Toxaphene, PCB, DDT, and chlordane analyses of Beluga Whale Blubber

• Published in: Chemosphere Vol. 34; no. 5; pp. 1351 - 1357
• Main Authors: Wade, Terry L., Chambers, Laura, Gardinali, Piero R., Sericano, JoséL., Jackson, Thomas J., Tarpley, Raymond J., Suydam, Robert
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - chemistry; Aging - metabolism; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Chlordan - analysis; DDT - analysis; Delphinapterus leucas; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on vertebrates; Female; Food Analysis; Food Contamination; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Insecticides - analysis; Male; Mammalia; Marine; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Pesticide Residues - analysis; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Pregnancy; Toxaphene - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Whales; Alaska; Pacific Ocean; United States; North America; America; North Pacific; INE, USA, Alaska; USA, Alaska; Insecticide; Cyclodiene derivatives; Delphinapterus leucas; Polychlorobiphenyl; Coastal zone; Marine environment; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Organochlorine compounds; DDT; Chlorocarbon; Camphechlor; Water pollution; Cetacea; Biological accumulation; Chlordane
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/S0045-6535(96)00432-8

Beluga whales bioaccumulate organochlorines from their environment. Blubber samples of Beluga Whales from Alaska's north coast contain organochlorines, including Toxaphene (polychlorinated camphenes) PCBs, DDTs and chlordane. Toxaphene was the organochlorine pesticide found in the highest concentration in all samples with the exception of the 6 year old male where PCBs were highest. The source of these organochlorines is likely global distillation from lower latitudes. Males had higher concentrations than females and the oldest male had higher concentration than the younger male. Females exhibit a decrease in concentrations with age. The fetus had about 10% higher concentrations for all organochlorines compared to the mother. Transplacental transfer of organochlorines and lactation lower the contaminant concentration in females. Older females have lower contaminate concentrations likely due to continual reproductive success. Consumption of older males will expose humans to higher levels of organochlorines.