Desforges, J-P;
Hall, A;
McConnell, B;
Rosing-Asvid, A;
Barber, JL;
Brownlow, A;
De Guise, S;
... Dietz, R; + view all
(2018)
Predicting global killer whale population collapse from PCB pollution.
Science
, 361
(6409)
pp. 1373-1376.
10.1126/science.aat1953.
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Desforges et al 2018_Science_PCBs in KWs_Combined Manuscript_submitted.pdf - Accepted Version Download (8MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are among the most highly polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)–contaminated mammals in the world, raising concern about the health consequences of current PCB exposures. Using an individual-based model framework and globally available data on PCB concentrations in killer whale tissues, we show that PCB-mediated effects on reproduction and immune function threaten the long-term viability of >50% of the world’s killer whale populations. PCB-mediated effects over the coming 100 years predicted that killer whale populations near industrialized regions, and those feeding at high trophic levels regardless of location, are at high risk of population collapse. Despite a near-global ban of PCBs more than 30 years ago, the world’s killer whales illustrate the troubling persistence of this chemical class.
Type: | Article |
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Title: | Predicting global killer whale population collapse from PCB pollution |
Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
DOI: | 10.1126/science.aat1953 |
Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aat1953 |
Language: | English |
Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences |
URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10061555 |
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