Abstract

Blubber samples of Indo-Pacific bottlenose (Tursiops aduncus) and spinner (Stenella longirostris) dolphins from Zanzibar, East Africa, were analyzed for a wide range of organohalogen compounds. Methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-BDEs), presumably biogenic, were found at higher concentrations than anthropogenic organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Only traces of industrial pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, were detected. The OCP levels found off Zanzibar were lower than those reported from other regions while MeO-BDE levels were higher. The relative composition of the OCPs indicated recent use of lindane (g-hexachlorocyclohexane) and aged residues of DDT and technical HCH. Placental transfer was estimated to 2.5% and 0.5% of the total burden of OCPs and MeO-BDEs, respectively. Overall transfer from mother to calf in Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins was estimated to 72% and 85% for the OCPs and MeO-BDEs burdens, respectively. Health effects of MeO-BDEs are not known, but structural similarities with well-known environmental toxins are cause for concern

Keywords

Methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers; MeO-BDEs; Organochlorine pesticides; Maternal transfer

Published in

Environmental Pollution
2010, Volume: 158, number: 6, pages: 2200-2207
Publisher: Elsevier

SLU Authors

• Kylin, Henrik

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU)

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG6 Clean water and sanitation
SDG14 Life below water


UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences
Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use
Ecology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2010.02.027

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/29382