Wolkers H, Lydersen C, Kovacs K M, Burkow I, van Bavel B
Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, N-9296, Norway.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2006 Jan;50(1):69-78. doi: 10.1007/s00244-004-0257-z. Epub 2005 Oct 19.
The concentrations and patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated pesticides, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were studied in white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and narwhals (Monodon monoceros) from Svalbard, Norway. In addition, their main food items were included in the study. In the whales, a broad range of pollutants was found in relatively high concentrations. PCBs and pesticides were approximately 3000 and 8000 ng/g lipid, respectively, for white whales and three times higher for narwhals. PBDEs 47 were approximately 70 ng/g lipid for white whales and 170 ng/g lipid for narwhals. Compared with other marine mammals from the same area, contaminant levels are among the highest levels ever measured. These high levels are likely in part because of a decreased capacity to metabolize contaminants. Metabolic indices indicated that most compounds accumulate to the same degree in white whales and narwhals, but for some toxaphenes and chlordanes, narwhals might have a decreased metabolism and consequently a higher accumulation. The three-times-higher contaminant levels in blubber of narwhals was further explained by substantially higher contaminant levels in their more benthic diet. The high levels and broad pattern of accumulating pollutants make white whales and narwhals excellent indicators for a wide range of contaminants in the Arctic.
对来自挪威斯瓦尔巴群岛的白鲸（白鲸属）和独角鲸（一角鲸属）体内的多氯联苯（PCBs）、氯化农药以及多溴二苯醚（PBDEs）的浓度和分布模式进行了研究。此外，它们的主要食物也纳入了研究范围。在这些鲸鱼体内，发现了种类繁多的污染物，且浓度相对较高。白鲸体内的多氯联苯和农药含量分别约为每克脂质3000纳克和8000纳克，独角鲸体内的含量则是白鲸的三倍。白鲸体内的多溴二苯醚47含量约为每克脂质70纳克，独角鲸体内为每克脂质170纳克。与同一地区的其他海洋哺乳动物相比，这些污染物的含量处于有史以来测量到的最高水平之列。这些高含量可能部分是由于代谢污染物的能力下降所致。代谢指标表明，大多数化合物在白鲸和独角鲸体内的积累程度相同，但对于某些毒杀芬和氯丹，独角鲸的代谢能力可能有所下降，因此积累量更高。独角鲸鲸脂中污染物含量高出三倍，这进一步解释为它们更多以底栖生物为食，而这些食物中的污染物含量大幅更高。污染物含量高且积累模式广泛，使得白鲸和独角鲸成为北极地区多种污染物的极佳指示物种。
