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Wainstein M, Harding LB, O'Neill SM, Boyd DT, Koontz F, Miller B, Klütsch CFC, Thomas PJ, Ylitalo GM. Highly contaminated river otters (Lontra canadensis) are effective biomonitors of environmental pollutant exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:670. [PMID: 35970905 PMCID: PMC9378324 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10272-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
River otters (Lontra canadensis) are apex predators that bioaccumulate contaminants via their diet, potentially serving as biomonitors of watershed health. They reside throughout the Green-Duwamish River, WA (USA), a watershed encompassing an extreme urbanization gradient, including a US Superfund site slated for a 17-year remediation. The objectives of this study were to document baseline contaminant levels in river otters, assess otters' utility as top trophic-level biomonitors of contaminant exposure, and evaluate the potential for health impacts on this species. We measured a suite of contaminants of concern, lipid content, nitrogen stable isotopes (δ15N), and microsatellite DNA markers in 69 otter scat samples collected from twelve sites. Landcover characteristics were used to group sampling sites into industrial (Superfund site), suburban, and rural development zones. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ether flame-retardants (PBDEs), dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) increased significantly with increasing urbanization, and were best predicted by models that included development zone, suggesting that river otters are effective biomonitors, as defined in this study. Diet also played an important role, with lipid content, δ15N or both included in all best models. We recommend river otter scat be included in evaluating restoration efforts in this Superfund site, and as a potentially useful monitoring tool wherever otters are found. We also report ΣPCB and ΣPAH exposures among the highest published for wild river otters, with almost 70% of samples in the Superfund site exceeding established levels of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Wainstein
- Conservation, Research and Education Opportunities, Seattle, WA, 98107, USA.
| | - Louisa B Harding
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 43200, Olympia, WA, 98504-3200, USA
| | - Sandra M O'Neill
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, PO Box 43200, Olympia, WA, 98504-3200, USA
| | - Daryle T Boyd
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA, 98112-2097, USA
| | - Fred Koontz
- Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98103, USA
| | - Bobbi Miller
- Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave N, Seattle, WA, 98103, USA
| | - Cornelya F C Klütsch
- Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), NIBIO Svanhovd, NO-9925, Svanvik, Norway
| | - Philippe J Thomas
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Center, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Raven Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Gina M Ylitalo
- Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA, 98112-2097, USA
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Esposito M, De Roma A, D'Alessio N, Danese A, Gallo P, Galiero G, Santoro M. First study on PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, and trace elements in the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) from southern Italy. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 749:141452. [PMID: 32827826 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and non dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (ndl-PCBs), or also other toxic and potentially toxic elements tend to accumulate in the trophic web, and are associated with a wide range of deleterious effects in animals and humans. Although these contaminants have been banned since more than 30 years, their occurrence remains widespread in most of natural ecosystems. The Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), being a top predator may cumulate large amounts of these contaminants, and could represent a keystone species serving as sentinel of ecosystem health in freshwater environments. The aim of this paper was to investigate the concentration of OCPs, ndl-PCBs, and essential and not essential elements in tissue samples of Eurasian otter in southern Italy. Six PCBs, seven OCPs, and thirteen trace elements were detected with high concentrations in few cases, however in general, the amounts of toxic compounds seem unlikely to hazard short-term conservation of this endangered mammal. The present paper is the first to provide baseline information concerning the presence of these substances in the Eurasian otter samples and from its fragile ecosystem in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Esposito
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Antonella De Roma
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy.
| | - Nicola D'Alessio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Amalia Danese
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Pasquale Gallo
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Giorgio Galiero
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - Mario Santoro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
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Grimm FA, Hu D, Kania-Korwel I, Lehmler HJ, Ludewig G, Hornbuckle KC, Duffel MW, Bergman A, Robertson LW. Metabolism and metabolites of polychlorinated biphenyls. Crit Rev Toxicol 2015; 45:245-72. [PMID: 25629923 PMCID: PMC4383295 DOI: 10.3109/10408444.2014.999365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 282] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract The metabolism of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is complex and has an impact on toxicity, and thereby on the assessment of PCB risks. A large number of reactive and stable metabolites are formed in the processes of biotransformation in biota in general, and in humans in particular. The aim of this document is to provide an overview of PCB metabolism, and to identify the metabolites of concern and their occurrence. Emphasis is given to mammalian metabolism of PCBs and their hydroxyl, methylsulfonyl, and sulfated metabolites, especially those that persist in human blood. Potential intracellular targets and health risks are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- FA Grimm
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Experimental Therapeutics, University of Iowa
| | - D Hu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa
| | - I Kania-Korwel
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, University of Iowa
| | - HJ Lehmler
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, University of Iowa
| | - G Ludewig
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, University of Iowa
| | - KC Hornbuckle
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa
| | - MW Duffel
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Experimental Therapeutics, University of Iowa
| | - A Bergman
- Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center (SWETOX), Forskargatan 20, SE-151 36 Södertälje, SWEDEN
| | - LW Robertson
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Toxicology, Department of Occupational & Environmental Health, University of Iowa
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Roos AM, Bäcklin BMVM, Helander BO, Rigét FF, Eriksson UC. Improved reproductive success in otters (Lutra lutra), grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) and sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) from Sweden in relation to concentrations of organochlorine contaminants. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2012; 170:268-75. [PMID: 22842056 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Revised: 06/18/2012] [Accepted: 07/01/2012] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We studied indices of reproductive outcome in three aquatic species in relation to organochlorine concentrations during four decades. In female otters, the frequency of signs of reproduction increased after 1990. In grey seals, pregnancy rate increased 1990-2010 and uterine obstructions ceased after 1993. The frequency of uterine tumours was highest 1980-2000. The number of sea eagle nestlings per checked nest increased 1985-2000, while the frequency of desiccated eggs decreased. Organochlorine concentrations decreased at annual rates between 3.5 and 10.2%. The estimated mean concentration (mg/kg lw) for total-PCB decreased from 70 to 8 (otters), from 110 to 15 (seals) and from 955 to 275 (eagles). The corresponding concentrations for ΣDDT decreased from 3.4 to 0.2 (otters), from 192 to 2.8 (seals) and from 865 to 65 (eagles). This study adds evidence to support the hypothesis that PCBs and DDTs have had strong negative effects on the reproduction and population levels of these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Roos
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Contaminant Research, Sweden.
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