Effects of age, sex and reproductive status on persistent organic pollutant concentrations in “Southern Resident” killer whales

“Southern Resident” killer whales (Orcinus orca) that comprise three fish-eating “pods” (J, K and L) were listed as “endangered” in the US and Canada following a 20% population decline between 1996 and 2001. Blubber biopsy samples from Southern Resident juveniles had statistically higher concentrati...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2009-10, Vol.58 (10), p.1522-1529
Main Authors: Krahn, Margaret M., Bradley Hanson, M., Schorr, Gregory S., Emmons, Candice K., Burrows, Douglas G., Bolton, Jennie L., Baird, Robin W., Ylitalo, Gina M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adipose Tissue - chemistry
Age Factors
Animal and plant ecology
Animal Migration
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsy sampling
Brominated diphenyl ethers
Carbon Isotopes - analysis
Cetacea
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Endangered species
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Environmental Monitoring - statistics & numerical data
Environmental Pollutants - analysis
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - analysis
Male
Marine
Marine and brackish environment
Nitrogen Isotopes - analysis
Observation
Orcinus orca
Pacific Ocean
Persistent organic pollutants
Reproduction - physiology
Sea water ecosystems
Sex Factors
Stable isotopes
Synecology
Whale, Killer - physiology
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:“Southern Resident” killer whales (Orcinus orca) that comprise three fish-eating “pods” (J, K and L) were listed as “endangered” in the US and Canada following a 20% population decline between 1996 and 2001. Blubber biopsy samples from Southern Resident juveniles had statistically higher concentrations of certain persistent organic pollutants than were found for adults. Most Southern Resident killer whales, including the four juveniles, exceeded the health-effects threshold for total PCBs in marine mammal blubber. Maternal transfer of contaminants to the juveniles during rapid development of their biological systems may put these young whales at greater risk than adults for adverse health effects (e.g., immune and endocrine system dysfunction). Pollutant ratios and field observations established that two of the pods (K- and L-pod) travel to California to forage. Nitrogen stable isotope values, supported by field observations, indicated possible changes in the diet of L-pod over the last decade.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.05.014