PM15 Biomarkers
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Monday
(PM251) Persistent organic pollutants and possible biochemical effects in northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) breeding at Bear Island (Svalbard).
Knudsen, L.1, 2, Braune, B.3, Jenssen, B.4, Jørgensen, E.2, Trudeau, S.3, van Bavel, B.5, Verreault, J.1, Gabrielsen, G.1, 1 Norwegian Polar Institute, The Polar Environmental Centre, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway2 Norwegian School of Fishery Science, University of Tromsø, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway3 Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada, Ottawa K1A OH3, Canada4 Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway5 Department of Natural Sciences, Örebro University, 701 82 Örebro, Sweden
ABSTRACT- Biomarker studies of arctic marine birds and mammals have revealed biological effects, and associations between biomarkers and concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Biomarkers such as 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-dealkylase (EROD), vitamin A and thyroid hormones have suggested alteration in vitamin A and thyroid hormone homeostasis, and the biotransformation potential. In concert, these biomarkers could serve as an early warning system for undesirable health effects mediated by exposure to POPs. The present study is part of an international, collaborative project, examining the effects of POPs in northern fulmars across Arctic regions. The main objective of this study was to investigate whether hepatic EROD activity, vitamin A (plasma retinol, hepatic retinol and hepatic retinyl palmitate) and thyroid hormone concentrations of free-ranging northern fulmars breeding at Bear Island (Svalbard) were related to blood plasma levels of POPs. There are no effect studies reported in the literature on northern fulmars. However, based on earlier findings of high POP concentrations and distinct metabolism relative to other avian species, the northern fulmar is an interesting candidate for studying biochemical effects of POPs in the Arctic. In this study 15 northern fulmars were captured at Bear Island during spring 2003. Blood plasma concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (CB - 28, 47/48, 52, 66, 74, 99/113, 105, 110, 114, 118, 128, 138, 141, 146, 149, 153, 156, 157, 170/190, 177, 180, 183, 189, 194, 195, 196/203, 199, 202, 206, 209), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (PBDE - 47, 99), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (o,p-DDE, p,p-DDE), cis-heptachloroepoxide and oxychlordane were determined. Additionally, blood plasma was analysed for thyroid hormones (free and total thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)) and retinol. Furthermore, liver concentrations of retinol, retinyl palmitate and EROD were measured, and muscle samples were analysed for 
13C and 15N. Results will be presented at the conference.
Key words: Northern Fulmar, Biomarker, Persistent Organic Pollutants, Arctic