1
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Zhang P, Wang J, Sweetman A, Ge L, Xing R, Ji H, Yan J, Xiao Q, Cui Y, Ma H, Xu S. An overview on the legacy and risks of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Organochlorinated Pesticides (OCPs) in the polar regions. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 209:117042. [PMID: 39393231 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/22/2024] [Indexed: 10/13/2024]
Abstract
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Organochlorinated Pesticides (OCPs) are 'trapped' in a variety of environmental media and can therefore undergo further processing by geochemical cycles. By reviewing a wide range of research studies, we present and discuss the main progresses that affect legacy contaminants, such as migration and transformation processes, biological effects assessment across all Arctic media. PCBs and OCPs demonstrated an overall decreasing concentration trend over time in the Arctic. Ecological risk assessment was undertaken by comparison with two standards, suggesting that there was no ecological risk in either soil or sediment. The concentrations of HCB, ΣHCHs, ΣDDTs, chlordane, mirex, and ΣPCBs increased with trophic levels (TLs), showing a significant linear correlation (P < 0.001). The calculated trophic magnification factors (TMFs) values ranged from 0.0004 to 26.63, among which DDTs had the highest value. Future research need to focus on the long-term fate of PCBs and OCPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Andrew Sweetman
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Linke Ge
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China; Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK.
| | - Rongguang Xing
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Hao Ji
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Jingfeng Yan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Qian Xiao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Yaqing Cui
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Hongrui Ma
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Sisi Xu
- Resources and Environment Innovation Institute, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China.
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2
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Chen Y, Bell TH, Gourlie S, Lei YD, Wania F. Contaminant Biomagnification in Polar Bears: Interindividual Differences, Dietary Intake Rate, and the Gut Microbiome. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:10504-10514. [PMID: 38838208 PMCID: PMC11192032 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c03302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Some persistent hydrophobic pollutants biomagnify, i.e., achieve higher contaminant levels in a predator than in its prey (Cpredator/Cprey > 1). This ratio is called the biomagnification factor (BMF) and is traditionally determined using tissues from carcasses or biopsies. Using a noninvasive method that relies on equilibrium sampling in silicone-film-coated vessels and chemical analysis of paired diet and feces, we determined on three occasions the thermodynamic biomagnification limit (BMFlim) and feces-based biomagnification factor (BMFF) for three zoo-housed polar bears who experience seasonal periods of hyperphagia and hypophagia. All bears had high biomagnification capabilities (BMFlim was up to 200) owing to very efficient lipid assimilation (up to 99.5%). The bears differed up to a factor of 3 in their BMFlim. BMFlim and BMFF of a bear increased by up to a factor of 4 during the hypophagic period, when the ingestion rate was greatly reduced. Much of that variability can be explained by differences in the lipid assimilation efficiency, even though this efficiency ranged only from 98.1 to 99.5%. A high BMFlim was associated with a high abundance of Bacteroidales and Lachnospirales in the gut microbiome. Biomagnification varies to a surprisingly large extent between individuals and within the same individual over time. Future work should investigate whether this can be attributed to the influence of the gut microbiome on lipid assimilation by studying more individual bears at different key physiological stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhao Chen
- Department
of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4
| | - Terrence H. Bell
- Department
of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4
| | - Sarra Gourlie
- Nutrition
Science, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1B 5K7
| | - Ying Duan Lei
- Department
of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4
| | - Frank Wania
- Department
of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4
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3
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Ciesielski TM, Sonne C, Smette EI, Villanger GD, Styrishave B, Letcher RJ, Hitchcock DJ, Dietz R, Jenssen BM. Testosterone and persistent organic pollutants in east Greenland male polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Heliyon 2023; 9:e13263. [PMID: 37101474 PMCID: PMC10123070 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are chemicals that undergo long-range transport to the Arctic. These chemicals possess endocrine disruptive properties raising concerns for development and reproduction. Here, we report the relationship between concentrations of testosterone (T) and persistent organic pollutant (POPs) in 40 East Greenland male polar bears (Ursus maritimus) sampled during January to September 1999-2001. The mean ± standard concentrations of blood T were 0.31 ± 0.49 (mean ± SD) ng/mL in juveniles/subadults (n = 22) and 3.58 ± 7.45 ng/mL in adults (n = 18). The ∑POP concentrations (mean ± SD) in adipose tissue were 8139 ± 2990 ng/g lipid weight (lw) in juveniles/subadults and 11,037 ± 3950 ng/g lw in adult males, respectively, of which Σpolychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCBs) were found in highest concentrations. The variation in T concentrations explained by sampling date (season), biometrics and adipose tissue POP concentrations was explored using redundancy analysis (RDA). The results showed that age, body length, and adipose lipid content in adult males contributed (p = 0.02) to the variation in POP concentrations. However, although some significant relationships between individual organochlorine contaminants and T concentrations in both juveniles/subadults and adult polar bears were identified, no significant relationships (p = 0.32) between T and POP concentrations were identified by the RDAs. Our results suggest that confounders such as biometrics and reproductive status may mask the endocrine disruptive effects that POPs have on blood T levels in male polar bears, demonstrating why it can be difficult to detect effects on wildlife populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz M. Ciesielski
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Corresponding author.
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Corresponding author.
| | - Eli I. Smette
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gro Dehli Villanger
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Mental and Physical Health, Department of Child Health and Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, PO Box 222 Skoyen, NO-0213 Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjarne Styrishave
- Toxicology and Drug Metabolism Group, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Robert J. Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | | | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Bjørn M. Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Department of Arctic Technology, The University Centre in Svalbard, PO Box 156, NO-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
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4
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Chen Y, Lei YD, Wensvoort J, Gourlie S, Wania F. Probing the Thermodynamics of Biomagnification in Zoo-Housed Polar Bears by Equilibrium Sampling of Dietary and Fecal Samples. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:9497-9504. [PMID: 35593505 PMCID: PMC9260956 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In a proof-of-concept study, we recently used equilibrium sampling with silicone films to noninvasively derive the thermodynamic limit to a canine's gastrointestinal biomagnification capability (BMFlim) by determining the ratio of the products of the volume (V) and fugacity capacity (Z) of food and feces. In that earlier study, low contaminant levels prevented the determination of contaminant fugacities (f) in food and feces. For zoo-housed polar bears, fed on a lipid-rich diet of fish and seal oil, we were now able to measure the increase in f of nine native polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) upon digestion, providing incontestable proof of the process of gastrointestinal biomagnification. A high average BMFlim value of ∼171 for the bears was caused mostly by a remarkable reduction in fugacity capacity driven by a high lipid assimilation capacity. Lipid-rich diets increase the uptake of biomagnifying contaminants in two ways: because they tend to have higher contaminant concentrations and because they lead to a high Z value drop during digestion. We also confirmed that equilibrium sampling yielded similar Z values for PCBs originally present in food and feces and for isotopically labeled PCBs spiked onto those samples, which makes the method suitable for investigating the biomagnification capability of organisms, even if native contaminant concentrations in their diet and feces are low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhao Chen
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4
| | - Ying Duan Lei
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4
| | - Jaap Wensvoort
- Nutrition
Science, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1B 5K7
| | - Sarra Gourlie
- Nutrition
Science, Toronto Zoo, 361A Old Finch Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1B 5K7
| | - Frank Wania
- Department
of Chemistry and Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M1C 1A4
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5
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Marlatt VL, Bayen S, Castaneda-Cortès D, Delbès G, Grigorova P, Langlois VS, Martyniuk CJ, Metcalfe CD, Parent L, Rwigemera A, Thomson P, Van Der Kraak G. Impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals on reproduction in wildlife and humans. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 208:112584. [PMID: 34951986 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are ubiquitous in aquatic and terrestrial environments. The main objective of this review was to summarize the current knowledge of the impacts of EDCs on reproductive success in wildlife and humans. The examples selected often include a retrospective assessment of the knowledge of reproductive impacts over time to discern how the effects of EDCs have changed over the last several decades. Collectively, the evidence summarized here within reinforce the concept that reproduction in wildlife and humans is negatively impacted by anthropogenic chemicals, with several altering endocrine system function. These observations of chemicals interfering with different aspects of the reproductive endocrine axis are particularly pronounced for aquatic species and are often corroborated by laboratory-based experiments (i.e. fish, amphibians, birds). Noteworthy, many of these same indicators are also observed in epidemiological studies in mammalian wildlife and humans. Given the vast array of reproductive strategies used by animals, it is perhaps not surprising that no single disrupted target is predictive of reproductive effects. Nevertheless, there are some general features of the endocrine control of reproduction, and in particular, the critical role that steroid hormones play in these processes that confer a high degree of susceptibility to environmental chemicals. New research is needed on the implications of chemical exposures during development and the potential for long-term reproductive effects. Future emphasis on field-based observations that can form the basis of more deliberate, extensive, and long-term population level studies to monitor contaminant effects, including adverse effects on the endocrine system, are key to addressing these knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- V L Marlatt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - S Bayen
- Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - D Castaneda-Cortès
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, QC, Canada
| | - G Delbès
- Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, QC, Canada
| | - P Grigorova
- Département Science et Technologie, Université TELUQ, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - V S Langlois
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, QC, Canada
| | - C J Martyniuk
- Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - C D Metcalfe
- School of Environment, Trent University, Trent, Canada
| | - L Parent
- Département Science et Technologie, Université TELUQ, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - A Rwigemera
- Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, QC, Canada
| | - P Thomson
- Centre Eau Terre Environnement, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval, QC, Canada
| | - G Van Der Kraak
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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6
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Hoondert RPJ, Ragas AMJ, Hendriks AJ. Simulating changes in polar bear subpopulation growth rate due to legacy persistent organic pollutants - Temporal and spatial trends. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 754:142380. [PMID: 33254886 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142380] [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: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although atmospheric concentrations of many conventional persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have decreased in the Arctic over the past few decades, levels of most POPs and mercury remain high since the 1990s or start to increase again in Arctic areas, especially polar bears. So far, studies generally focused on individual effects of POPs, and do not directly link POP concentrations in prey species to population-specific parameters. In this study we therefore aimed to estimate the effect of legacy POPs and mercury on population growth rate of nineteen polar bear subpopulations. We modelled population development in three scenarios, based on species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) derived for POPs based on ecotoxicity data for endothermic species. In the first scenario, ecotoxicity data for polar bears were based on the HC50 (the concentration at which 50% of the species is affected). The other two scenarios were based on the HC5 and HC95. Considerable variation in effects of POPs could be observed among the scenarios. In our intermediate scenario, we predicted subpopulation decline for ten out of 15 polar bear subpopulations. The estimated population growth rate was least reduced in Gulf of Boothia and Foxe Basin. On average, PCB concentrations in prey (in μg/g toxic equivalency (TEQ)) posed the largest threat to polar bear subpopulations, with negative modelled population growth rates for the majority of subpopulations. We did not find a correlation between modelled population changes and monitored population trends for the majority of chemical-subpopulation combinations. Modelled population growth rates increased over time, implying a decreasing effect of PCBs, DDTs, and mercury. Polar bear subpopulations are reportedly still declining in four out of the seven subpopulations for which sufficient long-term monitoring data is available, as reported by the IUCN-PBSG. This implies that other emerging pollutants or other anthropogenic stressors may affect polar bear subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renske P J Hoondert
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Ad M J Ragas
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Faculty of Management, Science and Technology, Open University, the Netherlands
| | - A Jan Hendriks
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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7
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Hoondert RPJ, van den Brink NW, van den Heuvel-Greve MJ, Ragas AJ, Jan Hendriks A. Implications of Trophic Variability for Modeling Biomagnification of POPs in Marine Food Webs in the Svalbard Archipelago. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:4026-4035. [PMID: 32129610 PMCID: PMC7144221 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b06666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Arctic has been of constant concern, as these chemicals cause reproductive effects and mortality in organisms. The Arctic acts as a chemical sink, which makes this system an interesting case for bioaccumulation studies. However, as conducting empirical studies for all Arctic species and POPs individually is unfeasible, in silico methods have been developed. Existing bioaccumulation models are predominately validated for temperate food chains, and do not account for a large variation in trophic levels. This study applies Monte Carlo simulations to account for variability in trophic ecology on Svalbard when predicting bioaccumulation of POPs using the optimal modeling for ecotoxicological applications (OMEGA) bioaccumulation model. Trophic magnification factors (TMFs) were calculated accordingly. Comparing our model results with monitored POP residues in biota revealed that, on average, all predictions fell within a factor 6 of the monitored POP residues in biota. Trophic variability did not affect model performance tremendously, with up to a 25% variability in performance metrics. To our knowledge, we were the first to include trophic variability in predicting biomagnification in Arctic ecosystems using a mechanistic biomagnification model. However, considerable amounts of data are required to quantify the implications of trophic variability on biomagnification of POPs in Arctic food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renske P. J. Hoondert
- Department
of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland
and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nico W. van den Brink
- Division
of Toxicology, Wageningen University, Box 8000, 6700 EA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - AdM. J. Ragas
- Department
of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland
and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Faculty
of Management, Science and Technology, Open
University, P.O. Box 2960, 6401 DL Heerlen, The Netherlands
| | - A. Jan Hendriks
- Department
of Environmental Science, Institute for Wetland
and Water Research, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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8
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Florko KRN, Derocher AE, Breiter CJC, Ghazal M, Hedman D, Higdon JW, Richardson ES, Sahanatien V, Trim V, Petersen SD. Polar bear denning distribution in the Canadian Arctic. Polar Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-020-02657-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
AbstractDeclines in Arctic sea ice associated with climate change have resulted in habitat loss for ice-adapted species, while facilitating increased human development at higher latitudes. Development increases land-use and shipping traffic, which can threaten ecologically and culturally important species. Female polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and cubs are susceptible to disturbance during denning; a better understanding of denning habitat distribution may aid management. We compiled existing location data on polar bear denning (n = 64 sources) in Canada between 1967 and 2018, including traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) studies, government and consultant reports, peer-reviewed scientific articles, and unpublished data acquired through data-sharing agreements. We synthesized these data to create a map of known denning locations. Most coastal regions in northern Canada supported denning, but large areas exist where denning is unreported. Gaps remain in the knowledge of polar bear denning in Canada and filling these will aid the conservation and management of polar bears in a changing Arctic.
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9
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Routti H, Atwood TC, Bechshoft T, Boltunov A, Ciesielski TM, Desforges JP, Dietz R, Gabrielsen GW, Jenssen BM, Letcher RJ, McKinney MA, Morris AD, Rigét FF, Sonne C, Styrishave B, Tartu S. State of knowledge on current exposure, fate and potential health effects of contaminants in polar bears from the circumpolar Arctic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 664:1063-1083. [PMID: 30901781 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is among the Arctic species exposed to the highest concentrations of long-range transported bioaccumulative contaminants, such as halogenated organic compounds and mercury. Contaminant exposure is considered to be one of the largest threats to polar bears after the loss of their Arctic sea ice habitat due to climate change. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of current exposure, fate, and potential health effects of contaminants in polar bears from the circumpolar Arctic required by the Circumpolar Action Plan for polar bear conservation. Overall results suggest that legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including polychlorinated biphenyls, chlordanes and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), followed by other perfluoroalkyl compounds (e.g. carboxylic acids, PFCAs) and brominated flame retardants, are still the main compounds in polar bears. Concentrations of several legacy POPs that have been banned for decades in most parts of the world have generally declined in polar bears. Current spatial trends of contaminants vary widely between compounds and recent studies suggest increased concentrations of both POPs and PFCAs in certain subpopulations. Correlative field studies, supported by in vitro studies, suggest that contaminant exposure disrupts circulating levels of thyroid hormones and lipid metabolism, and alters neurochemistry in polar bears. Additionally, field and in vitro studies and risk assessments indicate the potential for adverse impacts to polar bear immune functions from exposure to certain contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Todd C Atwood
- U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, 4210 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
| | - Thea Bechshoft
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Andrei Boltunov
- Marine Mammal Research and Expedition Center, 36 Nahimovskiy pr., Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Tomasz M Ciesielski
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jean-Pierre Desforges
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Bjørn M Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Department of Arctic Technology, University Centre in Svalbard, PO Box 156, NO-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Heath Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Melissa A McKinney
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste.-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Adam D Morris
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Heath Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Dr., Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Frank F Rigét
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Faculty of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Bjarne Styrishave
- Toxicology and Drug Metabolism Group, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen OE, Denmark
| | - Sabrina Tartu
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
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10
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Ciesielski TM, Sonne C, Ormbostad I, Aars J, Lie E, Bytingsvik J, Jenssen BM. Effects of biometrics, location and persistent organic pollutants on blood clinical-chemical parameters in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Svalbard, Norway. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2018; 165:387-399. [PMID: 29860211 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Revised: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, blood clinical-chemical parameters (BCCPs) were analysed in 20 female and 18 male Svalbard polar bears (Ursus maritimus) captured in spring 2007. The aim was to study how age, body condition (BC), biometrics, plasma lipid content and geographical location may confound the relationship between persistent organic pollutants (POPs) including PCBs, HCB, chlordanes, DDTs, HCHs, mirex and OH-PCBs and the concentrations of 12 specific BCCPs (hematocrit [HCT], hemoglobin [HB], aspartate aminotransferase [ASAT], alanine aminotransferase [ALAT], γ-glutamyltransferase [GGT], creatine kinase [CK], triglycerides [TG], cholesterol [CHOL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], creatinine (CREA], urea, potassium (K]), and to investigate if any of these BCCPs may be applied as potential biomarkers for POP exposure in polar bears. Initial PCA and O-PLS modelling showed that age, lipids, BC and geographical location (longitude and latitude) were important parameters explaining BCCPs in females. Following subsequent partial correlation analyses correcting for age and lipids, multiple POPs in females were still significantly correlated with HCT and HDL (all p < 0.05). In males, age, BM, BC and longitude were important parameters explaining BCCPs. Following partial correlation analyses correcting for age, biometrics, lipids and longitude in males, multiple POPs were significantly correlated with HCT, ASAT, GGT and CHOL (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, several confounding parameters has to be taken into account when studying the relations between BCCPs and POPs in polar bears. When correcting for these, in particular HCT may be used as a simple cost-efficient biomarker of POP exposure in polar bears. Furthermore, decreasing HDL concentrations and increasing CHOL concentration with increasing POP concentrations may indicate responses related to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We therefore suggest to further study POP exposure and lipidome response to increase knowledge of the risk of cardiometabolic syndrome in polar bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Maciej Ciesielski
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, POBox 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Ingunn Ormbostad
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Jon Aars
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Elisabeth Lie
- Norwegian Institute for Water research (NIVA), Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Jenny Bytingsvik
- Akvaplan-niva AS, Fram Centre - High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment, Hjalmar Johansens Gate 14, 9007 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Bjørn Munro Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, POBox 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Department of Arctic Technology, The University Centre in Svarbard, POBox 156, NO-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway.
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11
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Sonne C, Letcher RJ, Jenssen BM, Desforges JP, Eulaers I, Andersen-Ranberg E, Gustavson K, Styrishave B, Dietz R. A veterinary perspective on One Health in the Arctic. Acta Vet Scand 2017; 59:84. [PMID: 29246165 PMCID: PMC5732494 DOI: 10.1186/s13028-017-0353-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to long-range transported industrial chemicals, climate change and diseases is posing a risk to the overall health and populations of Arctic wildlife. Since local communities are relying on the same marine food web as marine mammals in the Arctic, it requires a One Health approach to understand the holistic ecosystem health including that of humans. Here we collect and identify gaps in the current knowledge of health in the Arctic and present the veterinary perspective of One Health and ecosystem dynamics. The review shows that exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is having multiple organ-system effects across taxa, including impacts on neuroendocrine disruption, immune suppression and decreased bone density among others. Furthermore, the warming Arctic climate is suspected to influence abiotic and biotic long-range transport and exposure pathways of contaminants to the Arctic resulting in increases in POP exposure of both wildlife and human populations. Exposure to vector-borne diseases and zoonoses may increase as well through range expansion and introduction of invasive species. It will be important in the future to investigate the effects of these multiple stressors on wildlife and local people to better predict the individual-level health risks. It is within this framework that One Health approaches offer promising opportunities to survey and pinpoint environmental changes that have effects on wildlife and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Robert James Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Canada
| | - Bjørn Munro Jenssen
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
- Department of Arctic Technology, The University Centre in Svalbard, PO Box 156, 9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
| | - Jean-Pierre Desforges
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Igor Eulaers
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Emilie Andersen-Ranberg
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Kim Gustavson
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Bjarne Styrishave
- Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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12
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Melnes M, Gabrielsen GW, Herzke D, Sagerup K, Jenssen BM. Dissimilar effects of organohalogenated compounds on thyroid hormones in glaucous gulls. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 158:350-357. [PMID: 28683408 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus) is an arctic top predator and scavenger exposed to high levels of mixtures of organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) of which many interfere with the thyroid hormone (TH) system. In the present study, we applied statistical modeling to investigate the potential combined influence of the mixture of chlorinated, brominated and perfluorinated organic compounds in plasma of glaucous gulls on their plasma TH concentrations. In females, there were significant negative associations between several organochlorinated compounds (OCs) and free thyroxin (FT4) and triiodothyronine (FT3), indicating additive negative effects on FT4 and FT3. However, in these females there was also a significant positive association between perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and FT3. The inverse associations between several OCs and FT3 and the contrasting positive association between PFOS and FT3, indicate that these two groups of OHCs may have dissimilar and antagonistic effects on FT3 in female glaucous gulls. In males, there were no associations between any of the OHCs and the THs. That OHCs affect THs in a complex manner involving both additive and antagonistic effects add to the challenge of interpreting the overall functional effect of thyroid disruptive chemicals in wildlife. However, experimental studies are needed to confirm or disprove such effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marte Melnes
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Bjørn Munro Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Department of Arctic Technology, University Centre in Svalbard, NO 9171 Longyearbyen, Norway.
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McKinney MA, Atwood TC, Pedro S, Peacock E. Ecological Change Drives a Decline in Mercury Concentrations in Southern Beaufort Sea Polar Bears. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:7814-7822. [PMID: 28612610 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b00812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We evaluated total mercury (THg) concentrations and trends in polar bears from the southern Beaufort Sea subpopulation from 2004 to 2011. Hair THg concentrations ranged widely among individuals from 0.6 to 13.3 μg g-1 dry weight (mean: 3.5 ± 0.2 μg g-1). Concentrations differed among sex and age classes: solitary adult females ≈ adult females with cubs ≈ subadults > adult males ≈ yearlings > cubs-of-the-year ≈ 2 year old dependent cubs. No variation was observed between spring and fall samples. For spring-sampled adults, THg concentrations declined by 13% per year, contrasting recent trends observed for other Western Hemispheric Arctic biota. Concentrations also declined by 15% per year considering adult males only, while a slower, nonsignificant decrease of 4.4% per year was found for adult females. Lower THg concentrations were associated with higher body mass index (BMI) and higher proportions of lower trophic position food resources consumed. Because BMI and diet were related, and the relationship to THg was strongest for BMI, trends were re-evaluated adjusting for BMI as the covariate. The adjusted annual decline was not significant. These findings indicate that changes in foraging ecology, not declining environmental concentrations of mercury, are driving short-term declines in THg concentrations in southern Beaufort Sea polar bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A McKinney
- Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Center, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment and Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of Connecticut , Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Todd C Atwood
- United States Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center , Anchorage, Alaska 99508, United States
| | - Sara Pedro
- Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Center, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment and Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of Connecticut , Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Elizabeth Peacock
- United States Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center , Anchorage, Alaska 99508, United States
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