Laboratório Associado para a Química Verde - Tecnologias e Processos Limpos - UID/50006/2025

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First multi-contaminant assessment of the non-native American mink (Neogale vison) in Iberian freshwater ecosystems

Publication . Lages, Bárbara; Sousa, Ronaldo; Cunha, Sara C.; Souza-Kasprzyk, Juliana; Fernandes, José O.; Gámez, Alejandro Nieto; Nóvoa, Miguel Fernandes; Guedes, Américo; Alves, Pedro; Niedzielski, Przemyslaw; Cortez, José Paulo; Sargo, Roberto; Garcês, Andreia; Loureiro, Filipa; Teixeira, Amilcar; Padilha, Janeide

Non-native predators can act simultaneously as stressors and sentinels of environmental quality. This study aimed to quantify multi-contaminant burdens, characterize tissue-specific accumulation patterns, and evaluate the influence of biological factors (sex and body size) and trophic ecology (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) on contaminant exposure in 49 American mink (Neogale vison) collected during control campaigns (2023–2024) from two freshwater ecosystems in northern Portugal Angueira and Maçãs. We quantified legacy contaminants, including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-BDEs) in liver, together with essential (EEs), potentially toxic (PTEs), and emerging technology-critical (TCEs) elements in kidney, muscle, and fur. Thirteen PBDE and MeO-BDE congeners and 63 elements were determined to characterize multi-contaminant burdens and tissue-specific accumulation patterns, and stable isotopes (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) to assess trophic position and contaminant–diet relationships. Liver ∑PBDE (0.0712 ng g⁻¹ w.w.) and ∑MeO-BDE (0.0645 ng g⁻¹ w.w.) concentrations were low compared with other regions or controlled exposure studies, suggesting limited regional inputs of these contaminants in the study area. No sex-related differences were detected. Fur accumulated most EEs and several PTEs (e.g., As, Sr), supporting its value as a non-invasive matrix. Stable isotopes indicated similar trophic positions between sexes (δ¹³C ≈ –25‰; δ¹⁵N ≈ 12‰) with moderate trophic niche overlap (38%). Weak-to-moderate positive correlations between δ¹ ⁵N and some PBDE congeners suggest a potential trophic dietary contribution to exposure. Overall, American mink accumulated multiple contaminant classes at relatively low levels, with exposure mainly influenced by local environmental conditions and diet. Given that American mink individuals are routinely culled during management programs, our findings support their use as a multi-contaminant sentinel and highlight fur and liver as practical matrices for freshwater monitoring.

2026Artigo científico

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Entidade financiadora

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Programa de financiamento

Avaliação UID 2023/2024

Número da atribuição

UID/50006/2025