PCB-related exposure and effects in ringed seals (Pusa hispida) frequenting a locally-contaminated marine environment in Labrador

摘要: Supervisory Committee Dr Caren C. Helbing (Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology) Supervisor Caroline E. Cameron Departmental Member Juan Ausio Robie W. Macdonald (School Earth Ocean Sciences) Outside Ken J. Reimer (Royal Military College Canada, Department Chemistry Chemical Engineering) Additional The release 260 kg polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by a military radar station into Saglek Bay (Labrador) in the eastern Canadian Arctic contaminated adjacent marine sediments, some fish, seabirds, ringed seals. However, attributing PCBs found high trophic level highly mobile mammals to any point source is, most cases, impossible. This thesis demonstrated extent which local PCB at led contamination health effects dominance this site afforded unique opportunity evaluate single class industrial chemical manner that has not been previously possible mammals. We used variety tools characterize contribution Labrador seal food web. These included: 1) univariate multivariate statistical exploration contaminant patterns; 2) stable isotope ratios fatty acid