Polychlorinated biphenyls in a terrestrial predator, the pine marten (Martes martes L.)

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620160903· OSTI ID:556525

Bremle, G; Larsson, P ^[1]; Helldin, J O ^[2]

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1. Lund Univ. (Sweden)
2. Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences, Riddarhyttan (Sweden)

A terrestrial predator population, the pine marten (Martes martes, L.), inhabiting an area in mid-Sweden was investigated for polychlorinated biphenyls, p,p{prime}-DDE, lindane, and hexachlorobenzene. The condition of the animals, as shown by intestine fat amounts or fat content of muscle tissue, showed negative relationships with concentration of persistent pollutants. The relationship resulted in a higher concentration of pollutants as intestinal fat amounts of muscle fat content decreased and lower levels of pollutants as these indexes of condition improved. The results indicate that terrestrial predators show changes in pollutant concentration due to condition, caused by food availability and starvation. No differences in pollutant concentration were recorded between males and females and no relationship was found for levels of pollutants and age or reproduction (females). The latter results are in contrast to those found for aquatic predatory mammals.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 556525
• Journal Information: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Journal Name: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 16; ISSN 0730-7268; ISSN ETOCDK
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIRDS
FOOD CHAINS
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
PREDATOR-PREY INTERACTIONS
TOXICITY
WATER POLLUTION