Use of skin biopsies for assessing levels of organochlorines in walruses ( Odobenus rosmarus )

Walrus <i>Odobenus rosmarus</i> research in Svalbard, Norway, 2000-2010

“…Even though this more recent study (Wolkers et al 2006) analyzed more PCB congeners than did Wiig et al (2000;63 vs 7 congeners) this new study found much lower levels. For example, PCB 153 (which is a good reference congener for PCB exposure due to its persistence) levels were about 4 times lower in 2002-2004 compared to 1993, while DDE levels were about 10 times lower in the more recent samples (Wiig et al 2000, Wolkers et al 2006. These low levels are in accordance with the general pattern of decreasing exposure to PCBs and DDTs in the Arctic environment (AMAP 2004).…”

“…This study was based on blubber and skin samples from 10 adult male Wiig et al 2000); the Svalbard OC values were up to 10 times higher than what was found in the Franz Josef Land samples. This difference was attributed to the sex and age variation among the samples from the two locales.…”

“…The Svalbard sample consisted of only adult males, which is the age/sex group that traditionally has the highest OC levels among pinnipeds. The blubber samples collected in Svalbard 10 years later (N=17, 2002-04) were analyzed for a wide range of contaminants including those analyzed by Wiig et al (2000). Even though this more recent study (Wolkers et al 2006) analyzed more PCB congeners than did Wiig et al (2000;63 vs 7 congeners) this new study found much lower levels.…”

“…The blubber samples collected in Svalbard 10 years later (N=17, 2002-04) were analyzed for a wide range of contaminants including those analyzed by Wiig et al (2000). Even though this more recent study (Wolkers et al 2006) analyzed more PCB congeners than did Wiig et al (2000;63 vs 7 congeners) this new study found much lower levels. For example, PCB 153 (which is a good reference congener for PCB exposure due to its persistence) levels were about 4 times lower in 2002-2004 compared to 1993, while DDE levels were about 10 times lower in the more recent samples (Wiig et al 2000, Wolkers et al 2006.…”

“…A study investigating the use of skin biopsies for assessing levels of organochlorines (OCs) in walruses found a significant relationship between levels in this tissue and what was found in the blubber (Wiig et al 2000). This study was based on blubber and skin samples from 10 adult male Wiig et al 2000); the Svalbard OC values were up to 10 times higher than what was found in the Franz Josef Land samples.…”