Polichlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) in sub-Arctic and Arctic marine mammals, 1986-2009

Anna Rotander, Bert van Bavel, Frank Rigét, Guðjón Atli Auðunsson, Anuschka Polder, Geir Wing Gabrielsen, Gísli A. Víkingsson, Bjarni Mikkelsen, Maria Dam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A selection of PCN congeners was analyzed in pooled blubber samples of pilot whale (Globicephala melas), ringed seal (Phoca hispida), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) and Atlantic whitesided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), covering a time period of more than 20 years (1986-2009). A large geographical area of the North Atlantic and Arctic areas was covered. PCN congeners 48, 52, 53, 66 and 69 were found in the blubber samples between 0.03 and 5.9 ng/g lw. Also PCBs were analyzed in minke whales and fin whales from Iceland and the total PCN content accounted for 0.2% or less of the total non-planar PCB content. No statistically significant trend in contaminant levels could be established for the studied areas. However, in all species except minke whales caught off Norway the lowest ∑PCN concentrations were found in samples from the latest sampling period.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)118-124
Number of pages7
JournalEnvironmental Pollution
Volume164
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2012

Keywords

  • Arctic
  • Marine mammals
  • North Atlantic Ocean
  • Polychlorinated naphthalenes
  • Temporal concentration variations

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