Marine Toxins: Adverse Health Effects and Biomonitoring with Resident Coastal Dolphins

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dc.acquisition-srcen_US
dc.call-noen_US
dc.contract-noen_US
dc.contributor.authorIrwin, L-Jen_US
dc.contributor.otherAquatic Mammalsen_US
dc.date.accessioned2010-02-15T16:46:04Z
dc.date.available2010-02-15T16:46:04Z
dc.date.issued2005en_US
dc.degreeen_US
dc.descriptionpgs. 195-225en_US
dc.description-otheren_US
dc.description.abstractEcotoxicologic studies of marine environments are complex. Expanding knowledge should take into account toxicology, ecology, biology, medicine, and global as well as local anthropogenic disturbances of ecosystems. These areas of interest are discussed, leading to recommendations for biomonitoring of a specific location. Marine mammals are useful as bioindicators of environmental disturbance and as sentinels of health risks for humans who frequently consume seafood. A small community of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in West Galveston Bay, Texas, with strong site fidelity is discussed here for consideration as a local environmental biomonitor. These dolphins are subject to a number of environmental impacts, including industrial toxins, nonpoint source agricultural and residential runoff, and pollutants from vessels. Other threats include climate change and toxic algal blooms. Marine mammal mass mortality events linked to morbillivirus infections in other areas have been associated with one or more of these environmental disturbances. Toxic effects described in cetacean literature generally do not include neurotoxic changes because specific tests for aquatic mammals are not yet available. Neurotoxicity has been addressed in studies of humans who consume contaminated seafood; specific findings are included in this review because marine mammals are likely to be subject to similar adverse effects. Researchers designing biomonitor studies need to keep in mind the multiple and complex impacts caused by both local and global issues. Known impacts on Galveston Bay are out-lined and considered in suggesting local biomonitor study designs. Small populations of near-shore resident dolphins can serve more effectively as useful upper trophic level environmental bioindicators with such a multidisciplinary approach.en_US
dc.description.urihttp://gbic.tamug.edu/request.htmen_US
dc.geo-codeGalveston Bayen_US
dc.history1-15-09 kswen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1969.3/18517
dc.latitudeen_US
dc.locationNot available in house - Please contact GBIC for assistanceen_US
dc.longitudeen_US
dc.notesen_US
dc.placeen_US
dc.publisheren_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries10041.00en_US
dc.relation.urien_US
dc.scaleen_US
dc.seriesen_US
dc.subjectanimal physiologyen_US
dc.subjectanthropogenic factorsen_US
dc.subjectecosystem disturbanceen_US
dc.subjectenvironmental disturbanceen_US
dc.subjecthabitat selectionen_US
dc.subjectindicator speciesen_US
dc.subjectmarine mammalsen_US
dc.subjectphytoplanktonen_US
dc.subjectpollutionen_US
dc.subjecttoxicityen_US
dc.subjecttrophic levelsen_US
dc.titleMarine Toxins: Adverse Health Effects and Biomonitoring with Resident Coastal Dolphinsen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
dc.universityen_US
dc.vol-issue31(2)en_US

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