Organohalogen contaminants in finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) from Korean coastal waters: contamination status, maternal transfer and ecotoxicological implications.
Information on the occurrence of organochlorine compounds (OCs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in marine mammals from Korea is scarce. In this study, OCs and PBDEs were determined in the blubber of 52 finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) from Korean coastal waters. The highest contamination was found for DDTs, followed by PCBs, PBDEs, HCHs, CHLs and HCB. Concentrations of OCs in finless porpoises were lower than those reported worldwide, but PBDE contamination was comparable to other studies, due to ongoing use of PBDE products in Korea. Significant gender-specific differences were found for concentrations and accumulation profiles of OCs and PBDEs, due to maternal transfer and lactation of mature females. The BDEs 49 and 66 comprised 4-16% of total PBDEs in finless porpoises, which seems to be associated with debromination of higher BDEs. The DDT levels in Korean finless porpoises have almost reached the levels associated with immunosuppression in marine mammals.
Park
Bu-Kyeong
BK
National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), 408-1, Sirang-ri, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea.
Park
Gyum-Joon
GJ
An
Yong-Rock
YR
Choi
Hee-Gu
HG
Kim
Gi Beum
GB
Moon
Hyo-Bang
HB
D000818:Animals; D003634:DDT / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D054750:Ecotoxicology; D005260:Female; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D007723:Korea; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D019576:Porpoises / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated; D007306:Insecticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003634:DDT