persistent organic pollutants and vitamins in northern fur seals (callorhinus ursinus) collected from St. Paul Island, Alaska as part of the Alaska Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project (original) (raw)
Related papers
Archives of environmental contamination and toxicology, 2015
During native subsistence hunts from 1987 to 2007, blubber and liver samples from 50 subadult male northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) were collected on St. Paul Island, Alaska. Samples were analyzed for legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs), recently phased-out/current-use POPs, and vitamins. The legacy POPs measured from blubber samples included polychlorinated biphenyl congeners, DDT (and its metabolites), chlorobenzenes, chlordanes, and mirex. Recently phased-out/current-use POPs included in the blubber analysis were the flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and hexabromocyclododecanes. The chemical surfactants, perfluorinated alkyl acids, and vitamins A and E were assessed in the liver samples. Overall, concentrations of legacy POPs are similar to levels seen in seal samples from other areas of the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea. Statistically significant correlations were seen between compounds with similar functions (pesticides, flame retardants...
Contaminant levels in the world's northernmost harbor seals (Phoca vitulina)
Marine pollution bulletin, 2014
The world's northernmost harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) population, which inhabits Svalbard, Norway, constitutes a genetically distinct population. The present study reports concentrations of 14 PCBs, 5 chlordanes, p,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), mirex, and, α-, β-and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in blubber, and pentachlorophenol, 4-OH-heptachlorostyrene, 10 OH-PCBs and 14 perfluoroalkyl substances in plasma of live-captured harbor seals from this population (4 males, 4 females, 4 juveniles), sampled in 2009-2010. Concentrations of PCB 153, p,p'-DDE, oxychlordane, α-HCH and mirex and perfluoroalkyl sulfonates in Svalbard harbor seals were considerably lower than harbor seal from more southerly populations, while concentrations of HCB, OH-PCBs and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates were similar for harbor seals from Svalbard and southern areas. Concentrations of PCBs and pesticides in the Svalbard harbor seals were 60-90% lower than levels determined a decade ago...
Spatial trends of perfluoroalkyl compounds in ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from the Canadian Arctic
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 2007
The present study examined spatial trends of perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFCs) in liver samples from 11 populations of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) in the Canadian Arctic from 2002 to 2005. Trophic position and relative carbon sources were compared by analyzing stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes in muscle samples. Geometric mean concentrations of total C 9 -C 15 perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCAs) ranged from 8.8 to 84 ng/g wet weight, and C 9 -C 11 PFCAs predominated. Perfluorooctane sulfonate was the dominant PFC measured, with concentrations ranging from 6.5 to 89 ng/g wet weight, contributing between 29 and 56% of the total PFC concentration. Overall, mean PFC concentrations were similar between populations, and differences were attributed largely to elevated levels in the Gjoa Haven (Rae Strait, central Canadian Arctic archipelago) and Inukjuak populations (eastern Hudson Bay) and to lower concentrations at Pangnirtung (Cumberland Sound, Baffin Island). Mean stable nitrogen isotope ratios (Ϯ95% confidence intervals) ranged from 14.7‰ (Ϯ0.3‰) at Nain (Labrador) to 17.9‰ (Ϯ0.7‰) at Gjoa Haven, suggesting that all populations were within the same trophic level. Stable carbon isotope ratios varied widely between the seal populations, ranging from Ϫ22.9‰ (Ϯ0.2‰) at Gjoa Haven to Ϫ17.7‰ (Ϯ0.4‰) at Nain. The ␦ 13 C ratios from Gjoa Haven were significantly more depleted than those for other populations and may suggest a terrestrially based carbon source. The depleted stable carbon isotope ratio may explain the elevated PFC concentrations in the Gjoa Haven population. Analysis of covariance indicated that ␦ 13 C was a significant covariable for seven of nine seal populations for which ␦ 13 C values were available. After adjusting for ␦ 13 C values, concentrations of most PFCs generally were statistically greater in the Grise Fiord, Qikiqtarjuaq, Arviat, and Nain populations.
Rapid Response of Arctic Ringed Seals to Changes in Perfluoroalkyl Production
Environmental Science & Technology, 2007
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were determined in adipose tissue of adult and subadult female polar bears sampled between 1999 and 2002 from sub-populations in Arctic Canada, eastern Greenland, and Svalbard, and in males and females collected from 1994 to 2002 in northwestern Alaska. Only 4 congeners (BDE47, 99, 100, and 153) were consistently identified in all samples. BDE47 was the major PBDE congener representing from 65% to 82% of the sum (Σ) PBDEs. Age was not a significant covariate for individual PBDEs or ΣPBDE. Higher proportions of BDE 99, 100, and 153 were generally found in samples from the Canadian Arctic than from Svalbard or the Bering-Chukchi Sea area of Alaska. Geometric mean ΣPBDE concentrations were highest for female polar bear fat samples collected from Svalbard (50 ng/g lipid weight (lw)) and East Greenland (70 ng/g lw). Significantly lower ΣPBDE concentrations were found in fat of bears from Canada and Alaska (means ranging from 7.6 to 22 ng/g lw).
Contaminant exposure and effects in Baltic ringed and grey seals as assessed by biomarkers
Marine Environmental Research, 2003
The Baltic Sea ecosystem has suffered from a heavy pollutant load for more than three decades. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals have been of most concern due to their persistence and toxic properties. Ringed seals (Phoca hispida baltica) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) living in the Baltic Sea have been suffering from pathological impairments, including reproductive disturbances, which have resulted in a depressed reproductive capacity. We investigated several biochemical parameters as potential biomarkers for exposure to and effects of the contaminant load in the Baltic seals. Seals from less polluted areas were used as reference material in terms of the pollution load. In both Baltic seal populations, the levels of some biochemical parameters diverged from those in the reference seals, and some of these showed a clear correlation with the individual contaminant load. Of the potential bioindicators, we propose cytochrome P4501A activity and vitamin E levels, in blubber or plasma, as exposure biomarkers for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) in both species. The arylhydrocarbon receptor-mediated chemical-activated luciferase gene expression (CALUX) response reflects the whole PCB and DDT burden in ringed seals. Retinyl palmitate (vitamin A) levels showed a negative Marine Environmental Research 55 (2003) 73-99 www.elsevier.com/locate/marenvrev 0141-1136/02/$ -see front matter # 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. P I I : S 0 1 4 1 -1 1 3 6 ( 0 2 ) 0 0 2 1 8 -0 (M. Nyman).
Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 2008
Blubber was analyzed for a wide range of contaminants from five subadult and eight adult male ringed seals sampled in 2004, namely, for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), toxaphenes, chlordanes, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs). Contaminant levels were compared to previously sampled animals from the same area, as well as data from literature for other arctic wildlife species from a wide variety of locations. Ringed seals sampled in 2004 showed 50-90% lower levels of legacy contaminants such as PCBs and chlorinated pesticides compared to animals sampled in 1996 of similar age (14 subadults and 7 adult males), indicating that the decline of chlorinated contaminants observed during the 1990s in a variety of arctic wildlife species is continuing into the 21st century. The results also indicated that PBDE declined in ringed seals; levels in 2004 were about 70-80% lower than in animals sampled in 1998. This is one of the first observations of reduced exposure to these compounds and might be a first indication that restrictions of production and use of these contaminants have resulted in lower exposures in the Arctic. The PCB pattern shifted toward the less chlorinated (i.e., less persistent) PCBs, especially in adult ringed seals, possibly as a result of reduced overall contaminant exposures and a consequently lower cytochrome P-450 (CYP) induction, which results in a slower metabolism of less persistent PCBs. The overall effect would be relative increases in the lower chlorinated PCBs and a relative decreases in the higher chlorinated PCB. Possibly due to low exposure and consequent low induction levels, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation (EROD) activity proved to be a poor biomarker for contaminant exposure in ringed seals in the present study. The close negative correlation (r 2 =70.9%)between EROD activity and percent blubber indicates that CYP might respond to increased bioavailability of the contaminant mixtures when they are mobilized from blubber during periods of reduced food intake.
Environmental Science & Technology, 2011
Concentrations of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) were determined in a combination of archived and fresh blubber samples of juvenile ringed seals from East Greenland collected between 1986 and 2008. R-HBCD was the only diastereoisomer consistently above levels of quantification and showed a significant log-linear (exponential) increase from 2.0 to 8.7 ng/g lipid weight (median concentrations) with an annual rate of þ6.1%. The concentrations were up to several orders of magnitude lower than those reported for marine mammals from industrialized areas. Previously presented time trends on polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been extended with new data for 2006 and 2008. ΣPBDE in juvenile seals was the only parameter with a slight upward trend, however, dependent on the low 1986 concentration. Removing this data point resulted in a downward trend, which also was found for adult seals with a time trend starting in 1994. ΣPCB decreased significantly in juvenile seals, again due to the 1986 value, while no trend was found for the adult animals. This indicates stagnating PCB concentrations at a relatively high level, in some cases possibly exceeding tolerable daily intake rates for seal blubber as traditional Arctic food items.
Environmental Pollution, 2008
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Environmental Pollution, 2017
Concentrations of alternative flame retardants and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were analyzed in ringed seal (Phoca hispida) blubber collected across the Canadian Arctic during subsistence hunts between 1998 and 2013. More than 80% of sampled animals were females and juvenile males. The highest mean SPBDE concentrations (sum of 13 congeners) were found in seals from Nain (Nunatsiavut) as well as Inukjuaq and Arviat (Hudson Bay) and the lowest mean levels were found in seals from Lancaster Sound. BDE-47 and-99 were the predominant PBDE congeners quantified in ringed seals. The most frequently detected non-PBDE flame retardants were polybrominated biphenyl 101 (BB-101, 57% of samples analyzed for this chemical), hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD; 38%), hexabromobenzene (HBB, 30%), and 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EHTeBB, 23%). The relative trophic position of seals, estimated using stable isotopes, did not vary over time and did not influence flame retardant blubber concentrations. The relative carbon source increased over time at Arviat and Resolute Bay and weak relationships were observed with SPBDEs in blubber of seals. SPBDEs increased significantly from 1998 to 2008 in ringed seals from East Baffin and subsequently decreased in recent years. PBDE levels at other sites fluctuated slightly over time. HBCDD concentrations increased at several sites over the past decade. The presence of flame retardants in ringed seals suggests their persistence and their continuous inputs in the Canadian Arctic environment. Monitoring and research on the effects of these contaminants in seals are warranted given the importance of this species in Arctic marine food webs and for local communities.
Environment International, 2009
We report on the comparative bioaccumulation, biotransformation and/or biomagnification from East 28 Greenland ringed seal (Pusa hispida) blubber to polar bear (Ursus maritimus) tissues (adipose, liver and 29 brain) of various classes and congeners of persistent chlorinated and brominated contaminants and 30 metabolic by-products: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlordanes (CHLs), hydroxyl (OH-) and 31 methylsulfonyl (MeSO 2-) PCBs, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), OH-PBBs, polybrominated diphenyl ether 32 (PBDE) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) flame retardants and OH-and methoxyl (MeO-) PBDEs, 2,2-33 dichloro-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethene (p,p′-DDE), 3-MeSO 2-p,p′-DDE, pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 4-OH-34 heptachlorostyrene (4-OH-HpCS). We detected all of the investigated contaminants in ringed seal blubber 35 with high frequency, the main diet of East Greenland bears, with the exception of OH-PCBs and 4-OH-HpCS, 36 which indicated that these phenolic contaminants were likely of metabolic origin and formed in the bears 37 from accumulated PCBs and octachlorostyrene (OCS), respectively, rather than being bioaccumulated from a 38 seal blubber diet. For all of the detectable sum of classes or individual organohalogens, in general, the ringed 39 seal to polar bear mean BMFs for ΣPCBs, p,p′-DDE, ΣCHLs, ΣMeSO 2-PCBs, 3-MeSO 2-p,p′-DDE, PCP, ΣPBDEs, 40 total-(α)-HBCD, ΣOH-PBDEs, ΣMeO-PBDEs and ΣOH-PBBs indicated that these organohalogens bioaccumu-41 late, and in some cases there was tissue-specific biomagnification, e.g., BMFs for bear adipose and liver 42 ranged from 2 to 570. The blood-brain barrier appeared to be effective in minimizing brain accumulation as 43 BMFs were ≤ 1 in the brain, with the exception of ΣOH-PBBs (mean BMF = 93 ± 54). Unlike OH-PCB 44 metabolites, OH-PBDEs in the bear tissues appeared to be mainly accumulated from the seal blubber rather 45 than being metabolic formed from PBDEs in the bears. In vitro PBDE depletion assays using polar bear hepatic 46 microsomes, wherein the rate of oxidative metabolism of PBDE congeners was very slow, supported the 47 probability that accumulation from seals is the main source of OH-PBDEs in the bear tissues. Our findings 48 demonstrated from ringed seal to polar bears that organohalogen biotransformation, bioaccumulation and/ 49 or biomagnification vary widely and depended on the contaminant in question. Our results show the 50 increasing complexity of bioaccumulated and in some cases biomagnified, chlorinated and brominated 51 contaminants and/or metabolites from the diet may be a contributing stress factor in the health of East 52 Greenland polar bears.