title: Variation in bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants based on octanol-air partitioning: Influence of respiratory elimination in marine species.
abstract: Risk assessments of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are often based on octanol-water (KOW) partitioning dynamics and may not adequately reflect bioaccumulation in air-breathing organisms. It has been suggested that compounds with low KOW and high octanol-air partitioning (KOA) coefficients have the potential to bioaccumulate in air-breathing organisms, including marine mammals. Here we evaluate differences in concentrations of POPs for two trophically matched Arctic species, spotted seal (Phoca largha) and sheefish (Stenodus leucichthys). We compared concentrations of 108 POPs in matched tissues (liver and muscle) across three ranges of KOW. We found a significant positive correlation between POP concentration and log KOA in spotted seal tissues for low log KOW compounds (log KOW <5.5, p<0.05). This provides further evidence for empirical models and observed bioaccumulation patterns in air-breathing organisms, and highlights the potential for bioaccumulation of these compounds in Arctic marine mammals.
authors.affiliation: Biological Services Division, Environmental Section, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, 72682 Maple Street, Odanah, WI 54861, USA.
authors.forename: Sara K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Moses
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 900 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA. Electronic address: john.harley@alaska.edu.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Harley
authors.affiliation: Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 905 N Koyukuk Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7220, USA.
authors.forename: Camilla L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lieske
authors.affiliation: Aquatic Ecosystem Protection Research Division, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON L7R 4A6, Canada.
authors.forename: Derek C G
authors.initials: DCG
authors.lastname: Muir
authors.affiliation: Native Village of Kotzebue, Kotzebue, AK 99752, USA.
authors.forename: Alex V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Whiting
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 901 Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775, USA.
authors.forename: Todd M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: O'Hara
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D020387:Food Chain; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D000442:Octanols / Q000737:chemistry; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D046049:Phoca / Q000378:metabolism*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012487:Salmonidae / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D000442:Octanols; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Arctic; Bioaccumulation; Marine mammals; OCs; POPs