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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

From banana fields to the deep blue: Assessment of chlordecone contamination of oceanic cetaceans in the eastern Caribbean

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Author(s):
Mendez-Fernandez, Paula [1, 2] ; Kiszka, Jeremy J. [3] ; Heithaus, Michael R. [3] ; Beal, Andria [3] ; Vandersarren, Gaelle [4] ; Caurant, Florence [5] ; Spitz, Jerome [2] ; Taniguchi, Satie [1] ; Montone, Rosalinda C. [1]
Total Authors: 9
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Oceanog, Lab Quim Organ Marinha, BR-05508120 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ La Rochelle, CNRS, Observ Pelagis, UMS 3462, 5 Allees Ocean, F-17000 La Rochelle - France
[3] Florida Int Univ, Dept Biol Sci, 3000 NE 151st St, North Miami, FL 33181 - USA
[4] CAR SPAW, Parc Natl Guadeloupe, Le Gosier, Guadeloupe - France
[5] Univ La Rochelle, CNRS, Ctr Etud Biol Chize, UMR 7372, 2 Rue Olympe Gouges, F-17042 La Rochelle 01 - France
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin; v. 137, p. 56-60, DEC 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

In the French West Indies (Caribbean), the insecticide Chlordecone (CLD) has been extensively used to reduce banana weevil (Cosmopolites sordidus) infestations in banana plantations. Previous studies have shown high CLD concentrations in freshwater and coastal communities of the region. CLD concentrations, however, have not yet been assessed in marine top predators. We investigated CLD concentrations in cetacean blubber tissues from Guadeloupe, including Physeter macrocephalus, Lagenodelphis hosei, Stenella attenuata and Pseudorca crassidens. Chlordecone was detected in all blubber samples analysed, with the exception of four P. macrocephalus. Concentrations (range: 1 to 329 ng.g(-1) of lipid weight) were, however, lower than those found in species from fresh and brackish water. Ecological factors (open ocean habitat), CLD kinetics, and cetacean metabolism (high or specific enzymatic activity) might explain low concentrations found in cetacean blubber. Future analyses that include internal organ sampling would help to confirm CLD levels observed in this study. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 16/18348-1 - Multi-User Equipment approved in grant 2015/17763-2: triple quadrupole gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC/MS/MS)
Grantee:Márcia Caruso Bícego
Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program