Polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki).
Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were measured in muscle-blubber biopsy samples from 21 Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) pups that were live captured in the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) using gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Only traces of PBDEs were detected in one male pup, whereas PCDDs and PCDFs were not detected in any sample. The total concentration of PCBs (ΣPCB) in the pups averaged 104 μg/kg lipid (range, 49-384 μg/kg). No statistically significant differences in ΣPCB were observed among the four study sites in the Galapagos Islands. Concentrations of PCB congeners in Galapagos sea lion pups were dominated by low-molecular-weight congeners. These results suggest that global transport is the main source for PCBs in Galapagos sea lions. The ΣPCB levels were below immunotoxic and endocrine-disruption thresholds in pinnipeds, suggesting a limited risk of adverse health effects. The present study indicates that Galapagos sea lions can serve as a useful sentinel of pollutants with a long-range transport capacity and that Galapagos Islands are not exempt from the threats of global pollutants despite its remote locale.
Alava
Juan J
JJ
School of Resource and Environmental Management (Environmental Toxicology Research Group), Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada.
Ikonomou
Michael G
MG
Ross
Peter S
PS
Costa
Daniel
D
Salazar
Sandie
S
Aurioles-gamboa
David
D
Gobas
Frank A P C
FA
D000818:Animals; D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004147:Dioxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D004484:Ecuador; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D011786:Quality Control; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D046070:Sea Lions / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
D001572:Benzofurans; D000072338:Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; D004147:Dioxins; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; C020887:dibenzo(1,4)dioxin