"Accumulation Profiles and Burdens of Dioxins, Furans and Dioxin-Like PCBs in Common Cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo), from Japan" 

Naomasa Iseki¹, Shinichi Hayama², Shigeki Masunaga¹, Takashi Iizuka¹, Junko Nakanishi³

¹Yokohama National University
²Nippon Veterinary and Animal Science University
³National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology

Organohalogen Compounds, Vol.51 pp.336-339 (2001)

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Abstract

A significant of studies have put forward about sources, toxicity and formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in wildlife. Major sources of these chemicals are among other chemical synthetics, muncipal incineration and chlorine bleaching. PCDDs, PCDFs and non-ortho substituted PCBs reduce immune competence of terrestrial and marine mammals(1). Similarly, studies have shown that PCDDs, PCDFs and PCBs cause toxic effects in birds. 

A common mechanism of action involves binding with the cytosolic Ah-receptor, which mediates many of these responses. Due to lipophilic properties and resistance towards metabolic breakdown, these compounds are transferred through food chain with strong biomagnification at the higher trophic levels. Considering those facts, in this study, common cormorant collected from Sagami River was used to determine specific-organ distribution of dioxins, their burden and half-lives values in their body. 

Keywords

PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs, Phalacrocorax carbo