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O'Hara TM, Ylitalo GM, Crawford SG, Taras BD, Fadely BS, Rehberg MJ, Rea LD. Spatial and cumulative organochlorine and mercury exposure assessments in Steller Sea lions of Alaska: Emphasizing pups. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116592. [PMID: 38917493 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Steller sea lions (SSL) are sentinels for monitoring environmental contaminants in remote areas of the Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Therefore, concentrations of several organochlorines (OCs) were measured in blood from 123 SSL pups sampled from 3 regions; the western Aleutian Islands (WAI), central Aleutian Islands (CAI), and the central Gulf of Alaska. Blood, blubber, and milk from 12 adult female SSL from WAI, CAI and southeast Alaska also were analyzed. Findings included the following. SSL pups had higher concentrations of some OCs and mercury (Hg) on rookeries in the WAI than those more easterly. Pups had significantly higher blood concentrations of many OC classes than adult females sampled within the same region; some pups had PCB concentrations exceeding thresholds of concern (∑PCBs >8600 ng/g lw). ∑PCB concentration in pup whole blood was positively correlated with the trophic marker, δ15N within the regions sampled, along with two PCB congeners (PCB138 and PCB153). This suggests that the dams of pups with higher ∑PCBs, PCB138, and PCB153 concentrations were feeding on more predatory prey. Adult female blubber ∑DDT and hexachlorocyclohexane concentrations were also positively correlated with δ15N values. Several pups (mostly from WAI) had blood Hg concentrations and/or blood PCB concentrations (surrogate for overall OC exposures) of concern. The finding that WAI SSL pups have been exposed to multiple contaminants calls for future investigation of their cumulative exposure to a mixture of contaminants especially their transplacental and then transmammary exposure routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M O'Hara
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; Institute of Northern Engineering, Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - G M Ylitalo
- Environmental and Fisheries Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
| | - S G Crawford
- Institute of Northern Engineering, Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA
| | - B D Taras
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA
| | - B S Fadely
- Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Seattle, WA 98115, USA
| | - M J Rehberg
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Anchorage, AK 99518, USA
| | - L D Rea
- Institute of Northern Engineering, Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA; Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Wildlife Conservation, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA.
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2
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Mollier M, Bustamante P, Martinez-Alvarez I, Schull Q, Labadie P, Budzinski H, Cherel Y, Carravieri A. Blood Kinetics of Lipophilic and Proteinophilic Pollutants during Two Types of Long-Term Fast in King Penguins. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6138-6148. [PMID: 38533664 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
In vertebrates, fasting is an intricate physiological process associated with strong metabolic changes, yet its effect on pollutant residue variation is poorly understood. Here, we quantified long-term changes in plasma concentrations of 20 organochlorine and 16 perfluoroalkyl pollutants in king penguins Aptenodytes patagonicus during the breeding and molting fasts, which are marked by low and high levels of protein catabolism, respectively, and by strong lipid use. The profile of measured pollutants in plasma was dominated by perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS, initial relative contribution of 60%). Initial total pollutant concentrations were similar in molting (3.3-5.7 ng g-1 ww) and breeding penguins (range of 4.2-7.3 ng g-1 wet weight, ww). Long-term fasting (25 days) for molting and breeding led, respectively, to a 1.8- and 2.2-fold increase in total plasma pollutant concentrations, although the rate and direction of change were compound-specific. Hexachlorbenzene (HCB) and PFOS concentrations increased in plasma (net mobilization) during both types of fasting, likely due to lipid use. Plasma perfluoroundecanoate (PFUnDA) and perfluorotridecanoate (PFTrDA) concentrations increased in breeders (net mobilization) but decreased in molting individuals (net excretion), suggesting a significant incorporation of these pollutants into feathers. This study is a key contribution to our understanding of pollutant variation in blood during long-term fasting in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Mollier
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - Ignacio Martinez-Alvarez
- CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC (LPTC Research Group), Université de Bordeaux, 351 Cours de la Libération, F-33405 Cedex Talence, France
| | - Quentin Schull
- MARBEC, Université de Montpellier, IFREMER, IRD, CNRS, Avenue Jean Monnet CS 30171, 34203 Sète, France
| | - Pierre Labadie
- CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC (LPTC Research Group), Université de Bordeaux, 351 Cours de la Libération, F-33405 Cedex Talence, France
| | - Hélène Budzinski
- CNRS, UMR 5805 EPOC (LPTC Research Group), Université de Bordeaux, 351 Cours de la Libération, F-33405 Cedex Talence, France
| | - Yves Cherel
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 405 Route de Prissé la Charrière, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
| | - Alice Carravieri
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 2 rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000 La Rochelle, France
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC), UMR 7372 CNRS-La Rochelle Université, 405 Route de Prissé la Charrière, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, France
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3
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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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4
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Noren DP, Johnson S, Boyd D, Ylitalo GM, Lundin J, McCormley M, Jensen ED. The dynamics of persistent organic pollutant (POP) transfer from female bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to their calves during lactation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167888. [PMID: 37863220 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are lipophilic compounds that can accumulate in high concentrations in the blubber of marine mammals, which are long-lived, top-level predators in their ecosystems. These compounds, which include DDTs, PCBs, PBDEs, HCHs, and CHLDs, impact mammalian health, including neurological effects, reduced immune system efficiency, and reproductive failure. POPs are transferred from females to their offspring during gestation and lactation, which have implications for the health of newborn marine mammals, particularly first-born offspring who receive higher concentrations. The dynamics of POP transfer during lactation have been studied in a few pinniped species, but there are no comparable studies on living cetaceans. Because life history strategies and behavior of lactating phocids differ from dolphins, a study on delphinid maternal transfer is warranted. To accomplish this, placenta and longitudinally collected blood and milk samples were taken concurrently from trained bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, mother/calf pairs to assess the dynamics of maternal contaminant transfer. Initial POP levels in placenta, blood serum, and milk varied by individual and were related to the age and reproductive history of the females. Regardless of initial POP levels, maternal serum and milk concentrations decreased while calf serum POP levels increased over time. Pollutant transfer varied by POP class and by congener. Contaminant transfer efficiency to calves was most apparent for 4- to 6‑chlorine PCBs, DDT isomers p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDD, and o,p'-DDE, trans-nonachlor, cis-nonachlor, heptachlor epoxide, nonachlor III, and oxychlordane. By the end of the lactation period, calf serum POP levels were considerably greater than those of their mothers, particularly for compounds with fewer chlorines. POP levels were most biomagnified in the calf born to the primiparous female. These results provide critical information on one component of contaminant transfer in the marine ecosystem and for understanding potential risks of POP exposure to developing odontocete calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn P Noren
- Conservation Biology Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA 98112, USA.
| | - Shawn Johnson
- U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Daryle Boyd
- Environmental Fisheries and Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gina M Ylitalo
- Environmental Fisheries and Sciences Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jessica Lundin
- National Research Council, Under Contract to Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Molly McCormley
- Lynker, Under Contract to Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Eric D Jensen
- U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, San Diego, CA, USA
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5
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Hall J, Bengtson Nash S, Gautam A, Bender H, Pitcher BJ, McCallum H, Doyle C. Persistent organic pollutants and trace elements detected in New Zealand fur seals (long-nosed fur seal; Arctocephalus forsteri) from New South Wales, Australia, between 1998 and 2019. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166087. [PMID: 37549703 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution is a growing threat to wildlife health and biodiversity. The relationship between marine mammals and pollutants is, however, complex and as new chemicals are introduced to ecosystems alongside concomitant, interacting threats such as climate change and habitat degradation, the cumulative impact of these stressors to wildlife continues to expand. Understanding the health of wildlife populations requires a holistic approach to identify potential threatening processes. In the context of environmental pollution in little studied wildlife species, it is important to catalogue the current exposome to develop effective biomonitoring programs that can support diagnosis of health impacts and management and mitigation of pollution. In New South Wales, Australia, the New Zealand fur seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) is a resident species experiencing population growth following devastating historic hunting practices. This study presents a retrospective investigation into the exposure of New Zealand fur seals to a range of synthetic organic compounds and essential and non-essential trace elements. Liver tissue from 28 seals were broadly analyzed to assess concentrations of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and essential and non-essential trace elements. In addition to contributing extensive pollution baseline data for the species, the work explores the influence of sex, age, and body condition on accumulation patterns. Further, based on these findings, it is recommended that a minimum of 11 juvenile male New Zealand fur seals are sampled and analyzed annually in order to maintain a holistic biomonitoring approach for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Hall
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia; Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Susan Bengtson Nash
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Anil Gautam
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Environment Protection Science Branch, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Hannah Bender
- Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Pitcher
- Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Bradleys Head Road, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Hamish McCallum
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Christopher Doyle
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Environment Protection Science Branch, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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6
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Warret Rodrigues C, Armstrong D, Wang F, Roth JD. Tissue composition and storage duration affect the usefulness of generic wet-to-dry mass conversion factors in toxicology studies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 236:116727. [PMID: 37495068 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116727] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
All ecosystems are exposed to a variety of anthropogenic contaminants. The potential threat posed by these contaminants to organisms has prompted scores of toxicology studies. Contaminant concentrations in wildlife toxicology studies are inconsistently expressed in wet or dry mass units, or even on a lipid-normalized basis, but tissue composition is rarely reported, and the conversion between dry and wet mass units, notably, is often based on assumed empirical moisture contents in tissues. However, diverse factors (e.g., tissue, storage conditions) may affect tissue composition and render comparisons between studies difficult or potentially biased. Here, we used data on the concentration of mercury, a global pollutant, in tissues of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) to quantify the effects of diverse variables on moisture and lipid contents, and their consequences on contaminant concentration in different tissues, when converting between wet and dry mass units (lipid extracted or not). We found that moisture content differed largely between organs, enough to preclude the use of a single conversion factor, and decreased by 1% per year when stored at -80 °C. Although most fox tissues had low lipid concentrations, lipid content affected water content and their extraction affected the wet to dry mass conversion factor. We thus recommend reporting tissue composition (at least water and lipid contents) systematically in toxicology studies of mercury specifically and of contaminants in general, and using tissue/species specific conversion factors to convert between dry and wet mass concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Warret Rodrigues
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | - Debbie Armstrong
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, And Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Feiyue Wang
- Centre for Earth Observation Science, And Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - James D Roth
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, 50 Sifton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
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7
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da Silva J, Taniguchi S, Colabuono FI, Leonel J, Rosa LD, Secchi ER, Borges JCG, Siciliano S, Acevedo J, Aguayo-Lobo A, Baldassin P, Montone RC, Lourenço RA. Mobilization of persistent organic pollutants in humpback whales: Insights from feeding areas in the Antarctic peninsula and Strait of Magellan to migration, breeding, and calving grounds along the Brazilian coast. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115448. [PMID: 37647799 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115448] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Southern Hemisphere Megaptera novaeangliae undertake the longest migration, which reflect their exposure to lipophilic contaminants. To assess these changes, persistent organic pollutants were analyzed in blubber samples of humpback whales from three regions: the Antarctic Peninsula (n = 46), the Strait of Magellan, Chile (n = 22), and the Brazilian coast (n = 38). The similarity in PCB and HCB levels between individuals from feeding grounds and breeding grounds suggests contamination during feeding. The whales around the Antarctic Peninsula exhibited a predominance of tetrachlorobiphenyl PCBs. Whales feeding in the Strait of Magellan showed a slight prevalence of 5Cl biphenyls, likely due to their consumption of subantarctic krill species as well as small fishes potentially contaminated by industrial activities in Chile. The dominance of 5-6Cl congeners in whales in Brazil, may be attributed to the extreme physiological changes during fasting when whales utilize blubber reserves and metabolize lighter congeners, or transfer them to their calves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josilene da Silva
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil.
| | - Satie Taniguchi
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil
| | | | - Juliana Leonel
- Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Luciano Dalla Rosa
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, RS 96203-000, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Resende Secchi
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação da Megafauna Marinha, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, RS 96203-000, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Gomes Borges
- Fundação de Mamíferos Aquáticos, Estrada de Matapuã, 411, Anexo Chácara Anjo Gabriel, Mosqueiro, São Cristóvão, Sergipe 49100-000, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Av. Santa Elisabete, 160, Rio Tinto, Paraíba 58297-000, Brazil
| | - Salvatore Siciliano
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública/Fiocruz, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, 21041-210 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jorge Acevedo
- Centro Regional de Estudios del Cuaternario de Fuego-Patagonia y Antártica (CEQUA), Punta Arenas, Chile
| | | | - Paula Baldassin
- Instituto BW para a Conservação e Medicina da Fauna Marinha, R. Profa. Suely Brasil Flores, 88. Praia Seca, Araruama, RJ 28972-765, Brazil
| | - Rosalinda Carmela Montone
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil
| | - Rafael André Lourenço
- Instituto Oceanográfico, Universidade de São Paulo, Praça do Oceanográfico, 191, São Paulo, SP 05508-120, Brazil
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8
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Bennett KA, Robinson KJ, Armstrong HC, Moss SEW, Scholl G, Tranganida A, Eppe G, Thomé JP, Debier C, Hall AJ. Predicting consequences of POP-induced disruption of blubber glucose uptake, mass gain rate and thyroid hormone levels for weaning mass in grey seal pups. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 152:106506. [PMID: 33770584 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2021.106506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are endocrine disruptors that alter adipose tissue development, regulation and function. Top marine predators are particularly vulnerable because they possess large fat stores that accumulate POPs. However, links between endocrine or adipose tissue function disruption and whole animal energetics have rarely been investigated. We predicted the impact of alterations to blubber metabolic characteristics and circulating thyroid hormone (TH) levels associated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) on suckling mass gain and weaning mass in wild grey seal pups. Glucose uptake by inner blubber was a strong predictor of whole animal mass gain rate, which in turn, resulted in heavier weaning mass. Weaning mass was predicted to increase by 3.7 ± 1.59 (sem) %, through increased mass gain rate, in the absence of the previously reported suppressive effect of dioxin-like PCB (DL-PCBs) on blubber glucose uptake. PBDEs were, conversely, associated with faster mass gain. Alleviation of this effect was predicted to reduce weaning mass by 6.02 ± 1.86% (sem). To better predict POPs effects on energy balance, it is crucial to determine if and how PBDEs promote mass gain in grey seal pups. Weaning mass was negatively related to total T3 (TT3) levels. A 20% (range = 9.3-31.7%) reduction in TT3 by DL-PCBs partially overcame the effect of DL-PCB -mediated reduction in blubber glucose uptake. Overall, DL-PCBs were thus predicted to reduce weaning mass by 1.86 ± 1.60%. Organohalogen impacts on whole-animal energy balance in grey seal pups appear to partially offset each other through opposing effects on different mechanisms. POP effects were generally minor, but the largest POP-induced reductions in weaning mass were predicted to occur in pups that were already small. Since weaning mass is positively related to first-year survival, POPs may disproportionately affect smaller individuals, and could continue to have population-level impacts even when levels are relatively low compared to historical values. Our findings show how in vitro experiments combined with measurements in vivo can help elucidate mechanisms that underpin energy balance regulation and help to quantify the magnitude of disruptive effects by contaminants and other stressors in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley A Bennett
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Kydd Building, Bell St., Dundee DD1 1HG, UK.
| | - Kelly J Robinson
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY 16 8LB, UK; Centre for Biological Diversity, Sir Harold Mitchell Building, University of St Andrews, Greenside Place, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9TF, UK.
| | - Holly C Armstrong
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Kydd Building, Bell St., Dundee DD1 1HG, UK.
| | - Simon E W Moss
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY 16 8LB, UK.
| | - Georges Scholl
- Center for Analytical Research and Technology (CART), Research Unit MolSys, B6c, Department of Chemistry, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
| | - Alexandra Tranganida
- Division of Health Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Kydd Building, Bell St., Dundee DD1 1HG, UK.
| | - Gauthier Eppe
- Center for Analytical Research and Technology (CART), Research Unit MolSys, B6c, Department of Chemistry, Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
| | - Jean-Pierre Thomé
- Center for Analytical Research and Technology (CART), Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Ecotoxicology (LEAE), Université de Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium.
| | - Cathy Debier
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY 16 8LB, UK.
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9
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Ranjbar Jafarabadi A, Mashjoor S, Mohamadjafari Dehkordi S, Riyahi Bakhtiari A, Cappello T. Steroid Fingerprint Analysis of Endangered Caspian Seal ( Pusa caspica) through the Gorgan Bay (Caspian Sea). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:7339-7353. [PMID: 32459473 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c01479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The profile of steroid congeners was evaluated in Caspian seals Pusa caspica by age, sex, and tissue-specific bioaccumulation, and compared with that of abiotic matrices (seawater, surface sediment, and suspended particulate materials, SPMs) from Miankaleh Wildlife/Gorgan Bay, (Caspian Sea, Iran). To identify the level of human fecal contamination, ∑25 sterol congeners were measured in all abiotic/biotic samples, revealing coprostanol, a proxy for human feces, as the most abundant sterol (seawater: 45.1-20.3 ng L-1; surface sediment: 90.2-70.3 ng g-1 dw; SPMs: 187.7-157.6 ng g-1 dw). The quantification of ∑25 sterols in seals followed the order of brain > liver > kidney > heart > blood > spleen > muscle > intestine > blubber > fur, and in both sexes coprostanol level (8.95-21.01% of ∑25s) was higher in blubber and fur, followed by cholesterol in brain, liver, kidney, heart, and blood, cholestanone in intestine and muscle, and β-sitosterol in spleen. Though no age/sex differentiation was observed, the mean concentration of ∑25s was higher in male than females and pup. Different diagnostic ratios revealed sterols originating from human and nonhuman sewage sources. Findings pinpoint the urgent necessity to investigate the ecotoxicity of fecal sterols in mammals, and consequent implications for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Ranjbar Jafarabadi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Mazandaran 14115-111, Iran
| | - Sakineh Mashjoor
- Department of Marine biology, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
- Marine Pharmaceutical Science Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Shirin Mohamadjafari Dehkordi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Mazandaran 14115-111, Iran
| | - Alireza Riyahi Bakhtiari
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Noor, Mazandaran 14115-111, Iran
| | - Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina 98122, Italy
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Troisi GM, Barton SJ, Liori O, Nyman M. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Sex Hormone Concentrations in Ringed and Grey Seals: A Possible Link to Endocrine Disruption? ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2020; 78:513-524. [PMID: 32107597 PMCID: PMC7136188 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-020-00716-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are recognised reproductive and immune system toxicants in marine mammals mediated by endocrine-disrupting mechanisms. As with other predators, seals are exposed to elevated bioaccumulated concentrations of PCBs and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Cryopreserved plasma samples from adult ringed (Phoca hispida; n = 39) and grey (Halichoerus grypus; n = 38) seals, sampled between 1998 and 2002 from Baltic Sea, Svalbard, and Sable Island (Canada) were used to investigate relationships between PCB exposure and sex hormone concentrations (progesterone; P4, 17α-hydroxy progesterone; 17α-OH-P4, testosterone; T4, 17β-estradiol; E2, estrone; E3). Immunoassay methods were used for quantification of analytes due to the limited sample volumes available. PCB concentrations were found to be significantly higher in Baltic seals than other sampling locations and were classed as "Exposed" seals while Svalbard and Sable Is seal were classed "Reference" seals (sexes and species separate). Mean hormone concentrations in Exposed seal were lower than Reference seals, and this was statistically significantly for 17α-OH-P4 (both sexes and both species), E2 (ringed and grey seal females), and E3 (grey seal females). Regression analyses (PCB v hormone concentrations) for each sex and species revealed significant correlations for P4 (Sable Is. female grey seals and female ringed seals), 17α-OH-P4 (Sable Is. male grey seals and Svalbard male ringed seals), T4 (Svalbard male ringed seals), E2 (female ringed seals), and E3 (female ringed seals and Baltic female grey seals). Although significant correlations are not evidence of cause and effect, the potential impact of hormone changes on endocrine homeostasis and reproductive health for seal populations warrants further investigation given that PCB concentrations found here are in the same range as those currently reported in seals from these populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Troisi
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering and Institute for Environment, Health & Societies, College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, UK.
| | - S J Barton
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - O Liori
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kingston University, Penrhyn Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - M Nyman
- Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Metsähallitus, Kirjaamo, P.O. Box 94, Vantaainland, 01301, Finland
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11
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Cossaboon JM, Hoh E, Chivers SJ, Weller DW, Danil K, Maruya KA, Dodder NG. Apex marine predators and ocean health: Proactive screening of halogenated organic contaminants reveals ecosystem indicator species. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 221:656-664. [PMID: 30665094 PMCID: PMC6392016 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades-long bans on the production and use of certain chemicals, many halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) are persistent and can bioaccumulate in the marine environment with the potential to cause physiological harm to marine fauna. Highly lipid-rich tissue (e.g., marine mammal blubber) functions as a reservoir for HOCs, and selecting ideal indicator species is a priority for retrospective and proactive screening efforts. We selected five marine mammal species as possible indicators for the Southern California Bight (SCB) and applied a non-targeted analytical method paired with an automated data reduction strategy to catalog a broad range of known, known but unexpected, and unknown compounds in their blubber. A total of 194 HOCs were detected across the study species (n = 25 individuals), 81% of which are not routinely monitored, including 30 halogenated natural products and 45 compounds of unknown structure and origin. The cetacean species (long-beaked common dolphin, short-beaked common dolphin, and Risso's dolphin) averaged 128 HOCs, whereas pinnipeds (California sea lion and Pacific harbor seal) averaged 47 HOCs. We suspect this disparity can be attributed to differences in life history, foraging strategies, and/or enzyme-mediated metabolism. Our results support proposing (1) the long- and short-beaked common dolphin as apex marine predator sentinels for future and retrospective biomonitoring of the SCB ecosystem and (2) the use of non-targeted contaminant analyses to identify and prioritize emerging contaminants. The use of a sentinel marine species together with the non-targeted analytical approach will enable a proactive approach to environmental contaminant monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eunha Hoh
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | - Susan J Chivers
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - David W Weller
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kerri Danil
- Southwest Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Keith A Maruya
- Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Authority, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA
| | - Nathan G Dodder
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA; San Diego State University Research Foundation, San Diego, CA 92182, USA.
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12
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Robinson KJ, Hall AJ, Debier C, Eppe G, Thomé JP, Bennett KA. Persistent Organic Pollutant Burden, Experimental POP Exposure, and Tissue Properties Affect Metabolic Profiles of Blubber from Gray Seal Pups. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2018; 52:13523-13534. [PMID: 30339760 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are toxic, ubiquitous, resist breakdown, bioaccumulate in living tissue, and biomagnify in food webs. POPs can also alter energy balance in humans and wildlife. Marine mammals experience high POP concentrations, but consequences for their tissue metabolic characteristics are unknown. We used blubber explants from wild, gray seal ( Halichoerus grypus) pups to examine impacts of intrinsic tissue POP burden and acute experimental POP exposure on adipose metabolic characteristics. Glucose use, lactate production, and lipolytic rate differed between matched inner and outer blubber explants from the same individuals and between feeding and natural fasting. Glucose use decreased with blubber dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCB) and increased with acute experimental POP exposure. Lactate production increased with DL-PCBs during feeding, but decreased with DL-PCBs during fasting. Lipolytic rate increased with blubber dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDX) in fasting animals, but declined with DDX when animals were feeding. Our data show that POP burdens are high enough in seal pups to alter adipose function early in life, when fat deposition and mobilization are vital. Such POP-induced alterations to adipose metabolic properties may significantly alter energy balance regulation in marine top predators, with the potential for long-term impacts on fitness and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly J Robinson
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute , University of St Andrews , St Andrews , Fife KY16 8LB , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Ailsa J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute , University of St Andrews , St Andrews , Fife KY16 8LB , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Cathy Debier
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology , Université Catholique de Louvain , Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve, Louvain-la-Neuve 1348 , Belgium
| | - Gauthier Eppe
- Center for Analytical Research and Technology (CART), B6c, Department of Chemistry , Université de Liège , Liege 4000 , Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Thomé
- Center for Analytical Research and Technology (CART), Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Ecotoxicology (LEAE) , Université de Liège , Liege 4000 , Belgium
| | - Kimberley A Bennett
- Division of Science, School of Science Engineering and Technology , Abertay University , Dundee DD1 1HG , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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13
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Yao M, Hu T, Wang Y, Du Y, Hu C, Wu R. Polychlorinated biphenyls and its potential role in endometriosis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 229:837-845. [PMID: 28774553 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.06.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
With the progress of global industrialization and environmental deterioration, the relationship between human health and the living environment has become an increasing focus of attention. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, including dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls), as part of the organic chlorine contaminants, have been suspected as playing a role in the etiopathogenesis of endometriosis. Several population-based studies have proposed that exposure to PCBs may increase the risk of developing endometriosis, while some epidemiological studies have failed to find any association between PCBs and endometriosis. The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential pathophysiological relationship between endometriosis and PCBs with a focus on both dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyun Yao
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1Xueshi Road, Hangzhou 310006, P.R. China
| | - Tingting Hu
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1Xueshi Road, Hangzhou 310006, P.R. China
| | - Yinfeng Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1Xueshi Road, Hangzhou 310006, P.R. China
| | - Yongjiang Du
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1Xueshi Road, Hangzhou 310006, P.R. China
| | - Changchang Hu
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1Xueshi Road, Hangzhou 310006, P.R. China
| | - Ruijin Wu
- Department of Gynecology, Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 1Xueshi Road, Hangzhou 310006, P.R. China.
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14
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Peterson MG, Peterson SH, Debier C, Covaci A, Dirtu AC, Malarvannan G, Crocker DE, Costa DP. Serum POP concentrations are highly predictive of inner blubber concentrations at two extremes of body condition in northern elephant seals. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2016; 218:651-663. [PMID: 27503056 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.07.052] [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: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Long-lived, upper trophic level marine mammals are vulnerable to bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Internal tissues may accumulate and mobilize POP compounds at different rates related to the body condition of the animal and the chemical characteristics of individual POP compounds; however, collection of samples from multiple tissues is a major challenge to ecotoxicology studies of free-ranging marine mammals and the ability to predict POP concentrations in one tissue from another tissue remains rare. Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) forage on mesopelagic fish and squid for months at a time in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, interspersed with two periods of fasting on land, which results in dramatic seasonal fluctuations in body condition. Using northern elephant seals, we examined commonly studied tissues in mammalian toxicology to describe relationships and determine predictive equations among tissues for a suite of POP compounds, including ΣDDTs, ΣPCBs, Σchlordanes, and ΣPBDEs. We collected paired blubber (inner and outer) and blood serum samples from adult female and male seals in 2012 and 2013 at Año Nuevo State Reserve (California, USA). For females (N = 24), we sampled the same seals before (late in molting fast) and after (early in breeding fast) their approximately seven month foraging trip. For males, we sampled different seals before (N = 14) and after (N = 15) their approximately four month foraging trip. We observed strong relationships among tissues for many, but not all compounds. Serum POP concentrations were strong predictors of inner blubber POP concentrations for both females and males, while serum was a more consistent predictor of outer blubber for males than females. The ability to estimate POP blubber concentrations from serum, or vice versa, has the potential to enhance toxicological assessment and physiological modeling. Furthermore, predictive equations may illuminate commonalities or distinctions in bioaccumulation across marine mammal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Peterson
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3114, USA.
| | - Sarah H Peterson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Cathy Debier
- Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2/L7.05.08, 1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Alin C Dirtu
- Toxicological Center, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Chemistry, "Al. I. Cuza" University of Iasi, Carol I Bvd, No. 11, 700506, Iasi, Romania
| | - Govindan Malarvannan
- Toxicological Center, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Daniel E Crocker
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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15
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Beckmen KB, Keogh MJ, Burek-Huntington KA, Ylitalo GM, Fadely BS, Pitcher KW. Organochlorine contaminant concentrations in multiple tissues of free-ranging Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in Alaska. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 542:441-452. [PMID: 26524270 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.10.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 10/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The relationships of selected organochlorine (OC) contaminants between blubber, blood, feces, and milk of young, free-ranging Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) were examined. Both between and within each tissue there was considerable individual variation. In spite of the variation, similar patterns were observed across the tissues for most of the selected PCB congeners. In all four tissues, the major PCB congeners were PCB101, PCB118, PCB138, and PCB153. The most prominent congener, both as a weight (ng/g lipid) and as a percentage of summed PCBs (∑PCBs), was PCB 153. Comparisons between paired tissues showed that ∑DDTs in blubber samples were related to concentrations in blood, feces, and milk. The ∑PCBs in blubber were related to concentrations in milk and fecal samples, though the relationship with feces was weak. Our findings show milk samples, in particular, are useful for assessing OCs in young sea lions. Blubber concentrations of PCB101, PCB118, and PCB138 were an order of magnitude higher than those in milk, supporting the biomagnification of these PCB congeners in SSL tissues. The findings indicate alternative tissues may be used as indicators of relative contaminant exposure in lieu of surgical blubber biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberlee B Beckmen
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701, United States.
| | - Mandy J Keogh
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 1300 College Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701, United States
| | | | - Gina M Ylitalo
- Environmental Conservation Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2725 Montlake Blvd. East, Seattle, WA 98112, United States
| | - Brian S Fadely
- National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, United States
| | - Kenneth W Pitcher
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 525 West 67th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99518, United States
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16
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Peterson SH, McHuron EA, Kennedy SN, Ackerman JT, Rea LD, Castellini JM, O'Hara TM, Costa DP. Evaluating Hair as a Predictor of Blood Mercury: The Influence of Ontogenetic Phase and Life History in Pinnipeds. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2016; 70:28-45. [PMID: 26149950 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-015-0174-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) biomonitoring of pinnipeds increasingly utilizes nonlethally collected tissues such as hair and blood. The relationship between total Hg concentrations ([THg]) in these tissues is not well understood for marine mammals, but it can be important for interpretation of tissue concentrations with respect to ecotoxicology and biomonitoring. We examined [THg] in blood and hair in multiple age classes of four pinniped species. For each species, we used paired blood and hair samples to quantify the ability of [THg] in hair to predict [THg] in blood at the time of sampling and examined the influence of varying ontogenetic phases and life history of the sampled animals. Overall, we found that the relationship between [THg] in hair and blood was affected by factors including age class, weaning status, growth, and the time difference between hair growth and sample collection. Hair [THg] was moderately to strongly predictive of current blood [THg] for adult female Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), adult female California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and adult harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), whereas hair [THg] was poorly predictive or not predictive (different times of year) of blood [THg] for adult northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). Within species, except for very young pups, hair [THg] was a weaker predictor of blood [THg] for prereproductive animals than for adults likely due to growth, variability in foraging behavior, and transitions between ontogenetic phases. Our results indicate that the relationship between hair [THg] and blood [THg] in pinnipeds is variable and that ontogenetic phase and life history should be considered when interpreting [THg] in these tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Peterson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA.
| | - Elizabeth A McHuron
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
| | - Stephanie N Kennedy
- Division of Wildlife Conservation, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks, AK, 99701, USA
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 757750, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Joshua T Ackerman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station, 800 Business Park Drive, Suite D, Dixon, CA, 95620, USA
| | - Lorrie D Rea
- Institute of Northern Engineering, Water and Environmental Research Center, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 755910, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - J Margaret Castellini
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 757750, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Todd M O'Hara
- Wildlife Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 757750, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, USA
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17
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Peterson SH, Peterson MG, Debier C, Covaci A, Dirtu AC, Malarvannan G, Crocker DE, Schwarz LK, Costa DP. Deep-ocean foraging northern elephant seals bioaccumulate persistent organic pollutants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 533:144-155. [PMID: 26151658 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.06.097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
As top predators in the northeast Pacific Ocean, northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) are vulnerable to bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Our study examined a suite of POPs in blubber (inner and outer) and blood (serum) of free-ranging northern elephant seals. For adult females (N=24), we satellite tracked and sampled the same seals before and after their approximately seven month long foraging trip. For males, we sampled different adults and sub-adults before (N=14) and after (N=15) the same foraging trip. For females, we calculated blubber burdens for all compounds. The highest POP concentrations in males and females were found for ∑DDTs and ∑PCBs. In blubber and serum, males had significantly greater concentrations than females for almost all compounds. For males and females, ∑DDT and ∑PBDEs were highly correlated in blubber and serum. While ∑PCBs were highly correlated with ∑DDTs and ∑PBDEs in blubber and serum for males, ∑PCBs showed weaker correlations with both compounds in females. As females gained mass while foraging, concentrations of nearly all POPs in inner and outer blubber significantly decreased; however, the absolute burden in blubber significantly increased, indicating ingestion of contaminants while foraging. Additionally, we identified three clusters of seal foraging behavior, based on geography, diving behavior, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, which corresponded with differences in ∑DDTs, ∑PBDEs, MeO-BDE 47, as well as the ratio of ∑DDTs to ∑PCBs, indicating the potential for behavior to heighten or mitigate contaminant exposure. The greatest concentrations of ∑DDTs and ∑PBDEs were observed in the cluster that foraged closer to the coast and had blood samples more enriched in (13)C. Bioaccumulation of POPs by elephant seals supports mesopelagic food webs as a sink for POPs and highlights elephant seals as a potential sentinel of contamination in deep ocean food webs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah H Peterson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA.
| | - Michael G Peterson
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Cathy Debier
- Institut des Sciences de la Vie, Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 2/L7.05.08, 1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Adrian Covaci
- Toxicological Center, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Alin C Dirtu
- Toxicological Center, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Department of Chemistry, "Al. I. Cuza" University of Iasi, 700506 Iasi, Romania
| | - Govindan Malarvannan
- Toxicological Center, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Daniel E Crocker
- Department of Biology, Sonoma State University, 1801 East Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, CA 94928, USA
| | - Lisa K Schwarz
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA
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