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Bioaccumulation of PCBs in a Wild North American Felid

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Abstract

Organohalogenated compounds (OHCs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are of global concern due to their environmental persistence, bioaccumulative potential, and adverse effects on humans and wildlife. We investigated the concentrations of PCBs in the liver tissues of bobcats (Lynx rufus) sampled in Illinois during 2013. Concentrations of ∑PCBs ranged from 76.4 to 3782 ng/g lw (median 562.97 ng/g lw). Male bobcats had significantly greater concentrations of PCBs than females (p = 0.04). Ours is one of the first studies to report PCBs in a wild North American felid. We suggest that bobcats can be used as a suitable bioindicator species to monitor organohalogen contamination in terrestrial ecosystems.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory, Departments of Zoology and Forestry, and the Graduate School at Southern Illinois University for providing logistical support throughout this project. We would also like to thank Dr. Da Chen for substantial analytical and technical assistance. Finally, we would like to thank the Illinois Department of Transport and Illinois Department of Natural Resources for providing road-killed bobcats.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory and Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA

    Esmarie Boyles

  2. Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory and Department of Forestry, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA

    Clayton K. Nielsen

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  1. Esmarie Boyles
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  2. Clayton K. Nielsen
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Correspondence to Esmarie Boyles.

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Boyles, E., Nielsen, C.K. Bioaccumulation of PCBs in a Wild North American Felid. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 98, 71–75 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1947-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-016-1947-8

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