Maternal offloading of arsenic and other trace elements in Peruvian fur seals

Abstract

The maternal transfer of 15 elements was examined in Peruvian fur seal (Arctocephalus australis) dam and pup paired vibrissae (whiskers), serum, and milk samples collected from 2009 to 2019. Pup vibrissae, grown in utero, represented gestational transfer, while milk represented lactational transfer. Element concentrations, except arsenic, were highest in vibrissae compared to serum and milk for both dams and pups. Mean arsenic concentrations in pup vibrissae (0.44 μg/g) and milk (0.41 μg/g) were twice as high as dam vibrissae concentrations (0.19 μg/g) and nearly ten times higher than dam (0.06 μg/g) and pup serum (0.04 μg/g) concentrations. Mean arsenic concentrations from 2011 to 2019 increased in dam vibrissae (0.026 μg/g to 0.262 μg/g) and milk (0.361 μg/g to 0.484 μg/g). Pup vibrissae had significantly higher concentrations for 11 of the 15 elements analyzed compared to dam vibrissae, suggesting that element transfer is occurring through recent exposure and remobilization of elements from dam body stores. Potentially high concentrations of aluminum, arsenic, copper, and lead in pup tissues may impact their survival and population health. The impact of regional mining activities can contribute to elevated trace elements through runoff and pose a possible threat to local marine environments.

Measurement of Persistent Organic Pollutants, Perfluorinated Compounds, and Toxic Metals in the Blood of Humboldt Penguins (Spheniscus Humboldti) at Punta San Juan, Peru Using Dried Blood Spots

“…This project was not designed to validate testing methodology, but results can be compared in a general sense to existing data reported from a comprehensive study of organic and elemental compounds in the blood of S. humboldti at PSJ determined using traditional laboratory analytical methods, 1,2 as well as results from the same site in SASL and PFS. 13,14 Research related to exposure of penguins to environmental contamination in the coastal Peruvian ecosystem is scant and limited to the aforementioned projects and limited OCP, PCB, and elemental data collected from PSJ between 1992 and 1994. 21 There is a dire need for additional information on the health and toxicant exposure burden in penguin populations throughout South American, in particular those inhabiting more northern latitudes that are facing significant population declines.…”