@article{6c7357a63f85484099480e67b04fc60f,
title = "Manganese accumulates in the brain of northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) living near an active mine",
abstract = "Mining is fundamental to the Australian economy, yet little is known about how potential contaminants bioaccumulate and affect wildlife living near active mining sites. Here, we show using air sampling that fine manganese dust within the respirable size range is found at levels exceeding international recommendations even 20 km from manganese extraction, processing, and storage facilities on Groote Eylandt, Northern Territory. Endangered northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus) living near mining sites were found to have elevated manganese concentrations within their hair, testes, and in two brain regions—the neocortex and cerebellum, which are responsible for sensory perception and motor function, respectively. Accumulation in these organs has been associated with adverse reproductive and neurological effects in other species and could affect the long-term population viability of northern quolls. Wild marsupials living near an active manganese mine accumulate manganese in their brains and testes, where it may impair cognitive or sexual function.",
keywords = "Bioaccumulation, Cerebellum, Ecotoxicology, Hair, Neocortex, Neurotoxic metal, Testes, Tissue tropism",
author = "{Amir Abdul Nasir}, {Ami Fadhillah} and Cameron, {Skye F.} and {von Hippel}, {Frank A.} and John Postlethwait and Niehaus, {Amanda C.} and Simon Blomberg and Wilson, {Robbie S.}",
note = "Funding Information: We thank members and volunteers of the Wilson Performance Lab for assistance with running the experiments in the field. We also thank the Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers of Groote Eylandt for their generous assistance, logistical support and use of laboratory facilities. We also thank the traditional owners of Groote Eylandt for their generous support and access to their land. This project was supported by the Anindilyakwa Land Council , a University of Queensland collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund (UQ-CIEF) grant awarded to R.S.W., an Australian Research Council (ARC) DECRA ( DE130101410 ) awarded to A.C.N., an ARC Linkage ( LP160100736 ) Grant awarded to R.S.W, FvH and S.B., and an ARC Future Fellowship ( FT150100492 ) awarded to R.S.W. This manuscript was substantially improved by two anonymous reviewers. Funding Information: This research was funded by an Australia Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant to RSW, FVH and SB, a grant from the Anindilyakwa Land Council (ALC) to RSW, and a PhD scholarship by the Malaysian Ministry of Education to AFAAN. The ARC and Malaysian Ministry of Education had no role in any aspect of this study. Employees of the ALC did participate in data collection, but were not involved in the study design, analysis and interpretation of data, writing, or the decision to submit the article for publication. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2017 Elsevier Ltd",
year = "2018",
month = feb,
doi = "10.1016/j.envpol.2017.10.088",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "233",
pages = "377--386",
journal = "Environmental Pollution",
issn = "0269-7491",
publisher = "Elsevier Ltd",
}