Polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki).
Environ Toxicol Chem
; 28(11): 2271-82, 2009 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19499971
Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were measured in muscle-blubber biopsy samples from 21 Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) pups that were live captured in the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) using gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Only traces of PBDEs were detected in one male pup, whereas PCDDs and PCDFs were not detected in any sample. The total concentration of PCBs (ΣPCB) in the pups averaged 104 µg/kg lipid (range, 49-384 µg/kg). No statistically significant differences in ΣPCB were observed among the four study sites in the Galapagos Islands. Concentrations of PCB congeners in Galapagos sea lion pups were dominated by low-molecular-weight congeners. These results suggest that global transport is the main source for PCBs in Galapagos sea lions. The ΣPCB levels were below immunotoxic and endocrine-disruption thresholds in pinnipeds, suggesting a limited risk of adverse health effects. The present study indicates that Galapagos sea lions can serve as a useful sentinel of pollutants with a long-range transport capacity and that Galapagos Islands are not exempt from the threats of global pollutants despite its remote locale.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Contaminantes Químicos del Agua
/
Benzofuranos
/
Bifenilos Policlorados
/
Leones Marinos
/
Dioxinas
/
Éteres Difenilos Halogenados
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
Límite:
Animals
País/Región como asunto:
America do sul
/
Ecuador
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Environ Toxicol Chem
Año:
2009
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Canadá
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos