| Regional Contamination versus Regional Dietary Differences: Understanding Geographic Variation in Brominated and Chlorinated Contaminant Levels in Polar Bears. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21166451 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The relative contribution of regional contamination versus dietary differences to geographic variation in polar bear (Ursus maritimus) contaminant levels is unknown. Dietary variation between Alaska, Canada, East Greenland, and Svalbard subpopulations was assessed by muscle nitrogen and carbon stable isotope (δ(15)N, δ(13)C) and adipose fatty acid (FA) signatures relative to their main prey (ringed seals). Western and southern Hudson Bay signatures were characterized by depleted δ(15)N and δ(13)C, lower proportions of C(20) and C(22) monounsaturated FAs and higher proportions of C(18) and longer chain polyunsaturated FAs. East Greenland and Svalbard signatures were reversed relative to Hudson Bay. Alaskan and Canadian Arctic signatures were intermediate. Between-subpopulation dietary differences predominated over interannual, seasonal, sex, or age variation. Among various brominated and chlorinated contaminants, diet signatures significantly explained variation in adipose levels of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants (14-15%) and legacy PCBs (18-21%). However, dietary influence was contaminant class-specific, since only low or nonsignificant proportions of variation in organochlorine pesticide (e.g., chlordane) levels were explained by diet. Hudson Bay diet signatures were associated with lower PCB and PBDE levels, whereas East Greenland and Svalbard signatures were associated with higher levels. Understanding diet/food web factors is important to accurately interpret contaminant trends, particularly in a changing Arctic. |
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Authors:
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Melissa A McKinney; Robert J Letcher; Jon Aars; Erik W Born; Marsha Branigan; Rune Dietz; Thomas J Evans; Geir W Gabrielsen; Derek C G Muir; Elizabeth Peacock; Christian Sonne |
Publication Detail:
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Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2010-12-17 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Environmental science & technology Volume: 45 ISSN: 1520-5851 ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2011 Feb |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-1-31 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0213155 Medline TA: Environ Sci Technol Country: - |
Other Details:
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Languages: ENG Pagination: 896-902 Citation Subset: - |
Affiliation:
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Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Science and Technology Branch, Environment Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, Canada, Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada, Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø NO-9 296, Norway, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk DK-3900, Greenland, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Inuvik, Northwest Territories X0E 0T0, Canada, Aarhus University, National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, Roskilde DK-4000, Denmark, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, United States, National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada, Burlington, Ontario L7R 4A6, Canada, and Department of Environment, Government of Nunavut, Igloolik, Nunavut X0A 0L0, Canada. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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