Trends of persistent organic pollutants in ringed seals (Phoca hispida) from the Canadian Arctic

Measurable Levels of Short‐Chain Chlorinated Paraffins in Western Hudson Bay Fishes but Limited Biomagnification from Fish to Ringed Seals

“…Similar results were also observed in Greenland shark, with SCCPs in the same range as individual PCBs (Strid et al, 2013). The opposite was observed in seals, where the SCCP levels were two to four times lower than PCB and OC levels previously reported for seals in Arviat (2014–2016; Houde et al, 2019). In previous studies on polar bears, belugas, and ringed seals, ∑SCCP levels were two to three times lower than those of ∑PCBs (Letcher et al, 2018; Tomy et al, 2000).…”

“…Ringed seal blubber samples were collected by community members during subsistence hunts around Arviat in the fall of 2017, including 9 females (<1–21 years old) and 1 male (1 year old). Collected blubber samples were placed in Whirl‐Pak® bags, stored between –15 and –25 °C within hours of sampling, and then kept at –20 °C (Houde et al, 2019). Age was determined by Matson's Laboratory by counting the annual growth layers of longitudinal sections of teeth (Houde et al, 2019).…”

“…Collected blubber samples were placed in Whirl‐Pak® bags, stored between –15 and –25 °C within hours of sampling, and then kept at –20 °C (Houde et al, 2019). Age was determined by Matson's Laboratory by counting the annual growth layers of longitudinal sections of teeth (Houde et al, 2019). Seals ≤1 year old were considered young of the year, and those >5 years old were considered adults; no animals between 2 and 7 year old were collected.…”

The influence of global climate change on accumulation and toxicity of persistent organic pollutants and chemicals of emerging concern in Arctic food webs

“…31 Similarly, POP concentrations in ringed seals from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and Hudson Bay were positively related to AO and NAO states, respectively, in the preceding year. 30 These ndings indicate that POP concentrations were higher in gulls and seals following years with greater transport of air masses from North America and Europe toward the Arctic. In glaucous gulls, negative relationships between concentrations of POPs and AO in the current winter were suggested to be related to changes in diet or overwintering areas.…”

“…22 Correlations have been documented between the AO or NAO indices and contaminant trends in glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) in the Norwegian Arctic and ringed seals (Pusa hispida) in the Greenlandic and Canadian Arctic. 27,29,30 Glaucous gulls from Bjørnøya, Svalbard, showed positive relationships between POP concentrations and AO conditions in the preceding summer and preceding winter. 29 Concentrations of POPs in ringed seals from West Greenland were also positively associated with winter AO conditions.…”