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Sun G, Du X, Wu Y, Yin G, Chen L, Liu X, Zhou Y, Qiu Y, Lin T. Novel and legacy brominated flame retardants in snakes and frogs: Tissue distribution, biomagnification, and maternal transfer. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 896:165194. [PMID: 37391149 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Although many studies have examined polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in biota, information on the bioaccumulation characteristics of NBFRs from field works is limited. This study investigated the tissue-specific exposure to PBDEs and NBFRs in two reptilian (short-tailed mamushi and red-backed rat snake) and one amphibian species (black-spotted frog) prevalent in the Yangtze River Delta, China. The levels of ΣPBDEs and ΣNBFRs ranged from 4.4-250 and 2.9-22 ng/g lipid weight for snakes respectively and 2.9-120 and 7.1-97 ng/g lipid weight for frogs respectively. BDE-209, BDE-154, and BDE-47 were three major PBDE congeners while decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) dominated in NBFRs. Tissue burdens indicated that snake adipose was the major storage site of PBDEs and NBFRs. The biomagnification factors (BMFs) estimated from black-spotted frog to red-backed rat snake indicated the biomagnification of penta- to nona-BDE congeners (BMFs 1.1-4.0) but the lack of biomagnification of other BDE and all NBFR congeners (BMFs 0.16-0.78). Mother to egg transfer of PBDEs and NBFRs evaluated in frogs showed that maternal transfer efficiency was positively related to chemical lipophilicity. This is the first field study on the tissue distribution of NBFRs in reptiles and amphibians and the maternal transfer behavior of 5 major NBFRs. The results underline the bioaccumulation potential of alternative NBFRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanzhen Sun
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Xinyu Du
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Yan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science (Ministry of Education), School of Geographic Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Ge Yin
- Shimadzu (China) Co., LTD, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Luting Chen
- SUEZ (Shanghai) Investment Co., LTD, Shanghai 200070, China
| | - Xiaojun Liu
- Université de technologie de Compiègne, ESCOM, TIMR (Integrated Transformations of Renewable Matter), Centre de recherches Royallieu - CS 60 319, 60 203 Compiègne Cedex, France
| | - Yihui Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanling Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Tian Lin
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
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Berger ML, Shaw SD, Rolsky CB, Chen D, Sun J, Rosing-Asvid A, Granquist SM, Simon M, Bäcklin BM, Roos AM. Alternative and legacy flame retardants in marine mammals from three northern ocean regions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 335:122255. [PMID: 37517638 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Flame retardants are globally distributed contaminants that have been linked to negative health effects in humans and wildlife. As top predators, marine mammals bioaccumulate flame retardants and other contaminants in their tissues which is one of many human-imposed factors threatening population health. While some flame retardants, such as the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), have been banned because of known toxicity and environmental persistence, limited data exist on the presence and distribution of current-use alternative flame retardants in marine mammals from many industrialized and remote regions of the world. Therefore, this study measured 44 legacy and alternative flame retardants in nine marine mammal species from three ocean regions: the Northwest Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Baltic allowing for regional, species, age, body condition, temporal, and tissue comparisons to help understand global patterns. PBDE concentrations were 100-1000 times higher than the alternative brominated flame retardants (altBFRs) and Dechloranes. 2,2',4,5,5'-pentabromobiphenyl (BB-101) and hexabromobenzene (HBBZ) were the predominant altBFRs, while Dechlorane-602 was the predominant Dechlorane. This manuscript also reports only the second detection of hexachlorocyclopentadienyl-dibromocyclooctane (HCDBCO) in marine mammals. The NW Atlantic had the highest PBDE concentrations followed by the Baltic and Arctic which reflects greater historical use of PBDEs in North America compared to Europe and greater industrialization of North America and Baltic countries compared to the Arctic. Regional patterns for other compounds were more complicated, and there were significant interactions among species, regions, body condition and age class. Lipid-normalized PBDE concentrations in harbor seal liver and blubber were similar, but HBBZ and many Dechloranes had higher concentrations in liver, indicating factors other than lipid dynamics affect the distribution of these compounds. The health implications of contamination by this mixture of compounds are of concern and require further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Berger
- Shaw Institute, PO Box 1652, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, USA.
| | - Susan D Shaw
- Shaw Institute, PO Box 1652, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, USA
| | - Charles B Rolsky
- Shaw Institute, PO Box 1652, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, USA
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China; Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory and Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | - Jiachen Sun
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China; College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, CN-266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Sandra Magdalena Granquist
- Seal Research Department, The Icelandic Seal Center, Höfðabraut 6, 530 Hvammstangi, Iceland; Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Fornubúðir 5, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
| | - Malene Simon
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Britt-Marie Bäcklin
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, PO Box 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Maria Roos
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900, Nuuk, Greenland; Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, PO Box 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
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3
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Xie Q, Yu R, Gui D, Wu Y. Long-Term Monitoring of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins ( Sousa chinensis) from the Pearl River Estuary Reveals High Risks for Calves due to Maternal Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:473-485. [PMID: 36576993 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although many studies have documented the wide occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in cetaceans, little evidence exists regarding the detrimental effects of PBDE exposure on calf death rates for free-ranging cetaceans. This study analyzed life-history-associated PBDE bioaccumulation patterns in 128 stranding Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) samples over an 18-year timespan from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE). In comparison to the records of PBDE levels in cetaceans worldwide, the median levels of PBDEs (median = 10600 ng g-1 lw, range = 721-50900 ng g-1 lw) in all samples were the highest to date. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that adult males (median = 16100 ng g-1 lw, range = 4070-50900 ng g-1 lw) and calves (12000 ng g-1 lw, range = 1250-35300 ng g-1 lw) both had the highest levels of PBDEs compared to the rest of the age/sex groups (p < 0.05). Concentrations of PBDEs in noncalves significantly decreased over the studied period, while those in calves had a slightly increasing trend, which may be due to different exposure routes via fish or milk, respectively. A significant and positive relationship was found between annual calf stranding death rates and body-length-adjusted PBDE concentrations in calves (r = 0.62, p < 0.05), suggesting that maternal exposure of calves to elevated levels of PBDEs may have contributed to the high annual stranding death rates of calves in the last two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai519082, China
| | - Ronglan Yu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai519082, China
| | - Duan Gui
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai519082, China
| | - Yuping Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai519082, China
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Ortega-Borchardt JÁ, Ramírez-Álvarez N, Rios Mendoza LM, Gallo-Reynoso JP, Barba-Acuña ID, García-Hernández J, Égido-Villarreal J, Kubenik T. Detection of microplastic particles in scats from different colonies of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) in the Gulf of California, Mexico: A preliminary study. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114433. [PMID: 36495612 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs, < 5 mm in size) are highly bioavailable to many taxa within the marine ecosystem, either ingested directly or indirectly through trophic transfer from polluted prey. The ingestion analysis of these MPs from top predators, such as pinnipeds in Mexico, is relatively unexplored. Forty-eight scats from California sea lions were collected on six rookeries along the Gulf of California. From these scat samples, 294 suspected MPs particles were classified and chemically analyzed; 34% were synthetic and semi-synthetic, and 66% were non-synthetic. Blue-colored polyethylene terephthalate fibers were the most common type of MP registered. During laboratory work, multiple contamination control measures were implemented. Although the ingestion pathway is still unknown, our results support the other authors that suggest the potential trophic transfer of MPs to top predators and incidental ingestion while foraging. The particles documented here provide important baseline information for future MP research in the Gulf of California.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ángel Ortega-Borchardt
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. Carretera al Varadero Nacional Km. 6.6. Col. Las Playitas, Guaymas, Sonora, C.P. 85480, Mexico.
| | - Nancy Ramírez-Álvarez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oceanológicas-UABC, Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada 3917, Col. Playitas, Ensenada, B.C., C.P. 22860, Mexico.
| | - Lorena M Rios Mendoza
- University of Wisconsin-Superior, Department of Natural Sciences/Chemistry, Superior, WI 54880, USA.
| | - Juan Pablo Gallo-Reynoso
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. Carretera al Varadero Nacional Km. 6.6. Col. Las Playitas, Guaymas, Sonora, C.P. 85480, Mexico.
| | - Isai David Barba-Acuña
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. Carretera al Varadero Nacional Km. 6.6. Col. Las Playitas, Guaymas, Sonora, C.P. 85480, Mexico.
| | - Jaqueline García-Hernández
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. Carretera al Varadero Nacional Km. 6.6. Col. Las Playitas, Guaymas, Sonora, C.P. 85480, Mexico.
| | - Janitzio Égido-Villarreal
- Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. Carretera al Varadero Nacional Km. 6.6. Col. Las Playitas, Guaymas, Sonora, C.P. 85480, Mexico.
| | - Trevor Kubenik
- University of Wisconsin-Superior, Department of Natural Sciences/Chemistry, Superior, WI 54880, USA
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5
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Madgett AS, Yates K, Webster L, McKenzie C, Brownlow A, Moffat CF. The concentration and biomagnification of PCBs and PBDEs across four trophic levels in a marine food web. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 309:119752. [PMID: 35841989 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Contracting Parties to the OSPAR Convention for the Protection of the Maine Environment of the North-East Atlantic are required to undertake monitoring and assessment of both inorganic and organic contaminants. There is a requirement to assess contaminants across different trophic levels on an ecosystem-specific basis. However, this is currently constrained by the availability of relevant samples to cover the full range of trophic levels. This study investigates the variability (inter- and intra-species variation) of the concentrations and distributions of thirty-two polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and nine polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners in twenty-six species covering four trophic levels from different geographic locations around Scotland. Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) were calculated using a traditional method and a balanced method for both the ICES-7 PCBs and BDE47, to refine and improve the application of TMFs to assess and predict biomagnification risk to biota in the marine environment. There were clear differences in congener percentage distribution between sample categories and species, with differences influenced by physiological processes and eco-biological parameters. Trophic magnification was found to occur for the ICES-7 PCBs and BDE47 using the traditional method, with the highest degree of trophic magnification reported for CB52. An unbalanced dataset was found to influence the calculated TMF and in some cases, the overall conclusion of the trophic transfer of PCB and PBDE congeners. The balanced method is highly recommended for calculating TMFs to ensure that the TMF is a true indication of the biomagnification potential, particularly when conducting regional comparisons for which sampling requirements are difficult to achieve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alethea S Madgett
- University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX, UK; School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7JG, UK; Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, UK.
| | - Kyari Yates
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7JG, UK
| | - Lynda Webster
- Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, UK
| | | | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health & Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Colin F Moffat
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7JG, UK
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6
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Gregor KM, Lakemeyer J, IJsseldijk LL, Siebert U, Wohlsein P. Spontaneous neoplasms in harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena. DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS 2022; 149:145-154. [PMID: 35735234 DOI: 10.3354/dao03670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Harbour porpoises are widely distributed in the North Atlantic and represent the most abundant cetacean species in the North and Baltic Seas. Spontaneous neoplasms are relatively rarely reported in cetaceans, and only little is known about neoplasia in harbour porpoises. Thus, archival material was reviewed for spontaneous neoplasms in harbour porpoises recorded during post-mortem examinations between 1999 and 2018. Neoplasms were identified in 7 adult porpoises: 6 animals originating from the North and Baltic Seas and investigated as part of German and Dutch systematic health monitoring programs, and 1 porpoise from Greenlandic waters. The tumours were of different histogenetic origins and further characterised by histology and immunohistochemistry. One individual had a neoplasia in the digestive tract (adenocarcinoma, n = 1); 4 animals, in the genital tract (Sertoli cell tumour, n = 1; genital leiomyoma/fibroleiomyoma, n = 3); and 2 porpoises, in endocrine organs (adrenal adenoma, n = 2). This is the first report of an adenocarcinoma in the liver, a testicular Sertoli cell tumour and adrenocortical adenomas in harbour porpoises. The cause of the tumorigenesis in examined cases remains undetermined. The involvement of endogenous factors, including mutation of cell cycle regulating genes, such as the tumour-suppressor gene p53, cannot be ruled out. The aetiopathogenetic significance of exogenous factors, such as infectious agents like liver flukes or anthropogenic factors, including persistent organic pollutants, should be the subject of future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Gregor
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
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Sun J, Shaw S, Berger M, Halaska B, Roos A, Bäcklin BM, Zheng X, Liu K, Wang Y, Chen D. Spatiotemporal Trends of Legacy and Alternative Flame Retardants in Harbor Seals from the Coasts of California, the Gulf of Maine, and Sweden. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:5714-5723. [PMID: 35442023 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Temporal trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been extensively studied in various environmental compartments globally. However, despite the increasing use of alternative flame retardants following PBDE bans, the spatiotemporal trends of these replacements have rarely been studied, and the available results are often inconsistent. In the present study, we retrospectively investigated the spatiotemporal trends of PBDEs and a suite of alternative brominated FRs (aBFRs) and chlorinated FRs (i.e., dechloranes or DECs) in three harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) populations from the coasts of California, the Gulf of Maine, and southern Sweden during 1999-2016. We observed significantly decreasing trends of ΣPBDEs in all the three populations at an annual rate of 9-11%, which were predominantly driven by the declining concentrations of tetra- and penta-BDEs. The levels of ΣaBFRs decreased significantly in seals from California (mainly 1,3,5-tribromobenzene) and Sweden (mainly hexabromobenzene), while no trend was observed for those from Maine. By contrast, DECs (dominated by DEC 602) did not decrease significantly in any population. Compared with the consistent PBDE congener profiles across regions, aBFRs and DECs exhibited varying compositional profiles between regions, likely indicating region-specific sources of these alternative FR mixtures. Spatial analysis also revealed regional differences in the concentrations of PBDEs, aBFRs, and DECs in harbor seals. Our reconstructed spatiotemporal trends suggest the effective regulation of commercial penta-BDE mix in these regions and warrant further monitoring of the higher brominated BDEs and alternative FRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Sun
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Susan Shaw
- Shaw Institute, Blue Hill Research Center, Blue Hill ME-04614, Maine, United States
| | - Michelle Berger
- Shaw Institute, Blue Hill Research Center, Blue Hill ME-04614, Maine, United States
| | - Barbie Halaska
- The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito CA-94965, California, United States
| | - Anna Roos
- Department of Contaminant Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Britt-Marie Bäcklin
- Department of Contaminant Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaoshi Zheng
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kunyan Liu
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Research Center of Harmful Algae and Marine Biology, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Ometere Boyi J, Stokholm I, Hillmann M, Søndergaard J, Persson S, de Wit CA, Siebert U, Kristina L. Relationships between gene transcription and contaminant concentrations in Baltic ringed seals: A comparison between tissue matrices. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 242:106035. [PMID: 34856463 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.106035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) are slowly recovering in the eastern and northern parts of the Baltic Sea after years of hunting pressure and contaminant exposure. Still, consequences of anthropogenic activities such as contaminant exposure and increasing temperatures are stressors that continue to have deleterious effects on their habitat and health. Transcription profiles of seven health-related genes involved in xenobiotic metabolism, endocrine disruption and stress were evaluated in blood, blubber, and liver of Baltic ringed seals in a multi-tissue approach. Selected persistent organic pollutants and total mercury concentrations were measured in blubber and liver, and muscle and liver of these animals, respectively. Concentrations of contaminants varied across tissues on a lipid weight basis but not with sex. mRNA transcript levels for all seven target genes did not vary between sexes or age classes. Transcript levels of thyroid hormone receptor alpha (TRα), retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) correlated with levels of persistent organic pollutants. TRα transcript levels also correlated positively with mercury concentrations in the liver. Of the three tissues assessed in this multi-tissue approach, blubber showed highest transcription levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT), thyroid stimulating hormone receptor beta (TSHβ), oestrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα). The wide range of genes expressed highlights the value of minimally invasive sampling (e.g. biopsies) for assessing health endpoints in free-ranging marine wildlife and the importance of identifying optimal matrices for targeted gene expression studies. This gene transcript profile study has provided baseline information on transcript levels of biomarkers for early on-set health effects in ringed seals and will be a useful guide to assess the impacts of environmental change in Baltic pinnipeds for conservation and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Ometere Boyi
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, Buesum D-25761, Germany
| | - Iben Stokholm
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, Buesum D-25761, Germany
| | - Miriam Hillmann
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, Buesum D-25761, Germany
| | - Jens Søndergaard
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde DK-4000, Denmark
| | - Sara Persson
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Stockholm SE-10405, Sweden
| | - Cynthia A de Wit
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-10691, Sweden
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, Buesum D-25761, Germany
| | - Lehnert Kristina
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstrasse 6, Buesum D-25761, Germany.
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9
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Xie Q, Yu RQ, Yu R, Wang Z, Zhang X, Wu Y. Historic changes of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in juvenile and adult cetaceans from the Pearl River estuary from 2003 to 2020. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 800:149512. [PMID: 34391148 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as a type of legacy persistent organic pollutants, pose significant health threats to wildlife. However, long-term residue changes and profiles of PCBs in cetaceans have not been extensively studied in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), an important marine mammal area in China. Here, the body burdens, spatiotemporal trends, and health risks of 21 chlorobiphenyl congeners (∑21CBs) were analyzed in blubber samples collected from twelve cetacean species (n = 172) in the PRE from 2003 to 2020. Our results revealed medium levels of PCBs (316-96,233 ng g-1 lipid) compared to those reported for cetaceans elsewhere (70-370,000 ng g-1 lipid). Clear differences in PCB distribution patterns between inshore and offshore cetaceans and between odontocetes and mysticetes were also found. Both the coastal Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and Indo-Pacific finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) displayed similarly fine-scale spatial distribution patterns of PCBs, suggesting that the two cetaceans could serve as bioindicators of PCB pollution in the PRE. Additionally, both cetaceans exhibited decreasing trends in their blubber PCB concentrations over the past 20 years, likely reflecting the effective regulation of PCBs in the PRE Delta. Nevertheless, the relatively high and stable PCB-toxic equivalent (TEQ) levels detected in calf humpback dolphins during the sampling period suggested that the calves are still under the stresses of high PCB-related health risks. Our results highlight the need for more efforts to eliminate PCB contamination to prevent these cetaceans from continuous population decline and further extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering, Guangdong, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Ri-Qing Yu
- Department of Biology, Center for Environment, Biodiversity and Conservation, The University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, USA
| | - Ronglan Yu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering, Guangdong, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Zhenhua Wang
- The Engineering Technology Research Center of Characteristic Medicinal Plants of Fujian, College of Life Sciences, Ningde Normal University, Ningde 352100, China
| | - Xiyang Zhang
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering, Guangdong, Zhuhai 519000, China.
| | - Yuping Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University; Southern Laboratory of Ocean Science and Engineering, Guangdong, Zhuhai 519000, China.
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10
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van den Heuvel-Greve MJ, van den Brink AM, Kotterman MJJ, Kwadijk CJAF, Geelhoed SCV, Murphy S, van den Broek J, Heesterbeek H, Gröne A, IJsseldijk LL. Polluted porpoises: Generational transfer of organic contaminants in harbour porpoises from the southern North Sea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 796:148936. [PMID: 34328906 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), bioaccumulate in marine ecosystems. Top predators contain high levels of POPs in their lipid-rich tissues, which may result in adverse effects on their reproductive, immune and endocrine functions. Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are among the smallest of cetaceans and live under high metabolic demand, making them particularly vulnerable to environmental pressures. Using samples from individuals of all maturity classes and sexes stranded along the southern North Sea (n = 121), we show the generational transfer of PCBs, PBDEs and HCB from adults to foetuses. Porpoise placentas contained 1.3-8.2 mg/kg lipid weight (lw) Sum-17PCB, <dl-0.08 mg/kg lw Sum-17PBDE and 0.14-0.16 mg/kg lw HCB, which were similar to concentrations in foetus blubber. Contaminant levels increased significantly after birth through suckling. Milk samples contained 0.20-33.8 mg/kg lw Sum-17PCB, 0.002-0.51 mg/kg lw Sum-17PBDE and 0.03-0.21 mg/kg lw HCB. Especially lower halogenated and more toxic contaminants were transferred to calves, exposing them to high levels of contaminants early in life. Of all animals included in this study, 38.5% had PCB concentrations exceeding a threshold level for negative health effects (>9 mg/kg lw). This was particularly true for adult males (92.3% >9 mg/kg lw), while adult females had relatively low PCB levels (10.5% >9 mg/kg lw) due to offloading. Nutritional stress led to higher offloading in the milk, causing a greater potential for toxicity in calves of nutritionally stressed females. No correlation between PCB concentration and parasite infestation was detected, although the probability of a porpoise dying due to infectious disease or debilitation increased with increasing PCB concentrations. Despite current regulations to reduce pollution, these results provide further evidence of potential health effects of POPs on harbour porpoises of the southern North Sea, which may consequently increase their susceptibility to other pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine J van den Heuvel-Greve
- Wageningen Marine Research, P.O. Box 77, 4400 AB Yerseke, the Netherlands; Wageningen University, Marine Animal Ecology, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | - Steve C V Geelhoed
- Wageningen Marine Research, P.O. Box 77, 4400 AB Yerseke, the Netherlands
| | - Sinéad Murphy
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Galway, H91 T8NW, Ireland
| | - Jan van den Broek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Heesterbeek
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea Gröne
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lonneke L IJsseldijk
- Division of Pathology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, the Netherlands
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11
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Simokon MV, Trukhin AM. Analysis of essential and non-essential trace elements in the organs of a mother-fetus pair of spotted seals (Phoca largha) from the Sea of Japan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:60622-60634. [PMID: 34164788 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14971-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of 22 essential and non-essential trace elements (Be, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb, Th, U, and Hg) were measured in the organs of a mother-fetus pair (at the last trimester of pregnancy) of spotted seals from the Sea of Japan. The concentrations of eleven elements are reported for the first time. Eight organs of the pair were examined: lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, intestines, spleen, muscles, and bones. All trace elements detected in the organs of the mother were found also in the organs of the fetus at various concentrations. Placenta is not an effective barrier to prevent non-essential elements from getting into the fetus, but can control entry of some of them, e.g., aluminum, cadmium, and mercury. In most organs of the fetus, the concentrations of toxic trace elements (beryllium, antimony, thorium, and uranium) were noticeably higher than in the same organs of the mother, which indicates that during pregnancy female removes excess of non-essential trace elements by transferring them to the fetal body through the placental barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail V Simokon
- Pacific Branch, Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography (VNIRO), per. Shevchenko 4, Vladivostok, Russia, 690091
| | - Alexey M Trukhin
- V.I. Il'ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Baltiyskaya 43, Vladivostok, Russia, 690041.
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12
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Baumer A, Jäsch S, Ulrich N, Bechmann I, Landmann J, Escher BI. Kinetics of Equilibrium Passive Sampling of Organic Chemicals with Polymers in Diverse Mammalian Tissues. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:9097-9108. [PMID: 34143604 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Equilibrium passive sampling employing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a sampling phase can be used for the extraction of complex mixtures of organic chemicals from lipid-rich biota. We extended the method to lean tissues and more hydrophilic chemicals by implementing a mass-balance model for partitioning between lipids, proteins, and water in tissues and by accelerating uptake kinetics with a custom-built stirrer that effectively decreased time to equilibrium to less than 8 days even for a homogenized liver tissue with an only 4% lipid content. The partition constants log Klipid/PDMS between tissues and PDMS were derived from measured concentration in PDMS and the mass-balance model and were very similar for 40 neutral chemicals with octanol-water partition constants 1.4 < log Kow < 8.7, that is, log Klipid/PDMS of 1.26 (95% CI, 1.13-1.39) for the adipose tissue, 1.16 (1.00-1.33) for the liver, and 0.58 (0.42-0.73) for the brain. This conversion factor can be applied to interpret chemical analysis and in vitro bioassays after additionally accounting for a small fraction of coextracted lipids of <0.7% of the PDMS weight. PDMS is more widely applicable for passive sampling of mammalian tissues than previously thought, both, in terms of diversity of chemicals and the range of lipid contents of tissues and, therefore, an ideal method for human biomonitoring to be combined with in vitro bioassays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Baumer
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sandra Jäsch
- Department of Analytical Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Nadin Ulrich
- Department of Analytical Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ingo Bechmann
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Julia Landmann
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Beate I Escher
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Centre for Applied Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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13
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Huang M, Huang X, Zuo Y, Yi Z, Liu H. Exploring the toxic effects and mechanism of methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) on thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG): Synergy between spectroscopic and computations. LUMINESCENCE 2021; 36:1621-1631. [PMID: 34107557 DOI: 10.1002/bio.4103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The interaction mechanism between thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) and three methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) was analyzed by steady-state fluorescence, ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible) spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation methods. The results of the molecular docking technique revealed that 2'-MeO-BDE-3, 5-MeO-BDE-47, and 3-MeO-BDE-100 combined with TBG at the active site. The steady-state fluorescence spectra displayed that MeO-PBDEs quenched the endogenous fluorescence of TBG through static quenching mechanism, and complex formation between MeO-PBDEs and TBG was further indicated by UV-vis spectroscopy. The thermodynamic quantities showed that the binding process is spontaneous, and the major forces responsible for the binding are hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, which are consistent with the results of molecular docking to a certain extent. The results of CD confirmed that the secondary structure of TBG was changed after combining with MeO-PBDEs. The dynamic simulation results illustrated that the protein structure is more compact and changes in the secondary structure of TBG after binding to MeO-PBDEs. Additionally, we also utilized the molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) method to analyze the binding free energy of TBG and MeO-PBDEs. The results suggest that van der Waals force plays an essential role in the combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muwei Huang
- College of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China
| | - Xiaomei Huang
- College of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China
| | - Yanqiu Zuo
- College of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China
| | - Zhongsheng Yi
- College of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China
| | - Hongyan Liu
- College of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, China
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14
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Schnitzler JG, Das K, Wohlsein P, Kuiken T, Ludwig A, Lieckfeldt D, Phan C, Phay S, Siebert U. The Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris from the Mekong river Cambodia: Preliminary health and toxicological investigations. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 234:105812. [PMID: 33799112 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The subpopulation of the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) living in the Mekong River, Cambodia, is considered to be critically endangered. The aim of the investigation was to gain information about the genetic variation, health status and exposure to toxic compounds of these dolphins. Tissue samples from 27 Irrawaddy river dolphins found dead along the Mekong River between 2004 and 2009 were analysed with regards to genetics, pathology and ecotoxicology. Genetic maternal lineage detection, based on polymorphisms of the mitochondrial d-loop sequences, was performed. Data indicate a genetic separation of the Mekong dolphins from both the coastal population and the Mahakam dolphins. Pathological investigations revealed acute moderate multifocal suppurative bronchopneumonia, moderate periportal hepatic lipidosis, moderate diffuse hepatic atrophy and acute severe diffuse suppurative leptomeningitis. Residue levels of organochlorines and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Irrawaddy dolphins from the Mekong River were lower than the concentrations reported for other cetaceans in the coastal and riverine waters of Asia, except for Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. A high percentage of organic mercury compared to the immuno-toxic methylmercury was observed. Due to numerous confounding factors, it is not possible to relate levels of pollutants to observed morphological lesions. However, it is likely that chemical contaminants do adversely impact on the health of the Irrawaddy dolphins at present, and have also affected previous generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G Schnitzler
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstr. 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany.
| | - Krishna Das
- Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of research (FOCUS-Oceanology), University of Liege, Belgium
| | - Peter Wohlsein
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Thijs Kuiken
- Department of Virology, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arne Ludwig
- Leibniz-Institut für Zoo- und Wildtierforschung (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dietmar Lieckfeldt
- Leibniz-Institut für Zoo- und Wildtierforschung (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, 10315 Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Werftstr. 6, 25761 Büsum, Germany
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15
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Sun X, Zhan F, Yu RQ, Chen L, Wu Y. Bio-accumulation of organic contaminants in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins: Preliminary unique features of the brain and testes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 267:115511. [PMID: 32892017 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
There is little information about the residue levels and congener composition of organic contaminants (OCs) in cetaceans. In the present study, we investigated the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the blubber, blood, brain and testes of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) stranded in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), China. The lowest blubber/tissue partition coefficients were found for sum hexachlorocyclohexanes (ΣHCHs) and ΣPAHs, while the highest were in ΣPCBs and sum dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (ΣDDTs), likely attributing to the octanol-water partition features. The low levels of OCs in brain and testes theoretically resulted from the blood-brain barrier, blood-testes barrier, contaminant molecule dimensions and unique lipid compositions in the brain and testes. Compared with other contaminants, the higher mean brain/blood and testes/blood partition coefficients found for mirex, heptachlor, dieldrin and endrin would increase the risks associated with exposure-related toxicity and the bioavailability of contaminants within these tissues. Observations also suggest that as lipid mobilizes from blubber, contaminants may redistribute, leading to elevated tissue (such as brain) concentrations. Therefore, dolphins with less blubber may be more susceptible to health risks. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins living in PRE are at great risk due to variety of OCs in indirect contact with non-target organisms, affecting the health of animals (toxic effects and accumulation). Our findings contribute to the knowledge of the potential effects of OCs exposure on developmental neurotoxicity and reproductive damage in marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Sun
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Fengping Zhan
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Ri-Qing Yu
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at Tyler, Tyler, TX, 75799, USA
| | - Laiguo Chen
- Urban Environment and Ecology Research Center, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences (SCIES), Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Yuping Wu
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China.
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16
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Non-targeted screening workflows for gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis and identification of biomagnifying contaminants in biota samples. Anal Bioanal Chem 2020; 413:479-501. [PMID: 33156400 PMCID: PMC7806533 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-020-03018-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The health of key species in the Baltic region has been impaired by exposure to anthropogenic hazardous substances (AHSs), which accumulate in organisms and are transferred through food chains. There is, thus, a need for comprehensive characterization of the occurrence and accumulation of AHSs in the ecosystem. In this study, we use a non-target screening (NTS) approach for this purpose. A major challenge in NTS of biological samples is the removal of matrix components such as lipids that may interfere with the detection and identification of compounds of interest. Here, we combine gel permeation chromatography with Florisil® column fractionation to achieve sufficient lipid removal for gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis using electron ionization (EI) and electron capture negative ion chemical ionization (ECNI). In addition, we present new data processing workflows designed to systematically find and identify frequently occurring and biomagnifying AHSs, including known, emerging, and new contaminants. Using these workflows, we discovered a wide range of contaminants in tissue samples from blue mussels, fish, and marine mammals, and calculated their biomagnification factors (BMFs). Compounds with BMFs above 1 for herring and at least one marine mammal included legacy chlorinated pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls, DDTs, chloro-benzenes/cyclohexanes, chlordanes, toxaphenes, dieldrin), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and brominated biphenyls. However, there were also several halogenated natural products (halogenated methoxylated brominated diphenyl ethers, 1′-methyl-1,2′-bipyrroles, 1,1′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyrroles, and the halogenated monoterpene mixed halogenated compound 1) as well as the novel flame retardant Dechlorane 602 and several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, terpenoids, and steroids. The legacy pollutants exhibited the expected biomagnification behavior, demonstrating the utility of the unguided data processing workflow. Graphical abstract ![]()
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17
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Zhang K, Qian Z, Ruan Y, Hao Y, Dong W, Li K, Mei Z, Wang K, Wu C, Wu J, Zheng J, Lam PKS, Wang D. First evaluation of legacy persistent organic pollutant contamination status of stranded Yangtze finless porpoises along the Yangtze River Basin, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 710:136446. [PMID: 31923702 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136446] [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: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 12/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Yangtze finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis asiaeorientalis), inhabiting the Yangtze River, are an endangered species in China. They are threatened by various kinds of pollutants, among which persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are of special concern due to their toxicities, high persistency and bioaccumulation potential. To better understand the POP contamination status of Yangtze finless porpoises, an investigation of stranded porpoises along the Yangtze River and adjacent two major lakes in the Yangtze River basin was conducted; the concentrations of four groups of legacy POPs, i.e., hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), were determined in the blubber samples. The mean concentrations of ΣHCHs (the sum of all congeners/isomers), ΣDDTs, ΣPBDEs and ΣPCBs, were 1670 ± 4210, 28,800 ± 52,300, 141 ± 174, and 1020 ± 1070 ng/g lipid weight, respectively; the high DDTs/PCBs ratio reflected a strong influence of agricultural pollution in the Yangtze River basin, and the high α/γ ratio of HCH isomers indicated the usage of lindane in the corresponding areas; the predominance of low-brominated congeners of PBDEs may be related to congruent patterns in the related environmental matrices. A hazard quotient risk assessment revealed that DDTs could pose a relatively high risk to Yangtze finless porpoises compared with the risks posed by the other POPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhengyi Qian
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuefei Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yujiang Hao
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Weiwei Dong
- Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233030, China
| | - Ke Li
- Wuhan Institute for Drug and Medical Device Control, Wuhan 430075, China
| | - Zhigang Mei
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Kexiong Wang
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Chenxi Wu
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jianhong Wu
- Wuhan Institute for Drug and Medical Device Control, Wuhan 430075, China.
| | - Jinsong Zheng
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Paul K S Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ding Wang
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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18
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van Elk CE, van de Bildt MWG, van Run PRWA, Bunskoek P, Meerbeek J, Foster G, Osterhaus ADME, Kuiken T. Clinical, pathological, and laboratory diagnoses of diseases of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), live stranded on the Dutch and adjacent coasts from 2003 to 2016. Vet Res 2019; 50:88. [PMID: 31666128 PMCID: PMC6822343 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-019-0706-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the North Sea live in an environment heavily impacted by humans, the consequences of which are a concern for their health. Autopsies carried out on stranded harbour porpoises provide an opportunity to assess health problems in this species. We performed 61 autopsies on live-stranded harbour porpoises, which died following admission to a rehabilitation centre between 2003 and 2016. The animals had stranded on the Dutch (n = 52) and adjacent coasts of Belgium (n = 2) and Germany (n = 7). We assigned probable causes for stranding based on clinical and pathological criteria. Cause of stranding was associated in the majority of cases with pathologies in multiple organs (n = 29) compared to animals with pathologies in a single organ (n = 18). Our results show that the three most probable causes of stranding were pneumonia (n = 35), separation of calves from their mother (n = 10), and aspergillosis (n = 9). Pneumonia as a consequence of pulmonary nematode infection occurred in 19 animals. Pneumonia was significantly associated with infection with Pseudalius inflexus, Halocercus sp., and Torynurus convolutus but not with Stenurus minor infection. Half of the bacterial pneumonias (6/12) could not be associated with nematode infection. Conclusions from this study are that aspergillosis is an important probable cause for stranding, while parasitic infection is not a necessary prerequisite for bacterial pneumonia, and approximately half of the animals (29/61) probably stranded due to multiple causes. An important implication of the observed high prevalence of aspergillosis is that these harbour porpoises suffered from reduced immunocompetence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis E van Elk
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marco W G van de Bildt
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter R W A van Run
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paulien Bunskoek
- Dolfinarium Harderwijk, Zuiderzeeboulevard 22, 3841 WB, Harderwijk, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Albert D M E Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Thijs Kuiken
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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19
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Kahle P, Rolvien T, Kierdorf H, Roos A, Siebert U, Kierdorf U. Age-related changes in size, bone microarchitecture and volumetric bone mineral density of the mandible in the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224480. [PMID: 31648278 PMCID: PMC6812799 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Detailed knowledge of age-related changes in the structure and mineralization of bones is important for interpreting osseous changes in wild mammals caused by exposure to environmental contaminants. This study analyzed mandibular size, microarchitecture and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) in harbor seals (n = 93, age range 0.5 months to 25 years) from the German North Sea. Bone microarchitecture and vBMD were assessed using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Significant differences were observed between the analyzed age classes (i) young juveniles (0.5–10 months), (ii) yearlings (12–23 months), and (iii) adults (12–25 years) for several of the variables, indicating an overall increase in cortical and trabecular area, cortical thickness and total and cortical vBMD with age. Furthermore, for juvenile animals (≤ 23 months), significant positive correlations with age were observed for mandible length and perimeter, cortical area, cortical thickness, trabecular separation, and total and cortical vBMD. The findings demonstrate a rapid increase in overall size, cortical dimensions and the degree of mineralization of the harbor seal mandible during the first two years after birth. Negative correlations with age existed for trabecular number and thickness as well as for trabecular bone volume fraction in the juveniles. The findings suggest a reduction in trabecular bone volume fraction with age, due to the bone trabeculae becoming thinner, less numerous and more widely spaced. Given the strong age dependence of most analyzed parameters, it is recommended to standardize samples with respect to age in future studies comparing microarchitecture and mineralization of harbor seal mandibles from different populations or different collection periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Kahle
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Tim Rolvien
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Orthopedics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Horst Kierdorf
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Anna Roos
- Department of Contaminant Research, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute of Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Uwe Kierdorf
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Weijs L, Leusch F, Covaci A. Concentrations of legacy persistent organic pollutants and naturally produced MeO-PBDEs in dugongs (Dugong dugon) from Moreton Bay, Australia. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 229:500-508. [PMID: 31096086 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are an iconic and strictly herbivorous species. They inhabit coastal areas, which brings them in contact with urban and agricultural pollutant sources, yet their exposure and susceptibility to environmental pollutants is still largely unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate the presence of several legacy compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and pesticides as well as naturally produced MeO-PBDEs in male and female dugongs from Moreton Bay (n = 24), a semi-enclosed embayment close to Australia's third largest city, Brisbane. Results show that concentrations of all investigated compounds are low in general (<120 ng/g lipid weight) and below known toxicity thresholds established for marine mammals. However, concentrations found in this study are higher or comparable to concentrations in dugongs outside Moreton Bay or in sirenians worldwide. No temporal trends for POPs from 2001 until 2012 were found for adult animals suggesting that environmental changes are only slowly reflected in dugongs. Finally, pollutant profiles in dugongs are limited to the most persistent PCBs, pesticides and PBDEs that also dominate POP profiles in other marine mammal species in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Weijs
- Australian Rivers Institute (ARI), Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland 4222, Australia.
| | - Frederic Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute (ARI), Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland 4222, Australia; School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland 4222, Australia
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
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21
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Lehnert K, Siebert U, Reißmann K, Bruhn R, McLachlan MS, Müller G, van Elk CE, Ciurkiewicz M, Baumgärtner W, Beineke A. Cytokine expression and lymphocyte proliferative capacity in diseased harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) - Biomarkers for health assessment in wildlife cetaceans. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 247:783-791. [PMID: 30721869 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.01.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the North and Baltic Seas are exposed to anthropogenic influences including acoustic stress and environmental contaminants. In order to evaluate immune responses in healthy and diseased harbor porpoise cells, cytokine expression analyses and lymphocyte proliferation assays, together with toxicological analyses were performed in stranded and bycaught animals as well as in animals kept in permanent human care. Severely diseased harbor porpoises showed a reduced proliferative capacity of peripheral blood lymphocytes together with diminished transcription of transforming growth factor-β and tumor necrosis factor-α compared to healthy controls. Toxicological analyses revealed accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in harbor porpoise blood samples. Correlation analyses between blood organochlorine levels and immune parameters revealed no direct effects of xenobiotics upon lymphocyte proliferation or cytokine transcription, respectively. Results reveal an impaired function of peripheral blood leukocytes in severely diseased harbor porpoises, indicating immune exhaustion and increased disease susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Lehnert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Büsum, Germany
| | | | | | - Michael S McLachlan
- Baltic Sea Research Institute, Rostock, Germany; Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Beineke
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
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22
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Vijayasarathy S, Weijs L, Grant S, Gallen M, Gaus C. PCDD/F and PCB levels in different tissues from dugongs (Dugong dugon) inhabiting the Queensland coastline. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 139:23-31. [PMID: 30686423 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies on PCDD/Fs and PCBs in dugong (Dugong dugon) blubber reported unexpectedly elevated TEQ levels. This study analysed archived blubber, muscle, liver and faeces obtained from dugongs from two areas along the Queensland coast. All samples showed detectable levels of PCDDs and PCBs, while PCDFs were consistently near or below LOQ. PCDD levels in dugongs contributed to a large proportion (<95%) of sum TEQ levels in all tissues (blubber: 6.7-38 pg g-1 lw, muscle: 5.7-96 pg g-1 lw, liver: 3.3-42 pg g-1 lw, faeces: 203 pg g-1 lw). Liver/blubber tissue ratios show that PCDDs are preferentially accumulated in the liver with higher degree of chlorination. The same trend was not so obvious with PCBs, which occasionally showed higher hepatic sequestration of lower chlorinated PCBs such as PCBs 28 and 77. PCDD congeners were dominated by OCDD which is similar to the profiles from the dugongs' food source, namely sediment and seagrass.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Vijayasarathy
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia.
| | - L Weijs
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia; Australian Rivers Institute (ARI), Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Queensland 4111, Australia
| | - S Grant
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - M Gallen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - C Gaus
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
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Vasquez L, Rostkowski M, Gelman F, Dybala-Defratyka A. Can Path Integral Molecular Dynamics Make a Good Approximation for Vapor Pressure Isotope Effects Prediction for Organic Solvents? A Comparison to ONIOM QM/MM and QM Cluster Calculation. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:7353-7364. [PMID: 29961315 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b03444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Isotopic fractionation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are under strict measures of control because of their potential harm to the environment and humans, has an important ecological aspect, as the isotopic composition of compounds may depend on the conditions in which such compounds are distributed in Nature. Therefore, detailed knowledge on isotopic fractionation, not only experimental but also based on theoretical models, is crucial to follow conditions and pathways within which these contaminants are spread throughout the ecosystems. In this work, we present carbon and, for the first time, bromine vapor pressure isotope effect (VPIE) on the evaporation process from pure-phase systems-dibromomethane and bromobenzene, the representatives of aliphatic and aromatic brominated VOCs. We combine isotope effects measurements with their theoretical prediction using three computational techniques, namely path integral molecular dynamics, QM cluster, and hybrid ONIOM models. While evaporation of both compounds resulted in normal bromine VPIEs, the difference in the direction of carbon isotopic fractionation is observed for the aliphatic and aromatic compounds, where VPIEs are inverse and normal, respectively. Even though theoretical models tested here turned out to be insufficient for quantitative agreement with the experimental values, cluster electronic structure calculations, as well as two-layer ONIOM computations, provided better reproduction of experimental trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Vasquez
- Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry , Lodz University of Technology , Żeromskiego 116 , 90-924 Łódź , Poland
| | - Michal Rostkowski
- Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry , Lodz University of Technology , Żeromskiego 116 , 90-924 Łódź , Poland
| | - Faina Gelman
- Geological Survey of Israel , Malkhei Israel Street 30 , 95501 Jerusalem , Israel
| | - Agnieszka Dybala-Defratyka
- Institute of Applied Radiation Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry , Lodz University of Technology , Żeromskiego 116 , 90-924 Łódź , Poland
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24
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Ludolphy C, Kahle P, Kierdorf H, Kierdorf U. Osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint in the Eastern Atlantic harbour seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) from the German North Sea: a study of the lesions seen in dry bone. BMC Vet Res 2018; 14:150. [PMID: 29716601 PMCID: PMC5930511 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-018-1473-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathological changes and resulting functional impairment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can substantially affect physical condition, morbidity, and mortality of wildlife species. Analysis of TMJ disorders is therefore of interest for the characterization of the health status of populations of wild mammals. This paper, for the first time, analyses the prevalence of TMJ osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) and the spectrum of osteoarthritic bone lesions of the TMJ in the Eastern Atlantic harbour seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina), applying a standardized scoring system. Dry skulls of 1872 individuals from the German North Sea, collected between 1961 and 1994, were examined for lesions consistent with a diagnosis of TMJ-OA. Of the skulls, 913 (48.8%) were from male, 959 (51.2%) from female seals, with age at death ranging from 2 weeks to 25 years. Possible associations of TMJ-OA with dental or periodontal disorders were also analysed. RESULTS Lesions consistent with TMJ-OA were found in 963 (53.9%) of the 1787 juvenile/subadult (5 weeks to 5 years of age) and adult (> 5 years) specimens, the condition mostly (95.0% of affected individuals) occurring in a bilateral fashion. Males were affected more frequently than females (p < 0.001), while lesion severity tended to be higher in females (p < 0.05). Severity of TMJ-OA lesions was positively correlated with age (p < 0.001). Lesion severity was also weakly positively correlated with the number of fractured teeth (p < 0.05) and of intravitally lost teeth (p < 0.01), when controlling for age at death as a confounder. CONCLUSIONS TMJ-OA is a common disorder in the Eastern Atlantic harbour seal. The more pronounced severity of the lesions in females compared to males is basically attributed to the higher average age of the female subsample. The causes underlying the high prevalence of TMJ-OA in the studied assemblage remain unknown. Most of the specimens (75.3%) analysed in the present study were found dead during the first phocine distemper virus epizootic in 1988. Therefore, it is assumed that, contrary to other museum collections, only little overrepresentation of pathological skeletal conditions is present in this death sample compared with the population from which it originated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catharina Ludolphy
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Patricia Kahle
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Horst Kierdorf
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany
| | - Uwe Kierdorf
- Department of Biology, University of Hildesheim, Universitätsplatz 1, 31141, Hildesheim, Germany.
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El Megdiche Y, Ameur WB, Bèchir H, Hassine SB, Badreddine B, Touil S, Driss MR, Eljarrat E, Barceló D. Anthropogenic (PBDE) and naturally-produced (MeO-PBDE) brominated compound levels in Bizerte Lagoon clams (Ruditapes decussatus): Levels and human health risk assessment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2017; 125:176-185. [PMID: 28818605 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Information on the occurrence of organobrominated compounds in bivalves from Tunisia is scarce. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of these compounds in clams from Tunisia. The aim of this study is to measure natural and synthetic organobrominated compound concentrations and evaluate congener distribution and pollution sources in a clam species (Ruditapes decussatus) from three sites of the Bizerte Lagoon. Total synthetic organobrominated pollutant levels in clam ranged from 34.8 to 188ngg-1lw. For natural organobrominated compounds, concentrations varied from 18.2 to 49.5ngg-1lw. Total PBDE and MeO-PBDE concentrations in clams from the Bizerte Lagoon were similar or slightly lower than those reported for other species from other locations around the world. The health risks associated with the consumption of this species were assessed and posed no threat to public health concerning PBDE intakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yassine El Megdiche
- Laboratory of Heteroatom Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Walid Ben Ameur
- Laboratory of Heteroatom Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna, Tunisia.
| | - Hammami Bèchir
- Laboratory of Heteroatom Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Sihem Ben Hassine
- Laboratory of Heteroatom Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Barhoumi Badreddine
- Laboratory of Heteroatom Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Soufiane Touil
- Laboratory of Heteroatom Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Ridha Driss
- Laboratory of Heteroatom Organic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, 7021 Jarzouna, Tunisia
| | - Ethel Eljarrat
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Damia Barceló
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Lehnert K, Weirup L, Harding KC, Härkönen T, Karlsson O, Teilmann J. Antarctic seals: Molecular biomarkers as indicators for pollutant exposure, health effects and diet. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 599-600:1693-1704. [PMID: 28535598 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii), Ross (Ommatophoca rossii) and crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophaga) are phocid seals with a circumpolar distribution around Antarctica. As long-lived and large top predators, they bioaccumulate contaminants and are considered as sentinels of ecosystem health. Antarctic seals are increasingly exposed to climate change, pollution, shipping and fisheries. To reveal and understand possible anthropogenic impacts on their immune and health status, this study investigates sensitive biomarkers of the xenobiotic metabolism and immune system in relation to mercury (Hg) burden. Gene-transcription studies using minimally-invasive blood samples are useful to monitor physiological processes in wildlife that can be related to different stressors. Blood samples of 72 wild-caught seals (Weddell n=33; Ross n=12; crabeater n=27) in the Amundsen and Ross Seas in 2008-2011 were investigated. Copy numbers per μl mRNA transcription of xenobiotic biomarkers (aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR)), aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARα) and immune relevant cell mediators (cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and heat-shock-protein 70 (HSP70)) were measured using reference genes Tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein, zeta polypeptide (YWHAZ) and ribosomal protein L4 (RPL4) by real time RT-qPCR. Hg concentration was analysed in fur. Hg concentration increased with body weight and standard length in all species. Crabeater seals showed a lower Hg concentration than Ross and Weddell seals. Species-specific differences in gene-transcription were found between all species with highest levels of AHR, ARNT and PPARα in crabeater seals. Ross seals showed highest IL-10 and HSP70 transcription, while HSP70 was exceptionally low in crabeater seals. Between Hg and HSP70 a clear negative relationship was found in all species. The species-specific, age and sex-dependent gene-transcription probably reflect dietary habits, pollutant exposure and immune status.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Lehnert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 25761 Büsum, Germany.
| | - L Weirup
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 25761 Büsum, Germany
| | - K C Harding
- University of Gothenburg, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Box 463, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - T Härkönen
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, P.O. Box 50007, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - O Karlsson
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, P.O. Box 50007, 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J Teilmann
- Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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Levin M, Gebhard E, Jasperse L, Desforges JP, Dietz R, Sonne C, Eulaers I, Covaci A, Bossi R, De Guise S. Immunomodulatory effects of exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and perfluoroalkyl acids in East Greenland ringed seals (Pusa hispida). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 151:244-250. [PMID: 27504872 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
To better elucidate the potential immune-related health effects of exposure to environmentally persistent organic pollutants (POP), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), in ringed seals (Pusa hispida), a sentinel Arctic species, we assessed 1) associations between mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and in vivo tissue contaminant burdens, and 2) the concentration-response effects of in vitro exposure to PFASs and PCB congeners on mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation. Upon in vitro contaminant exposure, the non-coplanar PCB congeners CB 138, 153, and 180, but not the coplanar CB 169, significantly reduced lymphocyte proliferation between 10 and 20µgg-1 ww. The respective in vitro EC50 values for these congeners were 13.3, 20.7, 20.8, and 54.6µgg-1 ww. No modulation of lymphocyte proliferation was observed upon in vitro exposure to two individual PFASs, perfluorooctane sulphonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), at concentrations up to 1000ngg-1. In addition, no significant correlations were found between lymphocyte proliferation and any blood or blubber contaminant measured. Taken together, these data suggest this population of ringed seals is not currently at high risk of altered lymphocyte proliferation from exposure to the POPs or PFASs in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milton Levin
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3089, United States.
| | - Erika Gebhard
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3089, United States
| | - Lindsay Jasperse
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3089, United States
| | - Jean-Pierre Desforges
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, BE-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Rossana Bossi
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Sylvain De Guise
- Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3089, United States
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28
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Weijs L, Vijayasarathy S, Villa CA, Neugebauer F, Meager JJ, Gaus C. Screening of organic and metal contaminants in Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) inhabiting an urbanised embayment. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 151:253-262. [PMID: 26945241 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.02.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
As a marine mammal species that inhabits shallow nearshore waters, humpback dolphins are likely exposed to a wide range of pollutants from adjacent land-based activities. Increased mortality rates of Australian humpback dolphins (Sousa sahulensis) in waters off a major urbanised centre triggered investigations into the threats to these species, including their contaminant exposure. The present study utilised archived tissues from 6 stranded animals to screen for a range of pollutants (PCDD/Fs, PBDEs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, PAHs, organotins, essential and non-essential elements) to inform future biopsy based biomonitoring strategies. Concentrations of PCBs and DDXs in blubber of some of these animals were remarkably high, at levels near or above toxicological thresholds associated with immune- and reproductive toxicity or population declines in other marine mammals. PBDEs, PAHs, HCB, organotins, 'drins' as well as other organic pesticides were not detected, or present at relatively low concentrations. Profiles of elements were similar in epidermis compared to other tissues, and apart from some exceptions (e.g. Fe, Cr, Co, Cu) their concentrations fell within 25th-75th percentiles of cetacean baselines in four of the five animals. Non-essential elements (Al, V, Pb, Ba, Ni, Cd) were notably elevated in one specimen which may have experienced poor health or nutritional status. These data provide a first insight into the contaminant status of a rare and poorly studied population inhabiting an urbanised area. The results highlight a need for future biomonitoring of live populations, and inform on priorities in the typically limited blubber and skin sample volumes obtained through biopsies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Weijs
- National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (ENTOX), The University of Queensland, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia.
| | - Soumini Vijayasarathy
- National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (ENTOX), The University of Queensland, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia
| | - C Alexander Villa
- National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (ENTOX), The University of Queensland, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia
| | | | - Justin J Meager
- Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Caroline Gaus
- National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (ENTOX), The University of Queensland, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia.
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29
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Ahmed MN, Sinha SN, Vemula SR, Sivaperumal P, Vasudev K, Ashu S, Mendu VVR, Bhatnagar V. Accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls in fish and assessment of dietary exposure: a study in Hyderabad City, India. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2016; 188:94. [PMID: 26780413 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-015-5068-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study is to determine the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in different fish species collected from fish outlets in the south Indian city of Hyderabad. The samples of fish extracted by using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) and concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, 45 congeners) were determined by gas chromatography-microelectron capture detection (GC-μECD) method. The intake of individual PCB congeners through fish, toxicity equivalence factors (TEFs), hazardous quotient, quantitative assessment, and risk evaluations was estimated in the Indian population. Daily dietary intakes of PCBs at the 95th-percentile-measured concentrations were twice the values of the 50th-percentile-measured concentrations in all socio-economic groups. The dietary intakes of PCBs through fish consumption in middle-income group, low-income group, and industrial laborers (0.023 μg kg(-1) day(-1)), the high-income group (0.031 μg kg(-1) day(-1)), and slum dwellers (0.039 μg kg(-1) day(-1)) exceeded the reference dose. The observed estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of our study for all socio-economic sections (0.0087 μg/kg/day) crossed the cancer benchmark concentration of 0.0003 μg/kg/day. In slum dwellers, the ingestion of fish from freshwater and marine water results in the highest lifetime cancer risks of 4.7 in 100,000 and 7.8 in 100,000, respectively. Ultimately, the concentrations of PCBs were determined high in all of the fish species collected. Risk assessment showed that the fish were highly contaminated with PCBs and may pose health threats to consumers in the city of Hyderabad as well as a lifetime cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Noor Ahmed
- Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, National Institute of Nutrition, Jamia-Osmania P.O., Hyderabad, 500 007, AP, India
| | - Sukesh Narayan Sinha
- Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, National Institute of Nutrition, Jamia-Osmania P.O., Hyderabad, 500 007, AP, India.
| | - Sudershan Rao Vemula
- Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, National Institute of Nutrition, Jamia-Osmania P.O., Hyderabad, 500 007, AP, India
| | - P Sivaperumal
- National Institute of Occupational Health, Meghani Nagar, Ahmedabad, 380016, Gujarat, India
| | - K Vasudev
- Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, National Institute of Nutrition, Jamia-Osmania P.O., Hyderabad, 500 007, AP, India
| | - Shaik Ashu
- Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, National Institute of Nutrition, Jamia-Osmania P.O., Hyderabad, 500 007, AP, India
| | - Vishnu Vardhana Rao Mendu
- Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, National Institute of Nutrition, Jamia-Osmania P.O., Hyderabad, 500 007, AP, India
| | - V Bhatnagar
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Swami Vivekananda Subharti University, Meerut, India
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Lehnert K, Ronnenberg K, Weijs L, Covaci A, Das K, Hellwig V, Siebert U. Xenobiotic and Immune-Relevant Molecular Biomarkers in Harbor Seals as Proxies for Pollutant Burden and Effects. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2016; 70:106-120. [PMID: 26296438 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-015-0202-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Harbor seals are exposed to increasing pressure caused by anthropogenic activities in their marine environment. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and trace elements are hazardous contaminants that accumulate in tissues of harbor seals. POPs and trace elements can negatively affect the immune-system and have been reported, e.g., to increase susceptibility to viral infections in seals. Biomarkers of the xenobiotic metabolism, cytokines, and heat-shock protein as cell mediators of the immune-system were established to evaluate the impact of environmental stressors on harbor seals. Harbor seals (n = 54) were captured on sandbanks in the North Sea during 2009-2012. Health assessments, including hematology, were performed, and RNAlater blood samples were taken and analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Normalized transcript copy numbers were correlated to hematology and POP concentration in blood and trace metals in blood and fur. A significant correlation between xenobiotic markers and contaminant burden was found. Significant interrelationships between markers and POP compounds, as well as with season, weight, and hematology values, indicate that biomarkers reflect pollutant exposure and effects. A significant relationship between cortisol levels and heat-shock protein expression was observed indicating stress experienced during restraint of the seals. Interleukin-10 transcription showed significant correlations with trace elements in fur pointing toward immune regulatory effects of metal exposure. The molecular markers prove to be an important noninvasive tool that reflects contaminant exposure and the impact of anthropogenic stressors in seal species. The connection between interleukin-2, xenobiotic markers, and pollutants may indicate immune suppression in animals exposed to contaminants with subsequent susceptibility to inflammatory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Lehnert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 25761, Büsum, Germany.
- Institute for Coastal Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany.
| | - Katrin Ronnenberg
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 25761, Büsum, Germany
| | - Liesbeth Weijs
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
- National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (ENTOX), The University of Queensland, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, QLD, 4108, Australia
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Krishna Das
- Laboratory of Oceanology-MARE Centre, University of Liege, 4000, Liege, Belgium
| | - Veronika Hellwig
- Institute for Coastal Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Centre for Materials and Coastal Research, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 25761, Büsum, Germany
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31
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Kakuschke A, Griesel S. Essential and Toxic Elements in Blood Samples of Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) from the Islands Helgoland (North Sea) and Anholt (Baltic Sea): A Comparison Study with Urbanized Areas. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2016; 70:67-74. [PMID: 26253942 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-015-0205-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from Helgoland (North Sea) and Anholt (Kattegat, Baltic Sea) are top predators within the marine food web and an indicator species of the environmental contamination. Furthermore, they are a main tourist attraction. Despite these important roles, little is known about the health and pollutant contamination of these seals. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate 18 essential and nonessential/toxic elements (Al, As, Be, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, and Zn) in blood samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and total X-ray-fluorescence spectrometry. Blood concentrations of mineral nutrients, such as Ca, K, P, and S, were within the reference ranges described for harbor seals. Likewise, for the trace elements, As, Be, Rb, Se, and Sr, no significant differences were observed compared with previous studies. Interestingly, blood concentrations of nine nonessential as well as essential trace metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn) measured significantly lower in the offshore living seals from Helgoland and Anholt compared with results obtained from animals living close to urbanized areas, such as the Wadden Sea and Elbe estuary. This suggests that industrial emissions, sewage deposition, shipping traffic and dredging tasks might be the cause of increased metal concentrations of inshore harbor seals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje Kakuschke
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany.
- , Sillemstraße 104, 20257, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Simone Griesel
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany
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32
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Peterson SH, Peterson MG, Debier C, Covaci A, Dirtu AC, Malarvannan G, Crocker DE, Schwarz LK, Costa DP. Deep-ocean foraging northern elephant seals bioaccumulate persistent organic pollutants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 533:144-155. [PMID: 26151658 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.06.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
As top predators in the northeast Pacific Ocean, northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) are vulnerable to bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Our study examined a suite of POPs in blubber (inner and outer) and blood (serum) of free-ranging northern elephant seals. For adult females (N=24), we satellite tracked and sampled the same seals before and after their approximately seven month long foraging trip. For males, we sampled different adults and sub-adults before (N=14) and after (N=15) the same foraging trip. For females, we calculated blubber burdens for all compounds. The highest POP concentrations in males and females were found for ∑DDTs and ∑PCBs. In blubber and serum, males had significantly greater concentrations than females for almost all compounds. For males and females, ∑DDT and ∑PBDEs were highly correlated in blubber and serum. While ∑PCBs were highly correlated with ∑DDTs and ∑PBDEs in blubber and serum for males, ∑PCBs showed weaker correlations with both compounds in females. As females gained mass while foraging, concentrations of nearly all POPs in inner and outer blubber significantly decreased; however, the absolute burden in blubber significantly increased, indicating ingestion of contaminants while foraging. Additionally, we identified three clusters of seal foraging behavior, based on geography, diving behavior, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, which corresponded with differences in ∑DDTs, ∑PBDEs, MeO-BDE 47, as well as the ratio of ∑DDTs to ∑PCBs, indicating the potential for behavior to heighten or mitigate contaminant exposure. The greatest concentrations of ∑DDTs and ∑PBDEs were observed in the cluster that foraged closer to the coast and had blood samples more enriched in (13)C. Bioaccumulation of POPs by elephant seals supports mesopelagic food webs as a sink for POPs and highlights elephant seals as a potential sentinel of contamination in deep ocean food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Peterson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA.
| | - Michael G Peterson
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Cathy Debier
- Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2/L7.05.08, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Alin C Dirtu
- Toxicological Center, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Chemistry, "Al. I. Cuza" University of Iasi, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Govindan Malarvannan
- Toxicological Center, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Daniel E Crocker
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA
| | - Lisa K Schwarz
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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Kim UJ, Jo H, Lee IS, Joo GJ, Oh JE. Investigation of bioaccumulation and biotransformation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, hydroxylated and methoxylated derivatives in varying trophic level freshwater fishes. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 137:108-114. [PMID: 26092317 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.05.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Revised: 05/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations and distributions of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their hydroxylated and methoxylated derivatives (OH- and MeO-BDEs) were determined in seven representative fish species from a river in the Republic of Korea. The PBDEs and their derivatives were found to be accumulated in the internal organs of the fish to different extents. PBDEs were preferentially accumulated in the internal organs rather than muscle tissue, and especially, showed increasing accumulation tendencies with increasing bromination level in liver. The OH-BDEs and MeO-BDEs were preferentially accumulated in the liver and gastrointestinal tract, respectively. MeO-BDE concentrations were found to increase according to relative trophic level, suggesting that the PBDE derivatives can be biomagnified to a greater extent than the parent PBDEs in freshwater food webs. In a comparison with the dissolved analyte concentrations in the water that were measured by using semi-permeable membrane devices, the greater uptake of non-ortho substituted MeO-BDEs by fish was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Un-Jung Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, San 30, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea; Center for Environment, Health and Welfare Research, Korea Institute Science and Technology (KIST), 39-1, Hawolgok-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-791, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunbin Jo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, San 30, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Seok Lee
- National Fisheries Research & Development Institute (NFRDI), 216, Gijanghaeanro, Gijang-Eup, Gijang-Gun, Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea
| | - Gea-Jae Joo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Pusan National University, San 30, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Oh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, San 30, Jangjeon-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan 609-735, Republic of Korea.
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Hoydal KS, Letcher RJ, Blair DAD, Dam M, Lockyer C, Jenssen BM. Legacy and emerging organic pollutants in liver and plasma of long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) from waters surrounding the Faroe Islands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 520:270-285. [PMID: 25817764 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2015] [Revised: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of PCBs, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), brominated flame retardants and a suite of relevant metabolites of these POPs, in all 175 different compounds, were determined in liver and plasma of traditionally hunted pilot whales (n=14 males and n=13 females of different age groups) from the Faroe Islands. The main objectives of this study were to determine differences in the presence and concentrations of the compounds in the liver and plasma, how they depend on developmental stage (calves, sub adults, and adult females), and to assess maternal transfer of the compounds to suckling calves. Generally, the lipid weight (lw) concentrations of quantified POPs in the liver and plasma of pilot whales were positively correlated, and lw concentrations of most POPs did not differ between these matrices. However, concentrations of some individual POPs differed significantly (p<0.05) between plasma and liver; CB-153 (p=0.044), CB-174 (p=0.027) and BDE-47 (p=0.017) were higher in plasma than in liver, whereas p,p'-DDE (p=0.004) and HCB (p<0.001) were higher in liver than in plasma. POP concentrations differed between age/gender groups with lower levels in adult females than in juveniles. The relative distribution of compounds also differed between the age groups, due to the influence of the maternal transfer of the compounds. The results indicated that larger, more hydrophobic POPs were transferred to the offspring less efficiently than smaller or less lipid soluble compounds. Very low levels of both OH- and/or MeSO2-PCB and PBDE metabolites were found in all age groups, with no significant (p>0.05) differences between the groups, strongly suggesting a very low metabolic capacity for their formation in pilot whales. The lack of difference in the metabolite concentrations between the age groups also indicates less maternal transfer of these contaminant groups compared to the precursor compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin S Hoydal
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Environment Agency, Traðagøta 38, P.O. BOX 2048, FO-165 Argir, Faroe Islands.
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Dr. (Raven Road), Carleton University, Ottawa K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - David A D Blair
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Dr. (Raven Road), Carleton University, Ottawa K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Maria Dam
- Environment Agency, Traðagøta 38, P.O. BOX 2048, FO-165 Argir, Faroe Islands
| | | | - Bjørn M Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Estrogenic evaluation and organochlorine identification in blubber of North Sea harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) stranded on the North Sea coast. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:438295. [PMID: 26075240 PMCID: PMC4449880 DOI: 10.1155/2015/438295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Thirteen individual organochlorine compounds at 3 concentrations (80, 400, and 2000 ng/mL culture medium), as well as mixtures, were assayed for the estrogen receptor (ER) activation or inhibition, using a luciferase reporter gene assay (RGA). None of the PCB 138, 153, or 180 or their mixture induced a response in the RGA. o,p′-DDT was the most potent xenoestrogen from the DDT group, inducing a response already at 80 ng/mL. From the HCH and HCB group, only β-HCH (at 400 and 2000 ng/mL) and δ-HCH (at 2000 ng/mL) displayed estrogenic activities. These 13 organochlorines were determined by GC-MS in 12 samples of North Sea harbor porpoise blubber. The PCBs were the main contaminants. Within each group, PCB 153 (6.0 × 102~4.2 × 104
μg/kg), p,p′-DDE (5.1 × 102~8.6 × 103
μg/kg), and HCB (7.6 × 101~1.5 × 103
μg/kg) were the compounds found in highest concentrations. The hormonal activity of the porpoise blubber samples was also assayed in RGA, where two samples showed estrogenic activity, seven samples showed antiestrogenic activity, and one sample showed both estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity. Our results suggest that the 13 POPs measured by GC-MS in the samples cannot explain alone the estrogenicity of the extracts.
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Weijs L, Briels N, Adams DH, Lepoint G, Das K, Blust R, Covaci A. Maternal transfer of organohalogenated compounds in sharks and stingrays. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2015; 92:59-68. [PMID: 25595490 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.12.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Revised: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Elasmobranchs can bioaccumulate considerable amounts of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and utilize several reproductive strategies thereby influencing maternal transfer of contaminants. This study provides preliminary data on the POP transfer from pregnant females to offspring of three species (Atlantic stingrays, bonnethead, blacktip sharks) with different reproduction modes (aplacental, placental viviparity). Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels were generally higher than any other POPs. Stingrays and blacktip shark embryos contained the lowest POP concentrations while bonnetheads and the blacktip adult female had the highest concentrations. Results suggest that POPs are more readily transferred from the mother to the embryo compared to what is transferred to ova in stingrays. Statistically significant differences in levels of selected POPs were found between embryos from the left and right uterus within the same litter as well as between female and male embryos within the same litter for bonnetheads, but not for the blacktip sharks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Weijs
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Entox), The University of Queensland, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia.
| | - Nathalie Briels
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, Høgskoleringen 5, Realfagbygget, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Douglas H Adams
- Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, 1220 Prospect Ave., #285, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
| | - Gilles Lepoint
- Laboratory for Oceanology - MARE Center, University of Liège B6C, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Krishna Das
- Laboratory for Oceanology - MARE Center, University of Liège B6C, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Ronny Blust
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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Weijs L, Briels N, Adams DH, Lepoint G, Das K, Blust R, Covaci A. Bioaccumulation of organohalogenated compounds in sharks and rays from the southeastern USA. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 137:199-207. [PMID: 25569844 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Revised: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 12/26/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Organohalogenated compounds are widespread in the marine environment and can be a serious threat to organisms in all levels of aquatic food webs, including elasmobranch species. Information about the concentrations of POPs (persistent organic pollutants) and of MeO-PBDEs (methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in elasmobranchs is scarce and potential toxic effects are poorly understood. The aims of the present study were therefore to investigate the occurrence of multiple POP classes (PCBs, PBDEs, DDXs, HCB, CHLs) and of MeO-PBDEs in various elasmobranch species from different trophic levels in estuarine and marine waters of the southeastern United States. Overall, levels and patterns of PCBs, PBDEs, DDXs, HCB, CHLs and of MeO-PBDEs varied according to the species, maturity stage, gender and habitat type. The lowest levels of POPs were found in Atlantic stingrays and the highest levels were found in bull sharks. As both species are respectively near the bottom and at top of the trophic web, with juvenile bull sharks frequently feeding on Atlantic stingrays, these findings further suggest a bioaccumulation and biomagnification process with trophic position. MeO-PBDEs were not detected in Atlantic stingrays, but were found in all shark species. HCB was not found in Atlantic stingrays, bonnetheads or lemon sharks, but was detected in the majority of bull sharks examined. Comparison with previous studies suggests that Atlantic stingrays may be experiencing toxic effects of PCBs and DDXs on their immune system. However, the effect of these compounds on the health of shark species remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Weijs
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (Entox), The University of Queensland, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia.
| | - Nathalie Briels
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, Høgskoleringen 5, Realfagbygget, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Douglas H Adams
- Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish & Wildlife Research Institute, 1220 Prospect Ave., #285, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
| | - Gilles Lepoint
- Laboratory for Oceanology-MARE Center, University of Liège B6C, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Krishna Das
- Laboratory for Oceanology-MARE Center, University of Liège B6C, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Ronny Blust
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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Liu PY, Chen XR, Zhao YX, Li YY, Qin XF, Qin ZF. Changes of polybrominated diphenyl ether concentrations in ducks with background exposure level and time. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 118:253-260. [PMID: 25290171 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
To reveal what degree bioaccumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) depends on exposure time and other factors, we conducted a semi-field experiment for a year (June 2008-June 2009) in a village in an e-waste recycling site in Taizhou, China. Approximately one hundred of juvenile ducks (Anas domestica Linnaeus) were entrusted to a villager. The ducks lived and forged in a PBDE-polluted pond from the late March to the end of November. Fish and mudsnails that were heavily polluted by PBDEs were main food. In cold days (from December to the middle March), the ducks lived in the villager' house, and mainly fed on paddy, which contained lower concentrations of PBDEs than fish and mudsnails. The female ducks were sampled for PBDE analysis every three months. We found that the ∑PBDE concentrations in duck liver, muscle, lung and brain fluctuated greatly with the changes of exposure levels that were determined by the environment and diets, but the ∑PBDE concentrations in fat tissue increased successively with time. Congener analysis demonstrated that the successive increase in the ∑PBDE concentrations with time in fat tissue was due to the successive increase in BDE-209, -183 and -153 concentrations, with large fluctuations of low brominated congeners. The results show that PBDE concentrations in liver, muscle, lung and brain tissues heavily depends on exposure levels rather than exposure time. In fat tissue, by contrast, PBDE concentrations (mainly high brominated congeners) slightly depends on exposure levels but heavily depend on time relative to other tissues, implying that high brominated congeners seem to have longer half-lives than low brominated congeners in fat tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Yan Liu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China
| | - Xiao-Ran Chen
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Ya-Xian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Xiao-Fei Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Zhan-Fen Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
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Weijs L, Dirtu AC, Malarvannan G, Covaci A. Bioaccumulation and Biotransformation of Brominated Flame Retardants. PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPS): ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES, ENVIRONMENTAL FATE AND BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63299-9.00014-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Mahfouz C, Henry F, Jauniaux T, Khalaf G, Amara R. Organochlorines in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded along the southern North Sea between 2010 and 2013. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2014; 16:2774-2781. [PMID: 25354365 DOI: 10.1039/c4em00490f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 6 dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDXs) and 8 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in the blubber of 20 harbour porpoises stranded on the coasts of the southern North Sea between 2010 and 2013. The results showed that porpoises that died from infectious diseases displayed significantly higher levels of PCBs in their blubber compared to healthy porpoises that died from physical trauma. ∑7CBs and ∑DDXs were higher in juvenile porpoises compared to adult females. Except for three individuals, PBDE concentrations were below the limit of quantification in the blubber samples treated. In general, levels of PCBs and DDXs obtained in the blubber of porpoises from this study were in the same order of magnitude or even lower than those obtained in the blubber of porpoises stranded along the North East Atlantic Ocean and the Black Sea over the period 1987 and 2013. The results of the present study suggest that even if the status of marine pollution has been improved, a continuous long-term contamination by toxic organochlorines over many generations may be observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Mahfouz
- CNRS, National Centre for Marine Sciences, P.O. Box 534, Batroun, Lebanon.
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41
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Routti H, Lydersen C, Hanssen L, Kovacs KM. Contaminant levels in the world's northernmost harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2014; 87:140-146. [PMID: 25152181 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/02/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The world's northernmost harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) population, which inhabits Svalbard, Norway, constitutes a genetically distinct population. The present study reports concentrations of 14 PCBs, 5 chlordanes, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), mirex, and, α-, β-and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in blubber, and pentachlorophenol, 4-OH-heptachlorostyrene, 10 OH-PCBs and 14 perfluoroalkyl substances in plasma of live-captured harbor seals from this population (4 males, 4 females, 4 juveniles), sampled in 2009-2010. Concentrations of PCB 153, p,p'-DDE, oxychlordane, α-HCH and mirex and perfluoroalkyl sulfonates in Svalbard harbor seals were considerably lower than harbor seal from more southerly populations, while concentrations of HCB, OH-PCBs and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates were similar for harbor seals from Svalbard and southern areas. Concentrations of PCBs and pesticides in the Svalbard harbor seals were 60-90% lower than levels determined a decade ago in this same population. Current concentrations of legacy POPs are not considered a health risk to the harbor seals from Svalbard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
| | | | - Linda Hanssen
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kit M Kovacs
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
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Shaw SD, Berger ML, Weijs L, Päpke O, Covaci A. Polychlorinated biphenyls still pose significant health risks to northwest Atlantic harbor seals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 490:477-487. [PMID: 24875260 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been detected at relatively high concentrations in harbor seals, apex predators in the northwest Atlantic. As part of an ongoing assessment of the effects of PCBs on population health, we analyzed tri- to deca-PCBs in the liver of 56 harbor seals (6 adult males, 50 pups) and in 11 blubber samples (4 adult males, 7 pups) and examined tissue-specific accumulation patterns, biomagnification potential, and toxic implications of current PCB concentrations. Hepatic ∑30PCB concentrations (overall mean±standard deviation: 76,860±111,800 ng/g lipid weight, lw) were higher than blubber concentrations (48,180±69,420 ng/g lw). Regional trends were suggestive of fresh PCB inputs from the industrialized, densely populated southern coast of New England versus the rural north. The lack of temporal trends confirmed that tissue concentrations of PCBs have plateaued since the early 1990s. Tissue distribution of PCBs varied significantly by age and, surprisingly by gender among the pups. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that lighter PCBs are selectively transferred from mother to pup blubber in relation to lipid solubility (log Kow), but heavier PCBs may be efficiently transferred during late lactation from mother to pup liver. Biomagnification factors (BMFs) for ∑6PCBs from prey fish to adult male seals ranged from 90 to 547 in the liver and 88 to 532 in the blubber, and suggested that molecular structure and metabolic capacity were more important influences than log Kow on the retention of PCBs. Blubber concentrations of ∑30PCBs in 87% of the pups were an order of magnitude higher than recent toxic reference values (TRVs) calculated for ∑154PCBs in nursing harbor seals, suggesting that the pups are at risk for PCB-mediated toxicity at a vulnerable stage of development. Given the recurring pattern of epizootics in these seals, the health of the population is of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan D Shaw
- Marine Environmental Research Institute, Center for Marine Studies, P.O. Box 1652, Blue Hill, ME 04614, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany, P.O. Box 509, Albany, NY 12201-0509, USA.
| | - Michelle L Berger
- Marine Environmental Research Institute, Center for Marine Studies, P.O. Box 1652, Blue Hill, ME 04614, USA
| | - Liesbeth Weijs
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Olaf Päpke
- Eurofins-ERGO, Neuländerkamp 1, 21079 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
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43
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Méndez-Fernandez P, Webster L, Chouvelon T, Bustamante P, Ferreira M, González AF, López A, Moffat CF, Pierce GJ, Read FL, Russell M, Santos MB, Spitz J, Vingada JV, Caurant F. An assessment of contaminant concentrations in toothed whale species of the NW Iberian Peninsula: part I. Persistent organic pollutants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 484:196-205. [PMID: 24726511 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.02.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the blubber of the five most common toothed whales off the Northwest Iberian Peninsula (NWIP), specifically common dolphin, long-finned pilot whale, harbour porpoise, striped dolphin and bottlenose dolphin, were investigated. The study revealed that differences in PCB and PBDE concentrations among the species are highly dependent on age and sex but also on ecological factors such as trophic level, prey type and habitat. Of the five species studied, bottlenose dolphin and harbour porpoise showed the greatest concentrations of PCBs. Both species exceed the toxic threshold of 17μgg(-1) lipid weight (PCB Aroclor equivalent) for health effects on marine mammals, for 100% and 75% of the individuals tested, respectively. Overall, the PCB and PBDE levels observed in the NWIP toothed whales were of the same order of magnitude or lower than those reported by previous studies in areas of the NE Atlantic. However, they are often higher than those for toothed whales from the southern Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Méndez-Fernandez
- Littoral Environment et Sociétes (LIENSs), UMRi 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17042 La Rochelle Cedex 01, France; Coordinadora para o Estudo dos Mamiferos Mariños (CEMMA), Apdo. 15, Pontevedra 36380, Spain; Centro de Biologia Molecuar e Ambiental (CBMA)/Sociedade Portuguesa de Vida Selvagem (SPVS), Dep. de Biologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal.
| | - Lynda Webster
- Marine Scotland, Marine Laboratory, Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, United Kingdom
| | - Tiphaine Chouvelon
- Littoral Environment et Sociétes (LIENSs), UMRi 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17042 La Rochelle Cedex 01, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environment et Sociétes (LIENSs), UMRi 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17042 La Rochelle Cedex 01, France
| | - Marisa Ferreira
- Centro de Biologia Molecuar e Ambiental (CBMA)/Sociedade Portuguesa de Vida Selvagem (SPVS), Dep. de Biologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Angel F González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (C.S.I.C), Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Alfredo López
- Coordinadora para o Estudo dos Mamiferos Mariños (CEMMA), Apdo. 15, Pontevedra 36380, Spain
| | - Colin F Moffat
- Marine Scotland, Marine Laboratory, Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, United Kingdom
| | - Graham J Pierce
- Oceanlab, University of Aberdeen Main Street, Newburgh, Aberdeenshire AB41 6AA, United Kingdom; Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Fiona L Read
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (C.S.I.C), Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208 Vigo, Spain
| | - Marie Russell
- Marine Scotland, Marine Laboratory, Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, United Kingdom
| | - Maria B Santos
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, P.O. Box 1552, Vigo 36200, Spain
| | - Jérôme Spitz
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - José V Vingada
- Centro de Biologia Molecuar e Ambiental (CBMA)/Sociedade Portuguesa de Vida Selvagem (SPVS), Dep. de Biologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Universidade de Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Florence Caurant
- Littoral Environment et Sociétes (LIENSs), UMRi 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17042 La Rochelle Cedex 01, France
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Qi Z, Buekens A, Liu J, Chen T, Lu S, Li X, Cen K. Some technical issues in managing PCBs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:6448-6462. [PMID: 23812787 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1926-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were important industrial chemicals featuring high thermal and chemical stability and low flammability. They were widely used as dielectric and thermal fluid in closed electro-technical applications (transformers, capacitors…) and also in numerous dispersive uses, ranking from auto-copying paper to sealant or coatings. During the 1960s, severe environmental consequences started becoming apparent. The stability of PCBs contributed to their persistence in the environment, their lipophilic character to bio-magnification. Fish-eating species seemed threatened in their existence. In Japan and in Taiwan, thousands of people consumed PCB-contaminated oil. The production of PCBs stopped completely during the 1980s. Usage could continue in closed applications only. In this paper, particular attention is given to two issues: the cleaning of PCB electric transformers and the potential impact of PCB-containing building materials. Other contributions will cover the management and treatment of PCB-contaminated soil, sludge or fly ash. The complete survey is being prepared by request of the Knowledge Center for Engineers and Professionals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifu Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
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Effects of age, adipose percent, and reproduction on PCB concentrations and profiles in an extreme fasting North Pacific marine mammal. PLoS One 2014; 9:e96191. [PMID: 24755635 PMCID: PMC3995994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0096191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are widely distributed and detectable far from anthropogenic sources. Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) biannually travel thousands of kilometers to forage in coastal and open-ocean regions of the northeast Pacific Ocean and then return to land where they fast while breeding and molting. Our study examined potential effects of age, adipose percent, and the difference between the breeding and molting fasts on PCB concentrations and congener profiles in blubber and serum of northern elephant seal females. Between 2005 and 2007, we sampled blubber and blood from 58 seals before and after a foraging trip, which were then analyzed for PCBs. Age did not significantly affect total PCB concentrations; however, the proportion of PCB congeners with different numbers of chlorine atoms was significantly affected by age, especially in the outer blubber. Younger adult females had a significantly greater proportion of low-chlorinated PCBs (tri-, tetra-, and penta-CBs) than older females, with the opposite trend observed for hepta-CBs, indicating that an age-associated process such as parity (birth) may significantly affect congener profiles. The percent of adipose tissue had a significant relationship with inner blubber PCB concentrations, with the highest mean concentrations observed at the end of the molting fast. These results highlight the importance of sampling across the entire blubber layer when assessing contaminant levels in phocid seals and taking into account the adipose stores and reproductive status of an animal when conducting contaminant research.
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Rosenfelder N, Vetter W. Polychlorinated terphenyl patterns and levels in selected marine mammals and a river fish from different continents. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2014; 62:119-124. [PMID: 24211498 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2013] [Revised: 10/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants which have been used from the 1920s to the 1980s for similar purposes as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Comparably little data was available on the PCT distribution in the environment mainly due to analytical difficulties in their determination. By means of a calculation algorithm recently developed we now studied the PCT pattern in individual marine mammal samples and one fish sample from different continents. Altogether, 97 PCTs were detected in eight samples and twelve to 66 tetra- to nonachloroterphenyl (tetra- to nonaCT) congeners were detected in individual samples. PCTs were present in all marine mammal samples which originated from four continents, but the PCT pattern was varied. TetraCTs were dominant in the sample from Africa, Australia, Spitsbergen (European Arctic) and in a sample from the Baltic Sea, heptaCTs in samples from the North Sea and octaCTs in a sample from Iceland. The abundance of sumPCTs relative to PCB 153, estimated from the GC/ECNI-MS response corrected for the degree of chlorination, ranged from 0.9 to 8.8%, corresponding with ~0.22-2.2% of the total PCB content. The highest PCT level detected was 980 mg/kg lipid in a harbour seal from the North Sea, Germany. The results from this study indicated that samples from certain areas, e.g. the North Sea may still be polluted with PCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Rosenfelder
- University of Hohenheim, Institute of Food Chemistry, Garbenstr. 25, D-70593 Stuttgart, Germany
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47
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Dupont A, Siebert U, Covaci A, Weijs L, Eppe G, Debier C, De Pauw-Gillet MC, Das K. Relationships between in vitro lymphoproliferative responses and levels of contaminants in blood of free-ranging adult harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the North Sea. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2013; 142-143:210-220. [PMID: 24051082 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2013.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Revised: 08/18/2013] [Accepted: 08/24/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In vitro culture of peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) is currently used in toxicological studies of marine mammals. However, blood cells of wild individuals are exposed in vivo to environmental contaminants before being isolated and exposed to contaminants in vitro. The aim of this study was to highlight potential relationships between blood contaminant levels and in vitro peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation in free-ranging adult harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) from the North Sea. Blood samples of 18 individuals were analyzed for trace elements (Fe, Zn, Se, Cu, Hg, Pb, Cd) and persistent organic contaminants and metabolites (ΣPCBs, ΣHO-PCBs, ΣPBDEs, 2-MeO-BDE68 and 6-MeO-BDE47, ΣDDXs, hexachlorobenzene, oxychlordane, trans-nonachlor, pentachlorophenol and tribromoanisole). The same samples were used to determine the haematology profiles, cell numbers and viability, as well as the in vitro ConA-induced lymphocyte proliferation expressed as a stimulation index (SI). Correlation tests (Bravais-Pearson) and Principal Component Analysis with multiple regression revealed no statistically significant relationship between the lymphocyte SI and the contaminants studied. However, the number of lymphocytes per millilitre of whole blood appeared to be negatively correlated to pentachlorophenol (r=-0.63, p=0.005). In adult harbour seals, the interindividual variations of in vitro lymphocyte proliferation did not appear to be directly linked to pollutant levels present in the blood, and it is likely that other factors such as age, life history, or physiological parameters have an influence. In a general manner, experiments with in vitro immune cell cultures of wild marine mammals should be designed so as to minimize confounding factors in which case they remain a valuable tool to study pollutant effects in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Dupont
- Laboratory of Oceanology - MARE Center, University of Liège, B6c, allée de la chimie 3, B-4000 Liège (Sart-Tilman), Belgium
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Weijs L, Tibax D, Roach AC, Manning TM, Chapman JC, Edge K, Blust R, Covaci A. Assessing levels of halogenated organic compounds in mass-stranded long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) from Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2013; 461-462:117-125. [PMID: 23714247 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.04.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Revised: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Pollution is a threat to the health of marine mammals worldwide. Mass-strandings are poorly understood, but often involve pilot whales. However, there is limited information regarding pollution in long-finned pilot whales from Australia. Consequently, the profiles and levels of several pollutant classes were investigated in blubber of Tasmanian long-finned pilot whales. DDX levels were highest in all groups, followed by PCBs or MeO-PBDEs and lowest for PBDEs. The concentrations of all pollutants decreased with age in males. This is at least partly due to the growth dilution effect although it might also be caused by decreasing levels of PCBs, PBDEs, DDXs, HCB and CHLs in the environment. Fetus/mother ratios of higher chlorinated PCBs increased with the duration of pregnancy suggesting a preference for offloading via gestation rather than through lactation. Overall, the highest pollutant levels were found in the youngest animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Weijs
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
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Liu P, Ren D, Du G, Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Qin Z. Accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in mudsnails (Cipangopaludina cahayensis) did not increase with age. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2013; 91:1-5. [PMID: 23595345 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-013-0993-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we examined concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in mudsnails (Cipangopaludina cahayensis) and sediment samples from an electronic waste recycling area to investigate the correlation between PBDE accumulation and age. The results showed that PBDE accumulation did not increase with age, suggesting a dynamic balance between the uptake, depuration and biotransformation of PBDEs relative to growth dilution in mudsnails. We infer that this phenomenon is associated with low absorption efficiencies, rapid depuration rates and high biotransformation rates of PBDEs. BDE-209 contributed only up to about 5 %, whereas BDE-209 was the dominant congener and contributed up to 90 % of the total PBDEs in surface sediments. The difference in PBDE congener pattern between mudsnails and sediments showed a low bioaccumulation potential for these compounds in mudsnails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyan Liu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Science, HeBei University, Baoding, Hebei Province, China
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50
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Weijs L, Yang RSH, Das K, Covaci A, Blust R. Application of Bayesian population physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling and Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations to pesticide kinetics studies in protected marine mammals: DDT, DDE, and DDD in harbor porpoises. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:4365-4374. [PMID: 23560461 DOI: 10.1021/es400386a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling in marine mammals is a challenge because of the lack of parameter information and the ban on exposure experiments. To minimize uncertainty and variability, parameter estimation methods are required for the development of reliable PBPK models. The present study is the first to develop PBPK models for the lifetime bioaccumulation of p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDD in harbor porpoises. In addition, this study is also the first to apply the Bayesian approach executed with Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations using two data sets of harbor porpoises from the Black and North Seas. Parameters from the literature were used as priors for the first "model update" using the Black Sea data set, the resulting posterior parameters were then used as priors for the second "model update" using the North Sea data set. As such, PBPK models with parameters specific for harbor porpoises could be strengthened with more robust probability distributions. As the science and biomonitoring effort progress in this area, more data sets will become available to further strengthen and update the parameters in the PBPK models for harbor porpoises as a species anywhere in the world. Further, such an approach could very well be extended to other protected marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Weijs
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
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