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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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2
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Pecori Giraldi F, Ferraù F, Ragonese M, Cannavò S. Endocrine disruptors, aryl hydrocarbon receptor and cortisol secretion. J Endocrinol Invest 2024:10.1007/s40618-024-02371-w. [PMID: 38637430 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-024-02371-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Endocrine disruptors exert a plethora of effects in endocrine tissues, from altered function to carcinogenesis. Given its lipophilic nature, the adrenal cortex represents an ideal target for endocrine disruptors and thus, possibly, xenobiotic-induced adrenocortical dysfunction. However, there is no clear understanding of the effect of endocrine disruptors on adrenal steroidogenesis, in particular as regards the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) pathway, one of the key mediators. METHODS The present review recapitulates available evidence on the effects of AHR ligands on adrenal steroidogenesis, with focus on cortisol secretion. RESULTS Short-term exposure to AHR ligands most often induced a stress-like corticosteroid response followed by decreased responsiveness to stressors with long-term exposure. This was observed in several experimental models across species as well as in animals and humans in real-life settings. Prenatal exposure led to different effects according to sex of the offspring, as observed in murine models and in children from mothers in several countries. In vitro findings proved highly dependent on the experimental setting, with reduced cortisol response and steroidogenic enzyme synthesis mostly observed in fish and increased cortisol synthesis and secretion observed in murine and human adrenal cell lines. Of note, no AHR-binding element was detected in steroidogenic enzyme promoters, suggesting the involvement of additional factors. CONCLUSION Our review provides evidence for the impact of AHR ligands on adrenocortical function and indicates further avenues of research to better clarify its effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Pecori Giraldi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Via Commenda 19, Milan, Italy.
| | - F Ferraù
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi,", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - M Ragonese
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi,", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - S Cannavò
- Department of Human Pathology of Adulthood and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi,", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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3
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Boutet V, Dominique M, Eccles KM, Branigan M, Dyck M, van Coeverden de Groot P, Lougheed SC, Rutter A, Langlois VS. An exploratory spatial contaminant assessment for polar bear (Ursus maritimus) liver, fat, and muscle from northern Canada. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120663. [PMID: 36395907 PMCID: PMC10163957 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120663] [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: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Since the industrial era, chemicals have been ubiquitous in worldwide ecosystems. Despite the discontinued release of highly toxic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment, the levels of some POPs are still being measured in the Canadian Arctic. These contaminants are of great concern due to their persistence, toxicity, and levels of bioaccumulation in food chains. Animals occupying top trophic positions in the Canadian Arctic, particularly polar bears, are exposed to these contaminants mainly through their diet. Our study investigated the levels of 30 metals (including total and methyl mercury) alkaline and alkaline earth metals, 15 polycyclic aromatic compounds and their alkyl congeners (PACs), 6 chlordanes (CHLs), and 20 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in 49 polar bears from the Canadian Arctic. Contaminant burden was measured in liver, muscle, and fat in bears of different sex, age, and locations. A principal component analysis did not distinguish differences between age and sex profiles for most contaminants. However, the concentrations measured and their distribution in the tissues confirm findings observed in past studies. This study highlights the importance of continual monitoring of polar bear health (e.g., newly detected PACs were measured within this study) and evaluating those impacts for the next generations of polar bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Boutet
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Québec, Canada
| | - M Dominique
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Québec, Canada
| | - K M Eccles
- National Institute of Environmental Health Science, Division of the National Toxicology Program, Durham, USA
| | - M Branigan
- Government of the Northwest Territories, Canada
| | - M Dyck
- Government of Nunavut, Department of Environment, Igloolik, NU, Canada
| | | | - S C Lougheed
- Biology Department, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - A Rutter
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - V S Langlois
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), Québec, Canada.
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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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Kaczyński P, Łozowicka B, Perkowski M, Zoń W, Hrynko I, Rutkowska E, Skibko Z. Impact of broad-spectrum pesticides used in the agricultural and forestry sector on the pesticide profile in wild boar, roe deer and deer and risk assessment for venison consumers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 784:147215. [PMID: 34088076 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The present work is the first extensive study of large-scale pesticides research in wild animals. The investigation covered three game species: wild boar (n = 42), roe deer (n = 79) and deer (n = 15) collected from north-eastern Poland. To characterize the 480 pesticides in muscle samples, LC-GC-MS/MS techniques were used. A total of 28 compounds were detected: 5 neonicotinoids, 6 organochlorine and 5 other insecticides, 9 fungicides and 4 herbicides, in the range of 0.1-85.3 ng g-1. Over four hundred detections were done. The highest mean concentrations were as follows: anthraquinone (85.3 ng g-1) > DDT-p,p' (4.6 ng g-1) > imidacloprid (4.3 ng g-1) > permethrin (3.6 ng g-1) > thiacloprid (2.8 ng g-1). DDT and metabolites were the most frequently detected, followed by acetamiprid, tebuconazole, clothianidin and imidacloprid. Overall, 92% samples with residues were recorded, including 100% of wild boar, 88% of roe deer and 86% of deer. More than one pesticide (up to 9) was found in over 73% of the tested samples. The estimated chronic and acute risk to consumers of venison were very low (below 1% ADI and ARfD). This interdisciplinary study may be helpful for estimating ecological risk to wild animals and risk to consumers of wild animal products, and also as a source of biomonitoring data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Kaczyński
- Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute, Chełmońskiego 22, 15-195 Białystok, Poland.
| | - Bożena Łozowicka
- Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute, Chełmońskiego 22, 15-195 Białystok, Poland
| | - Maciej Perkowski
- University of Białystok, Faculty of Law, Department of Public International Law and European Law, Mickiewicza 1, 15-213 Białystok, Poland
| | - Wojciech Zoń
- University of Białystok, Faculty of Law, Department of Public International Law and European Law, Mickiewicza 1, 15-213 Białystok, Poland
| | - Izabela Hrynko
- Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute, Chełmońskiego 22, 15-195 Białystok, Poland
| | - Ewa Rutkowska
- Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute, Chełmońskiego 22, 15-195 Białystok, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Skibko
- Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45D, 15-351 Białystok, Poland
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6
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Herst PM, Aars J, Joly Beauparlant C, Bodein A, Dalvai M, Gagné D, Droit A, Bailey JL, Routti H. Adipose Tissue Transcriptome Is Related to Pollutant Exposure in Polar Bear Mother-Cub Pairs from Svalbard, Norway. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:11365-11375. [PMID: 32808525 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c01920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Being at the food chain apex, polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are highly contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Females transfer POPs to their offspring through gestation and lactation; therefore, young cubs present higher POPs concentrations than their mothers. Recent studies suggest that POPs affect the lipid metabolism in female polar bears; however, the mechanisms and impact on their offspring remain unknown. Here, we hypothesized that exposure to POPs differentially alters genome-wide gene transcription in the adipose tissue from mother polar bears and their cubs, highlighting molecular differences in response between adults and young. Adipose tissue biopsies were collected from 13 adult female polar bears and their twin cubs in Svalbard, Norway, in April 2011, 2012, and 2013. Total RNA extracted from biopsies was subjected to next-generation RNA sequencing. Plasma concentrations of summed polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in mothers ranged from 897 to 13620 ng/g wet weight and were associated with altered adipose tissue gene expression in both mothers and cubs. In mothers, 2502 and 2586 genes in total were positively and negatively, respectively, correlated to POP exposure, whereas in cubs, 2585 positively and 1690 negatively genes. Between mothers and cubs, 743 positively and negatively genes overlapped between mothers and cubs suggesting partially shared molecular responses to ΣPOPs. ΣPOP-associated genes were involved in numerous metabolic pathways in mothers and cubs, indicating that POP exposure alters the energy metabolism, which, in turn, may be linked to metabolic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline M Herst
- Department of Animal Sciences, Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Laval University, Quebec City G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Jon Aars
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Charles Joly Beauparlant
- Computational Biology Laboratory Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Antoine Bodein
- Computational Biology Laboratory Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Mathieu Dalvai
- Department of Animal Sciences, Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Laval University, Quebec City G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Dominic Gagné
- Department of Animal Sciences, Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Laval University, Quebec City G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Computational Biology Laboratory Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Janice L Bailey
- Department of Animal Sciences, Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle (CRDSI), Laval University, Quebec City G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
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7
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Spörndly-Nees E, Holm L, van Beest FM, Fakhrzadeh A, Ekstedt E, Letcher R, Magnusson U, Desforges JP, Dietz R, Sonne C. Age and seasonal variation in testis and baculum morphology in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in relation to high concentrations of persistent organic pollutants. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 173:246-254. [PMID: 30928855 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.03.036] [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: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are found in high concentrations in the Artic. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are one of the most exposed mammals in the Arctic and are thereby vulnerable to reproductive disruption. The aim of this study was to investigate male polar bear reproduction based on a detailed evaluation of testis histology and to assess possible effects of environmental chemicals on male polar bear reproduction. Reproductive groups that were identified based on histology were as follows: actively reproductive (REP), non-reproductive either with degenerated testes (DEG), undeveloped seminiferous tubules (UND), or morphology in-transition (INT). Categorization into these groups was supported by significant differences in testis and baculum measurements among REP, DEG, and UND, as well as differences in the area and diameter of seminiferous tubules among REP, DEG, and UND. These results show that it is possible to identify the reproductive stage in polar bears even if capture date and or age is lacking. Based on testis morphology we suggest that adult male polar bears from East Greenland have active spermatogenesis in February to June, and inactive degenerated testes in August to January. January to February was the main period of reproductive transition, characterised by a shift between inactive and active spermatogenesis. Baculum and testis size measurements decreased significantly with increasing concentrations of the chlordane metabolite oxychlordane, suggesting a potential impact on male reproductive success. Half of the investigated polar bears in REP group displayed signs of disorganization of the spermatogenesis which might be a sign of disrupted reproduction. However, no correlations with levels of the investigated POPs were detected. Reproductive organ measurements in polar bears differed significantly between REP and DEG groups, which cannot be explained by age, and therefore should be considered when investigating the effect of POPs on male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellinor Spörndly-Nees
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 75007, Sweden.
| | - Lena Holm
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 75007, Sweden
| | - Floris M van Beest
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-400, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Azadeh Fakhrzadeh
- Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc) Tehran Province, No. 1090, Enghelab, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elisabeth Ekstedt
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7011, 75007, Sweden
| | - Robert Letcher
- Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Bldg. 33, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Ulf Magnusson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jean-Pierre Desforges
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-400, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-400, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-400, Roskilde, Denmark
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8
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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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9
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Carlsson P, Breivik K, Brorström-Lundén E, Cousins I, Christensen J, Grimalt JO, Halsall C, Kallenborn R, Abass K, Lammel G, Munthe J, MacLeod M, Odland JØ, Pawlak J, Rautio A, Reiersen LO, Schlabach M, Stemmler I, Wilson S, Wöhrnschimmel H. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as sentinels for the elucidation of Arctic environmental change processes: a comprehensive review combined with ArcRisk project results. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:22499-22528. [PMID: 29956262 PMCID: PMC6096556 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2625-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can be used as chemical sentinels for the assessment of anthropogenic influences on Arctic environmental change. We present an overview of studies on PCBs in the Arctic and combine these with the findings from ArcRisk-a major European Union-funded project aimed at examining the effects of climate change on the transport of contaminants to and their behaviour of in the Arctic-to provide a case study on the behaviour and impact of PCBs over time in the Arctic. PCBs in the Arctic have shown declining trends in the environment over the last few decades. Atmospheric long-range transport from secondary and primary sources is the major input of PCBs to the Arctic region. Modelling of the atmospheric PCB composition and behaviour showed some increases in environmental concentrations in a warmer Arctic, but the general decline in PCB levels is still the most prominent feature. 'Within-Arctic' processing of PCBs will be affected by climate change-related processes such as changing wet deposition. These in turn will influence biological exposure and uptake of PCBs. The pan-Arctic rivers draining large Arctic/sub-Arctic catchments provide a significant source of PCBs to the Arctic Ocean, although changes in hydrology/sediment transport combined with a changing marine environment remain areas of uncertainty with regard to PCB fate. Indirect effects of climate change on human exposure, such as a changing diet will influence and possibly reduce PCB exposure for indigenous peoples. Body burdens of PCBs have declined since the 1980s and are predicted to decline further.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Knut Breivik
- NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 2027, Kjeller, Norway
| | | | - Ian Cousins
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, 11418, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jesper Christensen
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Joan O Grimalt
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA), Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), 0834, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Crispin Halsall
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Roland Kallenborn
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Sciences (KBM), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Christian Magnus Falsen Veg 1, 1432, Ås, Norway
- Department of Arctic Technology (AT), University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), 9171, Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
| | - Khaled Abass
- Department of Pesticides, Menoufia University, P.O. Box 32511, Shebeen El-Kom, Egypt
- Arctic Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Gerhard Lammel
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - John Munthe
- IVL Swedish Environment Research Institute, 411 33, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Matthew MacLeod
- Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry (ACES), Stockholm University, 11418, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jon Øyvind Odland
- Department of Community Medicine, UiT-The Arctic University of Norway, 9037, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Janet Pawlak
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), AMAP Secretariat, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arja Rautio
- Arctic Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, 90014, Oulu, Finland
| | - Lars-Otto Reiersen
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), AMAP Secretariat, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Martin Schlabach
- NILU-Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 2027, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Irene Stemmler
- Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, 55128, Mainz, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simon Wilson
- Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP), AMAP Secretariat, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Henry Wöhrnschimmel
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zürich, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland
- Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, Worblentalstrasse 68, 3063, Ittigen, Switzerland
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10
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Daugaard-Petersen T, Langebæk R, Rigét FF, Dyck M, Letcher RJ, Hyldstrup L, Jensen JEB, Dietz R, Sonne C. Persistent organic pollutants and penile bone mineral density in East Greenland and Canadian polar bears (Ursus maritimus) during 1996-2015. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2018; 114:212-218. [PMID: 29522985 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are long-range transported to the Arctic via atmospheric and oceanic currents, where they biomagnify to high concentrations in the tissues of apex predators such as polar bears (Ursus maritimus). A major concern of POP exposure is their physiological effects on vital organ-tissues posing a threat to the health and survival of polar bears. Here we examined the relationship between selected POPs and baculum bone mineral density (BMD) in the East Greenland and seven Canadian subpopulations of polar bears. BMD was examined in 471 bacula collected between years 1996-2015 while POP concentrations in adipose tissue were determined in 67-192 of these individuals collected from 1999 to -2015. A geographical comparison showed that baculum BMD was significantly lowest in polar bears from East Greenland (EG) when compared to Gulf of Boothia (GB), Southern Hudson (SH) and Western Hudson (WH) Bay subpopulations (all p < 0.05). The calculation of a T-score osteoporosis index for the EG subpopulation using WH bears as a reference group gave a T-score of -1.44 which indicate risk of osteopenia. Concentrations of ΣPCB74 (polychlorinated biphenyls), ΣDDT3 (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes), p,p'-DDE (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene), ΣHCH3 (hexachlorohexane) and α-HCH was significantly highest in EG bears while ΣPBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), BDE-47 and BDE-153 was significantly highest in SH bears (all p < 0.04). Statistical analyses of individual baculum BMD vs. POP concentrations showed that BMD was positively correlated with ΣPCB74, CB-153, HCB (hexachlorobenzene), ΣHCH, β-HCH, ClBz (chlorobenzene), ΣPBDE and BDE-153 (all p < 0.03). In conclusion, baculum density was significantly lowest in East Greenland polar bears despite the positive statistical correlations of BMD vs. POPs. Other important factors such as nutritional status, body mass and body condition was not available for the statistical modelling. Since on-going environmental changes are known to affect these, future studies need to incorporate nutritional, endocrine and genetic parameters to further understand how POP exposure may disrupt bone homeostasis and affect baculum BMD across polar bear subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Daugaard-Petersen
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rikke Langebæk
- University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Dyrlægevej 16, 1-72, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
| | - Frank F Rigét
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Markus Dyck
- Wildlife Management Division, Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut, PO Box 209, Igloolik, NU X0A 0L0, Canada.
| | - 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 K1A 0H3, Canada.
| | - Lars Hyldstrup
- University Hospital of Hvidovre, Kettegaards Allé 30, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark.
| | | | - Rune Dietz
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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11
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Brown TM, Macdonald RW, Muir DCG, Letcher RJ. The distribution and trends of persistent organic pollutants and mercury in marine mammals from Canada's Eastern Arctic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 618:500-517. [PMID: 29145101 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 11/03/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Arctic contaminant research in the marine environment has focused on organohalogen compounds and mercury mainly because they are bioaccumulative, persistent and toxic. This review summarizes and discusses the patterns and trends of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury in ringed seals (Pusa hispida) and polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Eastern Canadian Arctic relative to the rest of the Canadian Arctic. The review provides explanations for these trends and looks at the implications of climate-related changes on contaminants in these marine mammals in a region that has been reviewed little. Presently, the highest levels of total mercury (THg) and the legacy pesticide HCH in ringed seals and polar bears are found in the Western Canadian Arctic relative to other locations. Whereas, highest levels of some legacy contaminants, including ∑PCBs, PCB 153, ∑DDTs, p,p'-DDE, ∑CHLs, ClBz are found in the east (i.e., Ungava Bay and Labrador) and in the Beaufort Sea relative to other locations. The highest levels of recent contaminants, including PBDEs and PFOS are found at lower latitudes. Feeding ecology (e.g., feeding at a higher trophic position) is shaping the elevated levels of THg and some legacy contaminants in the west compared to the east. Spatial and temporal trends for POPs and THg are underpinned by historical loadings of surface ocean reservoirs including the Western Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean. Trends set up by the distribution of water masses across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago are then acted upon locally by on-going atmospheric deposition, which is the dominant contributor for more recent contaminants. Warming and continued decline in sea ice are likely to result in further shifts in food web structure, which are likely to increase contaminant burdens in marine mammals. Monitoring of seawater and a range of trophic levels would provide a better basis to inform communities about contaminants in traditionally harvested foods, allow us to understand the causes of contaminant trends in marine ecosystems, and to track environmental response to source controls instituted under international conventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya M Brown
- Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland A1B 3X9, Canada.
| | - Robie W Macdonald
- Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Institute of Ocean Sciences, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 4B2, Canada; Centre for Earth Observation Science, Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Derek C G Muir
- Environment Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, Ontario L7R 4A6, Canada
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Raven Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, Canada
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12
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Gutleb AC, Cambier S, Serchi T. Impact of Endocrine Disruptors on the Thyroid Hormone System. Horm Res Paediatr 2018; 86:271-278. [PMID: 26771660 DOI: 10.1159/000443501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The thyroid hormone (TH) system plays a central role in central physiological processes of many species, including mammals and humans, ranging from growth and cell differentiation, energy metabolism, thermoregulation and phasing of hibernation or annual movements of migratory species, metamorphosis from larvae to adult forms, brain development, reproduction, or the cardiovascular system. Several chemicals are known to be TH-disrupting compounds (THDCs) and have been shown to interact with virtually all elements of TH homeostasis such as feedback mechanisms with the hypothalamus-pituitary axis, TH synthesis, TH storage and release from the thyroid gland, transport protein binding and TH distribution in tissues and organs, cellular TH uptake, intracellular TH metabolism, and TH receptor binding. Therefore, chemicals interfering with the TH homeostasis have the potential to interact with many of these important processes, and especially early-life stage exposure results in permanent alterations of tissue organization and homeostatic regulation of adaptive processes. This is not only of theoretical importance as the reported plasma concentrations of THDCs in human plasma fall well within the range of reported in vitro effect concentrations, and this is of even higher importance as the developing fetus and young children are in a sensitive developmental stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arno C Gutleb
- Environmental Health Group, Life Cycle Sustainability and Risk Assessment (LiSRA) Unit, Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) Department, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Esch/Alzette, Luxembourg
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13
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Letcher RJ, Morris AD, Dyck M, Sverko E, Reiner EJ, Blair DAD, Chu SG, Shen L. Legacy and new halogenated persistent organic pollutants in polar bears from a contamination hotspot in the Arctic, Hudson Bay Canada. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 610-611:121-136. [PMID: 28803190 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A large and complex suite of 295 legacy and new halogenated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were investigated in fat or liver tissue samples of polar bears collected in 2013-2014 from Southern (SHB) and Western (WHB) subpopulations of the Canadian Arctic contaminants hotspot of Hudson Bay. A total of 210 POPs were detected and/or quantifiable with some frequency in all fat or liver samples. POP profile and concentration differences were investigated both within (e.g. age and sex) and between the two subpopulations. Two time-point comparisons were made relative to POPs reported for Hudson Bay polar bears harvested in 2007-2008. ΣPolychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations at both time points were the most concentrated of the POP groups, and were spatially uniform with no detectable influence of sex or age, as were concentrations of the dominant congener CB153. ΣChlordanes (ΣCHLs, 74-79% oxychlordane) and the Σperfluoroalkyl substances (ΣPFASs, ≈60% perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)) had the second greatest POP group concentrations in SHB and WHB respectively, with ΣPFASs and ΣCHLs being significantly influenced by age and/or sex. ΣCHLs were spatially uniform but ΣPFASs were greater in the SHB bears, as were e.g. some flame retardants, due to e.g. local contamination and/or changes in bear behavior and diet. Endosulfans and hexabromocyclododecane were detectable in samples from 2007-2008 but not from 2013-2014, which is consistent with their global POP regulations. ΣPolychlorinated naphthalenes (ΣPCNs) were consistently detected at relatively high concentrations compared to other arctic wildlife, however these concentrations were low relative to legacy POPs. ΣShort-chain chlorinated paraffins (ΣSCCPs) were major contributors to the overall POPs burden with concentrations comparable to other legacy POPs, though there was no significant difference between or within subpopulations for PCNs or SCCPs. Except for octachlorostyrene, POPs concentrations were generally lower in female and male bears from SHB in 2013-2014 relative to 2007-2008, however those of WHB males were greater over the same timeframe for almost all POPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - A D Morris
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - M Dyck
- Government of Nunavut, Igoolik, NU, Canada
| | - E Sverko
- Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - E J Reiner
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, 125 Resources Rd, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - D A D Blair
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - S G Chu
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - L Shen
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, 125 Resources Rd, Toronto, ON, Canada
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14
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Multiple-stressor effects in an apex predator: combined influence of pollutants and sea ice decline on lipid metabolism in polar bears. Sci Rep 2017; 7:16487. [PMID: 29184161 PMCID: PMC5705648 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-16820-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing evidence from experimental and human epidemiological studies that many pollutants can disrupt lipid metabolism. In Arctic wildlife, the occurrence of such compounds could have serious consequences for seasonal feeders. We set out to study whether organohalogenated compounds (OHCs) could cause disruption of energy metabolism in female polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Svalbard, Norway (n = 112). We analyzed biomarkers of energy metabolism including the abundance profiles of nine lipid-related genes, fatty acid (FA) synthesis and elongation indices in adipose tissue, and concentrations of lipid-related variables in plasma (cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides). Furthermore, the plasma metabolome and lipidome were characterized by low molecular weight metabolites and lipid fingerprinting, respectively. Polychlorinated biphenyls, chlordanes, brominated diphenyl ethers and perfluoroalkyl substances were significantly related to biomarkers involved in lipid accumulation, FA metabolism, insulin utilization, and cholesterol homeostasis. Moreover, the effects of pollutants were measurable at the metabolome and lipidome levels. Our results indicate that several OHCs affect lipid biosynthesis and catabolism in female polar bears. Furthermore, these effects were more pronounced when combined with reduced sea ice extent and thickness, suggesting that climate-driven sea ice decline and OHCs have synergistic negative effects on polar bears.
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15
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Ciesielski TM, Hansen IT, Bytingsvik J, Hansen M, Lie E, Aars J, Jenssen BM, Styrishave B. Relationships between POPs, biometrics and circulating steroids in male polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Svalbard. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 230:598-608. [PMID: 28710978 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.06.095] [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: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and biometric variables on circulating levels of steroid hormones (androgens, estrogens and progestagens) in male polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Svalbard, Norway (n = 23). Levels of pregnenolone (PRE), progesterone (PRO), androstenedione (AN), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), testosterone (TS), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (αE2) and 17β-estradiol (βE2) were quantified in polar bear serum by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), while POPs were measured in plasma. Subsequently, associations between hormone concentrations (9 steroids), POPs (21 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 8 OH-PCBs, 8 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and OCP metabolites, and 2 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)) and biological variables (age, head length, body mass, girth, body condition index), capture date, location (latitude and longitude), lipid content and cholesterol levels were examined using principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal projections to latent structures (OPLS) modelling. Average concentrations of androgens, estrogens and progestagens were in the range of 0.57-83.7 (0.57-12.4 for subadults, 1.02-83.7 for adults), 0.09-2.69 and 0.57-2.44 nmol/L, respectively. The steroid profiles suggest that sex steroids were mainly synthesized through the Δ-4 pathway in male polar bears. The ratio between androgens and estrogens significantly depended on sexual maturity with androgen/estrogen ratios being approximately 60 times higher in adult males than in subadult males. PCA plots and OPLS models indicated that TS was positively related to biometrics, such as body condition index in male polar bears. A negative relationship was also observed between POPs and DHT. Consequently, POPs and body condition may potentially affect the endocrinological function of steroids, including development of reproductive tissues and sex organs and the general condition of male polar bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz M Ciesielski
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Ingunn Tjelta Hansen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jenny Bytingsvik
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Martin Hansen
- Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elisabeth Lie
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Jon Aars
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Bjørn M Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Arctic Technology, The University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Norway
| | - Bjarne Styrishave
- Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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16
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Bourgeon S, Riemer AK, Tartu S, Aars J, Polder A, Jenssen BM, Routti H. Potentiation of ecological factors on the disruption of thyroid hormones by organo-halogenated contaminants in female polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from the Barents Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 158:94-104. [PMID: 28614731 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.05.034] [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: 02/16/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
As apex predators, polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are among the most heavily polluted organisms in the Arctic. In addition to this anthropogenic stressor, climate warming has been shown to negatively affect their body condition, reproductive output and survival. Among potential underlying physiological mechanisms, thyroid hormones (THs), which control thermoregulation, metabolism and reproduction, can be affected by a variety of both natural and anthropogenic factors. While THs have been extensively used as proxies for pollution exposure in mammals, including polar bears, there is a lack of knowledge of their natural variations. In this context, we examined seasonal variations in body condition and circulating TH concentrations in free-ranging female polar bears. Females with variable reproductive status (i.e., solitary, with cubs of the year or with yearlings) were sampled from locations with contrasted sea ice conditions. Furthermore, we studied THs in relation to levels of organo-halogenated contaminants. As predicted, solitary females were in better condition than females caring for offspring, especially in spring. In addition, TH levels were lower in autumn compared to spring, although this seasonal effect was mainly observed in solitary females. Finally, the negative relationships between organochlorine and perfluoroalkyl substances and some THs suggest a possible alteration of homeostasis of THs. Since the latter relationships were only observed during spring, we emphasize the importance of considering the ecological factors when using THs as proxies for pollution exposure. Yet, the combined effects of natural and anthropogenic stressors on THs might impair the ability of polar bears to adapt to ongoing climate changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Bourgeon
- The Arctic University of Norway, UiT, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Astrid Kolind Riemer
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, Department of Biology, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Sabrina Tartu
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Jon Aars
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Anuschka Polder
- Norwegian University of Life Science, NMBU, Campus Adamstua, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Bjørn Munro Jenssen
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, Department of Biology, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway.
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17
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Nuijten RJM, Hendriks AJ, Jenssen BM, Schipper AM. Circumpolar contaminant concentrations in polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and potential population-level effects. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 151:50-57. [PMID: 27450999 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.07.021] [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: 05/19/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) currently receive much attention in the context of global climate change. However, there are other stressors that might threaten the viability of polar bear populations as well, such as exposure to anthropogenic pollutants. Lipophilic organic compounds bio-accumulate and bio-magnify in the food chain, leading to high concentrations at the level of top-predators. In Arctic wildlife, including the polar bear, various adverse health effects have been related to internal concentrations of commercially used anthropogenic chemicals like PCB and DDT. The extent to which these individual health effects are associated to population-level effects is, however, unknown. In this study we assembled data on adipose tissue concentrations of ∑PCB, ∑DDT, dieldrin and ∑PBDE in individual polar bears from peer-reviewed scientific literature. Data were available for 14 out of the 19 subpopulations. We found that internal concentrations of these contaminants exceed threshold values for adverse individual health effects in several subpopulations. In an exploratory regression analysis we identified a clear negative correlation between polar bear population density and sub-population specific contaminant concentrations in adipose tissue. The results suggest that adverse health effects of contaminants in individual polar bears may scale up to population-level consequences. Our study highlights the need to consider contaminant exposure along with other threats in polar bear population viability analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J M Nuijten
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research (IWWR), Radboud University (RU), NL-6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Department of Animal Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), 7608 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - A J Hendriks
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research (IWWR), Radboud University (RU), NL-6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - B M Jenssen
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway; Department of Arctic Technology, The University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Norway
| | - A M Schipper
- Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research (IWWR), Radboud University (RU), NL-6500 GL Nijmegen, The Netherlands; PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, PO Box 303, 3720 AH Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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18
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Label-free based quantitative proteomics analysis of primary neonatal porcine Leydig cells exposed to the persistent contaminant 3-methylsulfonyl-DDE. J Proteomics 2016; 137:68-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Revised: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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19
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Pavlova V, Grimm V, Dietz R, Sonne C, Vorkamp K, Rigét FF, Letcher RJ, Gustavson K, Desforges JP, Nabe-Nielsen J. Modeling Population-Level Consequences of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Exposure in East Greenland Polar Bears. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2016; 70:143-54. [PMID: 26289812 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-015-0203-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can cause endocrine disruption, cancer, immunosuppression, or reproductive failure in animals. We used an individual-based model to explore whether and how PCB-associated reproductive failure could affect the dynamics of a hypothetical polar bear (Ursus maritimus) population exposed to PCBs to the same degree as the East Greenland subpopulation. Dose-response data from experimental studies on a surrogate species, the mink (Mustela vision), were used in the absence of similar data for polar bears. Two alternative types of reproductive failure in relation to maternal sum-PCB concentrations were considered: increased abortion rate and increased cub mortality. We found that the quantitative impact of PCB-induced reproductive failure on population growth rate depended largely on the actual type of reproductive failure involved. Critical potencies of the dose-response relationship for decreasing the population growth rate were established for both modeled types of reproductive failure. Comparing the model predictions of the age-dependent trend of sum-PCBs concentrations in females with actual field measurements from East Greenland indicated that it was unlikely that PCB exposure caused a high incidence of abortions in the subpopulation. However, on the basis of this analysis, it could not be excluded that PCB exposure contributes to higher cub mortality. Our results highlight the necessity for further research on the possible influence of PCBs on polar bear reproduction regarding their physiological pathway. This includes determining the exact cause of reproductive failure, i.e., in utero exposure versus lactational exposure of offspring; the timing of offspring death; and establishing the most relevant reference metrics for the dose-response relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viola Pavlova
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Volker Grimm
- Department of Ecological Modelling, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 2, 14469, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Katrin Vorkamp
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Frank F Rigét
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Kim Gustavson
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jean-Pierre Desforges
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jacob Nabe-Nielsen
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, C.F. Møllers Allé 8, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
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20
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Yu H, Wondrousch D, Yuan Q, Lin H, Chen J, Hong H, Schüürmann G. Modeling and predicting pKa values of mono-hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (HO-PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (HO-PBDEs) by local molecular descriptors. CHEMOSPHERE 2015; 138:829-36. [PMID: 26295542 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.08.012] [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: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (HO-PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (HO-PBDEs) are attracting considerable concerns because of their multiple endocrine-disrupting effects and wide existence in environment and organisms. The hydroxyl groups enable these chemicals to be ionizable, and dissociation constant, pKa, becomes an important parameter for investigating their environmental behavior and biological activities. In this study, a new pKa prediction model was developed using local molecular descriptors. The dataset contains 21 experimental pKa values of HO-PCBs and HO-PBDEs. The optimized geometries by ab initio HF/6-31G(∗∗) algorithm were used to calculate the site-specific molecular readiness to accept or donate electron charges. The developed model obtained good statistical performance, which significantly outperformed commercial software ACD and SPARC. Mechanism analysis indicates that pKa values increase with the charge-limited donor energy EQocc on hydroxyl oxygen atom and decrease with the energy-limited acceptor charge QEvac on hydroxyl hydrogen atom. The regression model was also applied to calculate pKa values for all 837 mono-hydroxylated PCBs and PBDEs in each class, aiming to provide basic data for the ecological risk assessment of these chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiying Yu
- College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Yingbin Avenue 688, Jinhua 321004, PR China.
| | - Dominik Wondrousch
- UFZ Department of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstr. 15, Leipzig D-04318, Germany; Institution for Organic Chemistry, Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, Leipzig Str. 29, Freiberg D-09596, Germany
| | - Quan Yuan
- College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Yingbin Avenue 688, Jinhua 321004, PR China
| | - Hongjun Lin
- College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Yingbin Avenue 688, Jinhua 321004, PR China
| | - Jianrong Chen
- College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Yingbin Avenue 688, Jinhua 321004, PR China
| | - Huachang Hong
- College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Yingbin Avenue 688, Jinhua 321004, PR China
| | - Gerrit Schüürmann
- UFZ Department of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Permoserstr. 15, Leipzig D-04318, Germany; Institution for Organic Chemistry, Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, Leipzig Str. 29, Freiberg D-09596, Germany
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21
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Bytingsvik J, Frantzen M, Götsch A, Heimstad ES, Christensen G, Evenset A. Current status, between-year comparisons and maternal transfer of organohalogenated compounds (OHCs) in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) from Bjørnøya, Svalbard (Norway). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 521-522:421-430. [PMID: 25864154 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 03/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
High levels of organohalogenated compounds (OHCs) have been found in Arctic char from Lake Ellasjøen at Bjørnøya (Svalbard, Norway) compared to char from other arctic lakes. The first aim of the study was to investigate the OHC status, contaminant profile, and partitioning of OHCs between muscle and ovary tissue in spawning female char from the high-polluted Lake Ellasjøen and the low-polluted Lake Laksvatn. The second aim was to investigate if OHC levels in muscle tissue have changed over time. Between-lake comparisons show that the muscle levels (lipid weight) of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), chlordanes (∑CHLs), mirex, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (∑DDTs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (∑PCBs) were up to 36 times higher in char from Ellasjøen than in Laksvatn, and confirm that the char from Ellasjøen are still heavily exposed compared to char from neighboring lake. A higher proportion of persistent OHCs were found in Ellasjøen compared to Laksvatn, while the proportion of the less persistent OHCs was highest in Laksvatn. A between-year comparison of OHC levels (i.e., HCB, DDTs, PCBs) in female and male char shows higher levels of HCB in female char from Ellasjøen in 2009/2012 compared to in 1999/2001. No other between-year differences in OHC levels were found. Due to small study groups, findings associated with between-year differences in OHC levels should be interpreted with caution. OHCs accumulate in the lipid rich ovaries of spawning females, resulting in up to six times higher levels of OHCs in ovaries compared to in muscle (wet weight). The toxic equivalent (TEQ)-value for the dioxin-like PCBs (PCB-105 and -118) in ovaries of the Ellasjøen char exceeded levels associated with increased egg mortality in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Hence, we suggest that future studies should focus on the reproductive health and performance abilities of the high-exposed population of char inhabiting Lake Ellasjøen.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bytingsvik
- Akvaplan-niva AS, The Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø Norway.
| | - M Frantzen
- Akvaplan-niva AS, The Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø Norway
| | - A Götsch
- NILU (Norwegian Institute for Air Research), The Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø Norway
| | - E S Heimstad
- NILU (Norwegian Institute for Air Research), The Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø Norway
| | - G Christensen
- Akvaplan-niva AS, The Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø Norway
| | - A Evenset
- Akvaplan-niva AS, The Fram Centre, N-9296 Tromsø Norway; University of Tromsø, The Arctic University of Norway, Pb 6050 Langnes, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway
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22
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Lucia M, Verboven N, Strøm H, Miljeteig C, Gavrilo MV, Braune BM, Boertmann D, Gabrielsen GW. Circumpolar contamination in eggs of the high-Arctic ivory gull Pagophila eburnea. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2015; 34:1552-61. [PMID: 25677940 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 10/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The ivory gull Pagophila eburnea is a high-Arctic species threatened by climate change and contaminants. The objective of the present study was to assess spatial variation of contaminant levels (organochlorines [OCs], brominated flame retardants [BFRs], perfluorinated alkyl substances [PFASs], and mercury [Hg]) in ivory gulls breeding in different areas across the Arctic region as a baseline for potential future changes associated with climate change. Contaminants were already determined in eggs from Canada (Seymour Island; except PFASs), Svalbard in Norway (Svenskøya), and 3 sites in Russia (Nagurskoe, Cape Klyuv, and Domashny). New data from Greenland allowed the investigation of a possible longitudinal gradient of contamination. The most quantitatively abundant OCs were p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) and polychlorobiphenyls. Mercury concentrations were higher in Canada compared with other colonies. Eggs from Nagurskoe often were characterized by higher OC and BFR concentrations. Concentrations gradually decreased in colonies situated east of Nagurskoe. In contrast, PFAS concentrations, especially perfluorooctanoate and perfluorononanoate, were higher in Greenland. Some of the contaminants, especially Hg and p,p'-DDE, exceeded published thresholds known to disrupt the reproductive success of avian species. Overall, the levels of OCs, BFRs, and PFASs did not suggest direct lethal exposure to these compounds, but their potential synergetic/additive sublethal effects warrant monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Cecilie Miljeteig
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Maria V Gavrilo
- National Park Russian Arctic, Archangelsk, Russia
- Joint Directorate of Taimyr Nature Reserves, Norilsk, Russia
| | - Birgit M Braune
- Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Boertmann
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
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23
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Andersen MS, Fuglei E, König M, Lipasti I, Pedersen ÅØ, Polder A, Yoccoz NG, Routti H. Levels and temporal trends of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) from Svalbard in relation to dietary habits and food availability. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 511:112-122. [PMID: 25536177 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Temporal trends of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) from Svalbard, Norway, were investigated in relation to feeding habits and seasonal food availability. Arctic foxes from Svalbard forage in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems and the availability of their food items are impacted by climatic variability. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) and brominated flame retardants (polybrominated diphenyl ethers [PBDEs] and hexabromocyclododecane [HBCDD]) were analyzed in the liver of 141 arctic foxes collected between 1997 and 2013. Stable carbon isotope values (δ13C) were used as a proxy for feeding on marine versus terrestrial prey. The annual number of recovered reindeer carcasses and sea ice cover were used as proxies for climate influenced food availability (reindeers, seals). Linear models revealed that concentrations of PCBs, chlordanes, p,p'-DDE, mirex and PBDEs decreased 4-11% per year, while no trends were observed for hexachlorobenzene (HCB) or β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH). Positive relationships between POP concentrations and δ13C indicate that concentrations of all compounds increase with increasing marine dietary input. Increasing reindeer mortality was related to lower HCB concentrations in the foxes based on the linear models. This suggests that concentrations of HCB in arctic foxes may be influenced by high mortality levels of Svalbard reindeer. Further, β-HCH concentrations showed a positive association with sea ice cover. These results in addition to the strong effect of δ13C on all POP concentrations suggest that climate-related changes in arctic fox diet are likely to influence contaminant concentrations in arctic foxes from Svalbard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin S Andersen
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Eva Fuglei
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Max König
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Inka Lipasti
- Department of Biology, University of Eastern Finland, FI-80101 Joensuu, Finland
| | | | - Anuschka Polder
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Nigel G Yoccoz
- Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway
| | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
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24
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Lille-Langøy R, Goldstone JV, Rusten M, Milnes MR, Male R, Stegeman JJ, Blumberg B, Goksøyr A. Environmental contaminants activate human and polar bear (Ursus maritimus) pregnane X receptors (PXR, NR1I2) differently. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2015; 284:54-64. [PMID: 25680588 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2015.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulate readily in polar bears because of their position as apex predators in Arctic food webs. The pregnane X receptor (PXR, formally NR1I2, here proposed to be named promiscuous xenobiotic receptor) is a xenobiotic sensor that is directly involved in metabolizing pathways of a wide range of environmental contaminants. OBJECTIVES In the present study, we comparably assess the ability of 51 selected pharmaceuticals, pesticides and emerging contaminants to activate PXRs from polar bears and humans using an in vitro luciferase reporter gene assay. RESULTS We found that polar bear PXR is activated by a wide range of our test compounds (68%) but has a slightly more narrow ligand specificity than human PXR that was activated by 86% of the 51 test compounds. The majority of the agonists identified (70%) produces a stronger induction of the reporter gene via human PXR than via polar bear PXR, however with some notable and environmentally relevant exceptions. CONCLUSIONS Due to the observed differences in activation of polar bear and human PXRs, exposure of each species to environmental agents is likely to induce biotransformation differently in the two species. Bioinformatics analyses and structural modeling studies suggest that amino acids that are not part of the ligand-binding domain and do not interact with the ligand can modulate receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Lille-Langøy
- University of Bergen, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Jared V Goldstone
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, 02543-1050 Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Marte Rusten
- University of Bergen, Department of Molecular Biology, P.O. Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Matthew R Milnes
- Mars Hill University, 100 Athletic Street, Box 6671, Mars Hill, 28754 NC, USA
| | - Rune Male
- University of Bergen, Department of Molecular Biology, P.O. Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - John J Stegeman
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Road, 02543-1050 Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | | | - Anders Goksøyr
- University of Bergen, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway
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25
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Sonne C, Dyck M, Rigét FF, Beck Jensen JE, Hyldstrup L, Letcher RJ, Gustavson K, Gilbert MTP, Dietz R. Penile density and globally used chemicals in Canadian and Greenland polar bears. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2015; 137:287-291. [PMID: 25601730 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Industrially produced chemicals have been a major environmental concern across our entire Globe since the onset of rapid industrial development around the early 1900. Many of the substances being used are known to be endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and are also known to be long-range dispersed and to biomagnify to very high concentrations in the tissues of Arctic apex predators such as polar bears (Ursus maritimus). A major concern relating to EDCs is their effects on vital organ-tissues such as bone and it is possible that EDCs represent a more serious challenge to the species' survival than the more conventionally proposed prey reductions linked to climate change. We therefore analyzed penile bone mineral density (BMD) as a key phenotype for reproductive success in 279 polar bear samples born 1990-2000 representing eight polar bear subpopulations. Since EDC concentrations were not available from the same specimens, we compared BMD with published literature information on EDC concentrations. Latitudinal and longitudinal BMD and EDC gradients were clearly observed, with Western Hudson bears having the highest BMD and lowest EDCs, and North East Greenland polar bears carrying the lowest BMD and highest EDCs. A BMD vs. polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) regression analysis showed that BMD decreased as a function of the eight subpopulations' PCB concentrations and this relationship was close to being significant (p=0.10, R(2)=0.39). Risk quotient (RQ) estimation demonstrated that PCBs could be in a range that may lead to disruption of normal reproduction and development. It is therefore likely that EDCs directly affect development and bone density in polar bears. Canadian bears had in general the best health and the North East Greenland subpopulation being at the highest risk of having negative health effects. While reductions in BMD is in general unhealthy, reductions in penile BMD could lead to increased risk of species extinction because of mating and subsequent fertilization failure as a result of weak penile bones and risk of fractures. Based on this, future studies should assess how polar bear subpopulations respond upon EDC exposure since information and understanding about their circumpolar reproductive health is vital for future conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Markus Dyck
- Wildlife Management Division, Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut, PO Box 209, Igloolik NU X0A 0L0, Canada.
| | - Frank F Rigét
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | | | - Lars Hyldstrup
- University Hospital of Hvidovre, Kettegaards Allé 30, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark.
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.
| | - Kim Gustavson
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Center for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, DK-1350 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
| | - Rune Dietz
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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26
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Pedersen KE, Styrishave B, Sonne C, Dietz R, Jenssen BM. Accumulation and potential health effects of organohalogenated compounds in the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus)--a review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 502:510-516. [PMID: 25300015 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.09.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This review addresses biological effects of anthropogenic organohalogenated compounds in the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus). When considering the current levels, spatial and tissue distributions of selected organic pollutants in arctic fox subpopulations, especially the Svalbard based populations accumulate high levels. The dominating contaminant groups are the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlordanes (CHLs), which reach high levels in adipose tissues, adrenals and liver. Recent controlled exposure studies on domesticated arctic fox and Greenland sledge dogs, show adverse health effects associated with OC concentrations lower than those measured in free-ranging populations. This indicates that especially populations at Svalbard may be at risk of experiencing OC related effects. The arctic fox as such may be an overlooked species in the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programs and it would add further information about pollution in the Arctic to include this species in the monitoring program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrine Eggers Pedersen
- Toxicology Laboratory, Section of Advanced Drug Analysis, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Bjarne Styrishave
- Toxicology Laboratory, Section of Advanced Drug Analysis, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Bjørn Munro Jenssen
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, NO 7491 Trondheim, Norway; University Centre in Svalbard, Department of Arctic Technology, NO 9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
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27
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de Solla SR. Exposure, Bioaccumulation, Metabolism and Monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Terrestrial Wildlife. THE HANDBOOK OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/698_2015_450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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28
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Romashov LV, Khemchyan LL, Gordeev EG, Koshevoy IO, Tunik SP, Ananikov VP. Design of a Bimetallic Au/Ag System for Dechlorination of Organochlorides: Experimental and Theoretical Evidence for the Role of the Cluster Effect. Organometallics 2014. [DOI: 10.1021/om500620u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Leonid V. Romashov
- Zelinsky
Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prosp. 47, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Levon L. Khemchyan
- Zelinsky
Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prosp. 47, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Evgeniy G. Gordeev
- Zelinsky
Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prosp. 47, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Igor O. Koshevoy
- Department
of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, Stary Petergof 198504, Russia
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu 80101, Finland
| | - Sergey P. Tunik
- Department
of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, Stary Petergof 198504, Russia
| | - Valentine P. Ananikov
- Zelinsky
Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky Prosp. 47, Moscow 119991, Russia
- Department
of Chemistry, Saint Petersburg State University, Stary Petergof 198504, Russia
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29
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Quinete N, Schettgen T, Bertram J, Kraus T. Occurrence and distribution of PCB metabolites in blood and their potential health effects in humans: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 21:11951-11972. [PMID: 24943885 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-014-3136-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 05/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, attention has been directed to chemicals with possible endocrine-disrupting properties. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and their metabolites belong to one group of environmental contaminants that have been shown to interact with the endocrine system in mammals, including humans. Although recent developments have been made in terms of determination of PCB metabolites in blood samples, still limited number of studies have been able to elucidate their profiles and toxicological and health effects in humans. This review aims to evaluate and compare the levels of hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs) and methyl sulfone PCBs (MeSO2-PCBs) in blood and their relationship to parent compounds and also address the potential risks and adverse health effects in humans. Levels of OH-PCBs varied between 0.0002 and 1.6 ng g(-1) w/w in human serum/plasma from the selected literature, correlating well with ∑PCBs. In contrast, ∑OH-PCB/∑PCB ratio in animals did not show a significant correlation, which might suggest that the bioaccumulation plays an even more important role in the concentration of OH-PCBs compared to PCB metabolism. Highest levels of MeSO2-PCBs were reported in marine mammals with high selectivity retention in the liver. Health effects of PCB metabolites included carcinogenicity, reproductive impairment, and developmental neurotoxicity, being more efficiently transferred to the brain and across the placenta from mother to fetus in comparison to the parent PCBs. Based on the lack of knowledge on the occurrence and distribution of lower chlorinated OH-PCBs in humans, further studies to identify and assess the risks associated to human exposure are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Quinete
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany,
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30
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Vorkamp K, Rigét FF. A review of new and current-use contaminants in the Arctic environment: evidence of long-range transport and indications of bioaccumulation. CHEMOSPHERE 2014; 111:379-395. [PMID: 24997943 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Systematic monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Arctic has been conducted for several years, in combination with assessments of POP levels in the Arctic, POP exposure and biological effects. Meanwhile, environmental research continues to detect new contaminants some of which could be potential new Arctic pollutants. This study summarizes the empirical evidence that is currently available of those compounds in the Arctic that are not commonly included in chemical monitoring programmes. The study has focused on novel flame retardants, e.g. alternatives to the banned polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), current-use pesticides and various other compounds, i.e. synthetic musk compounds, siloxanes, phthalic acid esters and halogenated compounds like hexachlorobutadiene, octachlorostyrene, pentachlorobenzene and polychlorinated naphthalenes. For a number of novel brominated flame retardants, e.g. 2,3-bibromopropyl-2,4,6-tribromophenyl ether (DPTE), bis(2-ethylhexyl)tetrabromophthalate (TBPH), 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-ethane (BTBPE), decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) and hexabromobenzene (HBBz), transport to the Arctic has been documented, but evidence of bioaccumulation is sparse and ambiguous. For short-chain chlorinated paraffins and dechlorane plus, however, increasing evidence shows both long-range transport and bioaccumulation. Ice cores have documented increasing concentrations of some current-use pesticides, e.g. chlorpyrifos, endosulfan and trifluralin, and bioaccumulation has been observed for pentachloroanisole, chorpyrifos, endosulfan and metoxychlor, however, the question of biomagnification remains unanswered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Vorkamp
- Aarhus University, Arctic Research Centre, Department of Environmental Science, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Frank F Rigét
- Aarhus University, Arctic Research Centre, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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Binnington MJ, Wania F. Clarifying relationships between persistent organic pollutant concentrations and age in wildlife biomonitoring: individuals, cross-sections, and the roles of lifespan and sex. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2014; 33:1415-26. [PMID: 24619475 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2576] [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: 07/26/2013] [Revised: 09/29/2013] [Accepted: 03/09/2014] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Relationships between persistent organic pollutant (POP) levels and age in wildlife biomonitoring are often interpreted as changes in contaminant burden as organisms age. However, cross-sectional body burden-age trends (CBATs) obtained from biomonitoring studies, which sample individuals of different ages at the same time, should not be confused with longitudinal body burden-age trends (LBATs) obtained by sampling the same individuals repeatedly through time. To clarify how CBATs and LBATs for wildlife species deviate from each other, and describe any impact of lifespan and sex, we used mechanistic bioaccumulation models to estimate historic longitudinal exposures of polar cod, ringed seals, beluga whales, and bowhead whales to polychlorinated biphenyl congener 153. Cross-sectional body burden-age trends were then produced by sampling resultant LBATs of successive birth cohorts at specific time points. As found previously for humans, the year of sampling relative to the year of peak environmental contamination was a critical parameter in determining male CBAT shapes. However, a similar cohort effect was not apparent for reproductive females because efficient POP loss through lactation prevented their lipids from retaining a memory of past exposure levels. Thus, lactation loss was not only responsible for the large differences between the CBATs of males and females of the same species, but also the lack of female CBAT variability through time. Cross-sectional body burden-age trend shapes varied little between species by lifespan, as long as equivalent age scales were used. However, lifespan relative to the timescale of environmental contaminant level changes did determine the extent to which CBATs resembled LBATs for males. We suggest that accounting for birth cohort and sex effects is essential when interpreting age trends in POP biomonitoring studies of long-lived species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Binnington
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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A simplified procedure for the determination of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorobiphenyls in edible vegetable oils. Food Chem 2014; 151:47-52. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2013] [Revised: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Majumdar A, Nirwane A, Kamble R. New evidences of neurotoxicity of aroclor 1254 in mice brain: potential of coenzyme q10 in abating the detrimental outcomes. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TOXICOLOGY 2014; 29:e2014001. [PMID: 24683537 PMCID: PMC3965848 DOI: 10.5620/eht.2014.29.e2014001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/03/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The present subacute study was designed to evaluate the effect of coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10) in the 28 days aroclor 1254 exposure induced oxidative stress in mice brain. METHODS Biochemical estimations of brain lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), and histopathological investigations of brain tissue were carried out. RESULTS Oral exposure of aroclor 1254 (5 mg/kg) led to significant decrease in levels of GSH, and activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, and AChE, and increase in LPO. These aberrations were restored by CoQ10 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection [IP]). This protection offered was comparable to that of L-deprenyl (1 mg/kg, IP) which served as a reference standard. CONCLUSIONS Aroclor 1254 exposure hampers the activities of various antioxidant enzymes and induces oxidative stress in the brains of Swiss albino mice. Supplementation of CoQ10 abrogates these deleterious effects of aroclor 1254. CoQ10 also apparently enhanced acetyl cholinesterase activity which reflects its influence on the cholinergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuradha Majumdar
- Department of Pharmacology, Bombay College of Pharmacy, Kalina, Mumbai, India
| | - Abhijit Nirwane
- Department of Pharmacology, Bombay College of Pharmacy, Kalina, Mumbai, India
| | - Rahul Kamble
- Department of Pharmacology, Bombay College of Pharmacy, Kalina, Mumbai, India
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Sonne C, Gustavson K, Rigét FF, Dietz R, Krüger T, Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of POPs in Greenlanders. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2014; 64:91-97. [PMID: 24382481 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.12.006] [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: 08/26/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Human exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and the potential health impact in the Arctic far from the emission sources have been highlighted in numerous studies. As a supplement to human POP biomonitoring studies, a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was set up to estimate the fate of POPs in Greenlandic Inuit's liver, blood, muscle and adipose tissue following long-term exposure to traditional Greenlandic diet. The PBPK model described metabolism, excretion and POP accumulation on the basis of their physicochemical properties and metabolic rates in the organisms. Basic correlations between chemically analyzed blood POP concentrations and calculated daily POP intake from food questionnaire of 118 middle age (18-35years) Greenlandic Inuits from four cities in West Greenland (Qaanaaq: n=40; Qeqertarsuaq: n=36; Nuuk: n=20; Narsaq: n=22) taken during 2003 to 2006 were analyzed. The dietary items included were polar bear, caribou, musk oxen, several marine species such as whales, seals, bird and fish as well as imported food. The contaminant concentrations of the dietary items as well as their chemical properties, uptake, biotransformation and excretion allowed us to estimate the POP concentration in liver, blood, muscle and adipose tissue following long-term exposure to the traditional Greenlandic diet using the PBPK model. Significant correlations were found between chemically analyzed POP blood concentrations and calculated daily intake of POPs for Qeqertarsuaq, Nuuk and Narsaq Inuit but not for the northernmost settlement Qaanaaq, probably because the highest blood POP level was found in this district which might mask the interview-based POP calculations. Despite the large variation in circulating blood POP concentrations, the PBPK model predicted blood concentrations of a factor 2-3 within the actual measured values. Moreover, the PBPK model showed that estimated blood POP concentration increased significantly after consumption of meals. For individuals who had a high internal burden of POPs accumulated over years, the estimated blood levels were less influenced by recent meal intake. The model results also indicated that of the POPs accumulated in the body the concentrations were highest for CB-153 (oxychlordane: 0.6%; DDE and CB-99: 2.9%; HCB: 4.4%; CB-153: 34.5%). Furthermore, the model also estimated a significant internal body POP burden even several years after the mentioned dietetic shift and that contaminant accumulation was 2-6 folds faster than the decay after a shift to a diet low in contaminants. Using the PBPK model approach, we seek to improve the knowledge on contaminant body burden in humans of the Arctic. However, it should be noted that calculations of daily POP intake may be subject to considerable uncertainty due to imprecise information from the dietary interview. Based on these results we suggest that PBPK modeling is implemented as a tool in future human health exposure and effect assessments in Greenland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sonne
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Denmark.
| | - Kim Gustavson
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Frank F Rigét
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Tanja Krüger
- Department of Public Health, Centre for Arctic Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
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Vorkamp K, Møller S, Falk K, Rigét FF, Thomsen M, Sørensen PB. Levels and trends of toxaphene and chlordane-related pesticides in peregrine falcon eggs from South Greenland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 468-469:614-621. [PMID: 24056452 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.08.073] [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: 06/25/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Peregrine falcon eggs were collected in South Greenland between 1986 and 2003 and analysed for 6 congeners of toxaphene and 5 chlordane-related pesticides (cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, cis-nonachlor, trans-nonachlor and oxychlordane). Oxychlordane had the highest median concentration of 1448 ng/g lipid weight (lw) or 79 ng/g wet weight (ww) of all compounds. Of the toxaphene congeners, CHB-50 was the predominant congener, with a median concentration of 215 ng/g lw (15.5 ng/g ww). Chlordane-related concentrations were comparable with results from the USA, but lower than those from Canada and Norway. Toxaphene was considerably higher than in eggs of Norwegian peregrine falcon eggs, possibly reflecting different toxaphene usage in the areas of peregrine falcon migration. Toxaphene information in birds of prey is limited and comparisons with other species indicate differences in concentrations and organochlorine pattern. Temporal trends showed significant log-linear decreases for cis-chlordane and trans-chlordane, but no significant trends for other chlordanes or the toxaphene congeners, probably affected by the large variation between eggs, also of the same bird. Correlations between chlordanes and toxaphene in the Greenland peregrine falcon eggs might suggest similar sources of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Vorkamp
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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Li YF, Yang ZZ, Fan J, Zhu Y. Occurrence of higher chlorinated benzenes in livers of grass carp and common carp collected from markets of Xinxiang, China. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2013; 91:522-525. [PMID: 24042841 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-013-1102-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Five higher chlorinated benzenes (including hexachlorobenzene (HCB), pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) and three isomers of tetrachlorobenzens) were measured in the livers of grass carp and common carp collected from five markets in Xinxiang city, China. HCB and PeCB were detected in all samples. The major component of the higher CBs residue was HCB and significant correlations existed between HCB and PeCB in both grass carp and common carp livers. The ratio range of HCB/PeCB in grass carp and common carp were 3.4-6.2 and 4.9-7.7, respectively, which implied the sources of higher CBs originate mainly from the revolatilization of industrial HCB with a minor impact from PeCB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Fang Li
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003, Henan, China
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Dietz R, Rigét FF, Sonne C, Born EW, Bechshøft T, McKinney MA, Letcher RJ. Three decades (1983-2010) of contaminant trends in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Part 1: legacy organochlorine contaminants. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2013; 59:485-93. [PMID: 23078749 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2012] [Revised: 09/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Legacy organochlorine contaminants were determined in adipose tissues from 294 polar bears (Ursus maritimus) sampled in East Greenland in 23 of the 28years between 1983 and 2010. Of 19 major legacy contaminants and congeners (ΣPCB, 4 PCB congeners (CB153, 180, 170/190), ΣDDT, p,p'-DDE, p,p' -DDD and p,p'-DDT, α- and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), HCB, octachlorostyrene, dieldrin, oxychlordane, cis- and trans-chlordane, cis- and trans-nonachlor, heptachlor epoxide and BB-153), 18 showed statistically significant average yearly declines of -4.4% (range: -2.0 to -10.8%/year) among subadult polar bears (i.e. females<5years, males<6years). For example, the ∑PCB concentrations declined 2.7 fold from 22730ng/g lw (95% C.I.: 12470-32990ng/g lw) in 1983-1986 to 8473ng/g lw (95% C.I.: 6369-9776ng/g lw) in 2006-2010. Similar but fewer statistically significant trends were found for adult females and adult males likely due to smaller sample size and years. Despite declines as a result of international regulations, relatively high levels of these historic pollutants persist in East Greenland polar bear tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rune Dietz
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Arctic Research Centre, Roskilde, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000, Denmark.
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Villanger GD, Gabrielsen KM, Kovacs KM, Lydersen C, Lie E, Karimi M, Sørmo EG, Jenssen BM. Effects of complex organohalogen contaminant mixtures on thyroid homeostasis in hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) mother-pup pairs. CHEMOSPHERE 2013; 92:828-842. [PMID: 23726007 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.04.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Revised: 04/07/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Many lipid-soluble and phenolic compounds present in the complex mixture of orgaohalogen contaminants (OHCs) that arctic wildlife is exposed to have the ability to interfere with the thyroid hormone (TH) system. The aim of this study was to identify compounds that might interfere with thyroid homeostasis in 14 nursing hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) mothers and their pups (1-4d old) sampled in the West Ice in March 2008. Multivariate modelling was used to assess the potential effects of measured plasma levels of OHCs on circulating TH levels of the measured free (F) and total (T) levels of triidothyrine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Biological factors were important in all models (e.g. age and sex). In both mothers and pups, TT3:FT3 ratios were associated with α- and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), ortho-PCBs, chlordanes and DDTs. The similarities between the modelled TT3:FT3 responses to OHC levels in hooded seal mothers and pups most probably reflects similar exposure patterns, but could also indicate interconnected TH responses. There were some differences in the modelled TH responses of mothers and pups. Most importantly, the negative relationships between many OH-PCBs (particularly 3'-OH-CB138) and TT3:FT3 ratio and the positive relationships between TT4:FT4 ratios and polybrominated diphenyl ether [PBDE]-99, -100 and 4-OH-CB107 in pups, which was not found in mothers. Although statistical associations are not evidence per se of biological cause-effect relationships, the results suggest that thyroid homeostasis is affected in hooded seals, and that the inclusion of the fullest possible OHC mixture is important when assessing TH related effects in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gro D Villanger
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
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Bytingsvik J, Simon E, Leonards PEG, Lamoree M, Lie E, Aars J, Derocher AE, Wiig O, Jenssen BM, Hamers T. Transthyretin-binding activity of contaminants in blood from polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cubs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2013; 47:4778-4786. [PMID: 23551254 DOI: 10.1021/es305160v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We determined the transthyretin (TTR)-binding activity of blood-accumulating contaminants in blood plasma samples of approximately 4-months-old polar bear (Ursus maritimus) cubs from Svalbard sampled in 1998 and 2008. The TTR-binding activity was measured as thyroxine (T4)-like equivalents (T4-EQMeas). Our findings show that the TTR-binding activity related to contaminant levels was significantly lower (45%) in 2008 than in 1998 (mean ± standard error of mean: 1998, 2265 ± 231 nM; 2008, 1258 ± 170 nM). Although we cannot exclude a potential influence of between-year differences in capture location and cub body mass, our findings most likely reflect reductions of TTR-binding contaminants or their precursors in the arctic environment (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs]). The measured TTR-binding activity correlated positively with the cubs' plasma levels of hydroxylated PCBs (OH-PCBs). No such association was found between TTR-binding activity and the plasma levels of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). The OH-PCBs explained 60 ± 7% and 54 ± 4% of the TTR-binding activity in 1998 and 2008, respectively, and PFASs explained ≤1.2% both years. Still, almost half the TTR-binding activity could not be explained by the contaminants we examined. The considerable levels of TTR-binding contaminants warrant further effect directed analysis (EDA) to identify the contaminants responsible for the unexplained part of the observed TTR-binding activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Bytingsvik
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
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Mull CG, Lyons K, Blasius ME, Winkler C, O'Sullivan JB, Lowe CG. Evidence of maternal offloading of organic contaminants in white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias). PLoS One 2013; 8:e62886. [PMID: 23646154 PMCID: PMC3639909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Accepted: 03/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Organic contaminants were measured in young of the year (YOY) white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) incidentally caught in southern California between 2005 and 2012 (n = 20) and were found to be unexpectedly high considering the young age and dietary preferences of young white sharks, suggesting these levels may be due to exposure in utero. To assess the potential contributions of dietary exposure to the observed levels, a five-parameter bioaccumulation model was used to estimate the total loads a newborn shark would potentially accumulate in one year from consuming contaminated prey from southern California. Maximum simulated dietary accumulation of DDTs and PCBs were 25.1 and 4.73 µg/g wet weight (ww) liver, respectively. Observed ΣDDT and ΣPCB concentrations (95±91 µg/g and 16±10 µg/g ww, respectively) in a majority of YOY sharks were substantially higher than the model predictions suggesting an additional source of contaminant exposure beyond foraging. Maternal offloading of organic contaminants during reproduction has been noted in other apex predators, but this is the first evidence of transfer in a matrotrophic shark. While there are signs of white shark population recovery in the eastern Pacific, the long-term physiological and population level consequences of biomagnification and maternal offloading of environmental contaminants in white sharks is unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Mull
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, California, United States of America.
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41
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Jaspers VLB, Sonne C, Soler-Rodriguez F, Boertmann D, Dietz R, Eens M, Rasmussen LM, Covaci A. Persistent organic pollutants and methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers in different tissues of white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) from West Greenland. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2013; 175:137-146. [PMID: 23377037 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2012.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2012] [Revised: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
We investigated polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (e.g. dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT)), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs), in six matrices (muscle, liver, kidney, adipose, blood, preen oil) of 17 white-tailed eagles from West Greenland sampled between 1997 and 2009. High inter-individual variation in contamination was found (PCBs: 0.49-1500 μg/g lipid weight (lw), DDTs: 0.23-910 μg/g lw, PBDEs: 0.01-24 μg/g lw, MeO-PBDEs: 0.001-0.59 μg/g lw), mostly due to age-related differences and not to temporal trends. One adult female (age > 5 years) displayed PCB levels up to 1500 μg/g lw in liver, which is the highest concentration ever reported in Arctic wildlife. Muscle generally contained the highest median levels, while adipose tissue displayed the lowest median levels on a lipid basis. No significant differences were found among tissues for MeO-PBDEs. Remarkably, we found distinct correlations (0.62 ≤ r ≤ 0.98; <0.0001 ≤ p ≤ 0.17) between levels of MeO-PBDEs and PBDEs, suggesting similar bioaccumulation pathways of PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs in white-tailed eagles.
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Affiliation(s)
- V L B Jaspers
- University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium.
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Castellanos CG, Sørvik IB, Tanum MB, Verhaegen S, Brandt I, Ropstad E. Differential effects of the persistent DDT metabolite methylsulfonyl-DDE in nonstimulated and LH-stimulated neonatal porcine Leydig cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2013; 267:247-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2012.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Revised: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Greaves AK, Letcher RJ, Sonne C, Dietz R, Born EW. Tissue-specific concentrations and patterns of perfluoroalkyl carboxylates and sulfonates in East Greenland polar bears. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2012; 46:11575-83. [PMID: 23057644 DOI: 10.1021/es303400f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Several perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSAs) of varying chain length are bioaccumulative in biota. However, wildlife reports have focused on liver and with very little examination of other tissues, and thus there is a limited understanding of their distribution and potential effects in the mammalian body. In the present study, the comparative accumulation of C(6) to C(15) PFCAs, C(4), C(6), C(8) and C(10) PFSAs, and select precursors were examined in the liver, blood, muscle, adipose, and brain of 20 polar bears (Ursus maritimus) from Scoresby Sound, Central East Greenland. Overall, PFSA and PFCA concentrations were highest in liver followed by blood > brain > muscle ≈ adipose. Liver and blood samples contained proportionally more of the shorter/medium chain length (C(6) to C(11)) PFCAs, whereas adipose and brain samples were dominated by longer chain (C(13) to C(15)) PFCAs. PFCAs with lower lipophilicities accumulated more in the liver, whereas the brain accumulated PFCAs with higher lipophilicities. The concentration ratios (±SE) between perfluorooctane sulfonate and its precursor perfluorooctane sulfonamide varied among tissues from 9 (±1):1 (muscle) to 36 (±7):1 (liver). PFCA and PFSA patterns in polar bears indicate that the pharmacokinetics of these compounds are to some extent tissue-specific, and are the result of several factors that may include differing protein interactions throughout the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana K Greaves
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada , National Wildlife Research Centre, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
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Sonne C, Letcher RJ, Leifsson PS, Rigét FF, Bechshøft TØ, Bossi R, Asmund G, Dietz R. Temporal monitoring of liver and kidney lesions in contaminated East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus) during 1999-2010. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2012; 48:143-149. [PMID: 22922222 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2012.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2012] [Revised: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 07/08/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Organohalogen contaminants bioaccumulate to high concentrations in tissues of polar bears (Ursus maritimus). The exposure levels are in the order to be toxic to inner organs like liver and kidney. We therefore investigated the temporal development of lesions in liver (n=115) and kidney (n=122) samples from East Greenland polar bears taken over the 12 year period from 1999 to 2010. Seven liver and seven kidney lesions were observed of which six were age-related. Controlling for this, the analyses showed that hepatic steatosis and renal cell infiltrations, glomerular sclerosis and tubular hyperplasia decreased over the investigated time period (all p<0.05). Similarly, hypertrophy of hepatic Ito cells, renal glomerular capillary wall thickening and interstitial fibrosis increased over the study period (all p<0.05). Regarding contaminant, concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in adipose tissue were negatively associated with hepatic mononuclear cell infiltrations (p=0.05) and a similar trend was found for Hg (p=0.09). Hexachlorobenzene was positively associated with portal cell infiltrations and hepatic lipid granulomas, while polychlorinated biphenyls were negatively associated with the prevalence of steatosis (both p<0.05) and a similar trend was found for hexachlorocyclohexanes (p=0.08). Mercury was positively correlated with the frequencies of hypertrophic Ito cells (p=0.002) and a similar trend was found for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (p=0.07). In renal tissue, hexachlorocyclohexanes were positively associated with medullar hyaline casts (p=0.03) and a similar trend was found for cell infiltrations (p=0.08). There was a trend of trans-nonachlor being positively associated with glomerular sclerosis (p=0.06) while dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes were negatively associated with tubular hyperplasia (p=0.02). These results suggest that specific liver and renal lesions have decreased or increased over time and that long-range transported organohalogen contaminants and mercury may be among the co-factors responsible for these observations. These relationships are important to take into account when biomonitoring health and pollution in wildlife species such as polar bears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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Vongraven D, Aars J, Amstrup S, Atkinson SN, Belikov S, Born EW, DeBruyn TD, Derocher AE, Durner G, Gill M, Lunn N, Obbard ME, Omelak J, Ovsyanikov N, Peacock E, Richardson E, Sahanatien V, Stirling I, Wiig Ø. A circumpolar monitoring framework for polar bears. URSUS 2012. [DOI: 10.2192/ursus-d-11-00026.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Bechshøft TØ, Rigét FF, Sonne C, Letcher RJ, Muir DCG, Novak MA, Henchey E, Meyer JS, Eulaers I, Jaspers VLB, Eens M, Covaci A, Dietz R. Measuring environmental stress in East Greenland polar bears, 1892-1927 and 1988-2009: what does hair cortisol tell us? ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2012; 45:15-21. [PMID: 22572112 PMCID: PMC3366040 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2012.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2011] [Revised: 03/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/07/2012] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Hair sampled from 96 East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus) over the periods 1892-1927 and 1988-2009 was analyzed for cortisol as a proxy to investigate temporal patterns of environmental stress. Cortisol concentration was independent of sex and age, and was found at significantly higher (p<0.001) concentrations in historical hair samples (1892-1927; n=8) relative to recent ones (1988-2009; n=88). In addition, there was a linear time trend in cortisol concentration of the recent samples (p<0.01), with an annual decrease of 2.7%. The recent hair samples were also analyzed for major bioaccumulative, persistent organic pollutants (POPs). There were no obvious POP related time trends or correlations between hair cortisol and hair POP concentrations. Thus, polar bear hair appears to be a relatively poor indicator of the animal's general POP load in adipose tissue. However, further investigations are warranted to explore the reasons for the temporal decrease found in the bears' hair cortisol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ø Bechshøft
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Box 358, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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Bechshøft TØ, Sonne C, Dietz R, Born EW, Muir DCG, Letcher RJ, Novak MA, Henchey E, Meyer JS, Jenssen BM, Villanger GD. Associations between complex OHC mixtures and thyroid and cortisol hormone levels in East Greenland polar bears. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2012; 116:26-35. [PMID: 22575327 PMCID: PMC3366032 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2012.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2011] [Revised: 04/16/2012] [Accepted: 04/19/2012] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The multivariate relationship between hair cortisol, whole blood thyroid hormones, and the complex mixtures of organohalogen contaminant (OHC) levels measured in subcutaneous adipose of 23 East Greenland polar bears (eight males and 15 females, all sampled between the years 1999 and 2001) was analyzed using projection to latent structure (PLS) regression modeling. In the resulting PLS model, most important variables with a negative influence on cortisol levels were particularly BDE-99, but also CB-180, -201, BDE-153, and CB-170/190. The most important variables with a positive influence on cortisol were CB-66/95, α-HCH, TT3, as well as heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin, BDE-47, p,p'-DDD. Although statistical modeling does not necessarily fully explain biological cause-effect relationships, relationships indicate that (1) the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in East Greenland polar bears is likely to be affected by OHC-contaminants and (2) the association between OHCs and cortisol may be linked with the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ø Bechshøft
- University of Aarhus, Faculty of Science & Technology, Department of Bioscience, Roskilde, Denmark.
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Bytingsvik J, Lie E, Aars J, Derocher AE, Wiig Ø, Jenssen BM. PCBs and OH-PCBs in polar bear mother-cub pairs: a comparative study based on plasma levels in 1998 and 2008. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2012; 417-418:117-128. [PMID: 22264925 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.12.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2011] [Revised: 12/14/2011] [Accepted: 12/15/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the plasma concentrations and prevalence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hydroxylated PCB-metabolites (OH-PCBs) in polar bear (Ursus maritimus) mothers (n=26) and their 4 months old cubs-of-the-year (n=38) from Svalbard to gain insight into the mother-cub transfer, biotransformation and to evaluate the health risk associated with the exposure to these contaminants. As samplings were performed in 1997/1998 and 2008, we further investigated the differences in levels and pattern of PCBs between the two sampling years. The plasma concentrations of Σ(21)PCBs (1997/1998: 5710 ± 3090 ng/g lipid weight [lw], 2008: 2560 ± 1500 ng/g lw) and Σ(6)OH-PCBs (1997/1998: 228 ± 60 ng/g wet weight [ww], 2008: 80 ± 38 ng/g ww) in mothers were significantly lower in 2008 compared to in 1997/1998. In cubs, the plasma concentrations of Σ(21)PCBs (1997/1998: 14680 ± 5350 ng/g lw, 2008: 6070 ± 2590 ng/g lw) and Σ(6)OH-PCBs (1997/1998: 98 ± 23 ng/g ww, 2008: 49 ± 21 ng/g ww) were also significantly lower in 2008 than in 1997/1998. Σ(21)PCBs in cubs was 2.7 ± 0.7 times higher than in their mothers. This is due to a significant maternal transfer of these contaminants. In contrast, Σ(6)OH-PCBs in cubs were approximately 0.53 ± 0.16 times the concentration in their mothers. This indicates a lower maternal transfer of OH-PCBs compared to PCBs. The majority of the metabolite/precursor-ratios were lower in cubs compared to mothers. This may indicate that cubs have a lower endogenous capacity to biotransform PCBs to OH-PCBs than polar bear mothers. Exposure to PCBs and OH-PCBs is a potential health risk for polar bears, and the levels of PCBs and OH-PCBs in cubs from 2008 were still above levels associated with health effects in humans and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Bytingsvik
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Department of Biology, Høgskoleringen 5, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
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Villanger GD, Lydersen C, Kovacs KM, Lie E, Skaare JU, Jenssen BM. Disruptive effects of persistent organohalogen contaminants on thyroid function in white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from Svalbard. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2011; 409:2511-2524. [PMID: 21497377 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Revised: 03/13/2011] [Accepted: 03/15/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We analysed levels of 56 organohalogen contaminants (OHCs) including brominated flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides in the blubber of white (beluga) whales (Delphinapterus leucas) from Svalbard, Norway (N=12; 6 adults [5 males and 1 female] and 6 subadults [4 males and 2 females]) collected in 1996-2001. We also measured circulating levels of thyroid hormones (THs) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the whales. The results confirm that OHC levels in these white whales are among the highest levels recorded in wildlife from Svalbard, and at the high end of the range when compared to white whales from the North American Arctic. A projection to latent structure (PLS) model (subadults and adult males grouped together) revealed that known or suspected thyroid disruptive contaminants (polybrominated diphenylether [PBDE]-28, -47, -99, -100, and -154, hexachlorobenzene [HCB], and PCB-105) were negatively correlated with circulating levels of total thyroxin (TT4), free T4 (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3). Most of these negative relationships were also confirmed using partial correlations controlling for length (and thus age) of the whales. The positive correlations of TT4, FT4 and FT3 with hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), α-hexachlorocyclohexane (α-HCH), chlorinated bornanes CHB-40 and CHB-62 revealed by the PLS model were not confirmed by partial correlations. TH levels in the present study appeared to be somewhat lower than levels measured in beluga whales from the Canadian Arctic. However, we were not able to determine if this was caused by different levels of OHCs, or differences in biological factors (e.g. age, sex, moulting status, and season) and analytical methods between the studies. Although the sample sizes were low and statistical models cannot depict the biological cause-effect relationships, this study suggests negative influences of specific OHCs, particularly PBDEs, on thyroid hormone levels in white whales. The impact this might have on individual and population health is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- G D Villanger
- Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
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Welfinger-Smith G, Minholz JL, Byrne S, Waghiyi V, Gologergen J, Kava J, Apatiki M, Ungott E, Miller PK, Arnason JG, Carpenter DO. Organochlorine and metal contaminants in traditional foods from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2011; 74:1195-1214. [PMID: 21797772 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2011.590099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Marine mammals (bowhead whale, walrus, and various seals) constitute the major component of the diet of the Yupik people of St. Lawrence Island, Alaska. St. Lawrence Island residents have higher serum concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) than in the general U.S. population. In order to determine potential sources, traditional food samples were collected from 2004 to 2009 and analyzed for PCBs, three chlorinated pesticides, and seven heavy metals (mercury, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, cadmium, and lead). Concentrations of PCB in rendered oils (193-421 ppb) and blubber (73-317 ppb) from all marine mammal samples were at levels that trigger advisories for severely restricted consumption, using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fish consumption advisories. Concentrations of pesticides were lower, but were still elevated. The highest PCB concentrations were found in polar bear (445 ppb) and the lowest in reindeer adipose tissue (2 ppb). Marine mammal and polar bear meat in general have PCB concentrations that were 1-5% of those in rendered oils or adipose tissue. PCB concentrations in organs were higher than meat. Concentrations of metals in oils and meats from all species were relatively low, but increased levels of mercury, cadmium, copper, and zinc were present in some liver and kidney samples. Mercury and arsenic were found in lipid-rich samples, indicating organometals. These results show that the source of the elevated concentrations of these contaminants in the Yupik population is primarily from consumption of marine mammal blubber and rendered oils.
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