Trace metal and stable isotope measurements (delta C-13 and delta N-15) in the harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena relicta from the Black Sea

• Published in: Environmental Pollution
• Main Authors: Das, Krishna, Holsbeek, Ludo, Browning, Julie, Siebert, Ursula, Birkun, Alexei, Bouquegneau, Jean-Marie
• Other Authors: MARE - Centre Interfacultaire de Recherches en Océanologie - ULiège
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Sci Ltd 2004
• Subjects: Black Sea; stable isotopes; trace metals; marine mammals; Phocoena phocoena; Life sciences; Aquatic sciences & oceanology; Sciences du vivant; Sciences aquatiques & océanologie; Harbour porpoise
• Online Access: https://orbi.uliege.be/handle/2268/1336; https://orbi.uliege.be/bitstream/2268/1336/1/2004EP131.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2004.02.006

peer reviewed Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (delta(13)C and delta(15)N) and trace metals (Cd, Zn, Cu, Fe, Se, and Hg) were analysed in the tissues of 46 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena relicta) caught in fishing nets along the Ukrainian coasts between 1997 and 1998. Mean delta(13)C values differed significantly between male and female harbour porpoises suggesting a trophic segregation between sexes with a more coastal distribution for females at least during their gestation and nursing periods. Hepatic Hg was correlated to delta(13)C measurements, reflecting a different exposure linked to coastal vs offshore feeding habitats. A geographical comparison with existing data from other regions showed general low levels of Hg, Cd, Cu and Zn in the tissues of harbour porpoises from the Black Sea compared to other Atlantic and North Sea areas. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.