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ABSTRACT: Exposure to toxicants is one factor hypothesized to influence population growth of the northern right whale. Organo-chlorines in right whale skin, feces, and prey were measured and used to identify factors influencing exposure and bioaccumulation. Concentrations of 30 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (5.7 ± 8.9 μg/g lipid) and 20 pesticides (11.4 ± 15.4 μg/g lipid) in skin biopsies were consistent with other baleenopterids. Concentrations in feces and prey were two orders of magnitude less than in biopsies. In principal component analysis, organochlorines in biopsies matched those from Bay of Fundy, Canada, zooplankton, whereas feces were like Cape Cod, USA, copepods. Year of biopsy collection was the principal factor associated with differential accumulation of nonmetabolizable PCBs, 4,4′-DDE, and dieldrin. Biopsies collected during winter had lower concentrations of lipid and metabolizable compounds than biopsies collected during summer. Concentrations of metabolizable PCBs increased with age in males. The bioaccumulation patterns implied that blubber burdens change annually because of the ingestion of different prey or prey from distinct locations and the release of some organochlorines stored in blubber during lipid depletion in winter. Because biopsy concentrations were lower than those found in marine mammals affected by PCBs and DDTs, we do not have evidence that the endangered whales bioaccumulate hazardous concentrations of organochlorines.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 11/2009; 19(3):654 - 666. · 2.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Contaminant exposure is widespread among marine mammals but is of unknown significance. This study characterized organochlorine bioaccumulation in pilot whales, and these bioaccumulation patterns are proposed as representative of Northwest (NW) Atlantic cetacea. Samples were collected from whales stranded in Massachusetts and caught in nets. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and chlorinated pesticide concentrations were determined via GC/ECD and found to be similar to those reported for other NW Atlantic odontocetes. The organochlorine in highest concentration was 4,4′-DDE, followed by trans-nonachlor, 4,4′-DDD, dieldrin, cis-chlordane, Cl4(52), Cl5(95), Cl5(101), Cl5(118), Cl6(138), Cl6(149), Cl6(153), Cl7(180), and Cl7(187). The concentration of 19 pesticides was higher in blubber (21 ± 26 μg/g lipid “ppm”) than liver (5.0 ± 7.1 ppm). The concentration of 26 PCB congeners was also greater in blubber (7.6 ±7.1 ppm) than liver (0.4 ± 7.3 ppm). Principal component analysis and ANOVA indicated that blubber accumulated proportionately more of the most recalcitrant compounds, such as 4,4′-DDE and nonmetabolizable PCBs, compared to liver. Whales that stranded together had more similar bioaccumulation than animals of the same gender or maturity. The high variation among individuals in tissue concentrations and the similarity within a stranding group suggest that pilot whale pods are exposed to a large range of pollutant sources, such as through different prey and feeding locations.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 02/2000; 19(3):667 - 677. · 2.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Liver lesions including neoplasia and hydropic vacuolation have been described in winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) from sites in Boston Harbor, and were highly prevalent near the Deer Island sewage outfall. A marked decline in prevalence of neoplasia has been seen over the period 1987 to 1993 in fish from near the Deer Island outfall. This decline in disease in Deer Island fish correlated with and probably resulted from reported reduced chemical input over that time. Stable isotope ratios suggest that Deer Island winter flounder, in contrast to fish from elsewhere, fed significantly on sewage sludge-derived organic matter prior to 1992 and that their along-shore movement is slight. Between 1991 and 1993 hydropic vacuolation remained much more prevalent in flounder taken near Deer Island and another sewage outfall, than at sites distant (≤45 miles) from the outfalls. Hydropic vacuolation prevalence correlated closely with content of chlorinated hydrocarbon residues in the liver, and in particular with DDT/DDD/DDE. This suggests that between 1991 and 1993 there was a persistent chemical-associated difference in fish from the planned and current outfall sites, and that monitoring of winter flounder will provide necessary assessment of altered chemical carcinogenesis risk during and after the switch to the offshore outfall planned for 1998.
Marine Pollution Bulletin.
