Dear Community of MARMAM,
I'm very happy to share with you a new publication about "Health Status of Stranded
Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Contamination by
Immunotoxic Pollutants: A Threat to the Pelagos Sanctuary—Western
Mediterranean Sea".
Abstract:
Between 2019 and 2021, 21 bottlenose dolphins were found stranded dead along the Lig-
urian Pelagos Sanctuary coast (Italy). For 11 animals, out of a total of 14 recovered, the cause of death
was classified as natural, anthropic, or not determined based on gross and histological pathology and
ancillary testing. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), and poly-
chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were examined in their blubber, and results were discussed according
to their toxicological properties. All specimens showed the following trend: PCBs > DDTs >> HCB,
and the levels of cancerogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic organochlorine compounds (T-OCs)
were >50% of total OCs. Immunosuppressant organochlorine compound (IS-OC) levels in 10 out of
11 animals were above 50% of the total OCs. PCB levels always exceeded the threshold of 17 mg/kg
lipid weight for PCB-induced adverse health effects. The results suggest that bottlenose dolphins
living in the Pelagos Sanctuary undergo a high level of exposure to pathogens and OCs, betraying the
designation of the Cetacean Sanctuary and, consequently, of a region created for their conservation.
Immune dysfunction and infectious disease susceptibility appear to be highly connected with high
levels of OC xenobiotics. These data are useful to understand health and mortality trends in cetacean
populations, as well as for developing policies for cetacean conservation and management in this
important protected area of the Mediterranean.
Thank you for the interest and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me.
Best regards!
Lorenzo Minoia