The use of porphyrins as a non-destructive biomarker of exposure to contaminants in two sea lion populations.
This study was carried out in two populations of Otariaflavescens, living in a polluted and in a reference site, in order to validate the use of porphyrins as a non-destructive biomarker of exposure to environmental contaminants. Analysis of porphyrins was carried out in the feces, blood and fur of free ranging sea lions and in the liver and kidney of stranded specimens. The results show that: (a) all biological materials used were useful for porphyrin determinations; (b) no clear seasonal variations in porphyrin accumulation and excretion were found; (c) differences in fecal porphyrin levels existed between the two colonies.
Casin
S
S
Department of Environmental Science, University of Siena, Italy. casinis@unisi.it
Fossi
M C
MC
Cavallaro
K
K
Marsili
L
L
Lorenzani
J
J
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000032:analysis*; D046070:Sea Lions
D015415:Biomarkers; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011166:Porphyrins