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Vertical distribution of lipids, fatty acids and organochlorine contaminants in the blubber of southern hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Citation
Waugh, CA and Nichols, PD and Schlabach, M and Noad, M and Nash, SB, Vertical distribution of lipids, fatty acids and organochlorine contaminants in the blubber of southern hemisphere humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Marine Environmental Research, 94 pp. 24-31. ISSN 0141-1136 (2014) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2013 Elsevier Ltd
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.marenvres.2013.11.004
Abstract
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as toxic lipophilic organochlorine (OC) compounds, accumulate in the blubber tissue of marine mammals. Toxicological sampling methods most frequently target only the superficial blubber layer. Vertical distribution of these contaminants through the blubber mantle may, however, not be homogenous and could reflect any dissemination of lipids and fatty acids (FAs). It is therefore critical to assess stratification patterns in a species of interest as a quality control measure for interpretation of toxicological data. Here, we analysed and compared the distribution of lipids, FAs, and OCs in the outermost and innermost blubber layer of southern hemisphere humpback whales. FA stratification was evident for short-chain (≤18) monounsaturated fatty acids (SC-MUFA), which were concentrated in the outer layer, consistent with the thermoregulatory role of this blubber layer. This stratification was, however, not reflected in OC distribution, which was similar in the inner and outer blubber layers of male humpback whales. By comparison, a noticeable gradient in total blubber lipid from the outer to the inner layer was observed in two lactating females, which coincided with higher lipid normalised contaminant levels in the inner layer. This study contains the most comprehensive assessment of humpback whale blubber stratification to date, however, further investigation of biological and ecological influencing factors is required.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | southern hemisphere humpback whales, blubber stratification, lipids, fatty acids, persistent organic pollutants, Antarctica |
| Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
| Research Group: | Zoology |
| Research Field: | Animal physiology - systems |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments |
| Objective Field: | Biodiversity in Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments |
| UTAS Author: | Nichols, PD (Dr Peter Nichols) |
| ID Code: | 118613 |
| Year Published: | 2014 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 49 |
| Deposited By: | Directorate |
| Deposited On: | 2017-07-14 |
| Last Modified: | 2017-08-31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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