title: Persistent Organic Pollutants in albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) from Reunion Island (Southwest Indian Ocean) and South Africa in relation to biological and trophic characteristics.
abstract: The contamination of albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) by Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), namely polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), was investigated in individuals collected from Reunion Island (RI) and South Africa's (SA) southern coastlines in 2013, in relation to biological parameters and feeding ecology. The results showed lower PCB and DDT concentrations than those previously reported in various tuna species worldwide. A predominance of DDTs over PCBs was revealed, reflecting continuing inputs of DDT. Tuna collected from SA exhibited higher contamination levels than those from RI, related to higher dietary inputs and higher total lipid content. Greater variability in contamination levels and profiles was identified in tuna from RI, explained by a higher diversity of prey and more individualistic foraging behaviour. PCB and DDT contamination levels and profiles varied significantly in tuna from the two investigated areas, probably reflecting exposure to different sources of contamination.
authors.affiliation: IFREMER (Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer), Laboratory of Biogeochemistry of Organic Contaminants, Rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 Nantes Cedex 3, France. Electronic address: cmunschy@ifremer.fr.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Munschy
authors.affiliation: IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), UMR 248 MARBEC (MARine Biodiversity, Exploitation & Conservation), Fishing Port, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bodin
authors.affiliation: IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), UMR 248 MARBEC (MARine Biodiversity, Exploitation & Conservation), Centre de Recherche Halieutique, Avenue Jean Monnet, BP 171, 34200 Sète, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Potier
authors.affiliation: IFREMER (Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer), Laboratory of Biogeochemistry of Organic Contaminants, Rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 Nantes Cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Héas-Moisan
authors.affiliation: IFREMER (Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer), Laboratory of Biogeochemistry of Organic Contaminants, Rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 Nantes Cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pollono
authors.affiliation: IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement), UMR 248 MARBEC (MARine Biodiversity, Exploitation & Conservation), Fishing Port, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Degroote
authors.affiliation: DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), Private Bag X2, Roggebaai 8012, South Africa.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: West
authors.affiliation: SFA (Seychelles Fishing Authority), Fishing Port, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hollanda
authors.affiliation: IFREMER, Délégation Ocean Indien, Rue Jean Bertho, BP 60, 97822 Le Port Cedex, La Réunion, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Puech
authors.affiliation: IFREMER, UMR 248 MARBEC (MARine Biodiversity, Exploitation & Conservation), Centre de Recherche Halieutique, Avenue Jean Monnet, BP 171, 34200 Sète, France.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bourjea
authors.affiliation: IFREMER, Délégation Ocean Indien, Rue Jean Bertho, BP 60, 97822 Le Port Cedex, La Réunion, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikolic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D003634:DDT / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D020387:Food Chain; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry; D006066:Gonads / Q000254:growth & development; D019156:Indian Ocean; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000254:growth & development; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry; D009929:Organ Size; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D013019:South Africa; D014413:Tuna / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003634:DDT; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Organochlorines; Southern hemisphere; Stable isotopes; Stomach content; Top predator