________________________________ Dear colleagues, Please, find attached the first article on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Galapagos sea lion published recently in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. This paper is focused on PCBs, PBDEs, dioxins/furans. We are finishing an article on DDT concentrations and health risk effects in this tropical pinniped species, as well. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Article: pp. 2271–2282 POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS AND POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS IN GALAPAGOS SEA LIONS (ZALOPHUS WOLLEBAEKI) Juan J. Alava†, Michael G. Ikonomou‡, Peter S. Ross‡, Daniel Costa§, Sandie Salazar∥, David Aurioles-Gamboa#, and Frank A.P.C. Gobas*,† † School of Resource and Environmental Management (Environmental Toxicology Research Group), Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada ‡ Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 9860 West Saanich Road P.O. Box 6000, Sidney, British Columbia V8L 4B2, Canada § Center for Ocean Health, University of California, 100 Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, California 95060, USA ∥ Charles Darwin Foundation, Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, P.O. Box 17-1-3891, Quito, Ecuador # Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Avenue IPN s/n. Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, La Paz Baja California Sur, C. P. 23060, Mexico Abstract-Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were measured in muscle–blubber biopsy samples from 21 Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) pups that were live captured in the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) using gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry. Only traces of PBDEs were detected in one male pup, whereas PCDDs and PCDFs were not detected in any sample. The total concentration of PCBs (ΣPCB) in the pups averaged 104 µg/kg lipid (range, 49–384 µg/kg). No statistically significant differences in ΣPCB were observed among the four study sites in the Galapagos Islands. Concentrations of PCB congeners in Galapagos sea lion pups were dominated by low-molecular-weight congeners. These results suggest that global transport is the main source for PCBs in Galapagos sea lions. The ΣPCB levels were below immunotoxic and endocrine-disruption thresholds in pinnipeds, suggesting a limited risk of adverse health effects. The present study indicates that Galapagos sea lions can serve as a useful sentinel of pollutants with a long-range transport capacity and that Galapagos Islands are not exempt from the threats of global pollutants despite its remote locale. Keywords: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Galapagos sea lions; Galapagos Islands; Atmospheric transport Electronic copies/reprints (as pdf files) are available by request to jalavasa@sfu.ca Cheers Juan Jose Alava -- Juan Jose Alava PhD Candidate/Graduate Research Assistant Teaching Assistant-Environmental Risk Assessment of Hazardous Substances Environmental Toxicology Research Group School of Resource & Environmental Management Faculty of Environment, Simon Fraser University TASC-1; Office 8404; 8888 University Drive Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, CANADA Office Phone: (778)782-7375 Lab Phone: (778)782-5776 Fax: (778)782-4968 E-mail: jalavasa@sfu.ca http://www.rem.sfu.ca/toxicology/people/currentpeople.htm#alva http://www.rem.sfu.ca/downloads/REM-445/ Collaborating-Visiting Scientist Charles Darwin Foundation/Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador P.O. Box 17-1-3891 Quito - Ecuador www.darwinfoundation.org