Trace metal and stable isotope measurements (delta C-13 and delta N-15) in the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena relicta from the Black Sea

Fonds pour la formation à la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture (Communauté française de Belgique) - FRIA

Centre Interfacultaire de Recherches en Océanologie - MARE

EU-Project INCO-Copernicus, ERBIC15CT960104, Acronym BLASDOL

Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (delta(13)C and delta(15)N) and trace metals (Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, Se, and Hg) were analysed in the tissues of 46 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena relicta) caught in fishing nets along the Ukrainian coasts between 1997 and 1998. Mean delta(13)C values differed significantly between male and female harbour porpoises suggesting a trophic segregation between sexes with a more coastal distribution for females at least during their gestation and nursing periods. Hepatic Hg was correlated to delta(13)C measurements, reflecting a different exposure linked to coastal vs offshore feeding habitats. A geographical comparison with existing data from other regions showed general low levels of Hg, Cd, Cu and Zn in the tissues of harbour porpoises from the Black Sea compared to other Atlantic and North Sea areas. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (Communauté française de Belgique) - F.R.S.-FNRS