DDT Strikes Back: Galapagos Sea Lions Face Increasing Health Risks

Alava, Juan José; Salazar, Sandie; Cruz, Marilyn; Jiménez-Uzcátegui, Gustavo; Villegas‐Amtmann, Stella; Páez‐Rosas, Diego; Costa, Daniel P.; Ross, Peter S.; Ikonomou, Michael G.; Gobas, Frank A.P.C.

doi:10.1007/s13280-011-0136-6

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Immunotoxicity associated with PCBs (Mos et al, 2010) affects the ability of animals to combat disease, which is especially relevant during periods of nutritional stress and other types of stressors in highly variable environments (e.g., El Niño events or El Niño Southern Oscillation-ENSO) when mass mortality occurs and populations often approach the critical tipping point of extinction (Alava, Ross, et al, 2011, Alava, Salazar et al, 2011. Exposure to immunotoxic contaminants may facilitate the emergence of infectious disease outbreaks (Desforges et al, 2016;Ross, 2002).…”

Section: Climate Change-induced Pcb Sensitivity Scenariomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…PCBs and other legacy POPs (e.g., dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethanes: DDTs) were largely phased out in the 1970s. However, some POPs are still used in developing countries to control malaria vectors and pests, that is, organochlorine pesticides such as DDTs (Alava, Ross, et al, 2011, Alava, Salazar et al, 2011Blus, 2003), and cycling of PCBs in the marine environment lingers in many industrial areas (e.g., Blasius & Goodmanlowe, 2008;Grant et al, 2011;Johannessen et al, 2008). POPs are bioaccumulated by marine organisms and biomagnified in food webs, reaching exposure concentrations above threshold effect levels in certain populations of apex predators (e.g., Desforges et al, 2016;Kelly, Ikonomou, Blair, Morin & Gobas, 2007;Letcher et al, 2010;Ross, Ellis, Ikonomou, Barrett-Lennard & Addison, 2000;Scheuhammer et al, 2015).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate change–contaminant interactions in marine food webs: Toward a conceptual framework

Alava

Cheung

Ross

et al. 2017

Global Change Biology

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128

105

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Climate change is reshaping the way in which contaminants move through the global environment, in large part by changing the chemistry of the oceans and affecting the physiology, health, and feeding ecology of marine biota. Climate change-associated impacts on structure and function of marine food webs, with consequent changes in contaminant transport, fate, and effects, are likely to have significant repercussions to those human populations that rely on fisheries resources for food, recreation, or culture. Published studies on climate change-contaminant interactions with a focus on food web bioaccumulation were systematically reviewed to explore how climate change and ocean acidification may impact contaminant levels in marine food webs. We propose here a conceptual framework to illustrate the impacts of climate change on contaminant accumulation in marine food webs, as well as the downstream consequences for ecosystem goods and services. The potential impacts on social and economic security for coastal communities that depend on fisheries for food are discussed. Climate change-contaminant interactions may alter the bioaccumulation of two priority contaminant classes: the fat-soluble persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as the protein-binding methylmercury (MeHg). These interactions include phenomena deemed to be either climate change dominant (i.e., climate change leads to an increase in contaminant exposure) or contaminant dominant (i.e., contamination leads to an increase in climate change susceptibility). We illustrate the pathways of climate change-contaminant interactions using case studies in the Northeastern Pacific Ocean. The important role of ecological and food web modeling to inform decision-making in managing ecological and human health risks of chemical pollutants contamination under climate change is also highlighted. Finally, we identify the need to develop integrated policies that manage the ecological and socioeconomic risk of greenhouse gases and marine pollutants.

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Section: Climate Change-induced Pcb Sensitivity Scenariomentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change–contaminant interactions in marine food webs: Toward a conceptual framework

Alava

Cheung

Ross

et al. 2017

Global Change Biology

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128

105

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“…There is no concrete evidence that DDT and its metabolites can be eliminated completely from the environment. Ongoing environmental monitoring is important, especially in Africa, to detect a possible increase in DDT levels in the environment, as is suggested by a study in sea lion pups from the Galapagos Archipelago [15] and several studies recently carried out in Africa [21,77,78,80,86]. The Global Monitoring Plan of the Stockholm Convention may enable such monitoring in the near future [46].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The increase of DDT in Antarctica is, therefore, very interesting, as the question is if this is related to the renewed application of DDT in southern Africa. Although based on a limited data set, Alava et al [15] reported a significant increase in DDT concentrations in …”

Section: Time Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Now, many years after its ban, DDT is recommended again by the WHO (World Health Organization) as a malaria vector control in many African countries. As a result, the use and production of DDT is continued in countries such as Mexico, India, and several countries in Africa (e.g., Ethiopia, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa), with India being the largest producer of DDT (4,100-4,500 t for the period 2003-2007) [14,15]. However, until now and in spite of substantial investments in research, no other alternatives to DDT have been found with the same efficiency.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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DDT and Metabolites

Mirmigkou

Boer

2015

The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry

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Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is a well-known insecticide that was introduced and widely used during World War II. In total more than 4.5 million tonnes DDT have been produced. Although its use and production stopped worldwide during the 1970s, it was reintroduced in the 2000s as a malaria vector control by the World Health Organization (WHO). DDT is toxic to animals and humans. Its main characteristics are its persistence, lipophilicity, and bioaccumulative potential. DDT and its metabolites are normally determined in organisms, sediments, or soil by gas chromatography combined with either electron capture detection or, preferably, mass spectrometry. Many interlaboratory studies have been carried out on the analysis of DDT and its metabolites, and certified reference materials are now available. DDT and its metabolites have been found in air, water, sediment, and biota from all over the world. As a consequence of global fractionation and cold condensation, DDT and its metabolites accumulate in the Arctic. Since the reintroduction of DDT against malaria in Africa in 2005, monitoring of DDT compounds is again highly relevant to detect changes in environmental levels of DDT. Such monitoring is particularly needed in Africa. The first indications show an increase of DDT in humans and wildlife.

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Multiple anthropogenic stressors in the Galápagos Islands' complex social–ecological system: Interactions of marine pollution, fishing pressure, and climate change with management recommendations

Alava

McMullen

Jones

et al. 2022

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

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For decades, multiple anthropogenic stressors have threatened the Galápagos Islands. Widespread marine pollution such as oil spills, persistent organic pollutants, metals, and ocean plastic pollution has been linked to concerning changes in the ecophysiology and health of Galápagos species. Simultaneously, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing are reshaping the composition and structure of endemic and native Galápagos pelagic communities. In this novel review, we discuss the impact of anthropogenic pollutants and their associated ecotoxicological implications for Galápagos species in the face of climate change stressors. We emphasize the importance of considering fishing pressure and marine pollution, in combination with climate-change impacts, when assessing the evolutionary fitness of species inhabiting the Galápagos. For example, the survival of endemic marine iguanas has been negatively affected by organic hydrocarbons introduced via oil spills, and endangered Galápagos sea lions exhibit detectable concentrations of DDT, triggering potential feminization effects and compromising the species' survival. During periods of ocean warming (El Niño events) when endemic species undergo nutritional stress, climate change may increase the vulnerability of these species to the impacts of pollutants, resulting in the species reaching its population tipping point. Marine plastics are emerging as a deleterious and widespread threat to endemic species. The Galápagos is treasured for its historical significance and its unparalleled living laboratory and display of evolutionary processes; however, this unique and iconic paradise will remain in jeopardy until multidisciplinary and comprehensive preventative management plans are put in place to mitigate and eliminate the effects of anthropogenic stressors facing the islands today. We present a critical analysis and synthesis of anthropogenic stressors with some progress from local and international institutional efforts and call to action more precautionary measures along with new management philosophies focused on understanding the processes of change through research to champion the conservation of the Galápagos.

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DDT Strikes Back: Galapagos Sea Lions Face Increasing Health Risks

Cited by 18 publications

References 34 publications

Climate change–contaminant interactions in marine food webs: Toward a conceptual framework

Climate change–contaminant interactions in marine food webs: Toward a conceptual framework

DDT and Metabolites

Multiple anthropogenic stressors in the Galápagos Islands' complex social–ecological system: Interactions of marine pollution, fishing pressure, and climate change with management recommendations

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