Abstract
The decline of the European otter (Lutra lutra) seems to be related to environmental contamination especially with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Only a limited number of tissue samples from otters killed accidently as traffic victims or drowned in fishnets are available for residue analysis. Calculating the levels of PCBs in otter tissues from concentrations in fish and scats would be a very valuable tool to estimate potential risks for this endangered species. PCB levels measured in otter livers, scats and fish from a Middle European otter population were used to examine the suitability of mathematical models for calculating PCB concentrations in otter liver from fish concentrations and from scat levels. Our results suggest that the models and input parameters currently used to calculate PCB concentrations in otters to estimate risks do not predict mean concentrations in otter livers in our Middle European study area, giving lower concentrations than actually analysed in the tissues. Possible causes for the observed discrepancy between measured and calculated values are discussed.
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Gutleb, A.C., Kranz, A. Estimation of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) Levels in Livers of the Otter (Lutra Lutra) from Concentrations in Scats and Fish. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 106, 481–491 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005016914051
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005016914051