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Lactational Transfer of Polychlorinated-Biphenyls (PCBs) and Other Organochlorines in St. Lawrence Beluga Whales (Delphinapterus leucas)

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Abstract

This study uses an individual-based contaminant bioaccumulation model for marine mammals to explore factors controlling the transfer of PCBs from mother to calf via nursing in beluga from the St. Lawrence Estuary. Beluga blubber samples (n = 46), along with four matched milk samples from stranded animals over the 1986–1994 period were used for comparison with modelled results. Based on 68 POPs, including 48 PCBs and 20 other organochlorine compounds, milk:blubber ratios were 0.65 between log K OW 3–6.5, then decreased to 0.1 at log K OW 8. Model simulations based on this relationship indicated females were transferring PCBs that were relatively very hydrophobic and highly chlorinated less readily than their lower chlorinated counterparts, resulting in an enriched concentration of very hydrophobic congeners in nursing females relative to adult males. There was very good agreement between observed and modelled male:female PCB concentration ratios. Four females within our dataset (15 %) had male-like ΣPCB concentrations as well as male-like congener profiles, suggesting that these individuals may have had a reduced or limited nursing history.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by funding from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada—Northern Contaminants Program, and by a Canadian Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Discovery Grant to BEH. Sample collection and analysis were supported by the Wildlife Toxicology Fund, a joint initiative of the World Wildlife Fund Canada and Environment Canada; by Fisheries and Oceans Canada under the St. Lawrence Action Plan, Alcan; the Foundation de la Faune du Quebec; Environnement Quebec and Greenpeace (Canada); and to one of the authors (PB). The authors thank Bruno Rosenberg (Fisheries and Oceans, Winnipeg) for analysis of the milk and blubber samples.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, K9J 7B8, Canada

    Marc A. Cadieux & Brendan E. Hickie

  2. Aquatic Ecosystem Protection Research Division, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, L7R 4A6, Canada

    Derek C. G. Muir

  3. St. Lawrence National Institute of Ecotoxicology, Montréal, QC, H2J 3C3, Canada

    Pierre Béland

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  1. Marc A. Cadieux
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  2. Derek C. G. Muir
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  4. Brendan E. Hickie
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Correspondence to Brendan E. Hickie.

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Cadieux, M.A., Muir, D.C.G., Béland, P. et al. Lactational Transfer of Polychlorinated-Biphenyls (PCBs) and Other Organochlorines in St. Lawrence Beluga Whales (Delphinapterus leucas). Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 70, 169–179 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-015-0223-y

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