Global Assessment of Ocean Pollution Using Sperm Whales as an Indicator Species

• Main Author: Savery, Laura Catherine
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: DigitalCommons@UMaine 2013
• Subjects: Sperm whale; Effect of heavy metals on; Mercury; Lead; Silver; Arsenic; Selenium; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Bioaccumulation; Biochemistry; Molecular Biology; Physeter macrocephalus
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd/2033; https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/context/etd/article/3069/viewcontent/SaveryLC2013DiscImmUMaine.pdf

Pollution of the ocean by persistent pollutants including metals and polybrominated diphenyl either (PBDE) flame retardants is a global concern due to their ability to be bioaccumulative and potentially toxic putting high trophic consumers at risk. The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is a sentinel of ocean health due to its wide distribution, longevity and high trophic level. The overarching aim of this study was to survey the concentrations of toxic metals, mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), silver (Ag) and arsenic (As), the essential element, selenium (Se), and twenty-five different PBDEs worldwide in the skin of free-ranging sperm whales considering region, gender and age. Over 900 samples were collected in 17 regions during the voyage of the research vessel, Odyssey, between 2000 and 2005. Hg levels in the skin were detected in 340 of the 343 sperm whale sampled with a global mean of 2.5 ± 0.1 ug/g ww ranging from 0.1 to 16.0 ug/g ww. The Mediterranean Sea had the highest regional mean with 6.1 ug/g ww followed by Australia with 3.5 ug/g ww. Considering gender and age, neither caused a significant difference in Hg concentrations. Pb concentrations were detectable in 315 of the 337 samples with a global mean of 1.6 ug/g ww ranging from 0.1 to 129.6 ug/g ww. Papua New Guinea, Bahamas and Australia had the highest means with 6.1, 3.4, and 3.1 ug/g ww, respectively. Global mean levels were not significantly different between males and females or adult and subadult males. Ag levels were detectable in 178 of the 298 sperm whales sampled with a global mean of 16.9 ± 14.1 ug/g ww ranging from 0.1 to 4,179.0 ug/g ww. The highest mean regional level was found in Seychelles with 123.3 ug/g ww. When comparing gender and age, there were not significant differences between females and males or adult and subadult males. Arsenic was detectable in 337 of the 342 samples with a mean of 1.9 ± 0.1 ug/g ww ranging from 0.1 to 15.6 ug/g ww. Female and male sperm whales were found to have significant differences in As levels when ...