Abstract

Fat tissue samples from dugong (Dugong dugon) carcasses stranded at three sites along the Great Barrier Reef were analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Relatively high levels of PCDDs were determined in all three dugongs. In particular OCDD, the PCDD/F congener that is usually considered the least bioavailable of all 2,3,7,8 substituted congeners, was found at levels higher than reported for other marine mammals. Tissue accumulation of PCDDs by dugongs may be a consequence of sediment and/or seagrass ingestion during feeding, microbial biotransformation of PCDD precursors in the animal's hindgut or, alternatively, the possession of a selective degradation capability for PCDFs. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords: PCDD, PCDF, marine mammals, dugong, great barrier reef

KeyWords Plus: ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS, PCDDS, PCDFS, SEALS, PCBS, POLLUTANTS, QUEENSLAND, PESTICIDES, BIPHENYLS, NORTH

Addresses:
Haynes D, Great Barrier Reef Marine Pk Author, POB 1379, Townsville, Qld 4810, Australia Great Barrier Reef Marine Pk Author, Townsville, Qld 4810, Australia Univ Queensland, Natl Res Ctr Environm Toxicol, Coopers Plain 4108, Australia Univ Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany

Publisher: PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND

IDS Number: 147HU

ISSN: 0045-6535