Assessment of toxicological status of a SW Mediterranean segment population of striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) using skin biopsy.
Various studies have revealed high concentrations of contaminants such as organochlorines (OCs) and heavy metals in Mediterranean cetaceans. A geographical trend of contamination (PCBs and DDTs) has been found for striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba). In this study we used a non-lethal approach (skin biopsy) to investigate bioaccumulation of OCs, including polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), DDTs, polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDFs), trace elements (Hg, Cd, Pb) and CYP1A activity (BPMO) in nine striped dolphins sampled in the Aeolian area (Sicily - Italy) in summer 2002. The arithmetic mean value of BPMO activity in this group was 43.46 AUF/g tissue/h. This value is approximately 3 times and 5 times lower, respectively, than the value found in the Ionian and in the Ligurian groups. Skin biopsies of striped dolphins emerged as a suitable material for assessing the toxicological status of the various Mediterranean groups.
Fossi
M Cristina
MC
Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, P.A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy. fossi@unisi.it
Marsili
Letizia
L
Lauriano
Giancarlo
G
Fortuna
Caterina
C
Canese
Simone
S
Ancora
Stefania
S
Leonzio
Claudio
C
Romeo
Teresa
T
Merino
Ruben
R
Abad
Esteban
E
Jiménez
Begoña
B
D000818:Animals; D001579:Benzopyrene Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D001706:Biopsy; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D004289:Dolphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D005843:Geography; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001579:Benzopyrene Hydroxylase