To: marmam@lists.uvic.ca Subject: [MARMAM] New papers from a vulnerable Brazilian dolphin On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to announce the publication of the two following articles: Mariana B. Alonso, Maria Luisa Feo, Cayo Corcellas, Lara G. Vidal, Carolina P. Bertozzi, Juliana Marigo, Eduardo R. Secchi, Manuela Bassoi, Alexandre F. Azevedo, Paulo R. Dorneles, João Paulo M. Torres, José Lailson-Brito, Olaf Malm, Ethel Eljarrat, Damià Barceló (2012) “*Pyrethroids: A new threat to marine mammals?”* *Environment International* 47: 99–106 Abstract: The present study constitutes the first investigation to demonstrate pyrethroid bioaccumulation in marine mammals, despite the assumption that these insecticides are converted to non-toxic metabolites by hydroly- sis in mammals. Twelve pyrethroids were determined in liver samples from 23 male franciscana dolphins from Brazil. The median concentration values for total pyrethroids were 7.04 and 68.4ng/g lw in adults and calves, respectively. Permethrin was the predominant compound, contributing for 55% of the total pyre- throids. Results showed a distinct metabolic balance of pyrethroids through dolphin life. High loads are re- ceived at the beginning of their lives and, when they reach sexual maturity, these mammals seem to degrade/metabolize pyrethroids. Maternal transfer of these compounds was also evaluated through the anal- ysis of breast milk and placenta samples. Pyrethroids were detected in both matrices, with values between 2.53–4.77ng/g lw and 331–1812ng/g lw, respectively. Therefore, for the first time, a study shows mother-to-calf transfer of pyrethroids by both gestational and lactation pathways in dolphins. Mariana B. Alonso, Ethel Eljarrat, Marina Gorga, Eduardo R. Secchi, Manuela Bassoi, Lupércio Barbosa, Carolina P. Bertozzi, Juliana Marigo, Marta Cremer, Camila Domit, Alexandre F. Azevedo, Paulo R. Dorneles, João Paulo M. Torres, José Lailson-Brito, Olaf Malm, Damià Barceló (2012) “*Natural and anthropogenically-produced brominated compounds in endemic dolphins from Western South Atlantic: Another risk to a vulnerable species”* *Environmental Pollution* 170: 152-160 Abstract: Liver samples from 53 Franciscana dolphins along the Brazilian coast were analyzed for organo- brominated compounds. Target substances included the following anthropogenic pollutants: poly- brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), hexabromobenzene (HBB), decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), as well as the naturally- generated methoxylated-PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs). PBDE concentrations ranged from 6 to 1797 ng/g lw (mean 166 ` 298 ng/g lw) and were similar to those observed in cetaceans from Northern Hemisphere. PBBs were found in all sampling locations (<LOQ to 57 ng/g lw). DBDPE was detected in 42% of the dolphins from the most industrialized Brazilian state and the concentrations ranging from <LOQ to 352 ng/g lw. Franciscana dolphins from the tropical Brazilian shore presented the highest MeO-PBDE concentrations ever reported for coastal cetaceans (up to 14 mg/g lw). Eight MeO-PBDE congeners were detected and the present investigation constituted the first record of occurrence of six of them in marine mammal livers. The full text and pdf are available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026974911200276X http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412012001377 For any questions or pdf requests please email: Mariana Alonso: alonso.mb@gmail.com <skj3@st-andrews.ac.uk> Best regards, Mariana Alonso -- *Mariana Batha Alonso* *PhD Student* * * *Biophysics **Institute**, **Federal **University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil* *Aquatic Mammal and Bioindicator Lab, University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Projeto BioPesca, São Paulo, Brazil*