Contamination status and accumulation features of PCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs in finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) from Korean coastal waters

Abstract

Data on the concentrations and accumulation profiles of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in cetaceans are scarce. In this study, concentrations and accumulation profiles of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs were measured in the blubber of finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) collected from Korean coastal waters. Total dioxin-like toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations (6.5-31 pg/g lipid weight) in finless porpoises were lower than those reported for cetaceans and pinnipeds from other countries. Significant gender-specific differences were found in the concentrations and accumulation profiles of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs and this difference was associated with maternal and lactation transfer of contaminants from mature females to their fetus. All of the PCDD/F homologue groups were detected in all of the samples and the proportions of PCDFs were higher than those of PCDDs. The dominant congeners found in finless porpoise blubber were 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF, 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF and OCDD for PCDD/Fs and PCB 118 for DL-PCBs. The accumulation profiles of PCDD/Fs in finless porpoise in our study were different from those found for cetaceans from other countries. Total TEQ levels in finless porpoises in Korea were below the suggested threshold values for adverse health effects in marine mammals.