Effects of trophic ecology and habitat use on maternal transfer of contaminants in four species of young of the year lamniform sharks

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• 作者：Kady Lyons ; Aaron Carlisle ; Antonella Preti ; Christopher Mull ; Mary Blasius ; John O'Sullivan ; Chuck Winkler ; Christopher G. Lowe
• 关键词：Maternal offloading ; Elasmobranch ; Trophic ecology ; Bioaccumulation ; Organochlorine ; Metals
• 刊名：Marine Environmental Research
• 出版年：2013
• 出版时间：September, 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：90
• 期：Complete
• 页码：27-38
• 全文大小：964 K

文摘

Organic contaminant and total mercury concentrations were compared in four species of lamniform sharks over several age classes to examine bioaccumulation patterns and gain insights into trophic ecology. Contaminants found in young of the year (YOY) sharks were assumed to be derived from maternal sources and used as a proxy to investigate factors that influence maternal offloading processes. YOY white (Carcharodon carcharias) and mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) sharks had comparable and significantly higher concentrations of PCBs, DDTs, pesticides, and mercury than YOY thresher (Alopias vulpinus) or salmon (Lamna ditropis) sharks. A significant positive relationship was found between YOY contaminant loads and maternal trophic position, suggesting that trophic ecology is one factor that plays an important role in maternal offloading. Differences in organic contaminant signatures and contaminant concentration magnitudes among species corroborated what is known about species habitat use and may be used to provide insights into the feeding ecology of these animals.