North Pacific Baleen Whales as a Potential Source of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Diet of the Indigenous Peoples of the Eastern Arctic Coastsстатья
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Дата последнего поиска статьи во внешних источниках: 29 апреля 2021 г.
Аннотация:Among marine mammals, gray and bowhead whales contain large amounts of fat andthereby constitute crucial dietary components of the traditional diet of indigenous peoples of theEastern Arctic. Despite the high nutritional and cultural value of gray and bowhead whales, thereis a risk of persistent organic pollutant (POP) intake by indigenous individuals who use marinemammals as their main source of fat. POPs are lipophilic pollutants and are known to accumulateand magnify along the marine food web. Consumption of foods contaminated by POPs can perturbthe endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems, and can potentially cause cancer. Moderate torelatively high concentrations of POPs have indeed been reported in the edible tissues of gray andbowhead whales consumed by indigenous peoples of the North Pacific Ocean. Even though theirconsumption is potentially harmful, there is no regular monitoring of eco-toxicants in the foodsconsumed by the indigenous peoples of the Eastern Arctic. In our view, the routine analyses ofconsumable parts of whales and of comparable nutritional items need to be included in the RussianArctic Biomonitoring Programme.