title: Bioaccumulation of PCBs in liver tissue of dusky Carcharhinus obscurus, sandbar C. plumbeus and white Carcharodon carcharias sharks from south-eastern Australian waters.
abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous pollutants in the marine environment that are known to accumulate in apex predators such as sharks. Liver samples from dusky Carcharhinus obscurus, sandbar Carcharhinus plumbeus, and white Carcharodon carcharias sharks from south-eastern Australian waters were analysed for the seven indicator PCBs 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180. Median ∑PCBs were significantly higher in white than sandbar sharks (3.35 and 0.36 μg g(-1) lipid, respectively, p=0.05) but there were no significant differences between dusky sharks (1.31 μg g(-1) lipid) and the other two species. Congener concentrations were also significantly higher in white sharks. Significant differences in PCB concentrations between mature and immature dusky (3.78 and 0.76 μg g(-1) lipid, respectively) and sandbar (1.94 and 0.18 μg g(-1) lipid, respectively) sharks indicated that PCB concentrations in these species increased with age/growth. Higher-chlorinated congeners (hexa and heptachlorobiphenyls) dominated results, accounting for ~90% of ∑PCBs.
authors.affiliation: National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 2450, Australia. Electronic address: janngilbert59@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jann M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (EnTox), Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baduel
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (EnTox), Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales 2480, Australia.
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Reichelt-Brushett
authors.affiliation: National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 2450, Australia; Fisheries NSW, NSW Department of Industry, National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 2450, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Butcher
authors.affiliation: Fisheries NSW, NSW Department of Industry, National Marine Science Centre, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 2450, Australia.
authors.forename: Shane P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: McGrath
authors.affiliation: Fisheries NSW, NSW Department of Industry, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales 2088, Australia.
authors.forename: Victor M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Peddemors
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (EnTox), Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hearn
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland, National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology (EnTox), Coopers Plains, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.affiliation: National Marine Science Centre, Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales 2450, Australia.
authors.forename: Les
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Christidis
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D012754:Sharks / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Carcharhinus obscurus; Carcharhinus plumbeus; Carcharodon carcharias; PCBs; Sharks