Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Estimating the risks of exposure to harmful algal toxins among Scottish harbour seals.
Hall, Ailsa J; Kershaw, Joanna L; Fraser, Shaun; Davidson, Keith; Rowland-Pilgrim, Stephanie; Turner, Andrew D; McConnell, Bernie.
Afiliación
  • Hall AJ; Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK, KY16 8LB. Electronic address: ajh7@st-andrews.ac.uk.
  • Kershaw JL; Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK, KY16 8LB.
  • Fraser S; UHI Shetland, University of the Highlands and Islands, Port Arthur, Scalloway, Shetland, UK, ZE1 0UN.
  • Davidson K; Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, UK, PA37 1QA.
  • Rowland-Pilgrim S; Food Safety Group, Centre for Environment and Fisheries Science (Cefas), Weymouth, Dorset, UK, DT4 8UB.
  • Turner AD; Food Safety Group, Centre for Environment and Fisheries Science (Cefas), Weymouth, Dorset, UK, DT4 8UB.
  • McConnell B; Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK, KY16 8LB.
Harmful Algae ; 136: 102653, 2024 06.
Article en En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38876527
ABSTRACT
Harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins consumed by marine predators through fish prey can be lethal but studies on the resulting population consequences are lacking. Over the past approximately 20 years there have been large regional declines in some harbour seal populations around Scotland. Analyses of excreta (faeces and urine from live and dead seals and faecal samples from seal haulout sites) suggest widespread exposure to toxins through the ingestion of contaminated prey. A risk assessment model, incorporating concentrations of the two major HAB toxins found in seal prey around Scotland (domoic acid (DA), and saxitoxins (STX)), the seasonal persistence of the toxins in the fish and the foraging patterns of harbour seals were used to estimate the proportion of adults and juveniles likely to have ingested doses above various estimated toxicity thresholds. The results were highly dependent on toxin type, persistence, and foraging regime as well as age class, all of which affected the proportion of exposed animals exceeding toxicity thresholds. In this preliminary model STX exposure was unlikely to result in mortalities. Modelled DA exposure resulted in doses above an estimated lethal threshold of 1900 µg/kg body mass affecting up to 3.8 % of exposed juveniles and 5.3 % of exposed adults. Given the uncertainty in the model parameters and the limitations of the data these conclusions should be treated with caution, but they indicate that DA remains a potential factor involved in the regional declines of harbour seals. Similar risks may be experienced by other top predators, including small cetaceans and seabirds that feed on similar prey in Scottish waters.
Asunto(s)
Palabras clave
Texto completo
Añadir a Mi BVS
Imprimir
XML
PubMed Links
Buscar en Google

Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Base de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Floraciones de Algas Nocivas Límite: Animals País/Región como asunto: Europa Idioma: En Revista: Harmful Algae Año: 2024 Tipo del documento: Article Pais de publicación: Países Bajos
Texto completo
Añadir a Mi BVS
Imprimir
XML
PubMed Links
Buscar en Google

Texto completo: 1 Colección: 01-internacional Base de datos: MEDLINE Asunto principal: Floraciones de Algas Nocivas Límite: Animals País/Región como asunto: Europa Idioma: En Revista: Harmful Algae Año: 2024 Tipo del documento: Article Pais de publicación: Países Bajos