title: Organohalogen contaminants in delphinoid cetaceans.
abstract: This chapter reviews the global distribution, biotransformation, accumulation patterns, and mechanisms of action and the potential impacts of persistent organohalogen contaminants (PHCs) on physiological systems of cetaceans with emphasis on delphinoids. Methods used to study PHCs in stranded and free-living cetaceans are discussed, and concentrations of PHCs of stranded, hunted, by-catch, and free-ranging delphinoids are summarized. Overall, the highest concentrations of PHC contamination were found in delphinoids from industrialized areas of the Northern Hemisphere compared to the Southern Hemisphere. Nonetheless, PHCs are also found in marine mammal tissues from the Southern Hemisphere and in remote regions such as the Arctic, reflecting the global distribution and contamination of PHCs in the marine ecosystem.
authors.affiliation: University of Guelph, Department of Environmental Biology, Guelph, Ontario NIG 2WI, Canada.
authors.forename: Magali
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Houde
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Hoekstra
authors.forename: Keith R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Derek C G
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Muir
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D004289:Dolphins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated / Q000032:analysis*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010647:Phenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014907:Whales / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical