Persistent organic pollutants in killer whales (Orcinus orca) of the Russian Far East
2019
Atkinson, Shannon | Branson, Maile | Burdin, A. (Aleksandr) | Boyd, Daryle | Ylitalo, Gina M.
Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is a key factor in predicting the collapse of global killer whale (Orcinus orca) populations due to reproductive and immune impacts. Blubber biopsies from killer whales (n = 25) were collected in the Russian Far East in 2002–2004. Biopsies were analyzed for ΣDDT, ΣPCB, and HCB concentrations. A subset of biopsies was further examined for additional contaminants, ΣPBDE, ΣHCH, ΣCHLD, mirex, and dieldrin. Mean concentrations were compared across resident (fish-eating) and transient (mammal-eating) ecotypes and between sexes. ΣPCB analytes (resident males 18,000, resident females 1200, and transient males 420,000 ng g⁻¹ lw) and HCB (resident males 750, resident females 81, and transient males 6200 ng g⁻¹ lw) differed significantly (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between sexes. Notable disparities in contaminant levels between ecotypes support the major toxicological theories of contaminant bioaccumulation and dietary impacts on individual contaminant load.
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