Temporal Baseline of Essesntial and Non-essential Elements Recorded in Baleen of Western Arctic Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus)

This study established the first baseline of changing elemental concentrations in bowhead whale baleen over time (1958–1999). From previously published stable isotope data, year, season (summer or winter), and location (Beaufort or Bering/Chukchi seas) were attributed to each sample. Thirteen elemen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Bulletin of environmental contamination and toxicology Vol. 108; no. 4; pp. 641 - 645
Main Authors:	Shore, Samantha L., Giarikos, Dimitrios G., Duffy, Lawrence K., Edwards, Mickie R., Hirons, Amy C.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	New York Springer US 01-04-2022 Springer Nature B.V
Subjects:	Aluminum Animals Aquatic mammals Aquatic Pollution Arctic Regions Balaena mysticetus Balaenidae Bioaccumulation Biological magnification Bowhead Whale Cadmium Chromium Climate change Copper Earth and Environmental Science Ecotoxicology Environment Environmental changes Environmental Chemistry Environmental Health Global warming Iron Lead Manganese Mercury (metal) Oceans and Seas Pollution Seasons Selenium Soil Science & Conservation Stable isotopes Waste Water Technology Water Management Water Pollution Control Whales Whales & whaling Arctic Regions Baleen Elements Arctic Metals SECLER Bowhead whale
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Summary:	This study established the first baseline of changing elemental concentrations in bowhead whale baleen over time (1958–1999). From previously published stable isotope data, year, season (summer or winter), and location (Beaufort or Bering/Chukchi seas) were attributed to each sample. Thirteen elements (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, V, Zn) in baleen from nine subsistence-harvested bowhead whales (n = 138) were detected. Al, Cu, and Fe were the highest concentrations while Cd and V were among the lowest. Our data supports absorption as the main route of exposure to environmental elements rather than biomagnification due to bowhead whales’ low trophic position. A linear mixed-effects model confirmed most elements’ concentrations increased with time, while location and sex were insignificant explanatory factors. These temporal fluctuations were most likely a product of environmental changes due to a warming climate and human activities.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0007-4861 1432-0800 1432-0800
DOI:	10.1007/s00128-021-03394-2