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Cheng JO, Wang PL, Chou LC, Chang CW, Wang HV, Yang WC, Ko FC. Investigation of organic contaminants in the blubber of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) first stranded on the coast of Taiwan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:23638-23646. [PMID: 38424246 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32647-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive assessment of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the blubber of a stranded blue whale found on the coast of Taiwan. The analysis included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The whale exhibited evident signs of emaciation, including low body weight, reduced blubber fat content, and thin blubber thickness. The dominant fatty acid type detected in the blubber was short-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (SC-MUFA), known to aid in thermoregulation. Stable isotope ratios indicated that the blue whale occupied a lower trophic position compared to a fin whale, suggesting its proximity to krill habitats in the Southern Ocean for feeding. The average concentrations of DDTs (1089.2 ± 4.7 ng/g lw; ΣDDT) and PCBs (1057.1 ± 49.8 ng/g lw) in the blubber were almost one order of magnitude higher than PAHs (41.7 ± 10.0 ng/g lw), HCB (70.6 ± 2. ng/g lw), and PBDEs (7.2 ± 1.2 ng/g lw). Pollutant concentrations in this individual blue whale were comparable to levels found in Norway, higher than those found in Chile, and notably lower than those found in Canada and Mexico. Calculating the biomagnification factor (BMF) for the POPs from krill (Euphausia superba) to the blue whale revealed significant bioaccumulation of pollutants in this particular whale. Additional research is imperative to achieve a thorough comprehension of bioaccumulation of POPs and their potential toxicological impacts on whale health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-O Cheng
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ling Wang
- Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Li-Chin Chou
- National Academy of Marine Research, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | | | - Hao Ven Wang
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Biosciences and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Marine Biology and Cetacean Research Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Yang
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fung-Chi Ko
- National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Pingtung, Taiwan.
- Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Pingtung, Taiwan.
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Pereira ADS, da Silva J, Taniguchi S, Montone RC, Lourenço RA. Persistent organic pollutants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in livers of stranded Arctocephalus australis in southern Brazilian beaches. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116129. [PMID: 38340375 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
23 livers of South American fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) found stranded in southern Brazilian beaches were evaluated for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs). POPs (DDTs, mirex, eldrin, dieldrin, aldrin, isodrin, HCHs, chlordanes and PCBs) and PAHs in livers were Soxhlet extracted, analyzed and quantified using Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-TQMS). The main POPs found were PCBs and DDTs, totaling 81 %. Among pesticides, mirex followed DDTs, possibly due to usage in Uruguay, followed by Σdrins, ΣCHLs and ΣHCHs. Naphthalene was the major PAH found, while heavier compounds did not significantly bioaccumulate. Concentrations of POPs resembled previous findings for A. australis. Considering only juveniles, no POPs showed significant differences between sexes. Lipidic content, weight and length did not show any correlation with POP concentration. This was the first record of PAHs and PBDEs in South American fur seals, and the levels of these pollutants were relatively low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Derley S Pereira
- Marine Emerging Micropollutants Research Laboratory, Oceanographic Institute, São Paulo 05508-120, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Marine Organic Chemistry, Oceanographic Institute, São Paulo 05508-120, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Josilene da Silva
- Laboratory of Marine Organic Chemistry, Oceanographic Institute, São Paulo 05508-120, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Satie Taniguchi
- Laboratory of Marine Organic Chemistry, Oceanographic Institute, São Paulo 05508-120, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosalinda C Montone
- Marine Emerging Micropollutants Research Laboratory, Oceanographic Institute, São Paulo 05508-120, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Marine Organic Chemistry, Oceanographic Institute, São Paulo 05508-120, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael A Lourenço
- Laboratory of Marine Organic Chemistry, Oceanographic Institute, São Paulo 05508-120, São Paulo, Brazil
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Falahudin D, Herandarudewi SMC, Hukom FD, Arifin Z, Wulandari I, Sudaryanto A, Hoang AQ, Watanabe I, Takahashi S. The first full-congener analysis of 209 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the blubber of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) stranded along the coast of Savu Island, Indonesia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163008. [PMID: 36966839 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Short-finned pilot whales (SFPW) are a group of cetaceans found globally in tropical and temperate seas and are commonly stranded in the group, but the reason behind their stranding is still unknown. No detailed information on the contamination status and bioaccumulation of halogenated organic compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in the SFPW from Indonesian waters has been reported. Therefore, we analyzed all 209 PCB congeners in the blubber of 20 SFPW specimens stranded along the coast of Savu Island, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, in October 2012 to explain the status of contamination, congener profiles, potential risk of PCBs to cetaceans, and the determination of unintentionally produced PCBs (u-PCBs) in the blubber of SFPW. Concentrations of Σ209PCBs, Σ7in-PCBs, Σ12dl-PCBs, and Σ21u-PCBs were between 48 and 490 (mean:240 ± 140), 22-230 (110 ± 60), 2.6-38 (17 ± 10), and 1.0-13 (6.3 ± 3.7) ng g-1 lipid weight (lw), respectively. Congener-specific profiles of PCBs among sex and estimated age groups were observed; relatively high proportions of tri-to penta-CBs in juveniles and highly chlorinated recalcitrant congeners in structure-activity groups (SAGs) in sub-adult females were noted. The estimated toxic equivalency (TEQs) value for dl-PCBs ranged from 2.2 to 60 TEQWHO pg/g lw, with juveniles containing high TEQ values than sub-adults and adults. Although the TEQs and concentrations of PCBs in SFPW stranded along Indonesian coasts were lower than those reported for similar whale species from other North Pacific regions, further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of halogenated organic pollutants on their survival and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dede Falahudin
- The United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan; Center of Advanced Technology for the Environment (CATE), Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan; Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Sekar M C Herandarudewi
- Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Frensly Demianus Hukom
- Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Zainal Arifin
- Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Ita Wulandari
- Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Agus Sudaryanto
- Research Center for Environmental and Clean Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency, Building 820 KST BJ. Habibie, Serpong 15314, Banten, Indonesia
| | - Anh Quoc Hoang
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science, Vietnam National University, 19 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi 11000, Viet Nam
| | - Isao Watanabe
- Center of Advanced Technology for the Environment (CATE), Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan
| | - Shin Takahashi
- Center of Advanced Technology for the Environment (CATE), Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan; Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan.
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Sala B, Garcia-Garin O, Borrell A, Aguilar A, Víkingsson GA, Eljarrat E. Transplacental transfer of plasticizers and flame retardants in fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) from the North Atlantic Ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 313:120168. [PMID: 36115483 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Marine mammals are one of the groups of animals most affected by marine pollution including that by organic compounds which, besides bearing recognised harmful effects to adults, they may also affect foetuses through placental transfer. In this study we analysed samples of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) females and their foetuses collected in the western Iceland summer feeding grounds in 2018. Three different families of organic pollutants: organophosphate esters (OPEs); halogenated flame retardants (HFRs); and short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), were analysed and their placental transfer investigated. HFRs were detected in 87.5% of females and 100% of foetus samples with concentrations that ranged between nd-15.4 and 6.37-101 ng/g lipid weight (lw), respectively. OPEs were detected in all samples, both from females (85.8-567 ng/g lw) and foetuses (nq-1130 ng/g lw). SCCPs were detected in 87.5% of female samples and 100% of foetal samples with concentrations that ranged between nd-30.9 and nq-574 ng/g lw, respectively. For OPE compounds, a significant negative correlation was observed between the logarithm maternal transfer ratio and their log Kow, indicating that a high lipophilicity reduced placental transfer rate. Interestingly, the decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) was the compound with the highest log Kow but also the one that was transferred the most from mothers to foetuses, calling for in-depth research on this pollutant. These results constitute the first evidence of mother-calf transfer of plasticizers and flame retardants in fin whales. Further investigations are needed to determine their potential effects on this species and other groups of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berta Sala
- Environmental and Water Chemistry for Human Health, Dep. of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC); Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Odei Garcia-Garin
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona; Diagonal 643, Barcelona, 08028, Spain; Institute of Biodiversity Research (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Asunción Borrell
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona; Diagonal 643, Barcelona, 08028, Spain; Institute of Biodiversity Research (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alex Aguilar
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Universitat de Barcelona; Diagonal 643, Barcelona, 08028, Spain; Institute of Biodiversity Research (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gísli A Víkingsson
- Marine and Freshwater Research Institute; Fornubúðum 5, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland
| | - Ethel Eljarrat
- Environmental and Water Chemistry for Human Health, Dep. of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC); Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
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Tartu S, Fisk AT, Götsch A, Kovacs KM, Lydersen C, Routti H. First assessment of pollutant exposure in two balaenopterid whale populations sampled in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 718:137327. [PMID: 32097839 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Pollutant concentrations are poorly known for the largest animals on Earth, blue whales Balaenoptera musculus and fin whales Balaenoptera physalus. In this study, concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in blubber biopsies and stable isotope values for nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) were measured using skin biopsies for 18 blue whales and 12 fin whales sampled in waters surrounding the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway. The samples were collected in summer during the period 2014-2018. POPs were dominated by DDTs, PCBs and toxaphenes, with median concentrations in blue/fin whales being 208/341, 127/275 and 133/233 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. Linear models indicated that pollutant concentrations were 1.6-3 times higher in fin whales than in blue whales, which is likely related to the higher trophic positions of fin whales, as indicated by their higher δ15N. Lower δ13C in fin whales suggests that they feed at higher latitudes than blue whales; these values were not correlated with pollutant concentrations. Pollutant levels were approximately twice as high in males compared to females (intraspecifically), which indicates that females of these species offload pollutants to their offspring during gestation and lactation, similar to many other mammalian species. Pollutant concentrations in balaenopterid whales from Svalbard waters were generally much lower than in conspecific whales from the Mediterranean Sea or the Gulf of California, but higher than those in conspecifics from the Antarctic Peninsula.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Tartu
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø N-9296, Norway
| | - Aaron T Fisk
- School of the Environment, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario N9B 3P4, Canada
| | - Arntraut Götsch
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), Fram Centre, Tromsø N-9296, Norway
| | - Kit M Kovacs
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø N-9296, Norway
| | | | - Heli Routti
- Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, Tromsø N-9296, Norway.
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