Bioaccumulation of organochlorine compounds in large, threatened elasmobranchs off northern New South Wales, Australia

Daniele Cagnazzi; Guia Consales; Matt K Broadhurst; Letizia Marsili

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.12.043

Bioaccumulation of organochlorine compounds in large, threatened elasmobranchs off northern New South Wales, Australia

Mar Pollut Bull. 2019 Feb:139:263-269. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.12.043. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Authors

Daniele Cagnazzi¹, Guia Consales², Matt K Broadhurst³, Letizia Marsili²

Affiliations

¹ Marine Ecology Research Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. Electronic address: daniele.cagnazzi@scu.edu.au.
² Department of Environment, Earth and Physical Sciences, Siena University, Via Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
³ NSW Department of Primary Industries, Fisheries Conservation Technology Unit, National Marine Science Centre, PO Box 4321, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia; Marine and Estuarine Ecology Unit, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia.

PMID: 30686427
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.12.043

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), which are resistant to biodegradation and therefore accumulate in the marine environment. In Australia, POPs occur in high concentrations primarily in costal water near farming regions and urban centres. From contaminated sediments and biota, POPs are transferred and biomagnified in larger marine organisms. We quantified POPs concentrations in 57 individuals from ten species of sharks and rays caught in bather-protection gillnets deployed off northern New South Wales, Australia. Polychlorinated biphenyls, DDTs and HCB were detected in all species. For some individuals, concentrations were at levels known to have deleterious sub-lethal effects. Overall, the POP concentrations analysed in this study were comparable to those in similar species from more polluted regions, and may have negative impacts on longer-term health. Future research is warranted to investigate spatio-temporal patterns of species-specific contaminant loads and their implications.

Keywords: Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; Elasmobranchs; Hexachlorobenzene; Persistent organic pollutants; Polychlorinated biphenyls.

MeSH terms

Animals
DDT / analysis
DDT / pharmacokinetics
Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / analysis
Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / pharmacokinetics
Elasmobranchii / metabolism*
Endangered Species
Environmental Monitoring
Female
Hexachlorobenzene / analysis
Hexachlorobenzene / pharmacokinetics
Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / analysis*
Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / pharmacokinetics
Male
Muscles / chemistry
New South Wales
Polychlorinated Biphenyls / analysis
Polychlorinated Biphenyls / pharmacokinetics
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*
Water Pollutants, Chemical / pharmacokinetics

Substances

Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene
Hexachlorobenzene
DDT
Polychlorinated Biphenyls