137Cs and 210Po in Pacific walrus and bearded seal from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska

The activity concentration of Cesium-137 ((137)Cs) and naturally-occurring Polonium-210 ((210)Po) were measured in the muscle tissue, kidney and liver of Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) and bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus) collected by native hunters from the Bering Sea during May 1996. The mean (137)Cs concentrations in muscle, liver and kidney of Pacific walrus were 0.07, 0.09 and 0.07 Bq kg(-1) (n=5, wet weight), respectively, and 0.17, 0.10, and 0.17 Bq kg(-1) (n=2, wet weight), respectively, in bearded seal. In general, (137)Cs tissue concentrations are significantly lower than those previously reported for mammals from other regions. By comparison, (210)Po activity concentrations are more variable and appear to be higher level compared with mammal data from other regions. The mean (210)Po concentration in the muscle tissue, liver and kidney of Pacific walrus (n=5, wet weight) were 28.7, 189, and 174 Bq kg(-1), respectively. This compares with (210)Po concentration values (n=2, wet weight) of 27, 207 and 68 Bq kg(-1) measured in the muscle tissue, liver and kidney, of bearded seal, respectively. Estimated concentration factors--as defined by the radionuclide concentration ratio between the target tissue to that in sea water--were two to three orders of magnitude higher for (210)Po that those of (137)Cs. We conclude from radiological dose estimates that ingestion of (137)Cs in foods derived from walrus and seal will pose no threat to human health. This work has important implications for assessment of risks of Alaskan coastal communities concerned about the dumping of nuclear waste in the Russia Arctic.     

Levels and temporal trends of PCDD/PCDFs and non-ortho PCBs in ringed seals from East Greenland

The levels and temporal trend of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and non-ortho substituted PCBs (c-PCBs, i.e. CB77, CB126 and CB169) were determined in ringed seal blubber from central East Greenland collected in 1986, 1994, 1999 and 2003, respectively. Since 1986 the concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs and c-PCBs all show a decreasing trend. The annual decreases were estimated to 5.2% and 5.3% for pg/g WHO-TEQ ww of PCDD/Fs and c-PCB, respectively. The annual median concentrations of PCDDs ranged from 5.4 to 24.4 pg/g WHO-TEQ ww and those of PCDFs from 2.5 to 5.1 pg/g WHO-TEQ ww. Compared to PCDD/Fs concentrations in ringed seals from other Arctic areas the levels of PCDD/Fs found in 1986 were the highest recorded. The annual median concentrations of c-PCBs decreased 24.2 to 9.1 pg/g WHO-TEQ ww. The levels of c-PCBs observed in 1986 are similar to levels found in ringed seals from Svalbard in 1990 and from eastern Hudson Bay in 1989–1992. The dominant and most TEQ-contributing PCDD congener was 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD. CB126 was the dominating and most TEQ-contributing c-PCB congener. The concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs and c-PCBs were highly significantly inter-correlated. Principal component analysis of the PCDD/PCDF congeners and c-PCBs was performed to analyse the pattern of compounds during time.     

Bioaccumulation of radiocaesium in Arctic seals

Seals are high trophic level feeders that bioaccumulate many contaminants to a greater degree than most lower trophic level organisms. Their trophic status in the marine food web and wide-spread distribution make seals useful sentinels of arctic environmental change. The purpose of this investigation is to document the levels and bioaccumulation potential of radiocaesium in high latitude seal species for which data have not previously been available. The study was carried out on harp, ringed, and bearded seals caught north of the island archipelago of Svalbard (82°N) in 1999. The results are then compared with previous studies in order to elucidate factors responsible for bioaccumulation in Arctic seals. Concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs were determined in muscle, liver and kidney samples from a total of 10 juvenile and one adult seal. The mean concentration in muscle samples for all animals was 0.23±0.045 Bq/kg f.w. ¹³⁷Cs concentrations in both liver and kidney samples were near detection limits (≈0.2 Bq/kg f.w.). The results are consistent with previous studies indicating low levels of radiocaesium in Arctic seals in response to a long term trend of decreasing levels of ¹³⁷Cs in the Barents Sea region. Bioconcentration factors (BCFs) estimated for seals from NE Svalbard are low, ranging from 34 to 130. Comparing these values with reported BCFs for Greenland seals from other sectors of the European Arctic, we suggest that the combination of physiological and ecological factors on radiocaesium bioaccumulation is comparable among different Arctic seal populations. The application of this work to Arctic monitoring and assessment programs is discussed.     

Selenium and mercury concentrations in harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from central California: Health implications in an urbanized estuary

We measured total selenium and total mercury concentrations ([TSe] and [THg]) in hair (n = 138) and blood (n = 73) of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from California to assess variation by geography and sex, and inferred feeding relationships based on carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur stable isotopes. Harbor seals from Hg-contaminated sites had significantly greater [THg], and lesser [TSe] and TSe:THg molar ratios than seals from a relatively uncontaminated site. Males had significantly greater [THg] than females at all locations. Sulfur stable isotope values explained approximately 25% of the variability in [THg], indicating increased Hg exposure for seals with a greater use of estuarine prey species. Decreased [TSe] in harbor seals from Hg-contaminated regions may indicate a relative Se deficiency to mitigate the toxic effects of Hg. Further investigation into the Se status and the potential negative impact of Hg on harbor seals from Hg-contaminated sites is warranted.     

Heavy metals and high pup mortality in the Saimaa ringed seal population in eastern Finland

Hair nickel, mercury, cadmium, lead and chromium concentrations were measured from still-born ringed seal pups and from other ringed seal groups from Lake Saimaa in Finland. Nickel concentration was significantly higher in the hair samples of still-born pups as compared to live-born pups and to adult seals. There was assumed to be some connection between the stillbirth of the pups and nickel concentration of the hair. Mercury concentration of the natal hair of pups was significantly higher than the mercury concentration of the first adult hair but no clear connection between stillbirth and mercury pollution was observed. No differences were observed in cadmium, lead and chromium concentrations of the hair of still-born and other ringed seal groups.     

Total mercury body burden in Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardii, pups from central California

To determine body and tissue compartment-specific burdens (mg) of total mercury (THg), tissues were weighed and analyzed for THg concentration (microg/g fw) in Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii) pups from central California in 2006. THg concentrations were related as follows: hair > liver = kidney = pelt > muscle > other = heart > brain > blubber > bone. THg burden, however, was related as: pelt = muscle > liver = other > kidney = blubber > brain = heart > bone. THg concentration and burden in muscle were strongly associated with delta(15)N. delta(13)C and delta(15)N values were significantly greater in muscle than liver, and delta(13)C was significantly lesser the longer animals were in rehabilitation. Because THg concentration and burden in muscle correlated most significantly with other tissue compartments, we recommend that muscle from the specific sites we sampled be used instead of liver or hair for biomonitoring THg in harbor seals. Assessment of proportional THg burdens within each tissue compartment for harbor seals pups included use of a conceptual model, allowing for more complete visual characterization of THg body burden.     

Levels of organochlorine compounds in an inland seal population in eastern Finland

Fourteen Saimaa ringed seals (Phoca hispida saimensis) were studied for PCB, DDT, chlordane and chlorophenol compounds in blubber, liver, muscle, heart and kidney in Lake Saimaa, eastern Finland, in 1977–1981. Both PCBs and total DDT increased on average from a good 5 mg kg^?1 in extractable fat of blubber in a new-born to a good 65 mg kg^?1 in sexually mature specimens, the maximum being 93 and 104 mg kg^?1 respectively. Concentrations of PCBs and tDDT in blubber and liver were most clearly dependent on the age and weight of the seal. Chlordanes were found in all 14 specimens (mean 0.59 mg kg^?1 in blubber), trichlorophenol in one, tetrachlorophenol in two and pentachlorophenol in all three specimens studied. Although some of the Saimaa seals had reached quite high levels of both PCBs and tDDT, the present results do not indicate that the steady decrease of the Saimaa seal population during the last two decades would have been caused by these toxins, at least not in isolation.     

Difference of mercury bioaccumulation in red mullets from the north-western Mediterranean and Black seas

The relationships between total mercury (Hg) concentration and stable nitrogen isotope ratio (δ¹⁵N) were evaluated in Mullus barbatus barbatus and M. surmuletus from the Mediterranean Sea and M. barbatus ponticus from the Black Sea. Mercury concentration in fish muscle was six times higher in the two Mediterranean species than in the Black Sea one for similar sized animals. A positive correlation between Hg concentration and δ¹⁵N occurred in all species. Increase in Hg concentration with δ¹⁵N was high and similar in the two Mediterranean fishes and much lower in the Black Sea species. Since this was neither related to trophic level difference between species nor to methylmercury (MeHg) concentration differences between the north-western Mediterranean and the Black Sea waters, we suggested that the higher primary production of the Black Sea induced a dilution of MeHg concentration at the base of the food webs.     

Recent contamination by persistent organochlorines in Baikal seal (Phoca sibirica) from Lake Baikal, Russia

Blubber samples of Baikal seals pups (Phoca sibirica) collected in 2001 and 2002 were analyzed for persistent organochlorines (OCs) such as PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), DDTs (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites), HCHs (hexachlorocyclohexane isomers), CHLs (chlordane related compounds), TCPMe [tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane] and TCPMOH [tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol]. The distribution pattern of OCs was in the following order: DDTs>PCBs>CHLs>HCHs>TCPMOH>TCPMe. Organochlorine concentrations and composition patterns in eight pup blubber samples (2002) analyzed in the present study were compared with the corresponding levels in juvenile Baikal seals from 1992 survey, and it was found that residue levels of OC compounds have declined during the 10 year period. In particular, concentrations of PCBs, HCHs and CHLs in seals collected in 2002 were approximately two times lower, while DDTs levels were three times lower than the corresponding levels in 1992. Furthermore, higher ratios of beta-HCH/HCHs and p,p(')-DDE/DDTs were found in 2002 samples. While comparing the OC levels with those in other seal pups it appeared that all the OC concentrations were lower than the levels in seals from coastal California known as one of the most polluted areas. PCB and DDT concentrations in the present specimens were higher than that in Arctic seal pups. The proportions of tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexachlorobiphenyls in pups captured in 2002 were higher than those in 1992. TEQ concentrations of non- and mono-ortho coplanar PCBs in Baikal seals collected in 2002 were higher than those in seals collected from some locations in the world, where human and industrial activities are extensive, suggesting potential for toxic implications of coplanar PCBs in Baikal seals.     

The date of last large eruption of Changbaishan-Tianchi volcano and its significance

The systematical¹⁴C age of a large gagatite, which has been found in the purniceous airfall deposits of the last large eruption of Changhaishan-Tianchi volcano, is dated from its centre to its edge. By fitting the¹⁴C age with the high precise calibrated curve of tree ring, it IS concluded that t h r date of the last large eruption is (1215±15) AD. In addition, the climatic effects of that large eruption are also discussed. pointing out that the last large eruption probably corresponds to the sulfuric acid peak at (1227 ± 2) AD in GISP2 Greenland ice core. Project supported by the National Uatural Sc~ence Foundatlon of Chlna (Grant No 49672109)     

Temperature and methane records over the last 2 ka in Dasuopu ice core

High resolution δ¹⁸O and methane records over the last 2ka have been reconstructed from Dasuopu ice core recovered from the Himalayas. Analysis shows that the δ¹⁸O record correlates well with the Northern Hemispheric temperature, Dunde ice core record, and with temperature record in eastern China. The warming trend detected in δ¹⁸O record from the last century is similar to that during the Medieval warm period. There is a dramatic increasing in methane concentration in the Dasuopu ice core, which reached 1031 nmol ⋅ mol^-1 in 1997. Moreover, methane concentration in the Dasuopu ice core is about 15%-20% higher than that in Antarctica and Greenland. There is a positive correlation between methane concentration and δ¹⁸O in Dasuopu ice core.     

Coral skeletal delta(15)N reveals isotopic traces of an agricultural revolution

This study introduces a new method of tracing the history of nutrient loading in coastal oceans via delta(15)N analysis of organic nitrogen preserved in the skeleton of the massive Porites coral. Four coral cores were collected in Bali, Indonesia, from reefs exposed to high levels of fertilizers in agricultural run-off, from lagoonal corals impacted by sewage, and from a reef located 30 km offshore. Skeletal delta(15)N in the agriculturally exposed coral declined from 10.7+/-0.4 per thousand in 1970-1971, when synthetic fertilizers (-0.8 per thousand+/-0.2 per thousand) were introduced to Bali, to a depleted "anthropogenic" baseline of 3.5 per thousand+/-0.4% in the mid-1990s. delta(15)N values were negatively correlated with rainfall, suggesting that marine delta(15)N lowers during flood-bourn influxes of waste fertilizers. Reef cores exposed to untreated sewage in terrestrial discharge were enriched (7.8 and 7.3+/-0.4 per thousand), while the offshore core reflected background oceanic signals (6.2+/-0.4 per thousand). delta(15)N, N concentration, and C:N systematics indicate that the N isotopic composition of skeletal organic matter was generally well preserved over 30 years. We suggest that skeletal organic delta(15)N can serve as a recorder of past nitrogen sources. In Bali, this tracer suggests that the intensification of Western style agricultural practices since 1970 are contributing to the degradation of coastal coral reefs.     

Relocation of the Yellow River as revealed by sedimentary isotopic and elemental signals in the East China Sea

The Yellow River (YR) supplies a large amount of nutrients and fresh water to the northern Chinese marginal seas, and greatly influences the ecosystem and current patterns. The relocation of the YR outlet from the southern Yellow Sea (YS) to the Bohai Sea in 1855 was demonstrated using northern East China Sea (ECS) sediment characteristics. Both isotopic (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N) signals and C/N ratios in the organic matter (OM) indicate that prior to 1750, the predominant source of OM to the sediments was terrestrial. The terrestrial influences continuously weakened until 1855, when the YR estuary moved; after 1855, the OM was characterized by oceanic sources. Major elements (Al, Ti, Fe, Mn) and trace elements (Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb) had a much closer association with Malan loess prior to 1855, as >90% of the YR sediment was loess-derived. These results reveal that the relocation of the YR induced significant changes in the current patterns of the northern China Seas in the last 250 years; however, more studies are needed to further examine these linkages.     

Natural and anthropogenic nitrogen uptake by bloom-forming macroalgae

The frequency and duration of macroalgal blooms have increased in many coastal waters over the past several decades. We used field surveys and laboratory culturing experiments to examine the nitrogen content and delta(15)N values of Ulva and Gracilaria, two bloom-forming algal genera in Narragansett Bay, RI (USA). The northern end of this bay is densely populated with large sewage treatment plant nitrogen inputs; the southern end is more lightly populated and opens to the Atlantic Ocean. Field-collected Ulva varied in delta(15)N among sites, but with two exceptions had delta(15)N above 10 per thousand, reflecting a significant component of heavy anthropogenic N. This variation was not correlated with a north-south gradient. Both Ulva and Gracilaria cultured in water from across Narragansett Bay also had high signals (delta(15)N= approximately 14-17 per thousand and 8-12 per thousand, respectively). These results indicate that inputs of anthropogenic N can have far-reaching impacts throughout estuaries.     

Nitrogen isotope ratios in estuarine biota collected along a nutrient gradient in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA

Stable nitrogen isotope ratios were used to study the incorporation of anthropogenically-derived nitrogen into the food webs of salt marsh systems along a contamination gradient in Narragansett Bay. Nitrogen isotope ratios (delta(15)N) were measured in six estuarine species collected from three marshes along this gradient, monthly from June to October between 1997 and 1999. A significant decrease in delta(15)N was found with distance along the estuary for four of the six species. Significant differences were found among monthly isotope ratios for some species. Nitrogen isotope ratios in sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) increased during the summer season with highest delta(15)N values measured during September and October. This trend was most pronounced at the station receiving the highest nutrient inputs. Elevated delta(15)N values at this station appeared to correlate with seawater ammonia/nitrate concentration ratios. The temporal variations in delta(15)N suggest that care should be taken in species selection and the design of sampling schemes of studies using delta(15)N for monitoring anthropogenic nutrients in aquatic systems. Sampling programs designed to determine long-term trends should consider species that do not show rapid fluctuations in isotope ratios. The mud snail, Nassarius obsoletus, responded this way in the present study. Studies designed to measure short-term changes should include species such as U. lactuca, which rapidly respond to isotope changes. The results from this study also help to establish a baseline for nitrogen isotope values in Narragansett Bay. This information can be used to monitor future trends in nitrogen inputs to this estuary.     

Entanglement of Australian sea lions and New Zealand fur seals in lost fishing gear and other marine debris before and after Government and industry attempts to reduce the problem

In recent years, Australian governments and fishing industry associations have developed guiding principles aimed at reducing the impact of fishing on non-target species and the benthos and increasing community awareness of their efforts. To determine whether they reduced seal entanglement in lost fishing gear and other marine debris, we analysed Australian sea lion and New Zealand fur seal entanglement data collected from Kangaroo Island, South Australia. Contrary to our expectations, we found that entanglement rates did not decrease in recent years. The Australian sea lion entanglement rate (1.3% in 2002) and the New Zealand fur seal entanglement rate (0.9% in 2002) are the third and fourth highest reported for any seal species. Australian sea lions were most frequently entangled in monofilament gillnet that most likely originated from the shark fishery, which operates in the region where sea lions forage--south and east of Kangaroo Island. In contrast, New Zealand fur seals were most commonly entangled in loops of packing tape and trawl net fragments suspected to be from regional rock lobster and trawl fisheries. Based on recent entanglement studies, we estimate that 1478 seals die from entanglement each year in Australia. We discuss remedies such as education programs and government incentives that may reduce entanglements.     

Climatic and oceanographic changes in the Northeast Atlantic reflected by magnetic properties of sediments deposited on the Portuguese Margin during the last 340 ka

Rock magnetic parameters measured along two giant piston cores MD95-2040 (40°34′N, 9°51′W) and MD95-2042 (37°47′N, 10°09′W) collected off the Portuguese Margin, related to other proxy-climatic data, have been used to reconstruct magnetic mineralogical changes of, in relation to environmental and climatic conditions over the North Atlantic, Western Europe and Northwest Africa during the last three climatic cycles (since isotope stage 10). Thin discrete layers containing coarse grains of titano-magnetite are associated with events of iceberg discharge during Heinrich events 1-6 [Heinrich, Quat. Res. 29 (1988) 142] that have equivalent events in isotope stages 5-8. Concentrations of fine-grained (Ti-) magnetite and hematite/goethite, varying in phase opposition, are directly linked with alternations of cold and warm climatic periods. Spectral analyses of the rock magnetic signals reveal Milankovitch periods at 100 and 41 ka, confirming the relationship with long-term climatic changes at high latitudes. The nature (Ti-magnetite) and size range of the finest ferrimagnetic fraction as well as its variation, suggest a control by deep currents carrying a colloidal/clayey fraction from remote sources (Iceland, Faeroes, mid-Atlantic Ridge). Variation of hematite/goethite contents is linked with transport by rivers and winds from the neighbouring continent. A tight correlation with the D-O cycles in Greenland ice records confirms that North Atlantic oceanic regimes and continental wind regimes were strongly influenced by millennial scale climatic changes throughout the last 350 ka.     

The oxygen isotopic composition and temperature of Southern Ocean bottom waters during the last glacial maximum

We provide two new determinations of the oxygen isotopic composition of seawater during the last glacial maximum (LGM). High-resolution oxygen isotopic measurements were made on interstitial waters from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Sites 1168 and 1170 in the southeast Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean. We use a diffusion-advection numerical model to calculate the glacial-interglacial change in bottom-water δ¹⁸O_sw from the pore water δ¹⁸O profiles; the first such determinations from this part of the oceans. Statistical analyses of the model runs indicate that Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) δ¹⁸O_sw changed by 1.0-1.1±0.15‰ since the last glacial maximum (LGM). Our results are consistent with a previous calculation from a South Atlantic Southern Ocean location (ODP Site 1093) also situated within CDW. The new values determined in this study, together with previous estimates, are converging on a global average Δδ¹⁸O_sw of 1.0-1.1‰.Using the calculated bottom-water δ¹⁸O_sw, we have extracted the temperature component from the benthic foraminiferal δ¹⁸O record at Sites 1168 and 1170. Since the LGM, bottom waters at these two sites warmed by 2.6 and 1.9°C, respectively. The absolute temperature estimates for the LGM (−0.5°C [Θ=−0.6°C] at Site 1168 and −0.2°C [Θ=−0.4°C] at Site 1170) are slightly warmer than those reported from previous studies using the same technique, but are consistent with more homogenous deep-ocean temperatures during the LGM relative to the modern.     

Sedimentation and chronology of heavy metal pollution in Oslo harbor, Norway

Stratigraphic profiles of Cu, Cd and Hg in ten sediment cores from the Oslo harbor, Norway, combined with results of radiometric dating demonstrate that pollution by these metals peaked between 1940 and 1970. Dating results indicate that Hg discharges peaked between 1940 and 1950, Cd reached maximum ca. 1955-1960, and Cu has the highest concentration in sediment interval corresponding to ca. 1970. Geochemical profiles and maxima of Cu, Cd and Hg concentrations can be used as chronostratigraphic markers for sediment cores from the Oslo harbor. Acoustic backscatter and sediment core data indicate that propeller wash affects the seabed in the Oslo harbor. The propeller-induced turbulence causes erosion, and in places exposes and remobilizes contaminated sediments that accumulated in the harbor during previous decades. Such re-exposure of contaminated sediments could be detrimental to local ecosystems and offset remediation efforts, warranting further impact studies and potential mitigation strategies to prevent redistribution.