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Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus californianus) from the Gulf of California, México

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Abstract

We report concentrations of several classes of organochlorines (OCs) in the blubber of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) from the Gulf of California. Summed OC levels measured in 34 wild-ranging animals were, in general, lower than those previously reported in sea lions from the eastern Pacific. The rank order of OCs was ΣDDTs (mean = 3400 ng g−1 lipid weight [lw]) > ΣPCBs (1400 ng g−1 lw) > ΣHCHs (50 ng g−1 lw) ≥ ΣCHLORs (46 ng g−1 lw). The most abundant OC measured was the DDT metabolite, p,p′-DDE. No significant differences in OC profiles were found between genders or rookeries. Although the mean concentrations of OCs measured in adult males and females were similar, only adult females had significantly higher (p < 0.05) mean blubber concentrations of ∑DDTs and ∑HCHs than pups.

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Acknowledgments

This research project was supported by funds provided by SEMARNAT-CONACYT, project SEMARNAT-2002-C01-0078. We give special thanks to the Islas del Golfo de California (section La Paz) for their generous boat support during sample collection. We are indebted to UNAM for providing a fellowship to C. Niño-Torres to conduct this study as part of his Ph.D. dissertation. This work was greatly improved by the collaboration of NWFSC Environmental Conservation Division, and appreciation is extended to Daryle Boyd for training C. Niño-Torres in the OC analysis. Thanks go also to P. Tenorio, O. Lugo, R. López, O. Martinez, N. Olguín, and everyone at the Chemical Ecology and Toxicology lab at CIBNOR, F. Elorriaga at CICIMAR, J. P. Gallo at CIAD, and the Estero del Soldado fishermen for assistance during field trips and sample analyses. The manuscript benefited from the suggestions of Doug Burrows, Tracy Collier, John Stein, and another anonymous reviewer(s). All capture and sampling activities were conducted in compliance with Mexican laws and regulations, SEMARNAT permits no. SGPA/DGVS/13196 and no. SGPA/DGVS/00852/06.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Postgraduate Program in Marine Sciences and Limnology, National Autonomous University of México, A.P. 70-305, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, México, DF, Mexico

    Carlos Alberto Niño-Torres

  2. The Northwestern Center of Biological Research, Mar Bermejo 195, Playa Palo Santa Rita, La Paz, Baja California Sur, 23090, México, Mexico

    Susan C. Gardner & Tania Zenteno-Savín

  3. Environmental Conservation Division, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2725 Montlake Boulevard East, Seattle, WA, 98112-2097, USA

    Gina M. Ylitalo

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  1. Carlos Alberto Niño-Torres
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  2. Susan C. Gardner
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  3. Tania Zenteno-Savín
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  4. Gina M. Ylitalo
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Correspondence to Carlos Alberto Niño-Torres.

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Niño-Torres, C.A., Gardner, S.C., Zenteno-Savín, T. et al. Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus californianus) from the Gulf of California, México. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 56, 350–359 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-008-9181-y

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