Dear Marmam Readers, I am very pleased to announce the following publication:
Ferreira, M.; Monteiro, S.S.; Torres, J.; Oliveira, I.; Sequeira, M.; López, A.; Vingada, J.; Eira, C. (2016). Biological variables and health status affecting inorganic element concentrations in Harbour porpoises (*Phocoena phocoena*) from Portugal (Western Iberian Peninsula). Environmental Pollution 210: 293-302. 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.01.027 Abstract The coastal preferences of harbour porpoise (*Phocoena phocoena*) intensify their exposure to human activities. The harbour porpoise Iberian population is presently very small and information about the threats it endures is vital for the conservation efforts that are being implemented to avoid local extinction. The present study explored the possible relation between the accumulation of trace elements by porpoises and their sex, body length, nutritional state, presence of parasites and gross pathologies. The concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) were evaluated in 42 porpoises stranded in Portugal between 2005 and 2013. Considering European waters, porpoises stranded in Portugal present the highest Hg concentrations and the lowest Cd concentrations, which may reflect dietary preferences and the geographic availability of these pollutants. While no effect of sex on trace element concentrations was detected, there was a positive relationship between porpoise body length and the concentration of Cd, Hg and Pb. Animals in worse nutritional condition showed higher levels of Zn. Harbour porpoises with high parasite burdens showed lower levels of Zn and As in all analysed tissues and also lower levels of renal Ni, while those showing gross pathologies presented higher Zn and Hg levels. This is the first data on the relationship between trace elements and health-related variables in porpoises from southern European Atlantic waters, providing valuable baseline information about the contamination status of this vulnerable population. For an early view of this paper, please visit: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749116300276 If you are unable to download the article, please contact me by email and I will be happy to send you a copy: s.monte...@ua.pt Best wishes, Silvia Monteiro ---------------------------------------- Postdoctoral researcher CESAM (Centro de estudos do ambiente e do Mar) University of Aveiro Portugal s.monteiro@ <http://www.bio.ua.pt/>ua.pt www.cesam.ua.pt/silvia.monteiro <http://www.cesam.ua.pt/index.php?tabela=pessoaldetail&menu=95&user=1040> Sociedade Portuguesa de Vida Selvagem/Portuguese Wildlife Society University of Minho Portugal www.socpvs.org
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