Pollutant exposure in coastal top predators: assessing current levels of exposure and toxic effects

Project ID:
SSFA/2010/04
Activity start date:
Activity end date:
Contract number:
SSFA/ASCOBANS/2010/3
Contract signed date:
Closed on date:
Executive summary

In this project, we aim to determine and analyse existing pollutant exposure data for PCBs and organochlorine pesticide levels within the ASCOBANS range. The levels of PCBs in bottlenose dolphins and killer whales would be compared with levels of PCBs in healthy and diseased harbour porpoises in UK waters (Jepson et al 2005; Hall et al 2006) and to a proposed threshold of toxicity for total PCBs of 17mg/kg lipid weight (Kannan et al 2000). PCB levels could also be compared with those associated with reproductive impairment in bottlenose dolphin studies in the US (e.g. Schwacke et al 2002). There is sufficient data from UK-stranded harbour porpoises to generate the first doseresponse curve for risk assessments of lethal effects of PCBs (i.e. infectious disease mortality) in exposed populations using empirical cetacean data. This may enable some risk assessments to be conducted for the toxic effects of PCB exposure in bottlenose dolphins and killer whales in European water within the ASCOBANS range.

Conservation

This project is highly relevant for the attainment of ASCOBANS goals by generating pollutant data in species that have the greatest recorded exposures on earth and to assess the likely effects of these pollutants on mortality of reproductive function. Such research would clearly comply the Agreement’s Conservation and Management Plan, Resolutions, Activities in the Agreement’s Triennium Work Plan and actions recommended by the Advisory Committee.

Objective

Surveys and Research


Use of by-catches and strandings

Budget line (BAC)
Year:
Fund:
BAL
Organizational unit:
2236
Object code:
2201
Activity
Project Activity
Responsibility:

Zoological Society of London

Output:

Final report to be submitted to the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee assessing the levels of exposure in UK/European bottlenose dolphins and killer whales and their likely toxicological impacts

Determine and analyse existing pollutant exposure data for PCBs and organochlorine pesticide levels within the ASCOBANS range

Project Activity
Responsibility:

Zoological Society of London

Output:

Final report to be submitted to the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee assessing the levels of exposure in UK/European bottlenose dolphins and killer whales and their likely toxicological impacts

Compare the levels of PCBs in bottlenose dolphins and killer whales with levels of PCBs in healthy and diseased harbour porpoises in UK waters (Jepson et al 2005; Hall et al 2006) and to a proposed threshold of toxicity for total PCBs of 17mg/kg lipid wei

Project Activity
Responsibility:

Zoological Society of London

Output:

Final report to be submitted to the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee assessing the levels of exposure in UK/European bottlenose dolphins and killer whales and their likely toxicological impacts

Undertake a risk assessment for the toxic effects of PCB exposure in bottlenose dolphins and killer whales in European water within the ASCOBANS range

Project Activity
Responsibility:

Zoological Society of London

Output:

Final report to be submitted to the ASCOBANS Advisory Committee assessing the levels of exposure in UK/European bottlenose dolphins and killer whales and their likely toxicological impacts

Using data from UK-stranded harbour porpoises, generate the first dose-response curve for risk assessments of lethal effects of PCBs (i.e. infectious disease mortality) in exposed populations using empirical cetacean data

Schedule of payments
Amount:
7.312,50
Date:
Payment document (PYIN):
88717
Group:
Instrument:
Threats: Pollution, Industry and production