Contaminants in cetaceans from UK waters: status as assessed within the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme from 1990 to 2008.
Since 1990, tissue samples from UK-stranded and -bycaught cetaceans have been available for study of contaminant burdens. These have been used to study spatial and temporal trends in concentrations in UK waters, and to investigate potential associations between contaminants and health status. We describe the current status of cetaceans (primarily harbour porpoises, Phocoena phocoena) in UK waters in relation to pollution. Concentrations of BDEs, HBCD, and the organochlorine pesticides are declining. In contrast, concentrations of CBs have plateaued following earlier reductions due to regulation of use, and further reductions are likely to take decades. Blubber PCB concentrations are still at toxicologically significant levels in many harbour porpoises and regularly occur at even higher levels in bottlenose dolphins and killer whales due to their higher trophic level in marine food chains. Further reductions in PCB inputs into the marine environment are needed to mitigate risk from PCB exposure in these species.
Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, UK. robin.law@cefas.co.uk
Robin J
RJ
Law
Jon
J
Barry
Jonathan L
JL
Barber
Philippe
P
Bersuder
Rob
R
Deaville
Robert J
RJ
Reid
Andrew
A
Brownlow
Rod
R
Penrose
James
J
Barnett
Jan
J
Loveridge
Brian
B
Smith
Paul D
PD
Jepson
D000818:Animals; D002591:Cetacea / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000378:metabolism; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010575:Pesticides / Q000378:metabolism; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000378:metabolism; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism; D006113:United Kingdom; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D010575:Pesticides; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls