Date: June 9, 2016
Source: University of York
Scientists at the University of
York have led the first full-scale national assessment of metal contamination
in bats, showing that many bats in the UK contain levels of metals high enough
to cause toxic effects.
With bat species across the world
in decline, exposure to chemicals is one of many potential threats to the
species, along with urbanisation, loss of habitats, decline in food and water,
agricultural intensification and climate change.
Metals are present in a wide
range of habitats, with a large number of land sites in the UK remaining
contaminated since the industrial revolution. Records show areas that were once
extensively mined, such as the Pennines, still contain high concentrations of
metal deposits.
Soil-associated metals are
accumulated by invertebrates and plants which then move along the food chain into
the bat species. However, the potential risks of metal in bats has, until now,
been poorly understood.
Beatrice Hernout, who recently
received her PhD from York's Environment Department, studied metal levels in
190 common pipistrelle bats, found dead in locations across England and Wales.
Bat organs and tissues were
analysed for a range of metals and the results compared to levels known to
cause toxic effects in mammals.
Approximately 21 percent of bats
sampled contained residues of at least one metal at concentrations high enough
to elicit toxic effects, such as kidney damage. Lead was found to pose the
greatest risk, as seven to 11 percent of bats sampled had levels of lead above
the toxic threshold for this metal in small mammals.
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