Organochlorine pesticide and PCB contents in otter (Lutra lutra) scats from western Scotland

Assessment of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in surface sediments of the Inner Clyde Estuary, UK

“…Rail Bridge) 31.35 ȝg/kg , 10 (Erskine) 13.25 ȝg/kg and 11 Milton 12.45 ȝg/kg had lower total PCB concentrations. This is supported by previous work in the Clyde by PCB concentrations of Otter (Lutra lutra) faeces collected from rural portions of the Upper River Clyde had nine times lower PCB concentrations than the more urbanised portions Lower River Clyde (Mason et al, 1992). Overall the mean PCB value of 46.9 ȝg/kg in this current work is somewhat lower than those reported for other U.K. Estuaries with comparable industrial histories such as the Mersey Estuary which has a mean PCB content of 123 ȝg/kg (Vane et al, 2007).…”

Organochlorine Compounds (pesticides and PCBs) in Scats of the European Otter (Lutra lutra) from an Actual Expanding Population in Central France

“…Significant increase in values (tendency test, w*=3.26, p=0.05) by going downstream of the catchment was noted: the lowest values were observed in the A area (0.30 mg kg −1 lipid weight and 0.75 mg kg −1 lipid weight for Σ DDTs and Σ Pesticides, respectively, see Table 2), the highest values were observed in the D area (2.21 mg kg −1 lipid weight and 2.72 mg kg −1 lipid weight for Σ DDTs and Σ Pesticides, respectively; Table 2). Those kinds of results were also observed in previous studies (Mason et al 1992;O'Sullivan et al 1993;Mason and Macdonald 1994). Quite low concentrations of lindane (γ-HCH) and aldrin in scats were measured, in all areas of study for lindane and all but B area for aldrine.…”

“…The lowest values were measured in the A area (1.29 mg kg −1 lipid weight and 5.06 mg kg −1 lipid weight for CB 153 and Σ PCBs, respectively, see Table 3), the highest values were observed in the D area (2.08 mg kg −1 lipid weight and 13.58 mg kg −1 lipid weight for CB 153 and Σ PCBs, respectively). Pesticides and PCBs contents in otter scats both tended to increase with the human population, as noted by Mason et al (1992) and Mason and Macdonald (1994). Previous studies underlined the increasing contamination gradient of the river basins and aquatic food webs by progressive downstream concentration .…”

“…The interest of organochlorine amounts measure in fresh scats as a tool for population health's evaluation has already been underlined (Mason et al 1992;Mason and MacDonald 1994;Kruuk and Conroy 1996). Some thresholds for the sum of all organochlorine (OC, i.e.…”

“…For such a rare and protected species, spraints (scats) collection and analyse is a good tool for population studies, in a geographical and toxicological approach. Indeed, the only abundant material for toxicological analysis is spraints, which reflect the contamination of the animal, of its prey and therefore of its territory (Mason et al 1992;Mason and Macdonald 1993).…”