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

Samantha Shore; Dimitri Giarikos; Lawrence K. Duffy; Mickie Rae Edwards; Amy Hirons

doi:10.1007/s00128-021-03394-2

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

Samantha Shore
, Dimitri Giarikos
, Lawrence K. Duffy
, Mickie Rae Edwards
, Amy Hirons

Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original language	American English
Pages (from-to)	641-645
Number of pages	5
Journal	Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Volume	108
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03394-2 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03394-2
State	Published - Apr 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding

This project was supported by Nova Southeastern University’s President’s Faculty Research and Development Grant to the authors. We thank Dr. Matthew Wooller, Norma Haubenstock, and Tim Howe at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Stable Isotope Facility for access to Schell’s samples and sub-sampling assistance. Additional thanks are extended to Dr. Alan Shiller and Melissa Gilbert at the University of Southern Mississippi Center for Trace Analysis. This project was supported by Nova Southeastern University?s President?s Faculty Research and Development Grant to the authors. We thank Dr. Matthew Wooller, Norma Haubenstock, and Tim Howe at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Stable Isotope Facility for access to Schell?s samples and sub-sampling assistance. Additional thanks are extended to Dr. Alan Shiller and Melissa Gilbert at the University of Southern Mississippi Center for Trace Analysis.

Funders
University of Alaska Fairbanks Stable Isotope Facility
University of Southern Mississippi Center for Trace Analysis
Nova Southeastern University

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Toxicology
Pollution
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Keywords

Arctic
Baleen
Bowhead whale
Elements
Metals
SECLER
Oceans and Seas
Animals
Arctic Regions
Bowhead Whale
Seasons

Disciplines

Life Sciences
Marine Biology

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title = "Temporal Baseline of Essential and Non-essential Elements Recorded in Baleen of Western Arctic Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus)",

abstract = " 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{\textquoteright} low trophic position. A linear mixed-effects model confirmed most elements{\textquoteright} 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.",

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doi = "10.1007/s00128-021-03394-2",

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AU - Shore, Samantha

AU - Giarikos, Dimitri

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AU - Edwards, Mickie Rae

AU - Hirons, Amy

PY - 2022/4

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

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KW - Animals

KW - Arctic Regions

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

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Keywords

Disciplines

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