

    Affiliation as printed

    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom

  7. J.S. Chaplow

    UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

    Affiliation as printed

    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom

  8. Daniela Claßen

    German Environment Agency

    Affiliation as printed

    German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany

  9. R.W.R.J. Dekker Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center

    Naturalis Biodiversity Center

    Affiliation as printed

    Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, Netherlands

  10. Beverley Dodd

    UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

    Affiliation as printed

    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom

  11. Guy Duke

    UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

    Affiliation as printed

    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, MacLean Bldg, Benson Ln, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford OX10 8BB, United Kingdom

  12. Jan Koschorreck

    German Environment Agency

    Affiliation as printed

    German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany

  13. M. Glória Pereira

    UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

    Affiliation as printed

    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom

  14. Elaine D. Potter

    UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

    Affiliation as printed

    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom

  15. DARREN J. H. SLEEP

    UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

    Affiliation as printed

    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom

  16. Jaroslav Slobodnı́k

    Environmental Institute

    Affiliation as printed

    Environmental Institute, Okružná 784/42, 97241 Koš, Slovak Republic

  17. Νikolaos S. Τhomaidis

    National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zographou, 15771 Athens, Greece

  18. Gabriele Treu

    German Environment Agency

    Affiliation as printed

    German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Wörlitzer Platz 1, 06813 Dessau-Roßlau, Germany

  19. Lee Anthony Walker

    UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

    Affiliation as printed

    UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Lancaster Environment Centre, Library Avenue, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4AP, United Kingdom

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References 54