Trace element concentrations in liver of 16 species of cetaceans stranded on Pacific Islands from 1997 through 2013

• Published in: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
• Main Authors: Hansen, AMK, Bryan, CE, West, K, Jensen, BA
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer-Verlag 2016
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences; Environmental Science and Management; Environmental Monitoring; Pacific; Killer Whale
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0204-1; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26283019; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/116953

The impacts of anthropogenic contaminants on marine ecosystems are a concern worldwide. Anthropogenic activities can enrich trace elements in marine biota to concentrations that may negatively impact organism health. Exposure toelevated concentrations of trace elements is considered a contributing factor in marine mammal population declines. Hawaii is an increasingly important geographic location for global monitoring, yet trace element concentrations have not been quantified inHawaiian cetaceans, and there is little trace element data for Pacific cetaceans. This study measured trace elements (Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb) in liver of 16 species of cetaceans that stranded on U.S. Pacific Islands from 1997 to 2013, using high resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) ( n =31), and direct mercury analysis atomic absorption spectrometry (DMA-AAS) ( n =43). Concentration ranges (μg/g wet mass fraction) for non-essential trace elements, such as Cd (0.003158.93) and Hg (0.00621571.75) were much greater than essential trace elements, such as Mn (0.59017.31) and Zn (14.72245.38). Differences were found among age classes in Cu, Zn, Hg, and Se concentrations. The highest concentrations of Se, Cd, Sn, Hg, and Pb were found in one adult female false killer whale ( Pseudorca c rassidens ) at concentrations that are known to affect health in marine mammals. The results of this study establish initial trace element concentration ranges for Pacific cetaceans in the Hawaiian Islands region, provide insights into contaminant exposure of these marine mammals, and contribute to a greater understanding of anthropogenic impacts in the Pacific Ocean.