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Schweizer S, Halder K, Schäfer A, Hauns J, Marsili L, Mazzariol S, Fossi MC, Muñoz-Arnanz J, Jiménez B, Vetter W. High Amounts of Halogenated Natural Products in Sperm Whales ( Physeter macrocephalus) from Two Italian Regions in the Mediterranean Sea. ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2024; 2:233-242. [PMID: 38660428 PMCID: PMC11036390 DOI: 10.1021/envhealth.3c00182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Halogenated natural products (HNPs) are considered to be emerging contaminants whose environmental distribution and fate are only incompletely known. Therefore, several persistent and bioaccumulative HNP groups, together with man-made polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), were quantified in the blubber of nine sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) stranded on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in Italy. The naturally occurring polybrominated hexahydroxanthene derivatives (PBHDs; sum of TetraBHD and TriBHD) were the most prominent substance class with up to 77,000 ng/g blubber. The mean PBHD content (35,800 ng/g blubber) even exceeded the one of PCBs (28,400 ng/g blubber), although the region is known to be highly contaminated with man-made contaminants. Based on mean values, Q1 ∼ PBDEs > MeO-BDEs ∼ 2,2'-diMeO-BB 80 and several other HNPs followed with decreasing amounts. All blubber samples contained an abundant compound whose molecular formula (C16H19Br3O2) was verified using high-resolution mass spectrometry. The only plausible matching isomer was (2S,4'S,9R,9'S)-2,7-dibromo-4'-bromomethyl-1,1-dimethyl-2,3,4,4',9,9'-9,9'-hexahydro-1H-xanthen-9-ol (OH-TriBHD), a hydroxylated secondary metabolite previously detected together with TriBHD and TetraBHD in a sponge known to be a natural producer of PBHDs. The estimated mean amount of the presumed OH-TriBHD was 3000 ng/g blubber, which is unexpectedly high for hydroxylated compounds in the lipids of marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sina Schweizer
- Institute of Food Chemistry, Department of Food Chemistry (170b), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Kristin Halder
- Institute of Food Chemistry, Department of Food Chemistry (170b), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Annika Schäfer
- Institute of Food Chemistry, Department of Food Chemistry (170b), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jakob Hauns
- European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Halogenated POPs in Feed and Food, 79114 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Letizia Marsili
- Department of Environmental, Earth and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sandro Mazzariol
- Department of Public Health, Comparative Pathology and Veterinary Hygiene, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Fossi
- Department of Environmental, Earth and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Juan Muñoz-Arnanz
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Jiménez
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Walter Vetter
- Institute of Food Chemistry, Department of Food Chemistry (170b), University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
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Zhang L, Zheng X, Shaw S, Berger M, Roos A, Bäcklin BM, Sun J, Liu X, Chen D. Exposure to legacy and alternative flame retardants in two harbor seal populations and the association with blubber fatty acid profiles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162170. [PMID: 36858217 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162170] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Flame retardants (FRs) are ubiquitously present in various environmental compartments due to widespread application. However, there have been few reports on the alternative FRs in harbor seals, and their relationship with fatty acid (FA) profiles have largely been overlooked. Here, we investigated the levels of legacy and alternative FRs and FA profiles in the blubber of harbor seals from the coasts of South Sweden (2009-2016) and Northeastern US (NE US) (1999-2010). We observed different proportions of mono- and poly-unsaturated FAs (MUFAs and PUFAs) between the two populations, which may reflect variations in the diet. Significantly higher concentrations of ΣPBDE were also observed in harbor seals from US compared to those from Sweden, both dominated by BDE 47. By comparison, the levels of alternative FRs, noticeably HBBZ and PBEB were much lower compared to those of PBDEs. Moreover, we found a positive correlation between BDE 99 and Σn-6/Σn-3 PUFA in harbor seals from Sweden. In addition, BDE 153 and BDE 154 were positively correlated with ΣUFA/ΣSFA in seals from Sweden and US, respectively. Our results imply the influence of diet in FA profiles and FR concentrations in top predators, as well as the importance of blubber FA characteristics in indicating FR exposure. Further investigations are required to assess the risk of exposure in these harbor seals, as well as to elucidate the underlying mechanisms associating FA profiles with FR exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Zhang
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, CN-510632 Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoshi Zheng
- 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, United States
| | - Michelle Berger
- Shaw Institute, Blue Hill Research Center, Blue Hill, ME 04614, United States
| | - Anna Roos
- Department of Contaminant Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm SE-10405, Sweden
| | - Britt-Marie Bäcklin
- Department of Contaminant Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm SE-10405, Sweden
| | - Jiachen Sun
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, CN-266003 Qingdao, China.
| | - Xiaotu Liu
- School of Environment, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, 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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Ranjbar Jafarabadi A, Mashjoor S, Mohamadjafari Dehkordi S, Riyahi Bakhtiari A, Cappello T. Emerging POPs-type cocktail signatures in Pusa caspica in quantitative structure-activity relationship of Caspian Sea. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 406:124334. [PMID: 33162245 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124334] [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: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Caspian seal Pusa caspica is the only endemic mammalian species throughout the Caspian Sea. This is the first report on risk assessment of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Caspian seals by age-sex and tissue-specific uptake, and their surrounding environment (seawater, surface sediments, and suspended particulate matters, SPMs) in the Gorgan Bay (Caspian Sea, Iran). Among the quantified 70 POPs (∑35PCBs, ∑3HCHs, ∑6CHLs, ∑6DDTs, ∑17PCDD/Fs, HCB, dieldrin, and aldrin), ∑35PCBs were dominant in abiotic matrices (48.80% of ∑70POPs), followed by HCHs > CHLs > DDTs > PCDD/Fs > other POPs in surface sediments > SPMs > seawater, while the toxic equivalent quantity (TEQWHO) exceeded the safe value (possible risk in this area). In biota, the highest levels of ∑70POPs were found in males (756.3 ng g-1 dw, p < 0.05), followed by females (419.0 ng g-1 dw) and pups (191.6 ng g-1 dw) in liver > kidney > muscle > blubber > intestine > fur > heart > spleen > brain. The positive age-related POPs declining correlation between mother-pup pairs suggested the possible maternal transfer of POPs to offspring. The cocktail toxicity assessment revealed that Caspian seals can pose a low risk based on their mixed-TEQ values. Self-organizing map (SOM) indicated the non-coplanar PCB-93 as the most over-represented functional congener in tissue-specific POPs bioaccumulation. Quantitative toxicant tissue-profiling is valuable for predicting the state of mixture toxicity in pinniped species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ranjbar Jafarabadi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Sakineh Mashjoor
- Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Shirin Mohamadjafari Dehkordi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran
| | - Alireza Riyahi Bakhtiari
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran.
| | - Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Villanger GD, Kovacs KM, Lydersen C, Haug LS, Sabaredzovic A, Jenssen BM, Routti H. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from Svalbard - A comparison of concentrations in plasma sampled 15 years apart. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 263:114497. [PMID: 32302893 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114497] [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: 09/14/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The objective of the present study was to investigate recent concentrations of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from Svalbard and compare them to concentrations found in white whales sampled from that same area 15 years ago. Plasma collected from live-captured white whales from two time periods (2013-2014, n = 9, and 1996-2001, n = 11) were analysed for 19 different PFASs. The 11 PFASs detected included seven C8-C14 perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) and three C6-C8 perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) as well as perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA). Recent plasma concentrations (2013-2014) of the dominant PFAS in white whales, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS; geometric mean = 22.8 ng/mL), was close to an order of magnitude lower than reported in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Svalbard. PFOS concentrations in white whales were about half the concentrations in harbour (Phoca vitulina) and ringed (Pusa hispida) seals, similar to hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) and higher than in walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) from that same area. From 1996 to 2001 to 2013-2014, plasma concentrations of PFOS decreased by 44%, whereas four C9-12 PFCAs and total PFCAs increased by 35-141%. These results follow a similar trend to what has been reported in other studies of Arctic marine mammals from Svalbard. The most dramatic change has been the decline of PFOS concentrations since 2000, corresponding to the production phase-out of PFOS and related compounds in many countries around the year 2000 and a global restriction on these substances in 2009. Still, the continued dominance of PFOS in white whales, and increasing concentration trends for several PFCAs, even though exposure is relatively low, calls for continued monitoring of concentrations of both PFCAs and PFSAs and investigation of biological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gro D Villanger
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, Norway.
| | | | | | - Line S Haug
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Bjørn M Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Hung MD, Jung HJ, Jeong HH, Lam NH, Cho HS. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in special management sea areas of Korea: Distribution and bioconcentration in edible fish species. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 156:111236. [PMID: 32510380 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Thirteen PFASs in water (n = 58), sediment (n = 58) and edible fish samples (n = 81) collected from three special management sea areas of Korea including Gwangyang bay, Masan bay and Busan harbor in July 2018 were investigated. The mean PFASs concentration in water (ng/L) were in order Masan (5.09) > Busan (2.82) > Gwangyang (1.74). PFASs levels were found as the low concentration in sediment. The greatest total PFASs concentration in each fish tissue was found as 3.04 (ng/g ww) in a Japanese amberjack fish for muscle in Busan, 66.23 (ng/mL) in Japanese amberjack fish for blood in Masan and 125.03 (ng/g ww) flathead grey mullet in Busan bay. The BCF (L/kg) of PFDoDA was found as the highest in muscle of all species with values from 30,922 (grey mullet in Gwangyang) to 69,131 (grey mullet in Busan). PFDS was the highest BCF's PFASs (110,599 L/kg) in muscle which was found in Japanese amberjack in Busan bay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Duc Hung
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon Ji Jung
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Republic of Korea
| | - Hui Ho Jeong
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Republic of Korea
| | - Nguyen Hoang Lam
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon Seo Cho
- College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Chonnam National University, Yeosu 59626, Republic of Korea.
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Grønnestad R, Vázquez BP, Arukwe A, Jaspers VLB, Jenssen BM, Karimi M, Lyche JL, Krøkje Å. Levels, Patterns, and Biomagnification Potential of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in a Terrestrial Food Chain in a Nordic Skiing Area. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:13390-13397. [PMID: 31691564 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are used in a wide range of consumer products, including ski products, such as ski waxes. However, there is limited knowledge on the release of PFASs from such products into the environment and the resultant uptake in biota and transport in food webs. We investigated levels, patterns, and biomagnification of PFASs in soil, earthworms (Eisenia fetida), and Bank voles (Myodes glareolus) from a skiing area in Trondheim, Norway. In general, there was higher PFAS levels in the skiing area compared to the reference area with no skiing activities. The skiing area was dominated by long-chained perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs, ≥70%), while the reference area was dominated by short-chained PFCAs (>60%). The soil PFAS pattern in the skiing area was comparable to analyzed ski waxes, indicating that ski products are important sources of PFASs in the skiing area. A biomagnification factor (BMF) > 1 was detected for Bank volewhole/earthwormwhole for perfluorooctansulfonate in the skiing area. All other PFASs showed a BMF < 1. However, it should be noted that these organisms represent the base of the terrestrial food web, and PFASs originating from ski wax may result to higher exposure in organisms at the top of the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randi Grønnestad
- Department of Biology , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , NO-7491 Trondheim , Norway
| | - Berta Pérez Vázquez
- Department of Biology , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , NO-7491 Trondheim , Norway
| | - Augustine Arukwe
- Department of Biology , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , NO-7491 Trondheim , Norway
| | - Veerle L B Jaspers
- Department of Biology , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , NO-7491 Trondheim , Norway
| | - Bjørn Munro Jenssen
- Department of Biology , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , NO-7491 Trondheim , Norway
| | - Mahin Karimi
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology , Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) , NO-0033 Oslo , Norway
| | - Jan L Lyche
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology , Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) , NO-0033 Oslo , Norway
| | - Åse Krøkje
- Department of Biology , Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) , NO-7491 Trondheim , Norway
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Scotter SE, Tryland M, Nymo IH, Hanssen L, Harju M, Lydersen C, Kovacs KM, Klein J, Fisk AT, Routti H. Contaminants in Atlantic walruses in Svalbard part 1: Relationships between exposure, diet and pathogen prevalence. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 244:9-18. [PMID: 30317087 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated relationships between organohalogen compound (OHC) exposure, feeding habits, and pathogen exposure in a recovering population of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) from the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. Various samples were collected from 39 free-living, apparently healthy, adult male walruses immobilised at three sampling locations during the summers of 2014 and 2015. Concentrations of lipophilic compounds (polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides and polybrominated diphenyl ethers) were analysed in blubber samples, and concentrations of perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) were determined in plasma samples. Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen were measured in seven tissue types and surveys for three infectious pathogens were conducted. Despite an overall decline in lipophilic compound concentrations since this population was last studied (2006), the contaminant pattern was similar, including extremely large inter-individual variation. Stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen showed that the variation in OHC concentrations could not be explained by some walruses consuming higher trophic level diets, since all animals were found to feed at a similar trophic level. Antibodies against the bacteria Brucella spp. and the parasite Toxoplasma gondii were detected in 26% and 15% of the walruses, respectively. Given the absence of seal-predation, T. gondii exposure likely took place via the consumption of contaminated bivalves. The source of exposure to Brucella spp. in walruses is still unknown. Parapoxvirus DNA was detected in a single individual, representing the first documented evidence of parapoxvirus in wild walruses. Antibody prevalence was not related to contaminant exposure. Despite this, dynamic relationships between diet composition, contaminant bioaccumulation and pathogen exposure warrant continuing attention given the likelihood of climate change induced habitat and food web changes, and consequently OHC exposure, for Svalbard walruses in the coming decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie E Scotter
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9019, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Morten Tryland
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9019, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ingebjørg H Nymo
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, N-9019, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Stakkevollveien 23, N-9010, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Linda Hanssen
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Mikael Harju
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Kit M Kovacs
- Norwegian Polar Institute, FRAM Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jörn Klein
- University College of Southeast Norway (USN), Post Box 235, N-3603, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Aaron T Fisk
- Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, FRAM Centre, N-9296, Tromsø, Norway.
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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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Reusch TBH, Dierking J, Andersson HC, Bonsdorff E, Carstensen J, Casini M, Czajkowski M, Hasler B, Hinsby K, Hyytiäinen K, Johannesson K, Jomaa S, Jormalainen V, Kuosa H, Kurland S, Laikre L, MacKenzie BR, Margonski P, Melzner F, Oesterwind D, Ojaveer H, Refsgaard JC, Sandström A, Schwarz G, Tonderski K, Winder M, Zandersen M. The Baltic Sea as a time machine for the future coastal ocean. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2018; 4:eaar8195. [PMID: 29750199 PMCID: PMC5942908 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aar8195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Coastal global oceans are expected to undergo drastic changes driven by climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressures in coming decades. Predicting specific future conditions and assessing the best management strategies to maintain ecosystem integrity and sustainable resource use are difficult, because of multiple interacting pressures, uncertain projections, and a lack of test cases for management. We argue that the Baltic Sea can serve as a time machine to study consequences and mitigation of future coastal perturbations, due to its unique combination of an early history of multistressor disturbance and ecosystem deterioration and early implementation of cross-border environmental management to address these problems. The Baltic Sea also stands out in providing a strong scientific foundation and accessibility to long-term data series that provide a unique opportunity to assess the efficacy of management actions to address the breakdown of ecosystem functions. Trend reversals such as the return of top predators, recovering fish stocks, and reduced input of nutrient and harmful substances could be achieved only by implementing an international, cooperative governance structure transcending its complex multistate policy setting, with integrated management of watershed and sea. The Baltic Sea also demonstrates how rapidly progressing global pressures, particularly warming of Baltic waters and the surrounding catchment area, can offset the efficacy of current management approaches. This situation calls for management that is (i) conservative to provide a buffer against regionally unmanageable global perturbations, (ii) adaptive to react to new management challenges, and, ultimately, (iii) multisectorial and integrative to address conflicts associated with economic trade-offs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thorsten B. H. Reusch
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Marine Ecology, Germany
- Corresponding author.
| | - Jan Dierking
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Marine Ecology, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Michele Casini
- Department of Aquatic Resources, Institute of Marine Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lysekil, Sweden
| | | | - Berit Hasler
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Klaus Hinsby
- Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Seifeddine Jomaa
- Department of Aquatic Ecosystem Analysis and Management, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Harri Kuosa
- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sara Kurland
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Laikre
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brian R. MacKenzie
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Piotr Margonski
- National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Frank Melzner
- GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Marine Ecology, Germany
| | - Daniel Oesterwind
- Thuenen Institute–Institute of Baltic Sea Fisheries, Rostock, Germany
| | - Henn Ojaveer
- Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | | | - Gerald Schwarz
- Thuenen Institute of Farm Economics, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Monika Winder
- Department of Ecology, Environment, and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marianne Zandersen
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
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10
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Sun J, Pan L, Zhu L. Formation of hydroxylated and methoxylated polychlorinated biphenyls by Bacillus subtilis: New insights into microbial metabolism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 613-614:54-61. [PMID: 28898812 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The detoxification and degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been studied. However, little information is available about the biological mechanisms involved in the metabolism of hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) and methoxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (MeO-PCBs) by specific microorganism. In this study, the simultaneous formation of OH-PCB (major metabolite) and MeO-PCB (minor metabolite) was found in Bacillus subtilis after exposure to PCB. Interconversion between MeO-PCB and OH-PCB was also observed and the demethylation ratio of MeO-PCB was higher than the methylation ratio of OH-PCB. The high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) was conducted to analyze the genes involved in the metabolism processes. The potential metabolism pathways of PCB by Bacillus subtilis were proposed. PCB can be transformed to OH-PCB by Cytochrome P450 encoded by the genes bioI and cypA. The genes ycgJ and ycgI that are related with methyltransferase are potentially involved in the subsequent biotransformation from OH-PCB to MeO-PCB. MeO-PCB was prone to be transformed to OH-PCB by a group of hydrolases. This is the first study considering the mechanism involved in the interconversion between OH-PCBs and MeO-PCBs by microorganism. These findings broaden our insights into the biotransformation mechanism of PCBs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianteng Sun
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Lili Pan
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
| | - Lizhong Zhu
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China.
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11
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Taylor S, Lynch M, Terkildsen M, Stevenson G, Yates A, Piro N, de Araujo J, Gray R. Utility of fur as a biomarker for persistent organic pollutants in Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 610-611:1310-1320. [PMID: 28851151 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) can cause toxic effects in many species which include endocrine dysfunction, immunotoxicity, developmental defects and neoplasia. Species dominating the upper trophic level are vulnerable to these effects due to bioaccumulation. In Bass Strait, the Australian fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) is an important top order predator and sentinel species for ecosystem health. An alopecia syndrome is seen at high prevalence in juvenile, female Australian fur seals at Lady Julia Percy Island, Victoria, Australia. Previous investigations suggest causality could be due to an endocrine-like toxicant. The alopecia syndrome has significance for thermoregulation and is a likely risk factor for mortality. Fur collected from case (alopecic) and control (unaffected) seals sampled at Lady Julia Percy Island were analysed for POPs. To investigate the utility of fur for monitoring POPs concentrations in pinnipeds, a comparison of POPs concentrations in the fur and blubber of Australian fur seals stranded along the Victorian coast was undertaken. The concentration of selected POPs including polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and perfluorooctane sulfonate/perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOS/PFOA) were determined in fur using either High Resolution Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry or Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Results indicate detectable, and in some individuals, elevated levels of dl-PCBs, PCDD/Fs and PBDEs in juvenile fur seals sampled on Lady Julia Percy Island, with significantly higher levels of dl-PCBs in case compared to control seals. Elevated levels of dl-PCBs and PCDD/Fs were found in blubber samples collected from stranded fur seals with significant correlations between blubber and fur concentrations seen, particularly for dl-PCBs. This study discusses the significance of POPs concentrations in relation to the causality of an alopecia syndrome in the Australian fur seal, and assesses the utility of fur as a non-invasive biomarker to monitor POPs exposure in this sentinel species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Taylor
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | | | | | - Gavin Stevenson
- Australian Ultra Trace Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Alan Yates
- Australian Ultra Trace Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Nino Piro
- Australian Ultra Trace Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Jesuina de Araujo
- Australian Ultra Trace Laboratory, National Measurement Institute, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
| | - Rachael Gray
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
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12
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Sedlak MD, Benskin JP, Wong A, Grace R, Greig DJ. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in San Francisco Bay wildlife: Temporal trends, exposure pathways, and notable presence of precursor compounds. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 185:1217-1226. [PMID: 28477851 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Revised: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in San Francisco Bay (SF Bay) wildlife have historically been among the highest reported globally. To track continuing exposures to PFASs and assess the impact of the 2002 phase-out of production of PFOS and related chemicals in the US, nine perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs; C4-C12), three perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs; C4, C6, C8) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA, a PFOS precursor) were measured in SF Bay cormorant eggs in 2012 and harbor seal serum sampled between 2009 and 2014. PFOS remained the dominant perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) in both cormorant eggs (36.1-466 ng/g) and seals (12.6-796 ng/g) from 2012 and 2014, respectively. Concentrations in seal and bird eggs from the South Bay have declined approximately 70% in both matrices. To elucidate potential pathways of exposure, prey fish, sediments and wastewater effluent were analyzed for PFASs, and in the case of sediment and effluent, a suite of PFAA precursors. PFOS was the dominant PFAA in prey fish and sediment. In effluent, different mixtures of PFAAs were measured, with PFOS, PFHxA, and PFOA detected in the highest concentrations. Polyfluoroalkyl phosphate diesters (PFCA-precursors) were observed at concentrations over an order of magnitude higher than PFCAs in sediment, highlighting their importance as a potential, on-going source of PFCAs to SF Bay wildlife. These findings suggest that the PFOS phase-out has resulted in reduced burdens to wildlife in SF Bay, but that exposure to diverse and incompletely characterized PFASs continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret D Sedlak
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, 4911 Central Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
| | - Jonathan P Benskin
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Adam Wong
- San Francisco Estuary Institute, 4911 Central Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804, USA.
| | - Richard Grace
- SGS AXYS, 2045 Mills Road West, Sidney, BC V8L 5X2, Canada.
| | - Denise J Greig
- California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA.
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13
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Grønnestad R, Villanger GD, Polder A, Kovacs KM, Lydersen C, Jenssen BM, Borgå K. Maternal transfer of perfluoroalkyl substances in hooded seals. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2017; 36:763-770. [PMID: 27771942 DOI: 10.1002/etc.3623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The role of milk in the transfer of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) to offspring is not well known in wildlife. Eight PFASs were quantified in plasma and milk in mother-pup pairs of hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) during the nursing period, and the role of milk in the transfer process was analyzed. Hooded seal was chosen because of its short lactation period (3-4 d), during which the pup feeds only on milk. Placental or lactation transfer would thus be the only source of PFAS in the pup. Of the 8 PFASs analyzed (Σ8 PFAS), 7 were found in all samples; therefore, milk is a source to PFASs in pups. Perfluorooctane sulfonate was the dominant PFAS in all samples. Mean Σ8 PFAS concentrations were 6.0 ng/g protein (36 ng/g wet wt) in maternal plasma, 0.77 ng/g protein (3.2 ng/g wet wt) in milk, and 12 ng/g protein (66 ng/g wet wt) in pup plasma. Measured concentrations in plasma were within ranges previously reported from other seal species, below known toxicity thresholds for experimental rodents. Individual PFASs differed in transfer efficiency from mother to pup, depending on carbon chain lengths, with the lowest relative transfer for the intermediate-chained PFASs (C9 -C10 ). The results show maternal transfer of PFASs via both milk and the placenta, of which placental transfer is the dominant pathway. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:763-770. © 2016 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gro D Villanger
- Department of Child Development and Mental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anuschka Polder
- Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
- North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
| | - Kit M Kovacs
- Fram Centre, Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Bjørn M Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Katrine Borgå
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Routti H, Gabrielsen GW, Herzke D, Kovacs KM, Lydersen C. Spatial and temporal trends in perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in ringed seals (Pusa hispida) from Svalbard. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 214:230-238. [PMID: 27089420 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates concentrations of perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs), perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) and perfluoroalkane sulfonamides (FASA) in plasma from ringed seals sampled in the period 1990-2010 (n = 71) in Svalbard, Norway. Perfluorooctane sulfonate was dominant among the perfluoroalkyl substances. PFCAs were dominated by perfluoroundecanoate followed by perfluorononanoate. C4C8 PFCAs and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA) were detected in ≤42% of the samples. PFSA and PFCA concentrations were higher in seals sampled from Kongsfjorden, a fjord influenced by strong inflows of Atlantic Water compared to seals from fjords dominated by Arctic Water (e.g. Billefjorden). Sex, age and body condition of the seals did not influence PFAS concentrations. Due to the confounding effect of year and sampling area, temporal trends were assessed only in seals sampled from Kongsfjorden (5 years, n = 51). PFHxS and PFOS concentrations did not show significant linear trends during the whole study period, but a decrease was observed since 2004. Concentrations of all of the detected PFCAs (C9C13 PFCAs) increased until 2004 after which they have declined or stabilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296, Tromsø, Norway.
| | | | - Dorte Herzke
- 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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15
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Routti H, Krafft BA, Herzke D, Eisert R, Oftedal O. Perfluoroalkyl substances detected in the world's southernmost marine mammal, the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2015; 197:62-67. [PMID: 25497307 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates concentrations of 18 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in blood plasma of adult lactating Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) (n = 10) from McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA) was detected in all samples at concentrations ranging from 0.08 to 0.23 ng/ml. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexanoate (PFHxA) and perfluorotridecanoate (PFTriDA) were sporadically detected, while the remaining compounds were below the limit of detection. This is the first report of detectible concentrations of PFASs in an endemic Antarctic marine mammal species. We suggest that the pollutants have been subjected to long range atmospheric transportation and/or derive from a local source. A review of these and published data indicate that perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) dominate in biotic PFAS patterns in species feeding south of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), whereas PFOS was the major PFAS detected in species feeding predominantly north of the current.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Bjørn A Krafft
- Institute of Marine Research, PO Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Regina Eisert
- Gateway Antarctica, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD 21037, USA
| | - Olav Oftedal
- Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD 21037, USA
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