Impact of environmental contaminants on conservation of Franciscana dolphin

GERPE, MARCELA

San Clemente del Tuyú

Workshop; Ex-situ Opions for Cetaceans Conservation (ESOCC) - Franciscana Workshop; 2019

qYaku-Pacha / Mundo Marino / IUCN SSC / National Marine Mammals Foundation / Conservation Planning

Heavy metals (HM) and persistent organic compounds (POCs) were studied in Franciscana dolphins, and they were found in different tissues with particular distribution pattern. This distribution are associates with the nature of these substances and the characteristic of the tissues. Furthermore, both HM and POCs have been accumulated in dolphins, at levels that they may cause relevant effect. The effects have been evaluated using biomarkers, analyzing them in different tissues of Franciscana, and possible relationship with immunological effects and other illness was studied. Also, population differentiation was studied taking into account the presence and concentration of pollutants. At the moment we are analyzed emergent contaminants.