Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) are chronically exposed to organic pollutants since they inhabit shallow coastal waters that are often impacted by anthropogenic activities. The aim of this review was to evaluate existing knowledge on the occurrence of organic pollutants in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, identify knowledge gaps, and offer recommendations for future research directions. We discussed the trends in the bioaccumulation of organic pollutants in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins focusing on sources, physicochemical properties, and usage patterns. Furthermore, we examined factors that influence bioaccumulation such as gender, age, dietary intake and tissue-specific distribution. Studies on bioaccumulation in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin remain scarce, despite high concentrations above 13,000 ng/g lw we previously detected for PFOS, ∑PBDE and chlorinated paraffins. The maximum concentration of organochlorines detected was 157,000 ng/g wt. Furthermore, variations in bioaccumulation were shown to be caused by factors such as usage patterns and physicochemical properties of the pollutant. However, restrictions in sampling inhibit investigations on exposure pathway and toxicity of organic pollutants in Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. We proposed the use of biopsy sampling, predictive bioaccumulation and toxicity modeling, and monitoring other emerging contaminants such as microplastics and pharmaceuticals for future health risk assessment on this critically endangered marine mammal species.

While polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-related risks have been reported at the cellular, organ, and individual levels in some marine mammals, studies quantifying the PCB-associated population-level effects are limited. Here, we combined chemical analysis and individual-based model simulation to investigate the impact of PCBs on the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (sub)population from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE). An annual PCB accumulation rate of 0.29 ± 0.07 mg/kg lipid per year was estimated based on the measured age-specific male data as males continue to accumulate PCBs throughout their lifetime, without depurating contaminant loads. Using the Taiwan Strait dolphin population with low PCBs as a baseline, we compare our model simulations in PRE population to estimate relative population impacts of PCBs and other stressors. When using the current vital rates of the PRE dolphins which have been affected by PCBs and other stressors (e.g., underwater noise, prey limitation, etc.), our simulations revealed a substantial decline (8.1%) in the annual population growth rate (λ) of PRE metapopulation compared to baseline over the next 100 years. At the estimated PCB accumulation rate, the PCB-mediated effects on calf survival and immunity would cause a slight decline (0.9%) in λ relative to baseline. Our findings suggest a relatively limited impact of PCBs on the long-term survival of PRE dolphins among all stressors. However, it should be noted that even under model simulations where dietary PCBs were eliminated, humpback dolphins would still need a long time to reduce their PCB burdens to a relatively “safe” level through biological cycling. Considering that the baseline vital rates might also have been affected by PCBs and other stressors, our results are considered relative rather than absolute. This study provides a starting point for quantifying population-level consequences of contaminant exposure on humpback dolphins, although more efforts are needed to perfect this type of analysis.

Indo-Pacific humpback (Sousa chinensis) dolphins are primarily exposed to chlorinated organic contaminants through the consumption of contaminated fish. We assessed the potential risk of chlorinated organic contaminants to Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins by determining the concentration of 21 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and 28 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 14 fish species collected from the South China Sea coastal waters. The results of the study showed that bioaccumulation of OCPs and PCBs was influenced by sampling location, fish species, and fish niche. The average ∑DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) concentration was 3 times higher in benthopelagic fish (488 ng/g) compared to pelagic-neritic fish (155 ng/g) from Jiangmen, whereas an opposite pattern of the lower DDTs concentration in benthopelagic and demersal fish compared to pelagic fish from Zhuhai (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the molecular diagnostic ratios using DDT and its metabolites (DDT/(DDD + DDE) were less than one, suggesting the DDT contamination at Zhuhai and Jiangmen may due to the historical agricultural usage of the lands. The reference dose-based (RfD) risk quotient (RQ) suggested that DDTs are potential risk in Qinzhou, which is in accordance with the high DDTs concentration found in fishes captured in Qinzhou. The RfD risk quotient of PCBs is at potential risk for all sites (RQ > 100), except Xiamen and Qinzhou. A highest average ∑DDT concentration was observed Qinzhou. This study showed that fish consumption might pose a health risk to Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. However, further studies are required to determine the contribution of fish niche to the overall risk.

We present the first evidence of accumulation of organochlorine compounds (DDTs, PCBs, HCB) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Indo-Pacific humpback and Australian snubfin dolphins from the central and southern Great Barrier Reef. These dolphins are considered by the Great Barrier Marine Park Authority to be high priority species for management. Analyses of biopsy samples, collected from free ranging individuals, showed PAHs levels comparable to those reported from highly industrialized countries. DDTs and HCB were found at low levels, while in some individuals, PCBs were above thresholds over which immunosuppression and reproductive anomalies occur. These results highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of these and other contaminants, and their potential adverse effects on dolphins and other marine fauna. This is particularly important given the current strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area being undertaken by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government.

With the dramatic increase in anthropogenic threats to the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), the population size of the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) has significantly decreased over the past decade. To understand the impact and potential risks of intense human activities on these dolphins, factors related to the mortality of humpback dolphins in the PRE were investigated by a detailed examination of 343 dolphin specimens stranded during 2003–2017. There was a significant (p < 0.01) increasing trend for humpback dolphin stranding, reflecting the accelerating rate of the population decline. A large proportion of strandings (35.88%) were neonates. A low recruitment rate implies slow population growth, and hence, limited capacity to resist anthropogenic stress. The most commonly diagnosed causes of death were vessel collision and net entanglement. The concentrations of trace metals, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and most of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the dolphin samples were greater than those previously reported in cetaceans globally. Furthermore, Cu, PCB77, PCB169, PCB81, PCB37, and PFASs (excluding PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHxDA, and PFODA) were the major pollutants accumulated in neonates. 67% of PCB, 78% of Cu, and 100% of perfluorooctane sulfonate concentrations in the neonates exceeded the threshold for toxicological effects in marine mammals, suggesting that these compounds could be important factors contributing to the low survival rate of calves in this area. This study revealed that vessel transportation, fishing activities, and pollutant bioaccumulation are the three major causes of humpback dolphin mortality in the PRE. These results highlight the need for more efforts to restrict anthropogenic activities, especially vessel traffic, the catching of these marine animals and fishing, and pollutant discharge, in order to prevent vulnerable species from continuous population decline and further extinction.

Microplastic pollution is a growing concern worldwide. Despite numerous studies showing the occurrence of microplastics in low-trophic level aquatic organisms, microplastic ingestion and contamination in cetaceans, especially those from Asian waters, has been rarely recorded. Here, we investigated stomach microplastic pollution in twelve Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins stranded along the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), China. We also compared microplastic abundances in dolphins stranded near populated urban areas (ZH, n = 6) with those stranded near rural areas (JM, n = 6). Microplastics were detected in all samples, with abundance ranging widely from 11 to 145 items individual⁻¹ (mean ± SD, 53 ± 35.2). Major microplastics were polypropylene and polyethylene fibers, with the size mostly ranging from 1 to 5 mm and the dominant colors of white or transparent. Humpback dolphins from ZH (73 ± 36.8 items individual⁻¹) exhibited a significantly higher average microplastic abundance than those from JM (33 ± 18.3 items individual⁻¹, p < 0.05). In particular, the highest microplastic concentration was identified in the dolphin (SC-ZH01) stranded near the mouth of the Pearl River, whereas the dolphin (SC-JM04) collected at the rural site contained the lowest concentration of microplastics, suggesting the important influence of land-based human activities on the accumulation of microplastics in the PRE. The identification of varied microplastic polymers indicated their complex source scenarios. This study suggests that, as one of top predators in the potential microplastic food chains, this cetacean species could likely serve as an endpoint biomonitoring species of microplastic pollution in the PRE or other similar estuarine ecosystems. Our results highlight the need for more studies towards better understanding the potential impacts of microplastics on this endangered species.

There is little information about the residue levels and congener composition of organic contaminants (OCs) in cetaceans. In the present study, we investigated the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in the blubber, blood, brain and testes of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) stranded in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), China. The lowest blubber/tissue partition coefficients were found for sum hexachlorocyclohexanes (ΣHCHs) and ΣPAHs, while the highest were in ΣPCBs and sum dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (ΣDDTs), likely attributing to the octanol-water partition features. The low levels of OCs in brain and testes theoretically resulted from the blood-brain barrier, blood-testes barrier, contaminant molecule dimensions and unique lipid compositions in the brain and testes. Compared with other contaminants, the higher mean brain/blood and testes/blood partition coefficients found for mirex, heptachlor, dieldrin and endrin would increase the risks associated with exposure-related toxicity and the bioavailability of contaminants within these tissues. Observations also suggest that as lipid mobilizes from blubber, contaminants may redistribute, leading to elevated tissue (such as brain) concentrations. Therefore, dolphins with less blubber may be more susceptible to health risks. The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins living in PRE are at great risk due to variety of OCs in indirect contact with non-target organisms, affecting the health of animals (toxic effects and accumulation). Our findings contribute to the knowledge of the potential effects of OCs exposure on developmental neurotoxicity and reproductive damage in marine mammals.

We investigated the levels and trends of the 16 USEPA priority PAHs in the blubber of 37 Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins sampled during the period 2012–2017 from the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), China. Σ16PAHs concentrations (17.6–6080 ng g−1 wet weight) were at median level compared to dolphin species worldwide. Humpback dolphins affiliated with the hotspots of PAHs, had significantly higher levels of Σ16PAHs than individuals from the other areas in the PRE. Moreover, dolphins stranded on the coast of Lingdingyang are significantly more contaminated by Σ16PAHs than those in the West-four region of the PRE, which appears to reflect the heterogeneous distribution of PAHs in the environment. A marked decline in blubber Σ16PAHs levels is observed over the studied period, with the control of a range of confounding factors. The trend is strongly and statistically significant (p < 0.0001), indicating that the loading of PAHs are gradually being reduced.

The Critically Endangered Taiwanese humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis taiwanensis) is endemic to inshore and estuarine waters of central western Taiwan. It numbers fewer than 75 individuals, is declining and faces a myriad of human threats. Data from a long-term photo-identification program on these dolphins allowed major injuries to be examined quantitatively. A large proportion (57.7%) of individuals had suffered major human-induced injuries that likely compromised their health, survivorship or reproductive potential and thus, the future of this subspecies. Considering major injuries as “takes”, the injury rate (1.13 dolphins/year) for the population was 8–8.5 times higher than its Potential Biological Removal rate. Observations of new injuries and fishing gear entanglements on several dolphins showed that fisheries continue to be the predominant cause of these major injuries. Unless immediate action is taken to reduce harmful fisheries, extinction is imminent for Taiwan's only endemic dolphin.

Soundscapes are vital to acoustically specialized animals. Using passive acoustic monitoring data, the temporal and spectral variations in the soundscape of a Chinese white dolphin hotspot were analyzed. By cluster analysis, the 1/3 octave band power spectrum can be grouped into three bands with median overall contribution rates of 35.24, 14.14 and 30.61%. Significant diel and tidal soundscape variations were observed with a generalized linear model. Temporal patterns and frequency ranges of middle frequency band sound matched well with those of fish vocalization, indicating that fish might serve as a signal source. Dolphin sounds were mainly detected in periods involving low levels of ambient sound and without fish vocalization, which could reflect noise avoidance and passive eavesdropping behaviors engaged in by the predator. Pre-construction data can be used to assess the effects of offshore windfarms on acoustic environments and aquatic animals by comparing them with the soundscape of postconstruction and/or postmitigation.