Zang-Geun Kim

Perfluorinated compounds in minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) from Korean coastal waters.

This is the first study to report the concentrations and accumulation profiles of PFCs in marine mammals from Korea. The concentrations and profiles of 10 PFCs in the liver of minke whales and common dolphins from Korean coastal waters were recorded in this study. The mean concentrations of PFOS and PFUnDA were 3-20 times higher than that found for other PFCs analyzed. The concentrations of PFOS in cetaceans from Korea were relatively lower than those reported in other countries. Inter-species differences in the concentrations of PFOS, PFOSA and PFNA were found between two cetacean species, while no difference was observed in the concentrations of PFDA, PFUnDA and PFDoDA between the species. The dominant PFC compounds found in cetaceans were PFUnDA and PFOS, accounting for 70-80% of the PFCs. The accumulation profiles and correlation analysis indicated that two cetacean species have different exposure routes and metabolic capacity for PFCs.

Concentrations and accumulation features of PCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs in cetaceans from Korean coastal waters

Despite several studies that report accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and DDT in marine mammals worldwide, very few have examined polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like PCBs. In particular, no earlier studies have reported concentrations and accumulation profiles of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in marine mammals from Korea. In this study, concentrations and accumulation features of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs were measured in liver and blubber of minke whales and long-beaked common dolphins collected from Korean coastal waters. The concentrations of PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs in blubber were 3-10 times higher than the concentrations measured in liver, but PCDDs were higher in liver than blubber. Total toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations in blubber of minke whales and common dolphins from Korean coastal waters were similar to, or higher than those reported for cetaceans and seals from other countries. Homologue and congener profiles of PCDD/Fs were different between livers and blubbers, while the profiles of dioxin-like PCBs were similar between the tissues. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in liver and blubber of dolphins were significantly higher than those measured in whales, due to differences in habitat and diet. The relative contribution of individual chemical groups to total TEQs was different between the two cetacean species, suggesting different exposures and metabolic activity. The TEQ levels in minke whales did not exceed the threshold level suggested for immunomodulation, while TEQs in all dolphin samples exceeded the suggested threshold level, implying potential adverse health effects from exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in cetaceans from Korean coastal waters

Data on levels and accumulation profiles of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/ Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in cetaceans are scarce. This paper presents data on the concentrations and accumulation features of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in muscle of minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and long-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus capensis) collected from Korean coastal waters. The residue levels in cetaceans were in the order of mono-ortho PCBs> non-ortho PCBs>PCDFs>PCDDs. Total toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations in muscle of minke whales and common dolphins from Korea were lower than those reported for cetaceans and seals from other countries. The accumulation profiles of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs were different between the cetacean species. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in common dolphins were significantly higher than those measured in minke whales, due to differences in the habitat and diet. The relative contribution of individual chemical groups to total TEQs was different between the cetacean species, suggesting different exposures and metabolic activity.