Bioaccumulation of POPs and toxic elements in small cetaceans along European Atlantic coasts

Graham J. Pierce; Florence Caurant; Robin J. Law

Bioaccumulation of POPs and toxic elements in small cetaceans along European Atlantic coasts

Graham J. Pierce, Florence Caurant, Robin J. Law

Aberdeen Centre For Environmental Sustainability

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

Results on persistent organic and toxic element concentrations in tissues of small cetaceans from five northeast Atlantic European coastal regions in 2001-03 are summarised. PCB concentrations in blubber frequently exceeded the threshold at which effects on reproduction might be expected, notably in harbour porpoises from the southern North Sea (reflecting high concentrations in prey) and common dolphins from France. Concentrations were often higher in males than females, as expected since females transfer lipophilic pollutants to their offspring during pregnancy and lactation. Highest concentrations were recorded in blubber of bottlenose dolphins. The regional distributions of PBDE and HBCD concentrations differed from that of PCBs. Mercury concentrations
in liver were generally below the threshold for toxic effects. Cadmium levels never exceed the threshold for toxic effects and were higher in species feeding more on cephalopods. While strandings data may result in samples biased towards animals in a poor state of health, dangerously high concentrations of PCBs were nonetheless frequently recorded in small cetacean blubber during
2001-03.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the ECS/ASCOBANS/ACCOBAMS Joint Workshop on Chemical Pollution and Marine Mammals
Editors	Peter G.H. Evans
Place of Publication	Isle of Anglesey
Publisher	ECS
Pages	72-84
Number of pages	13
Publication status	Published - Aug 2013
Event	Proceedings of the ECS/Ascobans/Accobams Joint Workshop: European Cetacean Society’s 25th Annual Conference - Cádiz, Spain Duration: 20 Mar 2011 → 20 Mar 2011 http://www.crru.org.uk/cust_images/pdfs/tetley_etal_ECS2011.pdf

Publication series

Name	ECS Special Publication Series
Publisher	European Cetacean Society
Number	55

Conference

Conference	Proceedings of the ECS/Ascobans/Accobams Joint Workshop
Country/Territory	Spain
City	Cádiz
Period	20/03/11 → 20/03/11
Internet address	http://www.crru.org.uk/cust_images/pdfs/tetley_etal_ECS2011.pdf

Bibliographical note

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The results presented here derive from data collected during the EC-funded BIOCET project (Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in small cetaceans in European waters: transport pathways and impact on reproduction, EVK3-CT-2000-00027. As such they represent the work of a large team of project members and collaborators, including: Begoña Santos, Jennifer Learmonth, Jamie Banks, Sarah Bannon, Fiona Read, Gabrielle Stowasser, Jianjun Wang, Lindsay Brown, Bill Edwards (University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK); Emer Rogan, Sinead Murphy (University College, Cork, Ireland); Vincent Ridoux, Paco Bustamante, Virginie Lahaye, Willy Dabin, Olivier Van Canneyt, Laureline Meynier, Jérôme Spitz, Ghislain Dorémus, Cecile Vincent (University of La Rochelle / CRMM, France); Marjan Addink, Chris Smeenk, Manuel García-Hartmann (National Museum of Natural History, Leiden, The Netherlands); Jan Boon, Bart Zegers, Anchelique Mets (Netherlands Institute of Sea Research, The Netherlands); Angel González, Angel Guerra, Maria Teresa Fernandez, Camino Gestal (Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Vigo, Spain); Alain Zuur (Highland Statistics, UK); Colin Moffat (FRS Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, UK); Christina Lockyer (Age Dynamics, Denmark); Bob Reid, Tony Patterson (SAC Veterinary Science Division, UK); Alfredo López, Josep Alonso (CEMMA, Spain) and other members of CEMMA; members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group; Thierry Jauniaux, Jean-Marie Bouquegneau (University of Liège, Belgium); Claude Joiris, Ludo Holsbeek (Free University of Belgium); and Paul Jepson (Institute of Zoology, London, UK).

Access to Document

http://www.ascobans.org/sites/default/files/publication/Pollution_Proceedings_final.pdfLicence: Unspecified

Cite this

Pierce, G. J., Caurant, F., & Law, R. J. (2013). Bioaccumulation of POPs and toxic elements in small cetaceans along European Atlantic coasts. In P. G. H. Evans (Ed.), Proceedings of the ECS/ASCOBANS/ACCOBAMS Joint Workshop on Chemical Pollution and Marine Mammals (pp. 72-84). (ECS Special Publication Series ; No. 55). ECS. http://www.ascobans.org/sites/default/files/publication/Pollution_Proceedings_final.pdf

Bioaccumulation of POPs and toxic elements in small cetaceans along European Atlantic coasts. / Pierce, Graham J.; Caurant, Florence; Law, Robin J.
Proceedings of the ECS/ASCOBANS/ACCOBAMS Joint Workshop on Chemical Pollution and Marine Mammals. ed. / Peter G.H. Evans. Isle of Anglesey: ECS, 2013. p. 72-84 (ECS Special Publication Series ; No. 55).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Pierce, GJ, Caurant, F & Law, RJ 2013, Bioaccumulation of POPs and toxic elements in small cetaceans along European Atlantic coasts. in PGH Evans (ed.), Proceedings of the ECS/ASCOBANS/ACCOBAMS Joint Workshop on Chemical Pollution and Marine Mammals. ECS Special Publication Series , no. 55, ECS, Isle of Anglesey, pp. 72-84, Proceedings of the ECS/Ascobans/Accobams Joint Workshop, Cádiz, Spain, 20/03/11. <http://www.ascobans.org/sites/default/files/publication/Pollution_Proceedings_final.pdf>

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abstract = "Results on persistent organic and toxic element concentrations in tissues of small cetaceans from five northeast Atlantic European coastal regions in 2001-03 are summarised. PCB concentrations in blubber frequently exceeded the threshold at which effects on reproduction might be expected, notably in harbour porpoises from the southern North Sea (reflecting high concentrations in prey) and common dolphins from France. Concentrations were often higher in males than females, as expected since females transfer lipophilic pollutants to their offspring during pregnancy and lactation. Highest concentrations were recorded in blubber of bottlenose dolphins. The regional distributions of PBDE and HBCD concentrations differed from that of PCBs. Mercury concentrationsin liver were generally below the threshold for toxic effects. Cadmium levels never exceed the threshold for toxic effects and were higher in species feeding more on cephalopods. While strandings data may result in samples biased towards animals in a poor state of health, dangerously high concentrations of PCBs were nonetheless frequently recorded in small cetacean blubber during2001-03. ",

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note = "ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The results presented here derive from data collected during the EC-funded BIOCET project (Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in small cetaceans in European waters: transport pathways and impact on reproduction, EVK3-CT-2000-00027. As such they represent the work of a large team of project members and collaborators, including: Bego{\~n}a Santos, Jennifer Learmonth, Jamie Banks, Sarah Bannon, Fiona Read, Gabrielle Stowasser, Jianjun Wang, Lindsay Brown, Bill Edwards (University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK); Emer Rogan, Sinead Murphy (University College, Cork, Ireland); Vincent Ridoux, Paco Bustamante, Virginie Lahaye, Willy Dabin, Olivier Van Canneyt, Laureline Meynier, J{\'e}r{\^o}me Spitz, Ghislain Dor{\'e}mus, Cecile Vincent (University of La Rochelle / CRMM, France); Marjan Addink, Chris Smeenk, Manuel Garc{\'i}a-Hartmann (National Museum of Natural History, Leiden, The Netherlands); Jan Boon, Bart Zegers, Anchelique Mets (Netherlands Institute of Sea Research, The Netherlands); Angel Gonz{\'a}lez, Angel Guerra, Maria Teresa Fernandez, Camino Gestal (Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Vigo, Spain); Alain Zuur (Highland Statistics, UK); Colin Moffat (FRS Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, UK); Christina Lockyer (Age Dynamics, Denmark); Bob Reid, Tony Patterson (SAC Veterinary Science Division, UK); Alfredo L{\'o}pez, Josep Alonso (CEMMA, Spain) and other members of CEMMA; members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group; Thierry Jauniaux, Jean-Marie Bouquegneau (University of Li{\`e}ge, Belgium); Claude Joiris, Ludo Holsbeek (Free University of Belgium); and Paul Jepson (Institute of Zoology, London, UK). ; Proceedings of the ECS/Ascobans/Accobams Joint Workshop : European Cetacean Society{\textquoteright}s 25th Annual Conference ; Conference date: 20-03-2011 Through 20-03-2011",

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AU - Caurant, Florence

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N1 - ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The results presented here derive from data collected during the EC-funded BIOCET project (Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in small cetaceans in European waters: transport pathways and impact on reproduction, EVK3-CT-2000-00027. As such they represent the work of a large team of project members and collaborators, including: Begoña Santos, Jennifer Learmonth, Jamie Banks, Sarah Bannon, Fiona Read, Gabrielle Stowasser, Jianjun Wang, Lindsay Brown, Bill Edwards (University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK); Emer Rogan, Sinead Murphy (University College, Cork, Ireland); Vincent Ridoux, Paco Bustamante, Virginie Lahaye, Willy Dabin, Olivier Van Canneyt, Laureline Meynier, Jérôme Spitz, Ghislain Dorémus, Cecile Vincent (University of La Rochelle / CRMM, France); Marjan Addink, Chris Smeenk, Manuel García-Hartmann (National Museum of Natural History, Leiden, The Netherlands); Jan Boon, Bart Zegers, Anchelique Mets (Netherlands Institute of Sea Research, The Netherlands); Angel González, Angel Guerra, Maria Teresa Fernandez, Camino Gestal (Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, Vigo, Spain); Alain Zuur (Highland Statistics, UK); Colin Moffat (FRS Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen, UK); Christina Lockyer (Age Dynamics, Denmark); Bob Reid, Tony Patterson (SAC Veterinary Science Division, UK); Alfredo López, Josep Alonso (CEMMA, Spain) and other members of CEMMA; members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group; Thierry Jauniaux, Jean-Marie Bouquegneau (University of Liège, Belgium); Claude Joiris, Ludo Holsbeek (Free University of Belgium); and Paul Jepson (Institute of Zoology, London, UK).

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N2 - Results on persistent organic and toxic element concentrations in tissues of small cetaceans from five northeast Atlantic European coastal regions in 2001-03 are summarised. PCB concentrations in blubber frequently exceeded the threshold at which effects on reproduction might be expected, notably in harbour porpoises from the southern North Sea (reflecting high concentrations in prey) and common dolphins from France. Concentrations were often higher in males than females, as expected since females transfer lipophilic pollutants to their offspring during pregnancy and lactation. Highest concentrations were recorded in blubber of bottlenose dolphins. The regional distributions of PBDE and HBCD concentrations differed from that of PCBs. Mercury concentrationsin liver were generally below the threshold for toxic effects. Cadmium levels never exceed the threshold for toxic effects and were higher in species feeding more on cephalopods. While strandings data may result in samples biased towards animals in a poor state of health, dangerously high concentrations of PCBs were nonetheless frequently recorded in small cetacean blubber during2001-03.

AB - Results on persistent organic and toxic element concentrations in tissues of small cetaceans from five northeast Atlantic European coastal regions in 2001-03 are summarised. PCB concentrations in blubber frequently exceeded the threshold at which effects on reproduction might be expected, notably in harbour porpoises from the southern North Sea (reflecting high concentrations in prey) and common dolphins from France. Concentrations were often higher in males than females, as expected since females transfer lipophilic pollutants to their offspring during pregnancy and lactation. Highest concentrations were recorded in blubber of bottlenose dolphins. The regional distributions of PBDE and HBCD concentrations differed from that of PCBs. Mercury concentrationsin liver were generally below the threshold for toxic effects. Cadmium levels never exceed the threshold for toxic effects and were higher in species feeding more on cephalopods. While strandings data may result in samples biased towards animals in a poor state of health, dangerously high concentrations of PCBs were nonetheless frequently recorded in small cetacean blubber during2001-03.

M3 - Chapter

T3 - ECS Special Publication Series

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EP - 84

BT - Proceedings of the ECS/ASCOBANS/ACCOBAMS Joint Workshop on Chemical Pollution and Marine Mammals

A2 - Evans, Peter G.H.

PB - ECS

CY - Isle of Anglesey

T2 - Proceedings of the ECS/Ascobans/Accobams Joint Workshop

Y2 - 20 March 2011 through 20 March 2011

ER -

Bioaccumulation of POPs and toxic elements in small cetaceans along European Atlantic coasts

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

Access to Document

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Cite this