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SC/69A/E/02
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Resource ID
19989
Access
Open
Document Number
SC/69A/E/02
Full Title
Persistent organic pollutants in living southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) mothers and calves at Península Valdés, Argentina
Author
Carina F. Marón, Andrea C. Hued, Franco Cecchetto, Nicolas D. Vazquez, Marcela M. Uhart, Mariano Sironi, Lidwina Bertrand, María Valeria Amé, Karina Miglioranza
Authors Summary
Between 2003-2013, calf mortality of right whales at Peninsula Valdes, Argentina (SC/69A/E/02) averaged 55 deaths per breeding season, almost seven times higher than the numbers recorded in the previous decade (1993-2002). Persistent organic pollutants were analysed from the blubber of 35 mothers and calves, and in 14 juveniles and non-calving adults. A total of 16 organochlorine pesticides were found. In calves, the mean pesticide concentration was on average two to 13 times higher than in mothers, and in adults and juveniles the concentrations were two to ten times higher than in reproductive females. This finding suggests that mothers eliminate some of these chemicals through gestation and lactation. All the pesticides found during the analysis are already banned for agricultural use, and are thus environmental residuals and/or indicate current use of these chemicals. Persistent pesticides could affect calf physiology and health, and potentially reduce survival, thus affecting right whale population dynamics.
Publisher
IWC
Publication Year
2023
Abstract
Southern right whales off Península Valdés, Argentina, have experienced high newborn calf mortality in some years since the 2000´s. Between 2003-2013, calf mortality averaged 55 deaths per breeding season, almost seven times more than the numbers recorded in the previous decade (1993-2002). In this context, assessment of persistent organic pollutants in mother-calf pairs at Península Valdés has been proposed as one of the priorities for research, since transfer of pollutants from reproductive females could be compromising calf health. We analyzed persistent organic pollutants in the blubber of 35 mothers and calves, and in 14 juveniles and non-calving adults. A total of 16 organochlorine pesticides were found. In calves, the mean pesticide concentration was on average two to 13 times higher than in mothers, and in adults and juveniles the concentration were two to ten times higher than in reproductive females. This finding suggests that mothers eliminate some of these chemicals through gestation and lactation. All pesticides reported here in whales are already banned for agricultural use, and are thus environmental residuals and/or indicate current use of these chemicals. These findings are relevant since persistent pesticides could affect calf physiology and health and potentially reduce survival, thus affecting the population dynamics.