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Sambolino A, Alves F, Rodriguez M, Weyn M, Ferreira R, Correia AM, Rosso M, Kaufmann M, Cordeiro N, Dinis A. Phthalates and fatty acid markers in free-ranging cetaceans from an insular oceanic region: Ecological niches as drivers of contamination. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 360:124693. [PMID: 39122173 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Plastic additives, such as phthalates, are ubiquitous contaminants that can have detrimental impacts on marine organisms and overall ecosystems' health. Valuable information about the status and resilience of marine ecosystems can be obtained through the monitoring of key indicator species, such as cetaceans. In this study, fatty acid profiles and phthalates were examined in blubber biopsies of free-ranging individuals from two delphinid species (short-finned pilot whale - Globicephala macrorhynchus, n = 45; common bottlenose dolphin - Tursiops truncatus, n = 39) off Madeira Island (NE Atlantic). This investigation aimed to explore the relations between trophic niches (epipelagic vs. mesopelagic), contamination levels, and the health status of individuals within different ecological and biological groups (defined by species, residency patterns and sex). Multivariate analysis of selected dietary fatty acids revealed a clear niche segregation between the two species. Di-n-butylphthalate (DBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were the most prevalent among the seven studied phthalates, with the highest concentration reached by DEHP in a bottlenose dolphin (4697.34 ± 113.45 ng/g). Phthalates esters (PAEs) concentration were higher in bottlenose dolphins (Mean ∑ PAEs: 947.56 ± 1558.34 ng/g) compared to pilot whales (Mean ∑ PAEs: 229.98 ± 158.86 ng/g). In bottlenose dolphins, DEHP was the predominant phthalate, whereas in pilot whales, DEP and DBP were more prevalent. Health markers suggested pilot whales might suffer from poorer physiological conditions than bottlenose dolphins, although high metabolic differences were seen between the two species. Phthalate levels showed no differences by ecological or biological groups, seasons, or years. This study is the first to assess the extent of plastic additive contamination in free-ranging cetaceans from a remote oceanic island system, underscoring the intricate relationship between ecological niches and contaminant exposure. Monitoring these chemicals and their potential impacts is vital to assess wild population health, inform conservation strategies, and protect critical species and habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Sambolino
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre / ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; LB3, Faculty of Exact Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal.
| | - Filipe Alves
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre / ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal
| | - Marta Rodriguez
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre / ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; LB3, Faculty of Exact Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal
| | - Mieke Weyn
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre / ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; Department of Biology, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Rita Ferreira
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre / ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal
| | - Ana M Correia
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP-Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Massimiliano Rosso
- International Center for Environmental Monitoring - CIMA Research Foundation, Savona, Italy
| | - Manfred Kaufmann
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre / ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal
| | - Nereida Cordeiro
- LB3, Faculty of Exact Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Ana Dinis
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre / ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal; Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Madeira, Funchal, Madeira Island, Portugal
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Xie Q, Zhang X, Wu Y. Space-use strategy drives fine-scale spatial variation of chlorinated paraffins in indo-pacific humpback dolphins. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 359:124559. [PMID: 39019312 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Contaminant accumulation in organisms can be influenced by both biological traits and environmental conditions. However, delineating the main factors affecting contaminant burdens in organisms remains challenging. Here, we conducted an initial investigation into the impact of diet and habitat on the accumulation of short- (SCCPs) and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (2003-2020, n = 128) from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), a highly polluted estuary in China. The detected levels of SCCPs (5897 ± 3480 ng g-1 lw) and MCCPs (13,960 ± 8285 ng g-1 lw) in blubber samples of humpback dolphin are the highest among recorded values marine mammals. Both SCCPs and MCCPs exhibited biomagnification factor values exceeding 1, suggesting their biomagnification potential within the dolphins and their diet. Quantitative diet analysis using the dolphin fatty acid signatures revealed that humpback dolphins inhabiting the western PRE consumed a larger proportion of carnivorous fish than those from the eastern PRE. However, spatial analysis showed that humpback dolphins in the western PRE contained lower SCCP/MCCP concentrations than those from the eastern PRE. Based on these findings we suggest that, compared to diet differences, spatial variations of SCCPs/MCCPs in humpback dolphins may be predominantly influenced by their space-use strategies, as the eastern PRE is closer to the pollutant discharge source and transfer routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519082, China; State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Xiyang Zhang
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519082, China.
| | - Yuping Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519082, China
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3
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Remili A, McKinney MA, Maldonado-Rodriguez A, Ferguson SH, Caputo M, Kiszka JJ. Legacy persistent organic pollutants among multiple cetacean species in the Northwest Atlantic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 954:176746. [PMID: 39378935 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 10/01/2024] [Accepted: 10/03/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
The historical contamination of eastern Canadian shelf waters remains an ongoing concern, predominantly stemming from anthropogenic discharges in the Great Lakes region. Although legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were banned decades ago, it remains unclear whether their concentrations have sufficiently decreased to safer levels in cetaceans that feed in the continental shelf waters of the northwestern Atlantic. This study compares polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and organochlorine pesticide (OC) accumulation in six cetacean species sampled in the Northwest Atlantic from 2015 to 2022. We assessed the influence of relative trophic level and foraging habitat preferences on POP accumulations among species using stable isotopes and fatty acids as dietary tracers. We further identified the species most susceptible to the effects of these contaminants. Killer whales (Orcinus orca) exhibited the highest PCB (∼100 mg/kg lw) and OC concentrations, followed by other odontocetes, with lowest concentrations in mysticetes. Stable isotope analysis revealed an unexpected lack of correlation between δ15N values and contaminant levels. However, there was a positive correlation between δ13C values and POP concentrations. Cetaceans foraging on pelagic prey species, as indicated by elevated proportions of the FA markers 22:1n11 and 20:1n9, had lower contaminant loads compared to cetaceans with benthic/coastal FA signatures. PCB and DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) concentrations are lower now in most cetacean species than in the 1980s and 1990s, likely due to regulatory measures restricting their production and use. Although current PCB concentrations for most species are under the thresholds for high risks of immune and reproductive failure, concentrations in killer whales exceed all established toxicity thresholds, underscoring the need for further action to reduce sources of these contaminants to the continental shelf waters of the northwestern Atlantic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Remili
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada.
| | - Melissa A McKinney
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Ambar Maldonado-Rodriguez
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Steven H Ferguson
- Arctic Aquatic Research Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6, Canada
| | - Michelle Caputo
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
| | - Jeremy J Kiszka
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, FL 33181, USA
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Koschinski S, Owen K, Lehnert K, Kamińska K. Current species protection does not serve its porpoise-Knowledge gaps on the impact of pressures on the Critically Endangered Baltic Proper harbour porpoise population, and future recommendations for its protection. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e70156. [PMID: 39267689 PMCID: PMC11392595 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.70156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Successful management requires information on pressures that threaten a species and areas where conservation actions are needed. The Baltic Proper harbour porpoise population was first listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2008. Now, 16 years later, there is no change in conservation status despite ample conservation policy calling for its protection and an urgent need for management action to protect this population. Here, we provide an overview of the current status of the population, highlight knowledge gaps on the impact of pressures, and make recommendations for management of anthropogenic activities. Based on an exceeded limit for anthropogenic mortality, the high concentrations of contaminants in the Baltic Sea, combined with reductions in prey availability and increases in underwater noise, it is inferred that this population is likely still decreasing in size and conservation action becomes more urgent. As bycatch and unprotected underwater explosions result in direct mortality, they must be reduced to zero. Inputs of contaminants, waste, and existing and emerging noise sources should be minimised and regulated. Additionally, ecosystem-based sustainable management of fisheries is paramount in order to ensure prey availability, and maintain a healthy Baltic Sea. Stranding networks to routinely assess individuals for genetic population assignment and health need to be expanded, to identify rare samples from this population. Knowledge is still scarce on the population-level impact of each threat, along with the cumulative impact of multiple pressures on the population. However, the current knowledge and management instruments are sufficient to apply effective protection for the population now. While bycatch is the main pressure impacting this population, urgent conservation action is needed across all anthropogenic activities. Extinction of the Baltic Proper harbour porpoise population is a choice: decision-makers have the fate of this genetically and biologically distinct marine mammal population in their hands.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kylie Owen
- Department of Population Analysis and MonitoringSwedish Museum of Natural HistoryStockholmSweden
| | - Kristina Lehnert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife ResearchUniversity of Veterinary Medicine HannoverHannoverGermany
| | - Katarzyna Kamińska
- Department of FisheriesMinistry of Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentWarsawPoland
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García-Baciero A, Rendón-von Osten J, Pérez-Maturino V, Ramírez-Macías D. Whale shark Rhyncodon typus exposure to organochlorine pesticides in the Southern Gulf of California, Mexico. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 206:116748. [PMID: 39047603 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), characterized by their high mobility and environmental persistence, bioaccumulation, and trophic transfer. Considering the highly migratory nature and longevity of the whale shark, this species can be considered as an early warning bioindicator of regional contamination from the marine environment. This work investigated the concentration of twenty OCPs in thirty whale shark skin biopsies, collected between 2014 and 2015 in Bahía La Paz (Gulf of California, Mexico). Mean detected OCP levels were 33.99 ± 105.23 ng/g dw (dry weight), and ΣChlordane, ΣDrin, and ΣHCH showed the highest concentrations. Statistically differences in mean OCP concentration were not found by sex and size. PC1 and PC2 accounted for 68.1 % and 16.1 % of the total variance, respectively. The presence of higher levels of some pesticides than their corresponding metabolites suggests recent applications related to agricultural activity in the surrounding areas of Baja California peninsula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto García-Baciero
- Whale Shark Mexico-Conexiones Terramar AC, Independencia 106, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
| | - Jaime Rendón-von Osten
- Instituto EPOMEX, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Campus VI, Av. Héroe de Nacozari 480, Campeche 24070, Mexico
| | - Valeria Pérez-Maturino
- Whale Shark Mexico-Conexiones Terramar AC, Independencia 106, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico
| | - Dení Ramírez-Macías
- Whale Shark Mexico-Conexiones Terramar AC, Independencia 106, 23000 La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico.
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Andvik C, Jourdain E, Borgen A, Lyche JL, Karoliussen R, Haug T, Borgå K. Intercorrelations of Chlorinated Paraffins, Dechloranes, and Legacy Persistent Organic Pollutants in 10 Species of Marine Mammals from Norway, in Light of Dietary Niche. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:14797-14811. [PMID: 39120259 PMCID: PMC11339914 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02625] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Short-, medium-, and long-chain chlorinated paraffins (CPs) (SCCPs, MCCPs, and LCCPs) and dechloranes are chemicals of emerging concern; however, little is known of their bioaccumulative potential compared to legacy contaminants in marine mammals. Here, we analyzed SCCPs, MCCPs, LCCPs, 7 dechloranes, 4 emerging brominated flame retardants, and 64 legacy contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in the blubber of 46 individual marine mammals, representing 10 species, from Norway. Dietary niche was modeled based on stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon in the skin/muscle to assess the contaminant accumulation in relation to diet. SCCPs and dechlorane-602 were strongly positively correlated with legacy contaminants and highest in killer (Orcinus orca) and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales (median SCCPs: 160 ng/g lw; 230 ng/g lw and median dechlorane-602: 3.8 ng/g lw; 2.0 ng/g lw, respectively). In contrast, MCCPs and LCCPs were only weakly correlated to recalcitrant legacy contaminants and were highest in common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata; median MCCPs: 480 ng/g lw and LCCPs: 240 ng/g lw). The total contaminant load in all species was dominated by PCBs and legacy chlorinated pesticides (63-98%), and MCCPs dominated the total CP load (42-68%, except 11% in the long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas). Surprisingly, we found no relation between contaminant concentrations and dietary niche, suggesting that other large species differences may be masking effects of diet such as lifespan or biotransformation and elimination capacities. CP and dechlorane concentrations were higher than in other marine mammals from the (sub)Arctic, and they were present in a killer whale neonate, indicating bioaccumulative properties and a potential for maternal transfer in these predominantly unregulated chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Andvik
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Pb 1066 Blindern, Oslo NO-0316, Norway
| | - Eve Jourdain
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Pb 1066 Blindern, Oslo NO-0316, Norway
- Norwegian
Orca Survey, Breivikveien 10, Andenes NO-8480, Norway
| | - Anders Borgen
- Department
of Environmental Chemistry, NILU: The Climate
and Environmental Research Institute, Pb 100, Kjeller NO-2027, Norway
| | - Jan Ludvig Lyche
- Department
of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian
University of Life Sciences, Pb 5003, Ås NO-1432, Norway
| | | | - Tore Haug
- Institute
of Marine Research, Fram Centre, Pb 6606 Stakkevollan, Tromsø NO-9296, Norway
| | - Katrine Borgå
- Department
of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Pb 1066 Blindern, Oslo NO-0316, Norway
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Yang M, Guo X, Zheng J, Miyazawa Y. North-south discrepancy in the contributors to CB153 accumulation in the deep water of the Sea of Japan. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 939:173599. [PMID: 38821292 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
The deep-water environment and its ecosystem are becoming the ultimate sinks for Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs). A three-dimensional hydrodynamic-ecosystem-PCB coupled model was applied to the Sea of Japan (SoJ), where deep water is isolated from the surrounding oceans, to elucidate the accumulation processes of CB153 and assess the contributions of physical and biological processes to the accumulation. We suggest that the dissolved CB153 concentration formed a three-layer vertical structure in the SoJ: the highest concentration is in the intermediate layer (100-600 m), followed by those in the deep (600 m to the bottom) and surface layers (0-100 m). Different accumulation mechanisms in the northern and southern SoJ were discovered. The oceanic biological pump enhances the accumulation in the northern SoJ by taking CB153 out of the thermocline in summer and contributes 70 % to the accumulation in the intermediate layer; while the vertical advection contributes 70 % to the accumulation in the intermediate and deep layer in the southern SoJ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, 36 Baochu Road, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Xinyu Guo
- Center for Marine Environmental Studies, Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-Cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan; Application Laboratory, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 3173-25, Showa-machi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-City, Kanagawa 236-0001, Japan.
| | - Junyong Zheng
- College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, Ocean University of China, 238 Songling Road, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Yasumasa Miyazawa
- Application Laboratory, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 3173-25, Showa-machi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama-City, Kanagawa 236-0001, Japan
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Sah R, Talukdar G, Khanduri M, Chaudhary P, Badola R, Hussain SA. Do dietary exposures to multi-class endocrine disrupting chemicals translate into health risks for Gangetic dolphins? An assessment and way forward. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35130. [PMID: 39170170 PMCID: PMC11336425 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Dietary exposure risks of 39 multi-class Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) to the threatened Gangetic dolphins (Platanista gangetica) were investigated in a conservation-priority segment of the Ganga River. Elevated EDCs bioaccumulation was observed across prey fish species, with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) significantly contributing to the EDC burden. The concentrations of persistent organochlorines in prey revealed a shift from dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to non-dioxin-like PCBs. The prevalence of regulated p,p' DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and γ-HCH (Lindane) residues suggests regional non-compliance with regulatory standards. The concentration of some EDCs is dependent on the habitat, foraging behavior, trophic level and fish growth. The potential drivers of EDCs contamination in catchment includes agriculture, vehicular emissions, poor solid waste management, textile industry, and high tourist influx. Risk quotients (RQs) based on toxicity reference value were generally below 1, while the RQ derived from the reference dose highlighted a high risk to Gangetic dolphins from DEHP, DDT, DnBP, arsenic, PCBs, mercury, and cadmium, emphasizing the need for their prioritization within monitoring programs. The study also proposes a monitoring framework to provide guidance on monitoring and assessment of chemical contamination in Gangetic dolphin and habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchika Sah
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, India
| | - Gautam Talukdar
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, India
| | - Megha Khanduri
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, India
| | - Pooja Chaudhary
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, India
| | - Ruchi Badola
- Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, India
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Gosnell O, McHugh B, Minto C, McGovern E, Rogan E, Caurant F, Pierce GJ, Das K, O'Donovan J, Emerit A, Murphy S. Trace element concentrations in common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in the Celtic Seas ecoregion: Interelement relationships and effects of life history and health status. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 190:108826. [PMID: 38925005 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Given the increased extraction of trace elements for use by new and emerging technologies, monitoring the environmental fate and potential effects of these compounds within the aquatic environment has never been more critical. Here, hepatic trace element concentrations were assessed in a key sentinel predator, the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), using a long-term dataset. Variation in concentrations were assessed in relation to other elements, time period, decomposition state, sex, age, total body length, sexual maturity and nutritional status, and cause of death. Additionally, mercury toxicity thresholds for evaluating risk were reviewed and employed. Concentrations of elements which bioaccumulate, THg, MeHg, Cd, and Pb, in addition to Se and V, were strongly correlated with age, and/or body length. An association was observed between Zn concentrations and disease status, with significantly higher concentrations measured in individuals that died from infectious disease, compared to other causes. Strong inter-elemental relationships were detected, namely between Hg and Se, MeHg and Se, Cd and Se, and Cu and Zn. While THg:Se molar ratio values were observed to increase with age and body length, approaching equimolarity. THg was largely comprised of inorganic Hg in older individuals, potentially bound to Se, therefore the effects from THg toxicity may possibly be less important than originally assumed. In contrast, higher MeHg:Hg ratio values were reported in juveniles, suggesting a poorer efficiency in demethylation and a higher sensitivity. The generation of data on proportions of hepatic MeHg and inorganic Hg is highly informative to both future toxicity threshold assessments within pollutant indicator assessments, and to understanding the ultimate fate of mercury in the marine web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orla Gosnell
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway City, Ireland
| | - Brendan McHugh
- Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Cóilín Minto
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway City, Ireland
| | - Evin McGovern
- Marine Institute, Rinville, Oranmore, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Emer Rogan
- Department of Zoology, Ecology and Plant Science, University College, Cork, Ireland
| | - Florence Caurant
- Observatoire Pelagis UAR 3462 La Rochelle Université - CNRS, 5 allées de l'Océan 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Graham J Pierce
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC), Eduardo Cabello 6 36208, Vigo, Spain
| | - Krishna Das
- Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of Research (FOCUS), Laboratory of Biological Oceanography, University of LIEGE, Allée du 6 Août B6C 4000, Liège, Belgium
| | - Jim O'Donovan
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Cork, Ireland
| | - Aylis Emerit
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway City, Ireland
| | - Sinéad Murphy
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway City, Ireland.
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Savage JT, Ramirez J, Risher WC, Wang Y, Irala D, Eroglu C. SynBot: An open-source image analysis software for automated quantification of synapses. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.06.26.546578. [PMID: 37425715 PMCID: PMC10327002 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.26.546578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The formation of precise numbers of neuronal connections, known as synapses, is crucial for brain function. Therefore, synaptogenesis mechanisms have been one of the main focuses of neuroscience. Immunohistochemistry is a common tool for visualizing synapses. Thus, quantifying the numbers of synapses from light microscopy images enables screening the impacts of experimental manipulations on synapse development. Despite its utility, this approach is paired with low throughput analysis methods that are challenging to learn and results are variable between experimenters, especially when analyzing noisy images of brain tissue. We developed an open-source ImageJ-based software, SynBot, to address these technical bottlenecks by automating the analysis. SynBot incorporates the advanced algorithms ilastik and SynQuant for accurate thresholding for synaptic puncta identification, and the code can easily be modified by users. The use of this software will allow for rapid and reproducible screening of synaptic phenotypes in healthy and diseased nervous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin T. Savage
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Juan Ramirez
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - W. Christopher Risher
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University,Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Yizhi Wang
- Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Arlington, VA 22203, USA
| | - Dolores Irala
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Cagla Eroglu
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815
- Lead contact
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11
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Oliveira-Ferreira N, Manhães BMR, Santos-Neto E, Carvalho RR, Cunha HA, Azevedo AF, Bisi TL, Lailson-Brito J. Organohalogen compounds in a hotspot for chemical pollution: Assessment in free-ranging Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171912. [PMID: 38522545 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The assessment of chemical pollution in free-ranging living mammals is viable using remote biopsies and portrays a comprehensive scenario of environmental health. The Southwestern Atlantic Ocean holds incredible biodiversity, but it is under the constant and invisible threat of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) of anthropogenic origin, such as pesticides, brominated flame retardants, and industrial-use compounds (e.g., PCBs). Thus, this study aimed to assess the bioaccumulation of POPs (PCBs, DDTs, HCB, mirex and PBDEs) and natural organobromine compounds (MeO-BDEs) using gas-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in biopsy samples of Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis, n = 20) that inhabit and forage both inside and in adjacent areas to degraded (Guanabara Bay) and conserved (Ilha Grande Bay) coastal bays in the Southeastern Brazil. Among the studied compounds, PCBs were predominant in the contamination profile with median concentration of 97.0 μg.g-1 lipid weight (lw), followed by the sum of the p,p' isomers of DDT, DDD, and DDE of 11.0 μg.g-1 lw, the brominated flame retardants PBDEs of 1.6 μg.g-1 lw, and the other organochlorine pesticides mirex of 0.78 μg.g-1 lw, and HCB of 0.049 μg.g-1 lw. The MeO-BDEs were detected with a median concentration of 22.8 μg.g-1 lw. 85 % of the Atlantic spotted dolphins analyzed in this study presented PCB concentration that exceeded even the less conservative threshold limits for adverse health effects (41 μg.g-1 lw). This study shows that despite the conservation status of preserved bays, cetacean species foraging in these locations are still under increased threat. Hence chemical pollution demands local and global efforts to be mitigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nara Oliveira-Ferreira
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - Biofísica, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Bárbara M R Manhães
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Elitieri Santos-Neto
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael Ramos Carvalho
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Haydée Andrade Cunha
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Freitas Azevedo
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Lemos Bisi
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - José Lailson-Brito
- Laboratório de Mamíferos Aquáticos e Bioindicadores (MAQUA), Faculdade de Oceanografia, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), Rua São Francisco Xavier, 524, 20550-013, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas - Biofísica, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Avenida Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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12
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Ochs C, Garrison K, Saxena P, Romme K, Sarkar A. Contamination of aquatic ecosystems by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) originating from landfills in Canada and the United States: A rapid scoping review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 924:171490. [PMID: 38462011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic chemical substances that threaten human health and the planet's ecosystems due to their toxicity and their ability to remain intact for a long time, wide distribution throughout the environment, and accumulation and magnification in living organisms through the food chain. Discarded products from landfills and dumpsites are potential sources of POPs due to their persistence for several decades and constant release to surrounding environment. POPs in aquatic systems signal input predominantly from landfills, wastewater treatment plants, sewage, and urban runoff, suggesting a research gap to guide policies to address these unabated releases. This scoping review aims to rapidly identify the key concepts underpinning the containment, translation, and migration of POPs in Canadian and US landfill leachate. The review targeted multidisciplinary perspectives on the topic and spanned forensic biology, environmental sciences, chemistry, and geology. Contaminated municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill characteristics, as reported by government agencies in Canada and the US, were synthesized and harmonized to illustrate the geographical scope of MSW landfills releasing POPs into the surrounding environment. The knowledge and data gaps summarized in this study highlight the need to address the inadvertent release of POPs from Canadian and US landfills, particularly in consideration of dated and degrading landfill infrastructure, the proximity of marginalized people, and the implications of climate change on the countries' more vulnerable landscapes. This review is applicable to the development of future studies that aim to guide environmental protective policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cory Ochs
- Division of Population Health and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Kaitlyn Garrison
- Division of Population Health and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Priyam Saxena
- Division of Population Health and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, Canada.
| | - Kristen Romme
- Health Sciences Library, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Atanu Sarkar
- Division of Population Health and Applied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL, Canada
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Liu F, Xie Q, Sun X, Xie Y, Xie Z, Wu J, Wu Y, Zhang X. Organohalogen contaminants threaten the survival of indo-pacific humpback dolphin calves in their largest habitat. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 467:133720. [PMID: 38335606 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
As long-lived apex predators, marine mammal adults often accumulate alarmingly levels of environmental contaminants. Nevertheless, the accumulation and risks of these contaminants in the critical calf stage of marine mammals remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the exposure status and health risks of 74 organohalogen contaminants (OHCs) in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin calves (Sousa chinensis) collected from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), China, during 2005-2019. Our findings revealed moderate levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), medium-high levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and the highest levels of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative halogenated flame retardants (AHFRs) compared to those reported for cetaceans elsewhere. Traditional OHCs like DDTs, PCBs, and PBDEs did not exhibit significant decreasing trends in the dolphin calves despite global restrictions on these compounds, and AHFRs as emerging OHCs showed an increasing trend over the study period. Risk quotients of DDTs, HCHs, PBDEs, and PCBs in most of the dolphin samples were > 1, indicating that humpback dolphin calves may have suffered long-term threats from OHC exposure. The significant correlation observed between the traditional OHC levels and the stranding death number of the dolphin calves suggests these OHCs may impact the survival of this endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Liu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Qiang Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Xian Sun
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Yanqing Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Zhenhui Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Jiaxue Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China
| | - Yuping Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China.
| | - Xiyang Zhang
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519082, China.
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14
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Feyrer LJ, Stanistreet JE, Moors-Murphy HB. Navigating the unknown: assessing anthropogenic threats to beaked whales, family Ziphiidae. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:240058. [PMID: 38633351 PMCID: PMC11021932 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.240058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
This review comprehensively evaluates the impacts of anthropogenic threats on beaked whales (Ziphiidae)-a taxonomic group characterized by cryptic biology, deep dives and remote offshore habitat, which have challenged direct scientific observation. By synthesizing information published in peer-reviewed studies and grey literature, we identified available evidence of impacts across 14 threats for each Ziphiidae species. Threats were assessed based on their pathways of effects on individuals, revealing many gaps in scientific understanding of the risks faced by beaked whales. By applying a comprehensive taxon-level analysis, we found evidence that all beaked whale species are affected by multiple stressors, with climate change, entanglement and plastic pollution being the most common threats documented across beaked whale species. Threats assessed as having a serious impact on individuals included whaling, military sonar, entanglement, depredation, vessel strikes, plastics and oil spills. This review emphasizes the urgent need for targeted research to address a range of uncertainties, including cumulative and population-level impacts. Understanding the evidence and pathways of the effects of stressors on individuals can support future assessments, guide practical mitigation strategies and advance current understanding of anthropogenic impacts on rare and elusive marine species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J. Feyrer
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaB2Y 4A2, Canada
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova ScotiaB3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Joy E. Stanistreet
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaB2Y 4A2, Canada
| | - Hilary B. Moors-Murphy
- Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaB2Y 4A2, Canada
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15
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Cheng JO, Wang PL, Chou LC, Chang CW, Wang HV, Yang WC, Ko FC. Investigation of organic contaminants in the blubber of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) first stranded on the coast of Taiwan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:23638-23646. [PMID: 38424246 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32647-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive assessment of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the blubber of a stranded blue whale found on the coast of Taiwan. The analysis included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The whale exhibited evident signs of emaciation, including low body weight, reduced blubber fat content, and thin blubber thickness. The dominant fatty acid type detected in the blubber was short-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (SC-MUFA), known to aid in thermoregulation. Stable isotope ratios indicated that the blue whale occupied a lower trophic position compared to a fin whale, suggesting its proximity to krill habitats in the Southern Ocean for feeding. The average concentrations of DDTs (1089.2 ± 4.7 ng/g lw; ΣDDT) and PCBs (1057.1 ± 49.8 ng/g lw) in the blubber were almost one order of magnitude higher than PAHs (41.7 ± 10.0 ng/g lw), HCB (70.6 ± 2. ng/g lw), and PBDEs (7.2 ± 1.2 ng/g lw). Pollutant concentrations in this individual blue whale were comparable to levels found in Norway, higher than those found in Chile, and notably lower than those found in Canada and Mexico. Calculating the biomagnification factor (BMF) for the POPs from krill (Euphausia superba) to the blue whale revealed significant bioaccumulation of pollutants in this particular whale. Additional research is imperative to achieve a thorough comprehension of bioaccumulation of POPs and their potential toxicological impacts on whale health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-O Cheng
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ling Wang
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Chin Chou
- National Academy of Marine Research, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | | | - Hao Ven Wang
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Biosciences and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Marine Biology and Cetacean Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Yang
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fung-Chi Ko
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan.
- Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Pingtung, Taiwan.
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16
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Temple AJ, Langner U, Berumen ML. Management and research efforts are failing dolphins, porpoises, and other toothed whales. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7077. [PMID: 38528092 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57811-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite being subject to intensive research and public interest many populations of dolphins, porpoises, and other toothed whales (small cetaceans) continue to decline, and several species are on the verge of extinction. We examine small cetacean status, human activities driving extinction risk, and whether research efforts are addressing priority threats. We estimate that 22% of small cetaceans are threatened with extinction, with little signs of improvement in nearly thirty years. Fisheries and coastal habitat degradation are the main predictors of extinction risk. Contrary to popular belief, we show that the causal impact of small-scale fisheries on extinction risk is greater than from large-scale fisheries. Fisheries management strength had little influence on extinction risk, suggesting that the implementation of existing measures have been largely ineffective. Alarmingly, we find research efforts for priority threats to be vastly underrepresented and so a major shift in research focus is required. Small cetaceans are among the lower hanging fruits of marine conservation; continued failure to halt their decline bodes poorly for tackling marine biodiversity loss and avoiding an Anthropocene mass extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Temple
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ute Langner
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael L Berumen
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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17
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Capanni F, Karamanlidis AA, Dendrinos P, Zaccaroni A, Formigaro C, D'Agostino A, Marsili L. Monk seals (Monachus monachus) in the Mediterranean Sea: The threat of organochlorine contaminants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 915:169854. [PMID: 38185159 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is an emblematic species of conservation concern. Anthropogenic pressures have led to severe population declines and significant fragmentation of the remaining populations. Because of their close relationship with coastal areas, Mediterranean monk seals may be potentially exposed to pollution from agricultural sources, as well as from oil tanker spills. Although monitoring of pollution has long been considered a priority for this species, data on monk seal contamination levels are scarce. In this study, 55 blubber samples of all genders and age classes collected during necropsies (1995-2013) from seals of the Eastern Mediterranean subpopulation were analyzed for organochlorine compounds (OCs), i.e., hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Overall, PCBs > DDTs ≫ PAHs > HCB in all samples. Results showed a significant downward trend over the 19-year period for DDTs and HCB. No marked pattern was found for PAHs, even though relative abundance of cancerogenic PAH fraction rose in recent years. PCB levels in subadult specimens increased noticeably over time despite worldwide ban. Our findings did not suggest recent releases of DDT or new pesticides (e.g., Dicofol) in the environment, but may indicate an improper disposal of ancient storages of PCBs or a remobilization from reservoirs. OC levels exceeded thresholds that are commonly associated with immunosuppression and reproductive impairment in other pinnipeds. Hence, OCs could be responsible of potential toxicological effects in this subpopulation. This study represents the first report on PAH and one of the few reports on OC bioaccumulation in Mediterranean monk seals. Based on the levels found in the blubber of monk seals from the Eastern Mediterranean, and given the known harmful effects associated to the prolonged exposure to these substances and the reduced long-term expectations of species recovery, regular monitoring is advocated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Capanni
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, via P. A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Alexandros A Karamanlidis
- MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, Solomou Str. 18, 10682 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Dendrinos
- MOm/Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal, Solomou Str. 18, 10682 Athens, Greece
| | - Annalisa Zaccaroni
- Department Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Vespucci 2, 47042 Cesenatico, FC, Italy
| | - Costanza Formigaro
- Department Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Vespucci 2, 47042 Cesenatico, FC, Italy
| | - Antonella D'Agostino
- Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Siena, P.zza S. Francesco 8, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Letizia Marsili
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, via P. A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; Centro Interuniversitario per la Ricerca sui Cetacei (CIRCE), Department of Physical Science, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Strada Laterina 8, 53100 Siena, Italy
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18
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Nos D, Montalvo T, Cortés-Francisco N, Figuerola J, Aymí R, Giménez J, Solé M, Navarro J. Sources of persistent organic pollutants and their physiological effects on opportunistic urban gulls. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133129. [PMID: 38056272 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Urbanization is associated with drastic shifts in biodiversity. While some species thrive in urban areas, the impact of inhabiting these human-altered environments on organism physiology remains understudied. We investigated how exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) affects the physiology of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) inhabiting a densely populated, industrialized city. We analyzed blood samples from 50 gulls (20 immatures and 30 adults) and assessed 27 physiological parameters and biomarkers related to xenobiotic protection, health, and feeding habits in these same individuals. We also tracked the movements of 25 gulls (15 immatures and 10 adults) to identify potential sources of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Both adult and immature gulls primarily inhabited urban areas, followed by marine habitats. Immature gulls spent more time in freshwater, landfills, and agricultural areas. Bioaccumulated ΣPCB (median = 92.7 ng g-1 ww, 1.86-592) and ΣPBDE (median = 1.44 ng g-1 ww, 0.022-9.58) showed no significant differences between age and sex groups. Notably, immature males exhibited the highest correlations with POP concentrations, particularly with the activity of carboxylesterases (CEs), suggesting a higher sensitivity than adults. These findings highlight the potential of plasmatic CEs in immature yellow-legged gulls as effective tracers of POPs exposure and effects, offering insights into the anthropogenic impacts on urban biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Nos
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Tomas Montalvo
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Pl. Lesseps, 1, 08023 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau - IIB St. Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Cortés-Francisco
- Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona, Pl. Lesseps, 1, 08023 Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau - IIB St. Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Estación Biológica de Doñana - CSIC, Avenida Américo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raül Aymí
- Institut Català d'Ornitologia, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Pl. Leonardo da Vinci, 4-5, 08019, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Giménez
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Solé
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Navarro
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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19
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Desforges JP, Ferguson SH, Remili A, McKinney MA, Watt CA, Matthews CJD. Assessment of persistent organic pollutants in killer whales (Orcinus orca) of the Canadian Arctic: Implications for subsistence consumption and conservation strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 244:117992. [PMID: 38128600 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) historically restricted to certain Arctic regions due to extensive sea ice have recently been documented farther north and for longer durations in the Canadian Arctic. These apex predators accumulate high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations and profiles of POPs in killer whales of the Canadian Arctic, thus determining potential risks for Inuit communities if consumed. Biopsies were collected from 33 killer whales across areas of the Canadian Arctic between 2009 and 2021. Significant variability in POP concentrations was observed among whales. The cumulative POP concentrations ranged from 12 to >2270 mg/kg lw, representing ∼200-fold increase from the least to the most contaminated individual. The rank order of concentrations of the top five contaminant classes was ∑DDT, ∑PCB, ∑CHL, ∑Toxaphene, and Dieldrin. Several emerging Arctic contaminants were detected, including chlorpyrifos, endosulfan, pentachloroanisole, and polychlorinated naphthalenes, although at relatively lower concentrations than legacy POPs. Considering the elevated blubber POP levels in killer whales, recommended daily consumption thresholds, established based on human tolerable daily intake (TDI) values, were notably restricted for ∑PCB (<0.14 g), ∑DDT (<6.9 g), ∑CHL (<13 g), dieldrin (<8 g) and heptachlor epoxide (<5 g). Killer whales in the Canadian Arctic exhibited higher POP concentrations than other commonly hunted species such as polar bears, ringed seals, and Arctic char. We acknowledge that a more holistic risk assessment of diet is required to assess the cumulative impacts of contaminant mixtures as well as nutritional quality of tissues commonly consumed by northern communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Pierre Desforges
- Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Canada.
| | | | - Anaïs Remili
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Canada
| | - Melissa A McKinney
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Canada
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20
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Herceg Romanić S, Mendaš G, Fingler S, Drevenkar V, Mustać B, Jovanović G. Polychlorinated biphenyls in mussels, small pelagic fish, tuna, turtles, and dolphins from the Croatian Adriatic Sea waters: an overview of the last two decades of monitoring. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol 2024; 75:15-23. [PMID: 38548374 PMCID: PMC10978161 DOI: 10.2478/aiht-2024-75-3814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
This review summarises our two decades of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) monitoring in different marine organisms along the eastern Adriatic Sea. The aim was to gain an insight into the trends of PCB distribution in order to evaluate the effectiveness of past and current legislation and suggest further action. Here we mainly focus on PCB levels in wild and farmed Mediterranean mussels, wild and farmed bluefin tuna, loggerhead sea turtles, common bottlenose dolphins, and small pelagic fish. The use of artificial intelligence and advanced statistics enabled an insight into the influence of various variables on the uptake of PCBs in the investigated organisms as well as into their mutual dependence. Our findings suggest that PCBs in small pelagic fish and mussels reflect global pollution and that high levels in dolphins and wild tuna tissues raise particular concern, as they confirm their biomagnification up the food chain. Therefore, the ongoing PCB monitoring should focus on predatory species in particular to help us better understand PCB contamination in marine ecosystems in our efforts to protect the environment and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gordana Mendaš
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sanja Fingler
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vlasta Drevenkar
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Bosiljka Mustać
- University of Zadar, Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, Zadar, Croatia
| | - Gordana Jovanović
- University of Belgrade Institute of Physics, Belgrade, Serbia
- Singidunum University, Belgrade, Serbia
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21
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McLatchie MJ, Emmerson L, Wotherspoon S, Southwell C. Delay in Adélie penguin nest occupation restricts parental investment in nest construction and reduces reproductive output. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10988. [PMID: 38476703 PMCID: PMC10928351 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Reproductive success is an important demographic parameter that can be driven by environmental and behavioural factors operating on various spatio-temporal scales. As seabirds breed on land and forage in the ocean, processes occurring in both environments can influence their reproductive success. At various locations around East Antarctica, Adélie penguins' (Pygoscelis adeliae) reproductive success has been negatively linked to extensive sea-ice. In contrast, our study site in the Windmill Islands has limited fast ice present during the breeding season, allowing us to examine drivers of reproductive success under vastly different marine environmental conditions. Here, we examined the reproductive success of 450 Adélie penguin nests over a 10-year period using images obtained from remotely operated cameras. We analysed nest survival in relation to marine and climatic factors, environmental conditions at the camera site and immediately around the nest, and behavioural attributes reflecting parental investment and phenological timing. Our key result was a strong positive association between nest structure and chick survival, particularly when ground moisture and snow cover around the nest were high. Earlier nesting birds were more likely to build bigger nests, although it is unclear whether this is due to more time available to build nests or whether early arrival and high-quality nests are complementary traits. This intrinsic activity is likely to become more important if future predictions of increased snowfall in this region manifest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madi J. McLatchie
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and WaterAustralian Antarctic DivisionKingstonTasmaniaAustralia
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Louise Emmerson
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and WaterAustralian Antarctic DivisionKingstonTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Simon Wotherspoon
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and WaterAustralian Antarctic DivisionKingstonTasmaniaAustralia
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic StudiesUniversity of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Colin Southwell
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and WaterAustralian Antarctic DivisionKingstonTasmaniaAustralia
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22
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Boitsov S, Frantzen S, Bruvold A, Grøsvik BE. Varying temporal trends in the levels of six groups of legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in liver of three gadoid species from the North Sea. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140939. [PMID: 38101477 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
From 2005 to 2019, three gadoid species, Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and saithe (Pollachius virens), were sampled approximately every third year in the northeastern part of the North Sea. Liver samples were analyzed to investigate levels and temporal trends of six groups of persistent organic pollutants (POPs): polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its degradation products, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), trans-nonachlor (TNC), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Some of the highest average concentrations were found in cod, the levels otherwise being similar between the three species and mostly below established threshold values. The levels of all the contaminants except HCB and TNC were higher than previously reported for cod and haddock in the Barents Sea. Significantly decreasing levels were found for Σ7PCBs, ΣDDTs, ΣHCHs and Σ15PBDEs in all three species, and for TNC in haddock and saithe, while there was no significant trend for TNC in cod. HCB levels increased significantly in cod and haddock and showed only a minor decrease in saithe. The observed time trends of legacy POPs demonstrate the persistence of some of the studied pollutants despite efforts to eliminate them from the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stepan Boitsov
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, N-5817, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Sylvia Frantzen
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, N-5817, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Are Bruvold
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, N-5817, Bergen, Norway; Department of Chemistry, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, N-5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Bjørn Einar Grøsvik
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, N-5817, Bergen, Norway.
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23
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Romero MB, Polizzi PS, Chiodi L, Dolagaratz A, Gerpe M. Legacy and emerging contaminants in marine mammals from Argentina. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167561. [PMID: 37802361 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Marine mammals are recognized sentinels of ecosystem health. They are susceptible to the accumulation and biomagnification of pollutants, which constitute one of the greatest threats to their survival. Legacy, such as organochlorine pesticides, and emerging contaminants, like microplastics and pharmaceuticals, may have effects on marine mammals' health at individual and population levels. Therefore, the evaluation of the risks associated with pollutants in this group is of great importance. The aim of this review is to provide information on the occurrence of legacy and emerging contaminants in marine mammals that inhabit Argentine waters. Also, to identify knowledge gaps and suggest best practices for future research. Reports of legacy contaminants referring to organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were found in five species of cetaceans and two of pinnipeds. With respect to emerging pollutants, the presence of plastics was only evaluated in three species. Reported data was from at least a decade ago. Therefore, it is necessary to update existing information and conduct continuous monitoring to assess temporary trends in pollutants. All the studies were carried out in the province of Buenos Aires and Northern Patagonia indicating a knowledge gap in the southern zone of the Argentine Sea. In addition, pollutants of global environmental concern that have not been studied in Argentina are discussed. Future studies should fill these gaps and a greater effort to understand the relationships between pollutants and their effects on marine mammals is suggested. This issue will make it possible to determine thresholds for all the substances and species evaluated in order to carry out more detailed risk assessments and make decisions for the conservation of marine mammals in Argentine waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- M B Romero
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, CC7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
| | - P S Polizzi
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, CC7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - L Chiodi
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, CC7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - A Dolagaratz
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, CC7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - M Gerpe
- Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (FCEyN), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Funes 3350, CC7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
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24
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Williams RS, Brownlow A, Baillie A, Barber JL, Barnett J, Davison NJ, Deaville R, ten Doeschate M, Murphy S, Penrose R, Perkins M, Spiro S, Williams R, Jepson PD, Curnick DJ, Jobling S. Spatiotemporal Trends Spanning Three Decades Show Toxic Levels of Chemical Contaminants in Marine Mammals. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:20736-20749. [PMID: 38011905 PMCID: PMC10720377 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Despite their ban and restriction under the 2001 Stockholm Convention, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are still widespread and pervasive in the environment. Releases of these toxic and bioaccumulative chemicals are ongoing, and their contribution to population declines of marine mammals is of global concern. To safeguard their survival, it is of paramount importance to understand the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Using one of the world's largest marine mammals strandings data sets, we combine published and unpublished data to examine pollutant concentrations in 11 species that stranded along the coast of Great Britain to quantify spatiotemporal trends over three decades and identify species and regions where pollutants pose the greatest threat. We find that although levels of pollutants have decreased overall, there is significant spatial and taxonomic heterogeneity such that pollutants remain a threat to biodiversity in several species and regions. Of individuals sampled within the most recent five years (2014-2018), 48% of individuals exhibited a concentration known to exceed toxic thresholds. Notably, pollutant concentrations are highest in long-lived, apex odontocetes (e.g., killer whales (Orcinus orca), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), and white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)) and were significantly higher in animals that stranded on more industrialized coastlines. At the present concentrations, POPs are likely to be significantly impacting marine mammal health. We conclude that more effective international elimination and mitigation strategies are urgently needed to address this critical issue for the global ocean health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie S. Williams
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
- Department
of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Darwin Building, 99-105 Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United
Kingdom
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- School
of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical,
Veterinary & Life Sciences, University
of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United
Kingdom
| | - Andrew Baillie
- The
Natural
History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan L. Barber
- Centre
for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture
Science (Cefas), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - James Barnett
- Environment
and Sustainability Institute, University
of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Falmouth, Cornwall TR10 9FE, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. Davison
- School
of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical,
Veterinary & Life Sciences, University
of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United
Kingdom
| | - Robert Deaville
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - Mariel ten Doeschate
- School
of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical,
Veterinary & Life Sciences, University
of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United
Kingdom
| | - Sinéad Murphy
- Marine
and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Science, School
of Science and Computing, Galway-Mayo Institute
of Technology, Galway H91 T8NW, Ireland
| | - Rod Penrose
- Marine
Environmental Monitoring, Penwalk, Llechryd, Cardigan, Ceredigion SA43 2PS, United
Kingdom
| | - Matthew Perkins
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Spiro
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Williams
- Cornwall
Wildlife Trust, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9DJ, United Kingdom
| | - Paul D. Jepson
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Curnick
- Institute
of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Jobling
- Department
of Life Sciences, Institute of Health, Medicine and Environments, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
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25
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Reiter EB, Escher BI, Rojo-Nieto E, Nolte H, Siebert U, Jahnke A. Characterizing the marine mammal exposome by iceberg modeling, linking chemical analysis and in vitro bioassays. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:1802-1816. [PMID: 37132588 PMCID: PMC10647987 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00033h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The present study complements work on mixture effects measured with in vitro bioassays of passive equilibrium sampling extracts using the silicone polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in organs from marine mammals with chemical profiling. Blubber, liver, kidney and brain tissues of harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), ringed seal (Phoca hispida) and orca (Orcinus orca) from the North and Baltic Seas were investigated. We analyzed 117 chemicals including legacy and emerging contaminants using gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry and quantified 70 of those chemicals in at least one sample. No systematic differences between the organs were found. Only for single compounds a clear distribution pattern was observed. For example, 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, enzacamene and etofenprox were mainly detected in blubber, whereas tonalide and the hexachlorocyclohexanes were more often found in liver. Furthermore, we compared the chemical profiling with the bioanalytical results using an iceberg mixture model, evaluating how much of the biological effect could be explained by the analyzed chemicals. The mixture effect predicted from the quantified chemical concentrations explained 0.014-83% of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor activating effect (AhR-CALUX), but less than 0.13% for the activation of the oxidative stress response (AREc32) and peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor (PPARγ). The quantified chemicals also explained between 0.044-45% of the cytotoxic effect measured with the AhR-CALUX. The largest fraction of the observed effect was explained for the orca, which was the individuum with the highest chemical burden. This study underlines that chemical analysis and bioassays are complementary to comprehensively characterize the mixture exposome of marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva B Reiter
- Department of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Beate I Escher
- Department of Cell Toxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany
- Environmental Toxicology, Department of Geosciences, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Elisa Rojo-Nieto
- Department of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Hannah Nolte
- Department of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, 52074, Germany
| | - Ursula Siebert
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstr. 6, 25761, Büsum, Germany
| | - Annika Jahnke
- Department of Ecological Chemistry, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318, Leipzig, Germany.
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, 52074, Germany
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26
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Fischbach JR, Seguel M. A systematic review of the diversity and virulence correlates of metastrongyle lungworms in marine mammals. Parasitology 2023; 150:1178-1191. [PMID: 37859401 PMCID: PMC10801380 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182023001014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Metastrongyle lungworms could be particularly detrimental for diving animals such as marine mammals; however, little is known of the drivers of pathogenic host–parasite relationships in this group. This systematic review analysed the diversity of metastrongyles in marine mammals and the host and parasite traits associated with virulence. There have been at least 40 species of metastrongyles described in 66 species of marine mammals. After penalization for study biases, Halocercus hyperoodoni, Otostrongylus circumlitus, Parafilaroides gymnurus, Halocercus brasiliensis and Stenurus minor were the metastrongyles with the widest host range. Most studies (80.12%, n = 133/166) reported that metastrongyles caused bronchopneumonia, while in the cardiovascular system metastrongyles caused vasculitis in nearly half of the studies (45.45%, n = 5/11) that assessed these tissues. Metastrongyles were associated with otitis in 23.08% (n = 6/26) of the studies. Metastrongyle infection was considered a potential contributory to mortality in 44.78% (n = 90/201) of the studies while 10.45% (n = 21/201) of these studies considered metastrongyles the main cause of death. Metastrongyle species with a wider host range were more likely to induce pathogenic effects. Metastrongyles can cause significant tissue damage and mortality in marine mammals although virulent host–parasite relationships are dominated by a few metastrongyle species with wider host ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared R. Fischbach
- College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Mauricio Seguel
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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27
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Remili A, Dietz R, Sonne C, Samarra FIP, Letcher RJ, Rikardsen AH, Ferguson SH, Watt CA, Matthews CJD, Kiszka JJ, Rosing-Asvid A, McKinney MA. Varying Diet Composition Causes Striking Differences in Legacy and Emerging Contaminant Concentrations in Killer Whales across the North Atlantic. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:16109-16120. [PMID: 37818957 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Lipophilic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) tend to biomagnify in food chains, resulting in higher concentrations in species such as killer whales (Orcinus orca) feeding on marine mammals compared to those consuming fish. Advancements in dietary studies include the use of quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) and differentiation of feeding habits within and between populations of North Atlantic (NA) killer whales. This comprehensive study assessed the concentrations of legacy and emerging POPs in 162 killer whales from across the NA. We report significantly higher mean levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides, and flame retardants in Western NA killer whales compared to those of Eastern NA conspecifics. Mean ∑PCBs ranged from ∼100 mg/kg lipid weight (lw) in the Western NA (Canadian Arctic, Eastern Canada) to ∼50 mg/kg lw in the mid-NA (Greenland, Iceland) to ∼10 mg/kg lw in the Eastern NA (Norway, Faroe Islands). The observed variations in contaminant levels were strongly correlated with diet composition across locations (inferred from QFASA), emphasizing that diet and not environmental variation in contaminant concentrations among locations is crucial in assessing contaminant-associated health risks in killer whales. These findings highlight the urgency for implementing enhanced measures to safely dispose of POP-contaminated waste, prevent further environmental contamination, and mitigate the release of newer and potentially harmful contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Remili
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
| | - Rune Dietz
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, 900 Vestmannaeyjar, Denmark
| | - Christian Sonne
- Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, 900 Vestmannaeyjar, Denmark
| | - Filipa I P Samarra
- University of Iceland, 900 Vestmannaeyjar, Reykjavík 600169-2039, Iceland
| | - Robert J Letcher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Audun H Rikardsen
- Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), N-9296 Tromso, Norway
| | - Steven H Ferguson
- Arctic Aquatic Research Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6, Canada
| | - Cortney A Watt
- Arctic Aquatic Research Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6, Canada
| | - Cory J D Matthews
- Arctic Aquatic Research Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N6, Canada
| | - Jeremy J Kiszka
- Institute of Environment, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, North Miami, Florida 33181, United States
| | | | - Melissa A McKinney
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
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28
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Berger ML, Shaw SD, Rolsky CB, Chen D, Sun J, Rosing-Asvid A, Granquist SM, Simon M, Bäcklin BM, Roos AM. Alternative and legacy flame retardants in marine mammals from three northern ocean regions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 335:122255. [PMID: 37517638 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Flame retardants are globally distributed contaminants that have been linked to negative health effects in humans and wildlife. As top predators, marine mammals bioaccumulate flame retardants and other contaminants in their tissues which is one of many human-imposed factors threatening population health. While some flame retardants, such as the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), have been banned because of known toxicity and environmental persistence, limited data exist on the presence and distribution of current-use alternative flame retardants in marine mammals from many industrialized and remote regions of the world. Therefore, this study measured 44 legacy and alternative flame retardants in nine marine mammal species from three ocean regions: the Northwest Atlantic, the Arctic, and the Baltic allowing for regional, species, age, body condition, temporal, and tissue comparisons to help understand global patterns. PBDE concentrations were 100-1000 times higher than the alternative brominated flame retardants (altBFRs) and Dechloranes. 2,2',4,5,5'-pentabromobiphenyl (BB-101) and hexabromobenzene (HBBZ) were the predominant altBFRs, while Dechlorane-602 was the predominant Dechlorane. This manuscript also reports only the second detection of hexachlorocyclopentadienyl-dibromocyclooctane (HCDBCO) in marine mammals. The NW Atlantic had the highest PBDE concentrations followed by the Baltic and Arctic which reflects greater historical use of PBDEs in North America compared to Europe and greater industrialization of North America and Baltic countries compared to the Arctic. Regional patterns for other compounds were more complicated, and there were significant interactions among species, regions, body condition and age class. Lipid-normalized PBDE concentrations in harbor seal liver and blubber were similar, but HBBZ and many Dechloranes had higher concentrations in liver, indicating factors other than lipid dynamics affect the distribution of these compounds. The health implications of contamination by this mixture of compounds are of concern and require further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Berger
- Shaw Institute, PO Box 1652, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, USA.
| | - Susan D Shaw
- Shaw Institute, PO Box 1652, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, USA
| | - Charles B Rolsky
- Shaw Institute, PO Box 1652, 55 Main Street, Blue Hill, ME, 04614, USA
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China; Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory and Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | - Jiachen Sun
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China; College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, CN-266003, Qingdao, China
| | - Aqqalu Rosing-Asvid
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Sandra Magdalena Granquist
- Seal Research Department, The Icelandic Seal Center, Höfðabraut 6, 530 Hvammstangi, Iceland; Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, Fornubúðir 5, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
| | - Malene Simon
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Britt-Marie Bäcklin
- Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, PO Box 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Maria Roos
- Greenland Climate Research Centre, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, PO Box 570, 3900, Nuuk, Greenland; Department of Environmental Research and Monitoring, Swedish Museum of Natural History, PO Box 104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
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Schaap I, Buedenbender L, Johann S, Hollert H, Dogruer G. Impact of chemical pollution on threatened marine mammals: A systematic review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132203. [PMID: 37567134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Marine mammals, due to their long life span, key position in the food web, and large lipid deposits, often face significant health risks from accumulating contaminants. This systematic review examines published literature on pollutant-induced adverse health effects in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red-listed marine mammal species. Thereby, identifying gaps in literature across different extinction risk categories, spatial distribution and climatic zones of studied habitats, commonly used methodologies, researched pollutants, and mechanisms from cellular to population levels. Our findings reveal a lower availability of exposure-effect data for higher extinction risk species (critically endangered 16%, endangered 15%, vulnerable 66%), highlighting the need for more research. For many threatened species in the Southern Hemisphere pollutant-effect relationships are not established. Non-destructively sampled tissues, like blood or skin, are commonly measured for exposure assessment. The most studied pollutants are POPs (31%), metals (30%), and pesticides (17%). Research on mixture toxicity is scarce while pollution-effect studies primarily focus on molecular and cellular levels. Bridging the gap between molecular data and higher-level effects is crucial, with computational approaches offering a high potential through in vitro to in vivo extrapolation using (toxico-)kinetic modelling. This could aid in population-level risk assessment for threatened marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Schaap
- Farm Technology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, 6708PB Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Larissa Buedenbender
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Química e Bioloxía (CICA), Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Sarah Johann
- Department Evolutionary Ecology & Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Henner Hollert
- Department Evolutionary Ecology & Environmental Toxicology, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department Environmental Media Related Ecotoxicology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Auf dem Aberg 1, 57392 Schmallenberg, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Gulsah Dogruer
- Wageningen Marine Research, Wageningen Research, 1976CP IJmuiden, the Netherlands
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30
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Lettrich MD, Asaro MJ, Borggaard DL, Dick DM, Griffis RB, Litz JA, Orphanides CD, Palka DL, Soldevilla MS, Balmer B, Chavez S, Cholewiak D, Claridge D, Ewing RY, Fazioli KL, Fertl D, Fougeres EM, Gannon D, Garrison L, Gilbert J, Gorgone A, Hohn A, Horstman S, Josephson B, Kenney RD, Kiszka JJ, Maze-Foley K, McFee W, Mullin KD, Murray K, Pendleton DE, Robbins J, Roberts JJ, Rodriguez- Ferrer G, Ronje EI, Rosel PE, Speakman T, Stanistreet JE, Stevens T, Stolen M, Moore RT, Vollmer NL, Wells R, Whitehead HR, Whitt A. Vulnerability to climate change of United States marine mammal stocks in the western North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0290643. [PMID: 37729181 PMCID: PMC10511136 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate change and climate variability are affecting marine mammal species and these impacts are projected to continue in the coming decades. Vulnerability assessments provide a framework for evaluating climate impacts over a broad range of species using currently available information. We conducted a trait-based climate vulnerability assessment using expert elicitation for 108 marine mammal stocks and stock groups in the western North Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. Our approach combined the exposure (projected change in environmental conditions) and sensitivity (ability to tolerate and adapt to changing conditions) of marine mammal stocks to estimate vulnerability to climate change, and categorize stocks with a vulnerability index. The climate vulnerability score was very high for 44% (n = 47) of these stocks, high for 29% (n = 31), moderate for 20% (n = 22), and low for 7% (n = 8). The majority of stocks (n = 78; 72%) scored very high exposure, whereas 24% (n = 26) scored high, and 4% (n = 4) scored moderate. The sensitivity score was very high for 33% (n = 36) of these stocks, high for 18% (n = 19), moderate for 34% (n = 37), and low for 15% (n = 16). Vulnerability results were summarized for stocks in five taxonomic groups: pinnipeds (n = 4; 25% high, 75% moderate), mysticetes (n = 7; 29% very high, 57% high, 14% moderate), ziphiids (n = 8; 13% very high, 50% high, 38% moderate), delphinids (n = 84; 52% very high, 23% high, 15% moderate, 10% low), and other odontocetes (n = 5; 60% high, 40% moderate). Factors including temperature, ocean pH, and dissolved oxygen were the primary drivers of high climate exposure, with effects mediated through prey and habitat parameters. We quantified sources of uncertainty by bootstrapping vulnerability scores, conducting leave-one-out analyses of individual attributes and individual scorers, and through scoring data quality for each attribute. These results provide information for researchers, managers, and the public on marine mammal responses to climate change to enhance the development of more effective marine mammal management, restoration, and conservation activities that address current and future environmental variation and biological responses due to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Lettrich
- ECS Under Contract for Office of Science and Technology, NOAA Fisheries, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael J. Asaro
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Diane L. Borggaard
- Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, NOAA Fisheries, Gloucester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Dorothy M. Dick
- Office of Protected Resources, NOAA Fisheries, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Roger B. Griffis
- Office of Science and Technology, NOAA Fisheries, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jenny A. Litz
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Christopher D. Orphanides
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Debra L. Palka
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Melissa S. Soldevilla
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Brian Balmer
- Dolphin Relief and Research, Clancy, Montana, United States of America
| | - Samuel Chavez
- Integrated Statistics, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Danielle Cholewiak
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Diane Claridge
- Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas
| | - Ruth Y. Ewing
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Kristi L. Fazioli
- Environmental Institute of Houston, University of Houston ‐ Clear Lake, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Dagmar Fertl
- Ziphius EcoServices, Magnolia, Texas, United States of America
| | - Erin M. Fougeres
- Southeast Regional Office, NOAA Fisheries, Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - Damon Gannon
- University of Georgia Marine Institute, Sapelo Island, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lance Garrison
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - James Gilbert
- University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
| | - Annie Gorgone
- CIMAS, University of Miami, Under Contract for NOAA Fisheries Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Aleta Hohn
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Stacey Horstman
- Southeast Regional Office, NOAA Fisheries, Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States of America
| | - Beth Josephson
- Integrated Statistics, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Robert D. Kenney
- Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Jeremy J. Kiszka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Environment, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Katherine Maze-Foley
- CIMAS, University of Miami, Under Contract for Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Wayne McFee
- National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Keith D. Mullin
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Pascagoula, Mississippi, United States of America
| | - Kimberly Murray
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Daniel E. Pendleton
- Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jooke Robbins
- Center for Coastal Studies, Provincetown, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jason J. Roberts
- Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - Errol I. Ronje
- National Centers for Environmental Information, NOAA, Stennis Space Center, Hancock County, Mississippi, United States of America
| | - Patricia E. Rosel
- Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Todd Speakman
- National Marine Mammal Foundation, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | | | - Tara Stevens
- CSA Ocean Sciences, East Greenwich, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Megan Stolen
- Blue World Research Institute, Merritt Island, Florida, United States of America
| | - Reny Tyson Moore
- Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, Chicago Zoological Society, Sarasota, Florida, United States of America
| | - Nicole L. Vollmer
- CIMAS, University of Miami, Under Contract for Marine Mammal and Turtle Division, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Randall Wells
- Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, Chicago Zoological Society, Sarasota, Florida, United States of America
| | - Heidi R. Whitehead
- Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Galveston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Amy Whitt
- Azura Consulting, Garland, Texas, United States of America
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Cui J, Chen S, Wang Y, Ji Z, Lu W, Zhu Y, Ma Y, Chen F, Zhang G. One-pot preparation of supramolecularly functionalized silver nanoparticles for surface plasmon resonance based dual-modal sensing of phytotoxic polychlorinated biphenyl. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2023; 15:4268-4274. [PMID: 37591801 DOI: 10.1039/d3ay01137b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as a member of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), have posed a risk to humans and the environment until today. The monitoring of phytotoxic PCB which is toxic to plants, is especially important for ecological early warning and pollution management. In this work, β-cyclodextrin modified silver nanoparticles are prepared in a one-pot method, integrating the synthesis and surface modification in one step. The nanoparticles can supramolecularly immobilize 2,4,4'-trichlorobiphenyl (PCB 28) on their surface and construct a surface plasmon resonance-based nanosensor. Surface plasmon-resonance light scattering and surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensing of PCB 28 are realized using the nanosensor. The dual-modal sensing shows excellent performance for the potential practical monitoring of phytotoxic POPs in the plant and its growing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingcheng Cui
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, Shandong, China.
| | - Shichao Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250014, Shandong, China
| | - Yu Wang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, Shandong, China.
| | - Zhongyuan Ji
- Characteristic Laboratory of Forensic Science in Universities of Shandong Province, Shandong University of Political Science and Law, Jinan 250014, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Wenhui Lu
- Characteristic Laboratory of Forensic Science in Universities of Shandong Province, Shandong University of Political Science and Law, Jinan 250014, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Yanyan Zhu
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, Shandong, China.
| | - Yongshan Ma
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, Shandong, China.
| | - Feiyong Chen
- Research Institute of Resources and Environmental Innovation, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, China
| | - Guiqin Zhang
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, Shandong, China.
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32
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Lonsdale J, Blake S. The need to manage emerging human activities, not just emerging chemicals, in chemical management in the marine environment. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2023; 19:857-858. [PMID: 37350528 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jemma Lonsdale
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, UK
- IEAM Editorial Board Member
| | - Sylvia Blake
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft, UK
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Falahudin D, Herandarudewi SMC, Hukom FD, Arifin Z, Wulandari I, Sudaryanto A, Hoang AQ, Watanabe I, Takahashi S. The first full-congener analysis of 209 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the blubber of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) stranded along the coast of Savu Island, Indonesia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163008. [PMID: 36966839 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Short-finned pilot whales (SFPW) are a group of cetaceans found globally in tropical and temperate seas and are commonly stranded in the group, but the reason behind their stranding is still unknown. No detailed information on the contamination status and bioaccumulation of halogenated organic compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in the SFPW from Indonesian waters has been reported. Therefore, we analyzed all 209 PCB congeners in the blubber of 20 SFPW specimens stranded along the coast of Savu Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, in October 2012 to explain the status of contamination, congener profiles, potential risk of PCBs to cetaceans, and the determination of unintentionally produced PCBs (u-PCBs) in the blubber of SFPW. Concentrations of Σ209PCBs, Σ7in-PCBs, Σ12dl-PCBs, and Σ21u-PCBs were between 48 and 490 (mean:240 ± 140), 22-230 (110 ± 60), 2.6-38 (17 ± 10), and 1.0-13 (6.3 ± 3.7) ng g-1 lipid weight (lw), respectively. Congener-specific profiles of PCBs among sex and estimated age groups were observed; relatively high proportions of tri-to penta-CBs in juveniles and highly chlorinated recalcitrant congeners in structure-activity groups (SAGs) in sub-adult females were noted. The estimated toxic equivalency (TEQs) value for dl-PCBs ranged from 2.2 to 60 TEQWHO pg/g lw, with juveniles containing high TEQ values than sub-adults and adults. Although the TEQs and concentrations of PCBs in SFPW stranded along Indonesian coasts were lower than those reported for similar whale species from other North Pacific regions, further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of halogenated organic pollutants on their survival and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dede Falahudin
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan; Center of Advanced Technology for the Environment (CATE), Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan; Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Sekar M C Herandarudewi
- Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Frensly Demianus Hukom
- Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Zainal Arifin
- Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Ita Wulandari
- Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Agus Sudaryanto
- Research Center for Environmental and Clean Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Building 820 KST BJ. Habibie, Serpong 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Anh Quoc Hoang
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, 19 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi 11000, Viet Nam
| | - Isao Watanabe
- Center of Advanced Technology for the Environment (CATE), Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan
| | - Shin Takahashi
- Center of Advanced Technology for the Environment (CATE), Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan; Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan.
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Bjørneset J, Blévin P, Bjørnstad PM, Dalmo RA, Goksøyr A, Harju M, Limonta G, Panti C, Rikardsen AH, Sundaram AYM, Yadetie F, Routti H. Establishment of killer whale (Orcinus orca) primary fibroblast cell cultures and their transcriptomic responses to pollutant exposure. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107915. [PMID: 37031518 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Populations of killer whale (Orcinus orca) contain some of the most polluted animals on Earth. Yet, the knowledge on effects of chemical pollutants is limited in this species. Cell cultures and in vitro exposure experiments are pertinent tools to study effects of pollutants in free-ranging marine mammals. To investigate transcriptional responses to pollutants in killer whale cells, we collected skin biopsies of killer whales from the Northern Norwegian fjords and successfully established primary fibroblast cell cultures from the dermis of 4 out of 5 of them. Cells from the individual with the highest cell yield were exposed to three different concentrations of a mixture of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that reflects the composition of the 10 most abundant POPs found in Norwegian killer whales (p,p'-DDE, trans-nonachlor, PCB52, 99, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180, 187). Transcriptional responses of 13 selected target genes were studied using digital droplet PCR, and whole transcriptome responses were investigated utilizing RNA sequencing. Among the target genes analysed, CYP1A1 was significantly downregulated in the cells exposed to medium (11.6 µM) and high (116 µM) concentrations of the pollutant mixture, while seven genes involved in endocrine functions showed a non-significant tendency to be upregulated at the highest exposure concentration. Bioinformatic analyses of RNA-seq data indicated that 13 and 43 genes were differentially expressed in the cells exposed to low and high concentrations of the mixture, respectively, in comparison to solvent control. Subsequent pathway and functional analyses of the differentially expressed genes indicated that the enriched pathways were mainly related to lipid metabolism, myogenesis and glucocorticoid receptor regulation. The current study results support previous correlative studies and provide cause-effect relationships, which is highly relevant for chemical and environmental management.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Bjørneset
- UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - P Blévin
- Akvaplan-niva AS, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - R A Dalmo
- UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - A Goksøyr
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - M Harju
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - C Panti
- University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - A H Rikardsen
- UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - F Yadetie
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - H Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway.
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35
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Williams RS, Brownlow A, Baillie A, Barber JL, Barnett J, Davison NJ, Deaville R, Ten Doeschate M, Penrose R, Perkins M, Williams R, Jepson PD, Lyashevska O, Murphy S. Evaluation of a marine mammal status and trends contaminants indicator for European waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 866:161301. [PMID: 36592909 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Marine mammals are vulnerable to the bioaccumulation, biomagnification and lactational transfer of specific types of pollutants, such as industrial polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), due to their long-life spans, feeding at a high trophic level and unique fat stores that can serve as depots for these lipophilic contaminants. Currently, European countries are developing indicators for monitoring pollutants in the marine environment and assessing the state of biodiversity, requirements under both Regional Seas Conventions and European legislation. As sentinel species for marine ecosystem and human health, marine mammals can be employed to assess bioaccumulated contaminants otherwise below current analytical detection limits in water and lower trophic level marine biota. To aid the development of Regional Seas marine mammal contaminants indicators, as well as Member States obligations under descriptor 8 of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the current study aims to further develop appropriate methodological standards using data collected by the established UK marine mammal pollutant monitoring programme (1990 to 2017) to assess the trends and status of PCBs in harbour porpoises. Within this case study, temporal trends of PCB blubber concentration in juvenile harbour porpoises were analysed using multiple linear regression models and toxicity thresholds for the onset of physiological (reproductive and immunological) endpoints were applied to all sex-maturity groups. Mean PCB blubber concentrations were observed to decline in all harbour porpoise Assessment Units and OSPAR Assessment Areas in UK waters. However, a high proportion of animals were exposed to concentrations deemed to be a toxicological threat, though the relative proportion declined in most Assessment Units/Areas over the last 10 years of the assessment. Recommendations were made for improving the quality of the assessment going forward, including detailing monitoring requirements for the successful implementation of such an indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosie S Williams
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Andrew Brownlow
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Andrew Baillie
- The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD, London, UK
| | - Jonathan L Barber
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - James Barnett
- Cornwall Marine Pathology Team, Fishers Well, Higher Brill, Constantine, Falmouth TR11 5QG, UK
| | - Nicholas J Davison
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Robert Deaville
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Mariel Ten Doeschate
- Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Rod Penrose
- Marine Environmental Monitoring, Penwalk, Llechryd, Cardigan SA43 2PS, Ceredigion, UK
| | - Matthew Perkins
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | | | - Paul D Jepson
- Institute of Zoology Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - Olga Lyashevska
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway city, Ireland
| | - Sinéad Murphy
- Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Department of Natural Resources & the Environment, School of Science and Computing, Atlantic Technical University, ATU Galway city, Ireland.
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Aboal JR, Pacín C, García-Seoane R, Varela Z, González AG, Fernández JA. Global decrease in heavy metal concentrations in brown algae in the last 90 years. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 445:130511. [PMID: 36463737 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In the current scenario of global change, heavy metal pollution is of major concern because of its associated toxic effects and the persistence of these pollutants in the environment. This study is the first to evaluate the changes in heavy metal concentrations worldwide in brown algae over the last 90 years (>15,700 data across the globe reported from 1933 to 2020). The study findings revealed significant decreases in the concentrations of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb and Zn of around 60-84% (ca. 2% annual) in brown algae tissues. The decreases were consistent across the different families considered (Dictyotaceae, Fucaceae, Laminariaceae, Sargassaceae and Others), and began between 1970 and 1990. In addition, strong relationships between these trends and pH, SST and heat content were detected. Although the observed metal declines could be partially explained by these strong correlations, or by adaptions in the algae, other evidences suggest an actual reduction in metal concentrations in oceans because of the implementation of environmental policies. In any case, this study shows a reduction in metal concentrations in brown algae over the last 50 years, which is important in itself, as brown algae form the basis of many marine food webs and are therefore potential distributors of pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- J R Aboal
- CRETUS. Ecology Section. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - C Pacín
- CRETUS. Ecology Section. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - R García-Seoane
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, IEO-CSIC, Centro Oceanográfico de A Coruña, 15001 A Coruña, Spain.
| | - Z Varela
- CRETUS. Ecology Section. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - A G González
- Instituto de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, IOCAG. Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, ULPGC, Spain
| | - J A Fernández
- CRETUS. Ecology Section. Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Andvik C, Haug T, Lyche JL, Borgå K. Emerging and legacy contaminants in common minke whale from the Barents sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 319:121001. [PMID: 36610650 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including brominated flame retardants (BFRs), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and metals, can accumulate in marine mammals and be transferred to offspring. In this study, we analyzed 64 lipophilic POPs, including four emerging BFRs, in the blubber, liver and muscle of 17 adult common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) from the Barents Sea to investigate occurrence and tissue partitioning. In addition, the placental transfer concentration ratios of 14 PFAS and 17 metals were quantified in the muscle of nine female-fetus pairs to investigate placental transfer. Legacy lipophilic POPs were the dominating compound group in every tissue, and we observed generally lower levels compared to previous studies from 1992 to 2001. We detected the emerging BFRs hexabromobenzene (HBB) and pentabromotoluene (PBT), but in low levels compared to the legacy POPs. We detected nine PFAS, and levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) were higher than detected from the same population in 2011, whilst levels of Hg were comparable to 2011. Levels of lipophilic contaminants were higher in blubber compared to muscle and liver on both a wet weight and lipid adjusted basis, but tissue partitioning of the emerging BFRs could not be determined due to the high number of samples below the limit of detection. The highest muscle ΣPFAS levels were quantified in fetuses (23 ± 8.7 ng/g ww), followed by adult males (7.2 ± 2.0 ng/gg ww) and adult females (4.5 ± 1.1 ng/g ww), showing substantial placental transfer from mother to fetus. In contrast, Hg levels in the fetus were lower than the mother. Levels were under thresholds for risk of health effects in the whales. This study is the first to report occurrence and placental transfer of emerging contaminants in common minke whales from the Barents Sea, contributing valuable new data on pollutant levels in Arctic wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Andvik
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tore Haug
- Institute of Marine Research, Fram Centre, PO Box 6606, Stakkevollan, NO-9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Jan L Lyche
- Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Katrine Borgå
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, NO-0316, Oslo, Norway.
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López-Berenguer G, Acosta-Dacal A, Luzardo OP, Peñalver J, Martínez-López E. POPs concentrations in cetaceans stranded along the agricultural coastline of SE Spain show lower burdens of industrial pollutants in comparison to other Mediterranean cetaceans. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159743. [PMID: 36461580 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite the Mediterranean Sea being one of the world's marine biodiversity hotspots, it is a hotspot of various environmental pollutants. This sea holds eight cetacean with resident populations whose numbers are considered to decline in the last decades and which are particularly susceptible to POPs bioaccumulation due to their peculiar characteristics. In this work, we studied blubber concentration of various OCPs and several PCBs and PBDEs congeners in cetaceans stranded in the northern coast of the Gulf of Vera (Region of Murcia, SE Spain) between 2011 and 2018. Most compounds and congeners were above the limit of detection in most samples, although some pesticides like endosulfan stereoisomers or endrin were never detected. DDT and its metabolites, PCBs and metoxychlor appear as the dominant compounds while PBDEs shows concentrations of lower magnitude. Striped dolphin was the species accounting for higher concentrations of most pollutants. There were differences in concentrations and profiles between species which could be partially explained by differences on diet and feeding behavior. We also observed differences based on life history parameters suggesting maternal transfer for most POPs, in accordance with other works. DDE/ ΣDDT ratio suggest no recent exposure to these pesticides. Despite showing lower concentrations than some previous works, PCB concentrations accounted for higher total TEQ than many studies. According to toxicity thresholds in the literature, we cannot guarantee the absence of health consequences on populations studied, especially for those caused by PCBs. These findings are of major importance considering the relevance of the study area in the conservation of Mediterranean cetaceans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Acosta-Dacal
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - O P Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - J Peñalver
- Area of Toxicology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, Spain; Fishing and Aquaculture Service (CARM), Murcia, Spain
| | - E Martínez-López
- Area of Toxicology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Murcia, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Spain.
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Boldrocchi G, Monticelli D, Bettinetti R. To what extent are filter feeder elasmobranchs exposed to marine pollution? A systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120881. [PMID: 36528198 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Filter feeding elasmobranchs may be considered as biological indicators of marine pollution, despite most of these species are under some degree of extinction risk. Among threats to this taxonomic group, marine pollution might represent an additional concern for their survival. In this review, a comprehensive systematic search of scientific literature on pollutants in filter feeding elasmobranchs was conducted to evaluate the bioaccumulation patterns, and risk for human consumers. We found that, despite an increasing trend in the number of published studies, the geographical coverage is still very limited and most of the studies focused solely on trace elements (70.8%). Among sharks, Rhincodon typus was the most represented species (66.7%), while Mobula mobular the most studied ray species (41.7%). Comparing the levels of pollutants in filter feeders between ocean basins, this review highlighted that Hg, As and Cd levels are mostly higher in those areas affected by both strong natural and anthropogenic source of emissions, such as the Indian Ocean. With regards to OCs, ΣPCB levels in muscle of C. maximus were between 4.3 and 50.5 μg kg-1 ww, highlighting a persistent contamination of PCB in the Mediterranean Sea. Some species exceeded the maximum allowable limits for foodstuff consumption for As, Cd and Pb. A total of 77.8% of the analyzed species exceeded the Environmental Quality Standards for Hg, while they were always below the EQSbiota for HCB, PBDEs, PFOS and DDT. Given their feeding mechanism that continuously samples the marine environment, further investigations are urgently needed to determine not only the extent of contaminant exposure in different hotspot locations but also the risks posed to the elasmobranch health.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Boldrocchi
- Department of Human Sciences, Innovation and Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, Italy.
| | - D Monticelli
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, Italy
| | - R Bettinetti
- Department of Human Sciences, Innovation and Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, Como, Italy
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Lee K, Alava JJ, Cottrell P, Cottrell L, Grace R, Zysk I, Raverty S. Emerging Contaminants and New POPs (PFAS and HBCDD) in Endangered Southern Resident and Bigg's (Transient) Killer Whales ( Orcinus orca): In Utero Maternal Transfer and Pollution Management Implications. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:360-374. [PMID: 36512803 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) have been deemed one of the most contaminated cetacean species in the world. However, concentrations and potential health implications of selected 'contaminants of emerging concern' (CECs) and new persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in endangered Southern Resident and threatened Bigg's (Transient) killer whales in the Northeastern Pacific (NEP) have not yet been documented. Here, we quantify CECs [alkylphenols (APs), triclosan, methyl triclosan, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)] and new POPs [hexabromocyclododecane (HBCCD), PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS] in skeletal muscle and liver samples of these sentinel species and investigate in utero transfer of these contaminants. Samples were collected from necropsied individuals from 2006 to 2018 and analyzed by LC-MS/MS or HRBC/HRMS. AP and PFAS contaminants were the most prevalent compounds; 4-nonylphenol (4NP) was the predominant AP (median 40.84 ng/g ww), and interestingly, 7:3-fluorotelomer carboxylic acid (7:3 FTCA) was the primary PFAS (median 66.35 ng/g ww). Maternal transfer ratios indicated 4NP as the most transferred contaminant from the dam to the fetus, with maternal transfer rates as high as 95.1%. Although too few killer whales have been screened for CECs and new POPs to infer the magnitude of contamination impact, these results raise concerns regarding pathological implications and potential impacts on fetal development and production of a viable neonate. This study outlines CEC and new POP concentrations in killer whales of the NEP and provides scientifically derived evidence to support and inform regulation to mitigate pollutant sources and contamination of Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat and other marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiah Lee
- Ocean Pollution Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Juan José Alava
- Ocean Pollution Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Paul Cottrell
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, 401 Burrard Street, Vancouver V6C 3S4, Canada
| | - Lauren Cottrell
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Cunningham Building 202, Victoria V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Richard Grace
- SGS AXYS Analytical Services Ltd, 2045 Mills Road W, Sidney V8L 5X2, Canada
| | - Ivona Zysk
- SGS AXYS Analytical Services Ltd, 2045 Mills Road W, Sidney V8L 5X2, Canada
| | - Stephen Raverty
- Ocean Pollution Research Unit, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Animal Health Centre, BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, 1767 Angus Campbell Road, Abbotsford V3G 2M3, Canada
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Xie Q, Yu R, Gui D, Wu Y. Long-Term Monitoring of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins ( Sousa chinensis) from the Pearl River Estuary Reveals High Risks for Calves due to Maternal Exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:473-485. [PMID: 36576993 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Although many studies have documented the wide occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in cetaceans, little evidence exists regarding the detrimental effects of PBDE exposure on calf death rates for free-ranging cetaceans. This study analyzed life-history-associated PBDE bioaccumulation patterns in 128 stranding Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) samples over an 18-year timespan from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE). In comparison to the records of PBDE levels in cetaceans worldwide, the median levels of PBDEs (median = 10600 ng g-1 lw, range = 721-50900 ng g-1 lw) in all samples were the highest to date. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that adult males (median = 16100 ng g-1 lw, range = 4070-50900 ng g-1 lw) and calves (12000 ng g-1 lw, range = 1250-35300 ng g-1 lw) both had the highest levels of PBDEs compared to the rest of the age/sex groups (p < 0.05). Concentrations of PBDEs in noncalves significantly decreased over the studied period, while those in calves had a slightly increasing trend, which may be due to different exposure routes via fish or milk, respectively. A significant and positive relationship was found between annual calf stranding death rates and body-length-adjusted PBDE concentrations in calves (r = 0.62, p < 0.05), suggesting that maternal exposure of calves to elevated levels of PBDEs may have contributed to the high annual stranding death rates of calves in the last two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Xie
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai519082, China
| | - Ronglan Yu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai519082, China
| | - Duan Gui
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai519082, China
| | - Yuping Wu
- School of Marine Sciences, Zhuhai Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Resources and Coastal Engineering, Pearl River Estuary Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai519082, China
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Montone RC, Alonso MB, Santos MCO, Méndez-Fernandez P, Taniguchi S, Barbosa APM, Gonçalves RM, Padilha JDA, Bertozzi C, da Silva J, Marigo J, Pereira ADS, Lourenço RA. Temporal trends of persistent organic pollutant contamination in Franciscana dolphins from the Southwestern Atlantic. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114473. [PMID: 36195158 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were analyzed in 136 blubber samples of Franciscana dolphins from Brazil (Pontoporia blainvillei), which is the most threatened dolphin in the Southwestern Atlantic. The dolphins were caught by the fishery fleet and collected from 2000 to 2018 in three regions of São Paulo state: northern São Paulo (SPN), central São Paulo (SPC), and southern São Paulo (SPS). The POPs analyzed in this study were polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs), Mirex, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), chlordane compounds (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The concentrations ranged from 36 to 7200 ng g-1 lipid weight (lw) and 113-42200 ng g-1 lw for predominant compounds DDTs and PCBs, respectively. Similar profiles of PCB congeners were observed with a predominance of hexachlorinated compounds, representing approximately 50% of the total PCB amount; the highest PCB concentrations were observed from Baixada Santista (SPC) proximate to a highly urbanized and industrial coastal area. Significant differences were observed between the sexes and maturity of dolphins, mainly for PCBs, DDTs, and Mirex. In general, POPs other than HCB in Franciscana dolphins showed downward temporal trends, matching the regulatory periods for restricting and/or banning these compounds. Although POP concentrations are declining, PCB levels remain high in small dolphins, suggesting adverse health effects on Franciscanas. As organic contaminants are one of the numerous threats Franciscanas have been vulnerable to along the Brazilian coast, we recommend monitoring POPs levels every five years to check for declining (or stabilizing) trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalinda C Montone
- Instituto Oceanográfico - Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-120 Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Mariana B Alonso
- Instituto Oceanográfico - Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-120 Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcos César O Santos
- Instituto Oceanográfico - Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-120 Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Paula Méndez-Fernandez
- Observatoire Pelagis, UMS 3462- La Rochelle Université - CNRS, 5 allées de l'océan, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Satie Taniguchi
- Instituto Oceanográfico - Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-120 Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula M Barbosa
- Instituto Oceanográfico - Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-120 Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Renato M Gonçalves
- Instituto Oceanográfico - Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-120 Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Janeide de Assis Padilha
- Instituto Oceanográfico - Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-120 Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Centro de Biologia Molecular e Ambiental (CBMA), Departamento de Biologia, Universidade do Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Carolina Bertozzi
- Instituto de Biociências - Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, câmpus do Litoral Paulista, São Vicente, SP, Brazil
| | - Josilene da Silva
- Instituto Oceanográfico - Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-120 Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana Marigo
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-270 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Antonio Derley S Pereira
- Instituto Oceanográfico - Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-120 Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael A Lourenço
- Instituto Oceanográfico - Universidade de São Paulo, 05508-120 Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Minoia L, Consales G, Mazzariol S, Mancusi C, Terracciano G, Ceciarini I, Capanni F, Neri A, D'Agostino A, Marsili L. Preliminary assessment of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in tissues of Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) specimens stranded along the Italian coasts. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114470. [PMID: 36528010 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ecotoxicological and pathological research on Grampus griseus (Cuvier, 1812) (Risso's dolphins) is scarce both globally and in the Mediterranean Sea. This species has been classified as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the Mediterranean Sea. To evaluate the presence of "persistent organic pollutants" (POPs), especially organochlorine compounds (OCs), in the animals, chemical analyses were performed on tissues and organs of Risso's dolphin stranded along the Italian coasts between 1998 and 2021. Toxic contaminants such as hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs) were examined in the blubber, liver, muscle, and brain of 20 animals, and data was correlated with sex, age, and stranding locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Minoia
- Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Genoa Marine Centre, Villa del Principe, Via San Benedetto 2, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - G Consales
- Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnology, Genoa Marine Centre, Villa del Principe, Via San Benedetto 2, 16126 Genoa, Italy.
| | - S Mazzariol
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science - BCA, University of Padua, Agripolis, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, PD, Italy
| | - C Mancusi
- Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; Environmental Protection Agency Tuscany Region (ARPAT), Via Giovanni Marradi 114, 57126 Livorno, Italy
| | - G Terracciano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Regioni Lazio e Toscana - Sezione di Pisa, Via SS Abetone Brennero 4, 56123 Pisa, Italy
| | - I Ceciarini
- Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - F Capanni
- Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - A Neri
- Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; CIBM - Consortium for the Interuniversity Center of Marine Biology and Applied Ecology "G. Bacci", viale N. Sauro 4, 57128 Livorno, Italy
| | - A D'Agostino
- Department of Management Studies and Quantitative Methods (DISAQ), University of Naples Parthenope, Via Generale Parisi 13, 80132 Napoli, Italy
| | - L Marsili
- Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy; Centro Interuniversitario per la Ricerca sui CEtacei (CIRCE), Department of Physical Sciences Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Strada Laterina 8, 53100 Siena, Italy
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44
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Gao S, Yan K, Liang B, Shu R, Wang N, Zhang S. The different ways microplastics from the water column and sediment accumulate in fish in Haizhou Bay. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 854:158575. [PMID: 36075424 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Global microplastic (MP) pollution is a serious environmental problem that has been found in various ecosystems, especially marine ecosystems. In this study, the water (surface, middle and bottom water), sediment and fish (pelagic, demersal and benthic fish) in the artificial reef area and adjacent waters in Haizhou Bay were collected, and the mechanism of MP transmission among the three media was analyzed. The results showed that >96 % of the plastics in the region were MPs. The shape of MPs was mainly fibrous (water (73.3 %), sediment (56 %), fish (95.3 %)), color was mainly blue (water (49.3 %), sediment (47 %), fish (72.3 %)), and the material was mainly PET (water (39.6 %), sediment (33 %), fish (86.6 %)). We found that, except for the natural deposition of MPs, MPs could be ingested by pelagic fish and transmitted through vertical movement in the water, while there was an interaction between MPs in benthic fishes and the middle-bottom waters. In addition, as relevant variables, body length and body weight were more likely to explain the number of MPs ingested by fishes than were δ13C and δ15N. Therefore, based on the linear relationship between δ15N and body length, we concluded that there was a weak trophic magnification effect of MPs ingested by fish in this region. This study provides unique information for further exploring the factors influencing the spatial distribution of MPs and the transmission mechanism of MPs in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shike Gao
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Kai Yan
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Baogui Liang
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Ruilin Shu
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Nuo Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Joint Laboratory for Monitoring and Conservation of Aquatic Living Resources In the Yangtze Estuary, Shanghai 200000, China.
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45
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Stepien EN, Olsen MT, Nabe–Nielsen J, Hansen KA, Kristensen JH, Blanchet M, Brando S, Desportes G, Lockyer C, Marcenaro L, Bunskoek P, Kemper J, Siebert U, Wahlberg M. Determination of growth, mass, and body mass index of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena): Implications for conservational status assessment of populations. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
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46
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Hayes KRR, Ylitalo GM, Anderson TA, Urbán
R. J, Jacobsen JK, Scordino JJ, Lang AR, Baugh KA, Bolton JL, Brüniche-Olsen A, Calambokidis J, Martínez-Aguilar S, Subbiah S, Gribble MO, Godard-Codding CAJ. Influence of Life-History Parameters on Persistent Organic Pollutant Concentrations in Blubber of Eastern North Pacific Gray Whales ( Eschrichtius robustus). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:17119-17130. [PMID: 36346717 PMCID: PMC9730851 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can significantly impact marine mammal health, reproduction, and fitness. This study addresses a significant 20-year gap in gray whale contaminant monitoring through analysis of POPs in 120 blubber biopsies. The scope of this substantial sample set is noteworthy in its range and diversity with collection between 2003 and 2017 along North America's west coast and across diverse sex, age, and reproductive parameters, including paired mothers and calves. Mean blubber concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (∑PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (∑DDTs), and chlordanes (∑CHLs) generally decreased since previous reports (1968-1999). This is the first report of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and select hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in this species. Statistical modeling of the 19 most frequently detected compounds in this dataset revealed sex-, age-, and reproductive status-related patterns, predominantly attributed to maternal offloading. Mean POP concentrations differed significantly by sex in adults (17 compounds, up to 3-fold higher in males) but not in immatures (all 19 compounds). Mean POP concentrations were significantly greater in adults versus immatures in both males (17 compounds, up to 12-fold) and females (13 compounds, up to 3-fold). POP concentrations were detected with compound-specific patterns in nursing calves, confirming maternal offloading for the first time in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kia R. R. Hayes
- The
Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
- Environmental
and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center,
National Marine Fisheries Service, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington 98112, United States
- Ocean
Associates, Inc., Arlington, Virginia 22207, United States
| | - Gina M. Ylitalo
- Environmental
and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center,
National Marine Fisheries Service, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington 98112, United States
| | - Todd A. Anderson
- The
Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Jorge Urbán
R.
- Departamento
de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad
Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, BCS 23085, Mexico
| | | | - Jonathan J. Scordino
- Marine Mammal
Program, Makah Fisheries Management, Makah Tribe, Neah Bay, Washington 98357, United States
| | - Aimee R. Lang
- Ocean
Associates, Inc., Arlington, Virginia 22207, United States
- Southwest
Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Keri A. Baugh
- Environmental
and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center,
National Marine Fisheries Service, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington 98112, United States
| | - Jennie L. Bolton
- Environmental
and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center,
National Marine Fisheries Service, National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington 98112, United States
| | - Anna Brüniche-Olsen
- Department
of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - John Calambokidis
- Cascadia
Research Collective, Olympia, Washington 98501, United States
| | - Sergio Martínez-Aguilar
- Departamento
de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad
Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, BCS 23085, Mexico
| | - Seenivasan Subbiah
- The
Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, United States
| | - Matthew O. Gribble
- Department
of Epidemiology, University of Alabama at
Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294, United
States
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47
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Weijs L, Covaci A, Carroll A, Kemper C, Melvin S. Exploring lipid affinities of persistent organic pollutants and MeO-PBDEs in blubber of marine mammals. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:136448. [PMID: 36115469 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although lipophilic compounds have been the focus of numerous studies in marine mammals, their association with lipids is widely accepted, but rarely scrutinized. This pilot study aimed to investigate potential relationships between individual lipids from different lipid classes identified through a non-targeted Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) based lipidomics approach and legacy POPs in the blubber of long-finned pilot whales, sperm whales, common bottlenose dolphins, and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. Concentrations of selected POPs such as HCB and HCHs in sperm whales from Tasmania were found to differ from those in long-finned pilot whales and common bottlenose dolphins from the same location. Profiles of NMR spectra measured in blubber of sperm whales were also distinctly different compared to the pilot whales and common bottlenose dolphins. Two groups of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins from South Australia that were 20 years apart showed highly comparable profiles of NMR signals despite having higher concentrations of several POP classes in the more recent group. More specific correlations were investigated between selected POPs (n = 12) and all detected NMR signals (n = 63) in all species. Outcomes were species-specific, but difficult to interpret due to the lack of available literature for marine mammals and the small sample sizes per species. Because of the key role of lipids in the bioaccumulation of POPs and in the incidence of diseases, more attention should be given to the identification and characterization of lipid species in future toxicological studies. However, future studies should focus on one marine mammal species to increase sample sizes and limit the number of confounding factors, such as diet, that can influence POP and lipid levels and profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liesbeth Weijs
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, 4215, Australia; Australian Rivers Institute (ARI), Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia; Coastal and Marine Research Centre, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia.
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, 2610, Belgium
| | - Anthony Carroll
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, 4215, Australia; Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, 4215, Australia
| | - Catherine Kemper
- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000, Australia
| | - Steve Melvin
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, 4215, Australia; Australian Rivers Institute (ARI), Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, 4222, Australia
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48
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Rivas ML, Albion I, Bernal B, Handcock RN, Heatwole SJ, Parrott ML, Piazza KA, Deschaseaux E. The plastic pandemic: COVID-19 has accelerated plastic pollution, but there is a cure. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 847:157555. [PMID: 35878850 PMCID: PMC9304335 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is now present in all areas of our planet, including its last wilderness, Antarctica, and the plastic crisis has further escalated because of COVID-19. The pandemic has caused a significant increase in the global consumption of single-use protective items such as masks and gloves. These and other plastic items add to the suite of plastic pollution issues, from entanglement of wildlife to microplastic bioaccumulation. Given plastics are a major threat facing humans and wildlife, swift action to reduce plastic pollution is urgently needed. Solutions to plastic pollution are within reach. With collective, impactful action we will ensure a better future for our planet and ourselves. Here, we propose several measures for decision-makers to implement to achieve a solution and tackle plastic pollution as a united, global community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marga L Rivas
- Biology Department, Campus of Excellence of Marine Science (CEIMAR), University of Cádiz, Spain.
| | - Ingrid Albion
- Australian Association for Environmental Education, PO Box 926, Cannington, WA 6987, Australia
| | - Blanca Bernal
- GreenCollar US, International Projects. Chicago IL, USA
| | - Rebecca N Handcock
- Curtin Institute for Computation, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Siobhan J Heatwole
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Marissa L Parrott
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Kathryn A Piazza
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Oswego, Oswego, NY, USA
| | - Elisabeth Deschaseaux
- Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
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49
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Solé M, Figueres E, Mañanós E, Rojo-Solís C, García-Párraga D. Characterisation of plasmatic B-esterases in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and their potential as biomarkers of xenobiotic chemical exposures. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 313:120149. [PMID: 36115493 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A total of 164 blood samples from 16 clinically healthy bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), were obtained from an aquarium in Spain between 2019 and 2020, as part of their preventive medicine protocol. In addition to conventional haematological and biochemical analyses, plasmatic B-esterase activities were characterised to determine the potential application of such analyses in wild counterparts. The hydrolysis rates for the substrates of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and carboxylesterase (CE) activity in plasma were measured, the last using two commercial substrates, p-nitrophenyl acetate (pNPA) and p-nitrophenyl butyrate (pNPB). Activity rates (mean ± SEM in nmol/min/mL plasma) were (in descending order): AChE (125.6 ± 3.8), pNPB-CE (65.0 ± 2.2), pNPA-CE (49.7 ± 1.1) and BuChE (12.8 ± 1.3). These values for dolphins are reported in here for the first time in this species. Additionally, the in vitro sensitivity of two B-esterases (AChE and pNPB-CE) to chemicals of environmental concern was determined, and the protective role of plasmatic albumin assessed. Out of the B-esterases measured in plasma of dolphin, AChE activity was more responsive in vitro to pesticides, while CEs had a low response to plastic additives, likely due to the protective presence of albumin. However, the clear in vitro interaction of these environmental chemicals with purified AChE from electric eels and recombinant human hCEs (hCE1 and hCE2) and albumin, predicts their impact in other tissues that require in vivo validation. A relationship between esterase-like activities and health parameters in terrestrial mammals has already been established. Thus, B-esterase measures could be easily included in marine mammal health assessment protocols for dolphins as well, once the relationship between these measures and the animal's fitness has been established.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Solé
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, CSIC, Psg. Marítim de La Barceloneta 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - E Figueres
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, CSIC, Psg. Marítim de La Barceloneta 37-49, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Mañanós
- Institute of Aquaculture Torre La Sal (IATS),-CSIC, 12595, Cabanes, Castellón, Spain
| | - C Rojo-Solís
- Veterinary Services, Oceanogràfic, Ciudad de Las Artes y Las Ciencias, C/Eduardo Primo Yúfera (Científic) 1B, 46013, València, Spain
| | - D García-Párraga
- Veterinary Services, Oceanogràfic, Ciudad de Las Artes y Las Ciencias, C/Eduardo Primo Yúfera (Científic) 1B, 46013, València, Spain
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50
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Blouin K, Malaisé F, Verreault J, Lair S, Lu Z. Occurrence and temporal trends of industrial antioxidants and UV absorbents in the endangered St. Lawrence Estuary beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 842:156635. [PMID: 35697212 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Elevated contaminant exposure has been identified as a stressor that has negative impacts on the health and recovery of the endangered St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) population. However, the accumulation of many groups of contaminants of emerging concern is still unknown in the SLE beluga. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence and temporal trends (2000-2017) of synthetic phenolic antioxidants (SPAs), secondary aromatic amines (Ar-SAs), benzotriazole UV stabilizers (BZT-UVs), and organic UV filters (UVFs) in the blubber (n = 69) and liver (n = 80) of SLE beluga carcasses recovered in the SLE. The SPA 2,6-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone (BHTQ) was the most prevalent contaminant in the blubber (detection frequency: 86 %; median: 71.1 ng/g wet weight (ww)) and liver (50 %; 12.2 ng/g ww) of SLE belugas. In the blubber, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP3) (36 %; 3.15 ng/g ww) and 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethyl butyl)phenol (UV329) (49 %; 6.84 ng/g ww) were the most frequently detected UVFs and BZT-UVs, respectively. Ar-SAs were not detected in most of the blubber and liver samples. Blubber accumulated higher levels of BHTQ and UV329 than liver, whereas the levels of BP3 were greater in the liver. Male SLE beluga accumulated greater concentrations of UV329 in blubber compared to females. These results indicated that the accumulation of BHTQ, UV329 and BP3 in SLE belugas is tissue- and sex-specific. BHTQ showed a decreasing trend in the blubber (2000-2017) of male SLE beluga, whereas no significant trend of this contaminant was found in females. UV329 showed no discernible temporal trend. This study established a baseline for the future monitoring of SPAs, Ar-SAs, BZT-UVs and UVFs in belugas and other marine mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karine Blouin
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Florentine Malaisé
- Département de Biologie, Chimie et Géographie, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada
| | - Jonathan Verreault
- Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Stéphane Lair
- Centre québécois sur la santé des animaux sauvages/Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, Département de sciences cliniques, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St. Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 7C6, Canada
| | - Zhe Lu
- Institut des Sciences de la Mer de Rimouski, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Rimouski, Québec G5L 3A1, Canada.
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