Predicted polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) accumulation in southern resident killer whales

Authored by Andre E Punt, Teresa M Mongillo, Elizabeth E Holmes, Dawn P Noren, Glenn R VanBlaricom, Sandra M O'Neill, Gina M Ylitalo, M Bradley Hanson, Peter S Ross

Date Published: 2012

DOI: 10.3354/meps09658

Sponsors: United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS)

Platforms: R

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are anthropogenic contaminants that bioaccumulate in upper trophic level species. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are POPs of particular concern because they can induce immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and reproductive impairment. Killer whales Orcinus orca can accumulate high concentrations of POPs because they are long-lived apex predators. Southern resident killer whales (SRKWs) are an endangered fish-eating population that consists of 3 pods (J, K, and L) with a geographic range from central California, USA, to the Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada. An individual-based modeling approach was used to predict the accumulation of sum PBDEs (Sigma PBDEs) and sum PCBs (Sigma PCBs) in specific individuals in the SRKW population. Model predictions for the current concentrations corresponded closely to the concentrations measured in biopsies collected from known individuals. The predicted Sigma PBDE concentrations over the life-span of individual killer whales were consistent with a doubling time of similar to 3 to 4 yr, highlighting the rapid emergence of PBDEs as a priority concern in these animals. J pod individuals had the highest predicted Sigma PBDE and Sigma PCB concentrations, likely due to their increased residence time near industrial centers. Modeled historical Sigma PCB concentrations did not increase substantially over time or with age in males born after 1970, whereas the Sigma PBDE concentrations increased over time and with age. In general, modeled future projections indicated that the average male and female had similar Sigma PBDE trends with age, time, and diet scenario. Future Sigma PCBs are predicted to slowly decline; however, SRKWs will continue to be exposed for several generations.

Tags

Bottle-nosed dolphins Life-history Orcinus-orca Tursiops-truncatus Chinook salmon British-columbia Persistent organic pollutants Brominated flame retardants Organochlorine compounds Temporal trends