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Stockin KA, Yi S, Northcott GL, Betty EL, Machovsky-Capuska GE, Jones B, Perrott MR, Law RJ, Rumsby A, Thelen MA, Graham L, Palmer EI, Tremblay LA. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), trace elements and life history parameters of mass-stranded common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in New Zealand. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 173:112896. [PMID: 34601248 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Profiles of 33 PFAS analytes and 12 essential and non-essential trace elements were measured in livers of stranded common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) from New Zealand. PFAS concentrations reported were largely comparable to those measured in other marine mammal species globally and composed mostly of long-chain compounds including perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA). PFAS profiles did not vary significantly by location, body condition, or life history. Notably, significant positive correlations were observed within respective PFAS and trace elements. However, only negative correlations were evident between these two contaminant types, suggesting different exposure and metabolic pathways. Age-associated concentrations were found for PFTrDA and four trace elements, i.e. silver, mercury, cadmium, selenium, indicating differences in the bioaccumulation biomagnification mechanisms. Overall, our results contribute to global understanding of accumulation of PFAS by offering first insights of PFAS exposure in cetaceans living within South Pacific Australasian waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Stockin
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, Auckland 0745, New Zealand.
| | - S Yi
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - G L Northcott
- Northcott Research Consultants Limited, 20 River Oaks Place, Hamilton 3200, New Zealand
| | - E L Betty
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, Auckland 0745, New Zealand
| | - G E Machovsky-Capuska
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, Auckland 0745, New Zealand; The Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - B Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, PO Box 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - M R Perrott
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - R J Law
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, Auckland 0745, New Zealand; Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - A Rumsby
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - M A Thelen
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, Auckland 0745, New Zealand
| | - L Graham
- AsureQuality Limited, PO Box 31 242, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - E I Palmer
- Cetacean Ecology Research Group, School of Natural Sciences, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, Auckland 0745, New Zealand
| | - L A Tremblay
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, PO Box 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Cawthron Institute, Private Bag 2, Nelson 7042, New Zealand
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2
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Ichkhanian Y, Vosoughi K, Aghaie Meybodi M, Jacques J, Sethi A, Patel AA, Aadam AA, Triggs JR, Bapaye A, Dorwat S, Benias P, Chaves DM, Barret M, Law RJ, Browers N, Pioche M, Draganov PV, Kotzev A, Estremera F, Albeniz E, Ujiki MB, Callahan ZM, Itani MI, Brewer OG, Khashab MA. Correction to: Comprehensive analysis of adverse events associated with gastric peroral endoscopic myotomy: an international multicenter study. Surg Endosc 2020; 35:1765. [PMID: 32424623 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-020-07651-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Y Ichkhanian
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - K Vosoughi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Aghaie Meybodi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - J Jacques
- Gastroenterology Department, Limoges University Hospital, 2 Avenue Martin Luther King, 87042, Rouen, France
| | - A Sethi
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - A A Patel
- Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - A A Aadam
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - J R Triggs
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - A Bapaye
- Department of Digestive Diseases & Endoscopy, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Center, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - S Dorwat
- Department of Digestive Diseases & Endoscopy, Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Center, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - P Benias
- Division of Gastroenterology, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Northwell Health System, New Hyde Park, NY, USA
| | - D M Chaves
- Gastroenterologia, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - M Barret
- Gastroenterology Unit, Cochin University Hospital, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.,Unité INSERM U1016, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - R J Law
- University of Michigan Health Care System, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - N Browers
- University of Michigan Health Care System, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - M Pioche
- Service d'Hépato-gastro-entérologie, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, CHU Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - P V Draganov
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - A Kotzev
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - F Estremera
- Clinic of Gastroenterology, University Hospital "Alexandrovska", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - E Albeniz
- Division of Gastroenterology, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - M B Ujiki
- Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Z M Callahan
- Section of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Department of Surgery, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - M I Itani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - O G Brewer
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M A Khashab
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, Baltimore, MD, USA. .,Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Sheikh Zayed Bldg, 1800 Orleans Street, Suite 7125G, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
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3
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Maes T, Barry J, Leslie HA, Vethaak AD, Nicolaus EEM, Law RJ, Lyons BP, Martinez R, Harley B, Thain JE. Below the surface: Twenty-five years of seafloor litter monitoring in coastal seas of North West Europe (1992-2017). Sci Total Environ 2018; 630:790-798. [PMID: 29494980 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter presents a global problem, with increasing quantities documented in recent decades. The distribution and abundance of marine litter on the seafloor off the United Kingdom's (UK) coasts were quantified during 39 independent scientific surveys conducted between 1992 and 2017. Widespread distribution of litter items, especially plastics, were found on the seabed of the North Sea, English Channel, Celtic Sea and Irish Sea. High variation in abundance of litter items, ranging from 0 to 1835 pieces km-2 of seafloor, was observed. Plastic tems such as bags, bottles and fishing related debris were commonly observed across all areas. Over the entire 25-year period (1992-2017), 63% of the 2461 trawls contained at least one plastic litter item. There was no significant temporal trend in the percentage of trawls containing any or total plastic litter items across the long-term datasets. Statistically significant trends, however, were observed in specific plastic litter categories only. These trends were all positive except for a negative trend in plastic bags in the Greater North Sea - suggesting that behavioural and legislative changes could reduce the problem of marine litter within decades.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Maes
- Cefas, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK; Dept. of Environment and Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - J Barry
- Cefas, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - H A Leslie
- Dept. of Environment and Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A D Vethaak
- Dept. of Environment and Health, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Deltares, Boussinesqweg 1, 2629 HV Delft, The Netherlands
| | - E E M Nicolaus
- Cefas, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - R J Law
- Cefas, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK; Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - B P Lyons
- Cefas, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
| | - R Martinez
- Cefas, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - B Harley
- Cefas, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - J E Thain
- Cefas, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
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Law RJ, Law HT, Scurll JM, Scholz R, Santos AS, Shames SR, Deng W, Croxen MA, Li Y, de Hoog CL, van der Heijden J, Foster LJ, Guttman JA, Finlay BB. Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Identifies Novel Host Binding Partners for Pathogenic Escherichia coli Type III Secretion System Effectors. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:1613-22. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hong T. Law
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Julian A. Guttman
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada V5A 1S6
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5
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Fattebert JL, Law RJ, Bennion B, Lau EY, Schwegler E, Lightstone FC. Quantitative Assessment of Electrostatic Embedding in Density Functional Theory Calculations of Biomolecular Systems. J Chem Theory Comput 2015; 5:2257-64. [PMID: 26616612 DOI: 10.1021/ct900209y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
We evaluate the accuracy of density functional theory quantum calculations of biomolecular subsystems using a simple electrostatic embedding scheme. Our scheme is based on dividing the system of interest into a primary and secondary subsystem. A finite difference discretization of the Kohn-Sham equations is used for the primary subsystem, while its electrostatic environment is modeled with a simple one-electron potential. Force-field atomic partial charges are used to generate smeared Gaussian charge densities and to model the secondary subsystem. We illustrate the utility of this approach with calculations of truncated dipeptide chains. We analyze quantitatively the accuracy of this approach by calculating atomic forces and comparing results with full QM calculations. The impact of the choice made in terminating dangling bonds at the frontier of the QM region is also investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-L Fattebert
- Center for Applied Scientific Computing, and Physical & Life Sciences, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551
| | - R J Law
- Center for Applied Scientific Computing, and Physical & Life Sciences, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551
| | - B Bennion
- Center for Applied Scientific Computing, and Physical & Life Sciences, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551
| | - E Y Lau
- Center for Applied Scientific Computing, and Physical & Life Sciences, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551
| | - E Schwegler
- Center for Applied Scientific Computing, and Physical & Life Sciences, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551
| | - F C Lightstone
- Center for Applied Scientific Computing, and Physical & Life Sciences, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551
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6
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Lyons BP, Barber JL, Rumney HS, Bolam TPC, Bersuder P, Law RJ, Mason C, Smith AJ, Morris S, Devlin MJ, Al-Enezi M, Massoud MS, Al-Zaidan AS, Al-Sarawi HA. Baseline survey of marine sediments collected from the State of Kuwait: PAHs, PCBs, brominated flame retardants and metal contamination. Mar Pollut Bull 2015; 100:629-636. [PMID: 26344820 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Revised: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A geographically extensive baseline survey of sediment contamination was undertaken at twenty nine locations around Kuwait. Samples were assessed in relation to a wide range of industrial pollutants, including metals, PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDs. The data generated indicated that levels of pollutants were generally low and below commonly applied sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). However, naturally high background concentrations of certain metals present in sediment from the region may prohibit the direct assessment against some of the routinely applied SQGs. Hot spots of contamination were identified for PAHs, PCBs and PBDEs, that were mainly associated with the Shuaiba Industrial Area, located south of the city, and known to contain a diverse mix of both light and heavy industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- B P Lyons
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth laboratory, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK.
| | - J L Barber
- Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - H S Rumney
- Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - T P C Bolam
- Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - P Bersuder
- Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - R J Law
- Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - C Mason
- Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - A J Smith
- Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK
| | - S Morris
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth laboratory, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK
| | - M J Devlin
- James Cook University, Catchment Reef Research Group, TropWater, Townsville, QLD 4811 Australia
| | - M Al-Enezi
- Kuwait Environment Public Authority, P.O. Box 24395, Safat-13104, Kuwait
| | - M S Massoud
- Kuwait Environment Public Authority, P.O. Box 24395, Safat-13104, Kuwait
| | - A S Al-Zaidan
- Kuwait Environment Public Authority, P.O. Box 24395, Safat-13104, Kuwait
| | - H A Al-Sarawi
- Kuwait Environment Public Authority, P.O. Box 24395, Safat-13104, Kuwait
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7
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Croxen MA, Law RJ, Scholz R, Keeney KM, Wlodarska M, Finlay BB. Recent advances in understanding enteric pathogenic Escherichia coli. Clin Microbiol Rev 2013; 26:822-80. [PMID: 24092857 PMCID: PMC3811233 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00022-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 792] [Impact Index Per Article: 72.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Escherichia coli can be an innocuous resident of the gastrointestinal tract, it also has the pathogenic capacity to cause significant diarrheal and extraintestinal diseases. Pathogenic variants of E. coli (pathovars or pathotypes) cause much morbidity and mortality worldwide. Consequently, pathogenic E. coli is widely studied in humans, animals, food, and the environment. While there are many common features that these pathotypes employ to colonize the intestinal mucosa and cause disease, the course, onset, and complications vary significantly. Outbreaks are common in developed and developing countries, and they sometimes have fatal consequences. Many of these pathotypes are a major public health concern as they have low infectious doses and are transmitted through ubiquitous mediums, including food and water. The seriousness of pathogenic E. coli is exemplified by dedicated national and international surveillance programs that monitor and track outbreaks; unfortunately, this surveillance is often lacking in developing countries. While not all pathotypes carry the same public health profile, they all carry an enormous potential to cause disease and continue to present challenges to human health. This comprehensive review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the intestinal pathotypes of E. coli.
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8
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Law RJ, Gur-Arie L, Rosenshine I, Finlay BB. In vitro and in vivo model systems for studying enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infections. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2013; 3:a009977. [PMID: 23457294 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a009977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) belong to a group of bacteria known as attaching and effacing (A/E) pathogens that cause disease by adhering to the lumenal surfaces of their host's intestinal epithelium. EPEC and EHEC are major causes of infectious diarrhea that result in significant childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent advances in in vitro and in vivo modeling of these pathogens have contributed to our knowledge of how EPEC and EHEC attach to host cells and subvert host-cell signaling pathways to promote infection and cause disease. A more detailed understanding of how these pathogenic microbes infect their hosts and how the host responds to infection could ultimately lead to new therapeutic strategies to help control these significant enteric pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn J Law
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
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9
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Bolam SG, Barry J, Bolam T, Mason C, Rumney HS, Thain JE, Law RJ. Impacts of maintenance dredged material disposal on macrobenthic structure and secondary productivity. Mar Pollut Bull 2011; 62:2230-2245. [PMID: 21868044 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2010] [Revised: 04/04/2011] [Accepted: 04/09/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The results of a monitoring programme to assess the spatial impacts associated with ongoing dredged material disposal activity at a dispersive, coastal disposal site (southwest UK) are described. Benthic impacts were assessed using benthic community structure and secondary productivity estimates. Analyses of univariate indices (including secondary production) and multivariate community structure revealed differences between stations inside and those outside the disposal site were minimal. Generally, stations within and outside the disposal site were characterised by the same species. Regression models indicated that the variability in biological structure and secondary production was predominantly accounted for by natural variables (e.g., depth, sediment granulometry) with only a small amount of residual variability being due to contaminant variables. Thus, the elevated levels of certain contaminants in the vicinity of the disposal area were not sufficient to result in significant ecological or ecotoxicological changes. We ascribe such findings partly to the dispersive nature of the disposal site.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Bolam
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK.
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10
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Shames SR, Bhavsar AP, Croxen MA, Law RJ, Mak SHC, Deng W, Li Y, Bidshari R, de Hoog CL, Foster LJ, Finlay BB. The pathogenic Escherichia coli type III secreted protease NleC degrades the host acetyltransferase p300. Cell Microbiol 2011; 13:1542-57. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2011.01640.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Davison NJ, Perrett LL, Law RJ, Dawson CE, Stubberfield EJ, Monies RJ, Deaville R, Jepson PD. Infection with Brucella ceti and high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in south-west England. Vet Rec 2011; 169:14. [PMID: 21676987 DOI: 10.1136/vr.d2714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Eight bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) that stranded in Cornwall, south-west England, between June 2004 and December 2007 were examined using standardised postmortem examination and bacteriological methods. Evidence of Brucella species infection was found in four of these dolphins on culture. In addition, of the eight dolphins, four were positive and two were weakly positive for antibodies to Brucella species on serological analyses of pericardial and other fluids using a competitive ELISA and two indirect ELISAs. High or very high levels of the sum of 25 individual chlorobiphenyl congeners (∑25CBs) were also determined in blubber samples from two of the dolphins (45.5 and 446.6 mg/kg lipid weight).
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Affiliation(s)
- N J Davison
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) - Polwhele, Truro, Cornwall TR4 9AD.
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12
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Murphy S, Pierce GJ, Law RJ, Bersuder P, Jepson PD, Learmonth JA, Addink M, Dabin W, Santos MB, Deaville R, Zegers BN, Mets A, Rogan E, Ridoux V, Reid RJ, Smeenk C, Jauniaux T, López A, Alonso Farré JM, González AF, Guerra A, García-Hartmann M, Lockyer C, Boon JP. Assessing the effect of persistent organic pollutants on reproductive activity in common dolphins and harbour porpoises. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.2960/j.v42.m658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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13
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Pierce GJ, Santos MB, Murphy S, Learmonth JA, Zuur AF, Rogan E, Bustamante P, Caurant F, Lahaye V, Ridoux V, Zegers BN, Mets A, Addink M, Smeenk C, Jauniaux T, Law RJ, Dabin W, López A, Alonso Farré JM, González AF, Guerra A, García-Hartmann M, Reid RJ, Moffat CF, Lockyer C, Boon JP. Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in female common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from western European seas: geographical trends, causal factors and effects on reproduction and mortality. Environ Pollut 2008; 153:401-15. [PMID: 17905497 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2007.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2007] [Revised: 06/14/2007] [Accepted: 08/09/2007] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in blubber of female common dolphins and harbour porpoises from the Atlantic coast of Europe were frequently above the threshold at which effects on reproduction could be expected, in 40% and 47% of cases respectively. This rose to 74% for porpoises from the southern North Sea. PCB concentrations were also high in southern North Sea fish. The average pregnancy rate recorded in porpoises (42%) in the study area was lower than in the western Atlantic but that in common dolphins (25%) was similar to that of the western Atlantic population. Porpoises that died from disease or parasitic infection had higher concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) than animals dying from other causes. Few of the common dolphins sampled had died from disease or parasitic infection. POP profiles in common dolphin blubber were related to individual feeding history while those in porpoises were more strongly related to condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- G J Pierce
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, UK.
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14
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Kirby MF, Devoy B, Law RJ, Ward A, Aldridge J. The use of a bioassay based approach to the hazard/risk assessment of cargo derived toxicity during shipping accidents: a case study--the MSC Napoli. Mar Pollut Bull 2008; 56:781-786. [PMID: 18282586 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2007] [Revised: 01/04/2008] [Accepted: 01/07/2008] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M F Kirby
- Cefas Burnham Laboratory, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, United Kingdom.
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15
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Stockin KA, Law RJ, Duignan PJ, Jones GW, Porter L, Mirimin L, Meynier L, Orams MB. Trace elements, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in New Zealand common dolphins (Delphinus sp.). Sci Total Environ 2007; 387:333-45. [PMID: 17644163 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2006] [Revised: 05/04/2007] [Accepted: 05/16/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Trace elements, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine (OC) pesticide levels were determined in tissues collected from stranded and bycaught common dolphins (Delphinus sp.) from New Zealand waters between 1999 and 2005. The concentrations of mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), tin (Sn), lead (Pb), arsenic (As) and silver (Ag) were determined in blubber, liver and kidney tissue. PCBs (45 congeners) and a range of OC pesticides including dieldrin, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites DDE and DDD were determined in blubber samples. Cr and Ni were not detected in any of the samples and concentrations of Co, Sn and Pb were generally low. Concentrations of Hg ranged from 0.17 to 110 mg/kg wet weight. Organochlorine pesticides dieldrin, HCB, o,p'-DDT and p,p'-DDE were present at the highest concentrations. Sum DDT concentrations in the blubber ranged from 17 to 337 and 654 to 4430 microg/kg wet weight in females and males, respectively. Similarly, Sigma45CB concentrations ranged from 49 to 386 and 268 to 1634 microg/kg wet weight in females and males, respectively. The mean transmission of SigmaDDTs and ICES7CBs between a genetically determined mother-offspring pair was calculated at 46% and 42%, respectively. Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides determined in the present study are within similar range to those reported for Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhyncus hectori) from inshore New Zealand waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Stockin
- Coastal-Marine Research Group, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Private Bag 102 904, North Shore MSC, New Zealand.
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Lahaye V, Bustamante P, Law RJ, Learmonth JA, Santos MB, Boon JP, Rogan E, Dabin W, Addink MJ, López A, Zuur AF, Pierce GJ, Caurant F. Biological and ecological factors related to trace element levels in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from European waters. Mar Environ Res 2007; 64:247-66. [PMID: 17379297 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2007.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2006] [Revised: 01/18/2007] [Accepted: 01/25/2007] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Selected trace elements (Cd, Cu, Hg, Se, Zn) were measured in the kidneys and the liver of 104 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded along the coasts of France, Galicia (Spain), Ireland, Scotland (UK), and the Netherlands. Generally, relatively low concentrations of toxic elements were encountered in the tissues of European porpoises, except for two individuals, which displayed high hepatic Hg concentrations. Also, elevated Cd levels obtained in Scottish porpoises could be related to their feeding preferences and this result suggests an increase of the proportion of cephalopods in their diet with latitude. Moreover, significant geographical differences were seen in hepatic Zn concentrations; the elevated Zn concentrations displayed by porpoises from the Netherlands may relate their poor health status. Variation in metal concentrations within porpoises from the North Sea is likely to reflect a long-term segregation between animals from northern (Scotland) and southern areas (the Netherlands), making trace elements powerful ecological tracers.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Lahaye
- Centre de Recherche sur les Ecosystèmes Littoraux Anthropisés, UMR 6217 CNRS-IFREMER-Université de La Rochelle, 22 Av. Michel Crépeau, 17042 La Rochelle Cedex, France.
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17
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Kirby MF, Lyons BP, Barry J, Law RJ. The toxicological impacts of oil and chemically dispersed oil: UV mediated phototoxicity and implications for environmental effects, statutory testing and response strategies. Mar Pollut Bull 2007; 54:472-5. [PMID: 17222870 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2006.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2006] [Revised: 11/08/2006] [Accepted: 11/14/2006] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M F Kirby
- Cefas Burnham Laboratory, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CM0 8HA, UK.
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18
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Naudeau ML, Law RJ, Luk TS, Nelson TR, Cameron SM, Rudd JV. Observation of nonlinear optical phenomena in air and fused silica using a 100 GW, 1.54 mum source. Opt Express 2006; 14:6194-6200. [PMID: 19516791 DOI: 10.1364/oe.14.006194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
A 100-GW optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier system is used to study nonlinear effects in the 1.54 mum regime. When focusing this beam in air, strong third-harmonic generation (THG) is observed, and both the spectra and efficiency are measured. Broadening is observed on only the blue side of the third-harmonic signal and an energy conversion efficiency of 0.2% is achieved. When propagated through a 10-cm block of fused silica, a collimated beam is seen to collapse and form multiple filaments. The measured spectral features span 400-2100 nm. The spectrum is dominated by previously unobserved Stokes emissions and broad emissions in the visible.
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Bull JC, Jepson PD, Ssuna RK, Deaville R, Allchin CR, Law RJ, Fenton A. The relationship between polychlorinated biphenyls in blubber and levels of nematode infestations in harbour porpoises, Phocoena phocoena. Parasitology 2006; 132:565-73. [PMID: 16388689 DOI: 10.1017/s003118200500942x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2005] [Revised: 08/25/2005] [Accepted: 10/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Post-mortem examinations of harbour porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, regularly reveal heavy parasitic worm burdens. These same post-mortem records show varying levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) accumulating in the blubber of porpoises. Although a number of papers have documented geospatial and temporal changes of PCBs and their detrimental effects on marine mammal health, as yet none have examined their role in determining nematode burdens in wild marine mammal populations. Using a data set consisting of harbour porpoises stranded in the UK between 1989 and 2002, we found a significant, positive association between PCB levels and nematode burdens, although the nature of the relationship was confounded with porpoise sex, age and cause of death. It was also apparent that individuals with the heaviest infestations of nematodes did not have the highest PCB level: while PCBs are important, they are clearly not the sole determinants of nematode burdens in wild populations of the harbour porpoise around the UK.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Bull
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.
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Rudd JV, Law RJ, Luk TS, Cameron SM. High-power optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier system with a 1.55 microm signal and a 1.064 microm pump. Opt Lett 2005; 30:1974-6. [PMID: 16092237 DOI: 10.1364/ol.30.001974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
We have designed and built a chirped-pulse parametric-amplifier system that utilizes a 10 Hz, 300 ps, Nd:YAG pump laser system; a 1.575 microm fiber oscillator and amplifier as the signal source; and rubidium titanyl phosphate and potassium titanyl arsenate nonlinear crystals. We obtained 260 fs, 30 mJ pulses centered at 1.550 microm, representing a gain of > 10(9) and a peak power of 100 GW. To our knowledge, these are the highest energy and peak power pulses ever produced in the 1.5-2.0 microm region
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Affiliation(s)
- J V Rudd
- Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, MS 1153, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185-1153, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Riget
- National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-400, Roskilde, Denmark.
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Law RJ, Morris RJ, Allchin CR, Jones BR, Nicholson MD. Metals and organochlorines in small cetaceans stranded on the east coast of Australia. Mar Pollut Bull 2003; 46:1206-1211. [PMID: 12932504 DOI: 10.1016/s0025-326x(03)00220-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R J Law
- CEFAS Burnham Laboratory, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CM0 8HA, UK.
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Abstract
The M2delta peptide self-assembles to form a pentameric bundle of transmembrane alpha-helices that is a model of the pore-lining region of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Long (>15 ns) molecular dynamics simulations of a model of the M2delta(5) bundle in a POPC bilayer have been used to explore the conformational dynamics of the channel assembly. On the timescale of the simulation, the bundle remains relatively stable, with the polar pore-lining side chains remaining exposed to the lumen of the channel. Fluctuations at the helix termini, and in the helix curvature, result in closing/opening transitions at both mouths of the channel, on a timescale of approximately 10 ns. On average, water within the pore lumen diffuses approximately 4x more slowly than water outside the channel. Examination of pore water trajectories reveals both single-file and path-crossing regimes to occur at different times within the simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Law
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, United Kingdom
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Hellou J, Law RJ. Stress on stress response of wild mussels, Mytilus edulis and Mytilus trossulus, as an indicator of ecosystem health. Environ Pollut 2003; 126:407-416. [PMID: 12963304 DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(03)00231-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Mussels' health as indicated by the survival time of 50% of sampled animals (LT(50)) when maintained in air at 15 degrees C was examined at three sites in Halifax Harbour with expected differing levels of contamination. Condition and gonad indices, lipid content and the body burden of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) were compared with this stress response in 60 groups of mussels covering two species. At each sampling time, the bioaccumulation of PACs, lipid content and condition indices were higher within Mytilus edulis and Mytilus trossulus displaying shorter survival than at the other sites. M. edulis was generally more tolerant than M. trossulus (for n=11, LT(50) of 9.3 and 7.9 days), with indications of shorter and later gonad development in M. trossulus. Minimum and maximum tolerance was apparent in June and October (LT(50) spanning 3-14 days), respectively. Our results indicate that the stress on stress response provides a simple and sensitive indicator of environmental health, which could be integrated with mussel watch studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Hellou
- Marine Chemistry Section, Marine Environmental Sciences Division, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, PO Box 1006, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada B2Y 4A2.
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Law RJ, Kelly CA, Baker KL, Langford KH, Bartlett T. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments, mussels and crustacea around a former gasworks site in Shoreham-by-Sea, UK. Mar Pollut Bull 2002; 44:903-911. [PMID: 12405215 DOI: 10.1016/s0025-326x(02)00119-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been determined in sediments, mussels and crustacea in the vicinity of a former gasworks site by Shoreham Harbour, UK. Very high concentrations of PAH were found in the substrate, an ash-like material deposited on the former gasworks site, which exhibited a profile consistent with the major source of contamination being coal or coke tar produced during the period of gas production at the site. Elevated PAH concentrations were also found in mussels both from the beach below the former gasworks site, and from sites further to the east in Portslade and Hove. The significance of these concentrations were assessed using an approach which involved the calculation of benzo[a]pyrene equivalent conoentrations (BaPEs), summing concentrations of individual PAH on the basis of their comparative potency as carcinogens. BaPE ranged from values of, or close to, zero for crustacea, to 336 microg kg(-1) wet weight in mussels from Southwick Beach. The contaminated mussels are not exploited commercially but may be taken by casual gatherers, and notices have been posted to warn potential consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Law
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, CEFAS Burnham Laboratory, Burnham on Crouch, Essex, UK.
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Widdows J, Donkin P, Staff FJ, Matthiessen P, Law RJ, Allen YT, Thain JE, Allchin CR, Jones BR. Measurement of stress effects (scope for growth) and contaminant levels in mussels (Mytilus edulis) collected from the Irish Sea. Mar Environ Res 2002; 53:327-356. [PMID: 11991207 DOI: 10.1016/s0141-1136(01)00120-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this research was to quantify the impact of pollution along the coastlines of the Irish Sea. Pollution assessment was based on the combined measurement of scope for growth (SFG), and chemical contaminants in the tissues of mussels (Mytilus edulis) collected from 38 coastal sites around the Irish Sea during June-July in 1996 and 1997. On the UK mainland coast, the SFG showed a general trend with a significant decline in water quality in the Liverpool and Morecambe Bay region. High water quality was recorded along the west coast of Wales, as well as southwest England and northwest Scotland (clean reference sites outside the Irish Sea). Along the coast of Ireland there was a similar trend with reduced SFG within the Irish Sea region. SFG was generally low north of Duncannon and then improved north of Belfast. The poor water quality on both sides of the Irish Sea is consistent with the prevailing hydrodynamics and the spatial distribution of contaminants associated with urban/ industrial development. The decline in SFG of mussels on both sides of the Irish Sea was associated with a general increase in contaminant levels in the mussels. Certain contaminants, including PAHs, TBT, sigmaDDT, Dieldrin, gamma-HCH, PCBs, and a few of the metals (Cd, Se, Ag, Pb), showed elevated concentrations. Many of these contaminants were particularly elevated in the coastal margins of Liverpool Bay, Morecambe Bay and Dublin Bay. A quantitative toxicological interpretation (QTI) of the combined tissue residue chemistry and SFG measurements indicated that at the majority of coastal sites, c. 50 to > 80% of the observed decline in SFG was due to PAHs as a result of fossil fuel combustion and oil spills. TBT levels were highest at major ports and harbours, but these concentrations only made a minor contribution to the overall reduction in SFG. At no sites were individual metals accumulated to concentrations that could cause a significant effect on SFG. The study identified many sites where the observed reduction in SFG was far greater than predicted from the limited number of chemical contaminants analysed, thus indicating the presence of additional 'unknown toxicants'. Sewage (containing domestic, agricultural and industrial components) appears to be an important contributor to reduced SFG and linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) and As may provide suitable 'sewage markers'. There was a highly significant positive correlation between SFG and As (P < 0.001). This relationship may be due to reduced As uptake by algal food material and mussels at sites with elevated P04 concentrations (e.g. at sites with sewage inputs). Phosphate is a known competitive inhibitor of As accumulation, at least in algae. The results highlight that further research is required on 'sewage markers' in mussels. The SFG approach therefore provides a rapid, cost-effective and quantitative measure of pollution impact, as well as a means of identifying the causes through a QTI of tissue contaminants levels. It also serves to identify the presence of unidentified toxicants and areas that require further study.
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Law RJ, Allchin CR, Bennett ME, Morris S, Rogan E. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in two species of marine top predators from England and Wales. Chemosphere 2002; 46:673-681. [PMID: 11999790 DOI: 10.1016/s0045-6535(01)00231-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
During an earlier study, polybrominated diphenyl ethers were detected at high concentrations in fish and sediments downstream of a manufacturing site in NE England. We have now undertaken analysis of 14 tri- to heptabromodiphenyl ether congeners in tissues of two species of marine top predators exposed to these compounds through their consumption of fish. In this paper we report data for 47 cormorants and 60 harbour porpoises from England and Wales, sampled during the period 1996-2000. Concentrations of the summed congeners ranged from 1.8 to 140 microg kg(-1) wet weight in cormorant livers, and from not detected to 6900 microg kg(-1) wet weight in porpoise blubber. The major congeners present were generally BDE47, BDE99 and BDE100. There was little correlation between concentrations of chlorobiphenyls (as the sum of 25 individual congeners) and the sum of the 14 BDE congeners determined, particularly for the porpoises.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Law
- CEFAS Burnham Laboratory, The Centre for Fisheries, Environment and Aquaculture Science, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, UK.
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Ranatunga KM, Law RJ, Smith GR, Sansom MS. Electrostatics studies and molecular dynamics simulations of a homology model of the Shaker K+ channel pore. Eur Biophys J 2001; 30:295-303. [PMID: 11548132 DOI: 10.1007/s002490100134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A homology model of the pore domain of the Shaker K+ channel has been constructed using a bacterial K+ channel, KcsA, as a template structure. The model is in agreement with mutagenesis and sequence variability data. A number of structural features are conserved between the two channels, including a ring of tryptophan sidechains on the outer surface of the pore domain at the extracellular end of the helix bundle, and rings of acidic sidechains close to the extracellular mouth of the channel. One of these rings, that formed by four Asp447 sidechains at the mouth of the Shaker pore, is shown by pK(A) calculations to be incompletely ionized at neutral pH. The potential energy profile for a K+ ion moved along the central axis of the Shaker pore domain model selectivity filter reveals a shallow well, the depth of which is modulated by the ionization state of the Asp447 ring. This is more consistent with the high cation flux exhibited by the channel in its conductance value of 19 pS.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Ranatunga
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, UK
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Law RJ, Bennett ME, Blake SJ, Allchin CR, Jones BR, Spurrier CJ. Metals and organochlorines in pelagic cetaceans stranded on the coasts of England and Wales. Mar Pollut Bull 2001; 42:522-526. [PMID: 11468930 DOI: 10.1016/s0025-326x(01)00044-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R J Law
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, CEFAS Burnham Laboratory, Remembrance Avenue, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex CM0 8HA, UK.
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Abstract
Recently determined structures have shed new light on the way that aquaporins act as passive, but selective, pores for the transport of small molecules--such as water or glycerol--across membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Sansom
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry, The University of Oxford, The Rex Richards Building, South Parks Road, OX1 3QU, Oxford, UK.
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Bennett PM, Jepson PD, Law RJ, Jones BR, Kuiken T, Baker JR, Rogan E, Kirkwood JK. Exposure to heavy metals and infectious disease mortality in harbour porpoises from England and Wales. Environ Pollut 2001; 112:33-40. [PMID: 11202652 DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(00)00105-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We investigate whether long-term exposure to heavy metals, including immunosuppressive metals like mercury (Hg), is associated with infectious disease in a wild cetacean. Post-mortem investigations on 86 harbour porpoises, Phocoena phocoena, found dead along the coasts of England and Wales revealed that 49 of the porpoises were healthy when they died as a consequence of physical trauma (most frequently entrapment in fishing gear). In contrast, 37 porpoises died of infectious diseases caused by parasitic, bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens (most frequently pneumonia caused by lungworm and bacterial infections). We found that mean liver concentrations of Hg, selenium (Se), the Hg:Se molar ratio, and zinc (Zn) were significantly higher in the propoises that died of infectious disease compared to healthy porpoises that died from physical trauma. Liver concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) did not differ between the two groups. Hg, Se, and the Hg:Se molar ratio were also positively correlated with age. The association between Zn concentration and disease status may result from Zn redistribution in response to infection. Further work is required to evaluate whether chronic exposure to Hg may have presented a toxic challenge to the porpoises that succumbed to infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Bennett
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY, UK.
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Nicholls CR, Allchin CR, Law RJ. Levels of short and medium chain length polychlorinated n-alkanes in environmental samples from selected industrial areas in England and Wales. Environ Pollut 2001; 114:415-30. [PMID: 11584640 DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(00)00230-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Electron capture or negative ion chemical ionisation gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed to measure concentrations of short and medium chain length polychlorinated n-alkanes extracted from samples of water, river sediment, benthos, fish, soil, digested sewage and earthworms. Analysis of samples from 20 aquatic and eight agricultural sites indicated that short and medium chain length polychlorinated alkanes were present in the following concentration ranges: sediment < 0.2-65.1 mg/kg dry weight, water < 0.1-1.7 micrograms/l, fish < 0.1-5.2 mg/kg wet weight, benthos < 0.05-0.8 mg/kg wet weight, digested sewage 1.8-93.1 mg/kg dry weight, soil < 0.1 mg/kg dry weight, and earthworms < 0.1-1.7 mg/kg wet weight. It is clear from this study that these compounds are widely distributed in the UK environment, although it is not yet possible to fully assess the risks posed to either wildlife or humans by their continued use. Further study of these compounds is indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R Nicholls
- CEFAS Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK.
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Law RJ, Kelly CA, Nicholson MD. The QUASIMEME laboratory performance study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): assessment for the period 1996-1999. Quality Assurance of Information in Marine Environmental Monitoring in Europe. J Environ Monit 2000; 2:517-23. [PMID: 11254059 DOI: 10.1039/b004290k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The results of the laboratory performance studies held during the period 1996-99 and involving the determination of PAHs in sediments and biota have been assessed. Overall 67% of the data submitted met the QUASIMEME criterion for satisfactory performance, although differences in performance were apparent between the two main analytical techniques employed: gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Further development of PAH methodology utilising coupled gas chromatography mass spectrometry is encouraged as the most appropriate means of meeting the future requirements for the determination of a wider range of PAH analytes. More reference materials are also urgently required for use in marine monitoring programmes, and they need to be certified for a wider range of PAHs than hitherto, including both parent PAHs and their alkylated derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Law
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, CEFAS Burnham Laboratory, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, UK
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Law RJ, Forrest LR, Ranatunga KM, La Rocca P, Tieleman DP, Sansom MS. Structure and dynamics of the pore-lining helix of the nicotinic receptor: MD simulations in water, lipid bilayers, and transbilayer bundles. Proteins 2000; 39:47-55. [PMID: 10737926 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0134(20000401)39:1<47::aid-prot5>3.0.co;2-a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Multiple nanosecond duration molecular dynamics simulations on the pore-lining M2 helix of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor reveal how its structure and dynamics change as a function of environment. In water, the M2 helix partially unfolds to form a molecular hinge in the vicinity of a central Leu residue that has been implicated in the mechanism of ion channel gating. In a phospholipid bilayer, either as a single transmembrane helix, or as part of a pentameric helix bundle, the M2 helix shows less flexibility, but still exhibits a kink in the vicinity of the central Leu. The single M2 helix tilts relative to the bilayer normal by 12 degrees, in agreement with recent solid state NMR data (Opella et al., Nat Struct Biol 6:374-379, 1999). The pentameric helix bundle, a model for the pore domain of the nicotinic receptor and for channels formed by M2 peptides in a bilayer, is remarkably stable over a 2-ns MD simulation in a bilayer, provided one adjusts the pK(A)s of ionizable residues to their calculated values (when taking their environment into account) before starting the simulation. The resultant transbilayer pore shows fluctuations at either mouth which transiently close the channel. Proteins 2000;39:47-55.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Law
- Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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35
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Affiliation(s)
- P Johansen
- National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
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36
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Jepson PD, Bennett PM, Allchin CR, Law RJ, Kuiken T, Baker JR, Rogan E, Kirkwood JK. Investigating potential associations between chronic exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and infectious disease mortality in harbour porpoises from England and Wales. Sci Total Environ 1999; 243-244:339-48. [PMID: 10635603 DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(99)00417-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Bioaccumulation of immunosuppressive organochlorines like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may pose a threat to the health and viability of cetacean populations. To investigate possible associations between chronic exposure to PCBs and infectious disease mortality in harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena in UK waters, blubber concentrations of 25 individual chlorobiphenyl (CB) congeners in 34 healthy harbour porpoises that died due to physical trauma (mainly by-catch) were compared with CB concentrations in 33 animals that died due to infectious disease. The infectious disease group had significantly greater total 25 CBs (sigma 25CBs) concentrations than the physical trauma group (P < 0.001). The mean sigma 25CBs concentration in animals that died due to physical trauma was 13.6 mg kg-1 extractable lipid whereas the mean concentration in the infectious disease group was 31.1 mg kg-1 extractable lipid. The relationship between higher sigma 25CBs and the infectious disease group was not confounded by age, sex, nutritional status, season, location or year of stranding. In addition, adult females had significantly lower sigma 25CBs levels than adult males (P < 0.05) due to maternal transfer of CBs to offspring. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that chronic PCB exposure predisposes harbour porpoises in UK waters to infectious disease mortality, although further research is required to test these associations more robustly.
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Affiliation(s)
- P D Jepson
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, UK.
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37
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Hall AJ, Duck CD, Law RJ, Allchin CR, Wilson S, Eybator T. Organochlorine contaminants in Caspian and harbour seal blubber. Environ Pollut 1999; 106:203-212. [PMID: 15093047 DOI: 10.1016/s0269-7491(99)00073-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/1998] [Accepted: 03/08/1999] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Organochlorine contaminants (pesticides and individual polychlorinated biphenyl congeners, PCBs) were measured in Caspian (Phoca caspica) seal blubber and compared with concentrations in Harbour (Phoca vitulina) seal blubber. Concentrations of total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites were significantly higher in Caspian seal than Harbour seal samples, whereas PCB congeners were significantly higher in Harbour than Caspian seals. Our finding suggests that Caspian seals are exposed to high levels of DDT pesticides. In contrast, PCBs are circulating in this population at much lower levels than in marine mammals from the North Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Gatty Marine Laboratory, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 8LB, UK.
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38
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Boon JP, van der Meer J, Allchin CR, Law RJ, Klungsøyr J, Leonards PE, Spliid H, Storr-Hansen E, Mckenzie C, Wells DE. Concentration-dependent changes of PCB patterns in fish-eating mammals: structural evidence for induction of cytochrome P450. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 1997; 33:298-311. [PMID: 9353208 DOI: 10.1007/s002449900257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Data sets on CB concentrations in fish-eating mammals from five laboratories were combined to test and refine a pharmacokinetic model. Clear differences in PCB patterns were observed between species. The ability to metabolize chlorobiphenyl (CB) congeners with vicinal H-atoms only in the ortho- and meta-positions and with one ortho-chlorine substituent generally increased in the order otter < cetaceans (harbor porpoise, common dolphin) < phocid seals (harbor and grey seal), but the metabolism of congeners with vicinal H-atoms in the meta- and para-positions and with two ortho-chlorines increased in the order cetaceans < seals < otter. Both categories of congeners are probably metabolized by different families of cytochrome P450 (1A and 2B) of which levels apparently differed between the cetaceans, the pinnipeds, and the otter. Within-species CB patterns differed in a concentration-dependent manner. The induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes offers the most likely explanation for this phenomenon, but starvation could have a similar effect on occasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Boon
- Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
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Law RJ, Allchin CR, Morris RJ. Uptake of organochlorines (chlorobiphenyls, dieldrin; total PCB & DDT) in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from Cardigan Bay, west Wales. Chemosphere 1995; 30:547-560. [PMID: 7889346 DOI: 10.1016/0045-6535(94)00417-s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
High concentrations of organochlorine compounds (particularly PCB and chlorobiphenyls) have been found in three bottlenose dolphins from the vicinity of New Quay in West Wales. Although few in number, the animals ranged in age from 10 months to 23 years. The occurrence of high contaminant concentrations in all of these animals suggests that a high level of uptake of these compounds occurs in food after weaning as well as by transfer from mother to calf. In order to investigate this further we have tried to model the uptake using a bioenergetics-based approach. Using estimates of feeding rate we have calculated the concentrations of these contaminants in average prey items necessary to maintain the dolphin's body burden during the juvenile growth stage. The data available to date are too few for a rigorous test of this approach, however these preliminary studies suggest that the contaminant concentrations in local food items analysed to date are not sufficiently high to explain the high concentrations found in dolphin blubber. Further information is needed on the contaminant burdens of bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay, and of their relationships and diet (including seasonal and migratory components), in order to validate this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Law
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Fisheries Laboratory, Essex, UK
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Kuiken T, Simpson VR, Allchin CR, Bennett PM, Codd GA, Harris EA, Howes GJ, Kennedy S, Kirkwood JK, Law RJ. Mass mortality of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in south west England due to incidental capture in fishing gear. Vet Rec 1994; 134:81-9. [PMID: 8178416 DOI: 10.1136/vr.134.4.81] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
In the first quarter of 1992, 118 dolphin carcases, of which 54 were positively identified as common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), were found stranded on the coast of Cornwall and Devon. To determine the cause, detailed post mortem examinations were carried out on 38 of the carcases, and the results were compared with those from 20 common dolphins that stranded on the coast of Cornwall and Devon in the previous 15 months. There was no evidence that the deaths were due to an infectious or parasitic disease, or acute intoxication by any of the algal toxins, trace metals or chlorinated hydrocarbons measured. However, 30 of the 38 dolphins showed signs associated with incidental capture in fishing gear. Skin lesions characteristic of capture in a small-meshed net and the predominance of recently ingested Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) and pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) in the stomachs of the dolphins suggested that they had been caught in the trawl or purse seine nets used for these fish. There is insufficient information to explain why this high mortality occurred in 1992 and not in other years.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Kuiken
- Veterinary Science Group, Institute of Zoology, London
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Hall AJ, Law RJ, Wells DE, Harwood J, Ross HM, Kennedy S, Allchin CR, Campbell LA, Pomeroy PP. Organochlorine levels in common seals (Phoca vitulina) which were victims and survivors of the 1988 phocine distemper epizootic. Sci Total Environ 1992; 115:145-162. [PMID: 1594930 DOI: 10.1016/0048-9697(92)90039-u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
We compared concentrations of organochlorines in the blubber of common seals (Phoca vitulina) found dead during the 1988 phocine distemper epizootic with levels in animals which survived it. There were highly significant differences between the live and dead animals, and between sample sites. These were not fully accounted for by seasonal and condition-related changes in blubber thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J Hall
- Natural Environment Research Council, Sea Mammal Research Unit, High Cross, Cambridge, UK
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