NISTIR 6857 

Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants and Elements Determined in 

Tissues of Rough-Toothed Dolphins (Steno bredanensis) Banked 

from a Mass Stranding Event 

John R. Kucklick 

Paul R. Becker 

William D. J. Struntz 

Elizabeth A. Mackey 

Barbara J. Porter 

Michele M. Schantz 

Rabia D. Oflaz 

Michael S. Epstein 

Stephen A. Wise 

Teresa K. Rowles 

Wayne E. McFee 

Megan K. Stolen

March 2002 
NISTIR 6857 

Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants and Elements Determined in 

Tissues of Rough-Toothed Dolphins (Steno bredadensis) Banked 

from a Mass Stranding Event 

John R. Kucklick 

Paul R. Becker 

William D. J. Struntz 

Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory 

Analytical Chemistry Division 

Charleston Laboratory 

Elizabeth A. Mackey 

Barbara J. Porter 

Michele M. Schantz 

Rabia D. Oflaz 

Michael S. Epstein 

Stephen A. Wise 

Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory 

Analytical Chemistry Division

Teresa K. Rowles 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Office of Protected Resources

Wayne E. McFee 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

National Marine Fisheries Service

Megan K. Stolen 

Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute 

March 2002 

U.S. Department of Commerce 

Donald L. Evans, Secretary

National Institute of Standards and Technology 

Arden Bement, Jr., Director
i

PREFACE 

On December 14, 1997, personnel from the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s 

(NIST) Charleston Laboratory and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s 

Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biolmolecular Research helped respond to the 

stranding of 62 rough-toothed dolphins near Apalachicola, FL, Gulf of Mexico. The tissues of 15 

animals were sampled for inclusion in the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank, which is 

maintained by NIST as part of its National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank. The banking of 

marine mammal tissues from mass stranding events is conducted by NIST in support of the 

National Marine Fisheries Service’s Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program. 

Baseline measurements were made on the tissues of these animals for trace elements and 

persistent organochlorine pollutants. This report presents the results of the analyses made by 

NIST. 
ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

This work was made possible through support of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding 

Response Program. The authors would like to express their sincere appreciation to Blair Mase, 

the NMFS Southeast Regional Stranding Coordinator, and the many volunteers of the Florida 

stranding network who responded to this mass stranding event and provided assistance in 

collections for the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank. Especially important in the 

endeavor to necropsy the dolphins and collect samples were the efforts of Ruth Ewing of the 

NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Bill Fable of the NMFS Panama City Laboratory, 

Tim Nelson, Catherine Bray Nelson, Terri and Scott Calleson, and Misty Nabers. A special 

acknowledgment is given to the Florida State Park Rangers who exhibited professionalism of the 

highest quality, provided a secure necropsy site for those responding, and for the transport of 

animals from the stranding location to the necropsy site. A special thanks is also given to the 

NMFS Panama City Laboratory for providing space for processing and freezing samples. 
iii

DISCLAIMER 

Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this report to specify in 

order to specify the experimental procedures adequately. Such identification is not intended to 

imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 

nor is it intended to imply that the materials or equipment are necessarily the best available for 

the purpose. 
iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE....................................................................................................................................... i 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................ ii 

DISCLAIMER..............................................................................................................................iii 

LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................... v 

LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................... vi 

INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... 1 

The Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program and the National Marine 

Mammal Tissue Bank................................................................................................................. 1 

Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants and Trace Elements in Marine Mammals .................. 1 

The Rough-Toothed Dolphin ..................................................................................................... 2

Objectives .................................................................................................................................... 2 

METHODS .................................................................................................................................... 3 

Specimen Collection ................................................................................................................... 3 

Tissue Sample Preparation ........................................................................................................ 3 

Age Determination...................................................................................................................... 3 

Analysis of Blubber for Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants by NIST Charleston.............. 4 

Analysis of Blubber for Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants by NIST Gaithersburg .......... 6 

Analysis of Liver and Kidney for Trace Elements..................................................................... 7 

Biological Information ............................................................................................................... 9 

Blubber Analyses ...................................................................................................................... 10 

Liver and Kidney Analyses ....................................................................................................... 17 

CONCLUSIONS ......................................................................................................................... 24 

REFERENCES............................................................................................................................ 25 

APPENDIX A: Persistent Organochlorine Compounds: Analytical Data............................ 29 

APPENDIX B: Elements: Analytical Data............................................................................... 38 
v

LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure 1: Comparison of the ratios of 4,4'-DDT to 4,4'-DDT + 4,4'-DDE (%) in dolphin species 

from the Gulf of Mexico. ....................................................................................................... 12 

Figure 2: Age versus ΣPCB congeners (ng/g lipid mass) for female rough-toothed dolphins.... 16 

Figure 3: Renal and hepatic Se concentrations (mg/kg) in rough-toothed dolphins. .................. 21 

Figure 4: Hepatic (A) and renal (B) Se concentrations (mg/kg) as a function of rough-toothed 

dolphin age estimate (y). ........................................................................................................ 22 

Figure 5: Hepatic (A) and renal (B) Hg concentrations (mg/kg) as a function of rough-toothed 

dolphin age estimate (y). ........................................................................................................ 23 

Figure 6: Hepatic Sn concentrations (mg/kg) as a function of rough-toothed dolphin age 

estimate (y)............................................................................................................................. 24 

Figure A1: Chromatograms from the analysis of the PCB (A) and pesticide fractions (B) of 

RTDL-007 by the NIST Charleston Laboratory. ................................................................... 37 
vi

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Individual animal and sample information ...................................................................... 9 

Table 2: Comparison of organochlorine concentrations (ng/g lipid mass) among dolphin species 

and locations. See footnote for the number of PCB congeners summed to derive ΣPCB. .... 15 

Table 3: Comparison of concentration ranges (mg/kg wet mass) of trace elements in kidneys of 

rough-toothed dolphins and those of other odontocetae. ....................................................... 18 

Table 4: Comparison of concentration ranges (mg/kg of wet mass) of selected trace elements in 

livers of rough-toothed dolphins with ranges for other odontocetae. .................................... 20 

Table A1: Organochlorines in SRM 1945 determined by NIST Gaithersburg and NIST 

Charleston (n = 3 each). Percent difference is the difference between the certified or 

reference (bold) values ((measured value – certified value/certified value) * 100)............... 30 

Table A2: Results of paired PCB and organochlorine pesticides analyses made by NIST 

Gaithersburg and Charleston laboratories. Values are ng/g wet mass. .................................. 31 

Table A3: Concentrations (ng/g lipid mass) of PCB congeners determined in three aliquots of 

RTDL-004 blubber................................................................................................................. 33 

Table A4: Concentrations (ng/g lipid mass) of organochlorine pesticides determined in three 

aliquots of RTDL-004 blubber homogenate. ......................................................................... 34 

Table A5: Concentrations (ng/g lipid mass) of PCB congeners determined in rough-toothed 

dolphin blubber homogenates. Values for RTDL-001 to -006 are the average of the values 

determined by the Charleston and Gaithersburg NIST laboratories. ..................................... 35 

Table A6: Concentrations (ng/g lipid mass) of Organochlorine pesticides determined in roughtoothed dolphin blubber homogenates. Values for RTDL-001 to -006 are the average of the 

values determined by the Charleston and Gaithersburg NIST laboratories........................... 36 

Table B1: Rough-toothed dolphin liver (L) and kidney (K) specimen identification codes, ratios 

of dry to wet mass, and % total extractable organic content.................................................. 39 

Table B2: INAA Detection limits for elements in tissue specimens. .......................................... 40 

Table B3: Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney and liver 

tissues. Values for mass fraction, uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and 

expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expressed as mg/kg of wet mass.................................. 41 

Table B4: Results of INAA of control materials included with analyses of kidney tissues. Values 

for SRM 1566a Oyster Tissue are expressed in mg/kg of dry mass and those for the QA Pilot 

Whale Liver Tissue Homogenate are expressed in mg/kg of wet mass. Uncertainties 

represent the combined total uncertainty. .............................................................................. 53 

Table B5: Results of INAA of control materials included with analyses of liver tissues. Values 

for SRM 1566a Oyster Tissue are expressed on a dry mass basis and Whale Liver 

Homogenate I are expressed on a wet mass basis. Uncertainty values represent the expanded 

uncertainties (U; k=2). ........................................................................................................... 54 

Table B6: Results of ICP-MS of Whale Liver Homogenate I expressed in mg/kg of wet mass. 

Uncertainties represent the expanded uncertainties (U; k=2). ............................................... 55 

Table B7: Linear correlation matrix for rough-toothed dolphin age, length, and hepatic element 

concentrations......................................................................................................................... 56 

Table B8: Linear correlation matrix for rough-toothed dolphin age, length, and renal element 

concentrations......................................................................................................................... 57 
1

PERSISTENT ORGANOCHLORINE POLLUTANTS AND ELEMENTS DETERMINED IN 

TISSUES OF ROUGH-TOOTHED DOLPHINS (STENO BREDANENSIS) BANKED FROM A 

MASS STRANDING

INTRODUCTION 

The Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program and the National Marine 

Mammal Tissue Bank 

Through an agreement with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected 

Resources, NIST provides a service to the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response 

Program (MMHSRP) by maintaining the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank (NMMTB) as 

part of the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB). NIST personnel also develop and 

test collection and banking protocols, and provide training to other individuals who collect 

specimens for the bank. One source of specimens for the NMMTB is the mass stranding of 

cetaceans. These events periodically occur along the coasts of the United States, particularly on 

the East Coast. Regional Stranding Networks consist of local and regional groups from federal, 

state, and local agencies; private organizations; and individuals, many of whom are volunteers. 

These people respond to mass strandings by providing aid to the live-stranded animals, returning 

the live-stranded animals to the ocean (when and where appropriate), and transporting animals to 

recovery facilities. They also collect data and samples from animals that die to document the 

age/sex population structure, life history, health condition, and other information that might be 

useful for scientific purposes. The stranding network members, when trained appropriately, also 

collect specimens for contaminant analysis and for the NMMTB. 

NIST provides training, sample collection, and banking of marine mammal specimens for the 

MMHSRP and NMMTB. Additionally, NIST provides retrospective and baseline analysis of 

organic and inorganic contaminants on selected marine mammal specimens from the bank as part 

of the National Marine Analytical Quality Assurance Program. Additional details on NIST’s 

role in the NMMTB, MMHSRP, and the National Marine Analytical Quality Assurance Program 

are provided in Becker et al. (1999). 

Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants and Trace Elements in Marine Mammals 

Contamination of food webs by anthropogenic persistent organochlorine pollutants (POPs), such 

as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT, toxaphene, and chlordane, was first documented by 

Jensen (1966) and of marine mammals by Holden and Mardsen (1967). Subsequently, 

researchers have determined that the release of POPs during their manufacture, storage, and use 

has resulted in global contamination, particularly of the marine environment (e.g., Tanabe, 1985; 

Muir et al., 1999). Due to their persistence and highly lipophilic nature, many POPs 

bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food chain (e.g., Tanabe, 1985; Muir et al., 1988). POP 

residues have been detected in all levels of aquatic biota ranging from phytoplankton to marine 

mammals (Muir et al., 1999). Biological effects of these compounds on mammals include 

hepatocellular carcinoma; reproductive, endocrine, and developmental toxicity; immunotoxicity, 

and wasting syndrome (Safe, 1990). Toothed whales (odontocetes) are particularly susceptible 
2

to bioaccumulation and the effects of POPs due to many factors including their relatively high 

trophic position, long life spans, limited metabolic capability to degrade chemical contaminants, 

and reproductive strategies (Tanabe et al., 1994). 

For many marine mammal species, the ranges of normal elemental concentrations are not known. 

Levels of some metals in marine mammal tissues are often higher than concentrations found in 

terrestrial mammals (i.e., mercury and cadmium) and there are often marked differences in 

element levels among different marine mammal species. There also may be differences among 

animals of the same species but from different locations. Concentrations for selected elements in 

various tissues have been reported for common dolphins (Delphinus delphinus), harbor porpoise 

(Phocoena phocoena), pilot whale (Globicephala melas), beaked whales (Ziphiidae) and many 

other species of odontocetes or “toothed whales” (e.g., Mackey et al., 1996; Law et al., 1997), 

but there are no trace element data for rough-toothed dolphins (Steno bredanensis). 

The Rough-Toothed Dolphin 

Rough-toothed dolphins are pelagic odontocetes that are widely distributed in tropical and warm 

temperate oceans around the world. Most information on this species has come from populations 

in the eastern Pacific Ocean (Miyazaki and Perrin, 1994), with little available information on the 

populations inhabiting the Gulf of Mexico or western Atlantic Ocean (Blaylock et al., 1995). 

Growth occurs most rapidly during the first five years of life. Both sexes attain maximum 

lengths of approximately 280 cm with males reaching sexual maturity at approximately 225 cm 

or 14 years of age, and females at 210 cm or 10 years of age (Miyazaki and Perrin, 1994). 

Morphological features that distinguish this species from other members of the delphinid family 

(e.g., bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)) include the lack of visible demarcation between 

beak and melon, and the rugose tooth surface from which its common name is derived. 

Coloration varies geographically, but animals are generally dark gray dorsally with variable 

pinkish and white markings ventrally (Miyazaki and Perrin, 1994). Rough-toothed dolphins are 

social animals, typically found in small groups ranging from 10 to 20 individuals with larger 

groups reported (Leatherwood et al., 1982; Miyazaki and Perrin, 1994). Their diet mainly 

consists of pelagic fish and squid (Layne, 1965; Clarke, 1986; Barros to McFee, personal 

communication). 

Objectives 

The authors are aware of only two previous publications describing organic contaminants in this 

species- Marsili and Focardi (1997, n = 1) and O’Shea et al. (1980, n = 7). The objective of this 

report is to document POP and inorganic constituents in tissues of rough-toothed dolphins from 

the Gulf of Mexico. Prior to this report there were no data on POPs or inorganic constituents in 

this species from this region. This report contains both organic and inorganic data, generated by 

NIST, for dissemination to sponsors and user groups. These data will help to establish baseline 

levels of POPs and both essential and potentially toxic elements in the tissues of this species. 
3

METHODS

Specimen Collection 

On December 15, 1997, 62 rough-toothed dolphins stranded on the Gulf Coast of Florida near 

Apalachicola at St. Joseph State Park (29o45.2’ N, 85o25’ W). All the animals were pushed back 

out to sea. However, 34 animals restranded and of those, 17 died on site, 1 swam away, and 16 

were sent to rehabilitation facilities, of which 4 were released. Fifteen of the restranded animals 

that died on the beach were necropsied and sampled for the NMMTB. In addition to the tissues 

sampled for the NMMTB (blubber, kidney, and liver) and real-time contaminant monitoring 

(blubber, melon, and muscle, NOAA/NMFS/Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC)), 

samples were provided to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology for histological and 

pathological analyses. Teeth were also removed from the animals for age determination (Table 

1). Samples for the NMMTB were collected and processed using standard NIST protocols 

(Becker et al., 1999). These protocols consist of the removal of tissue specimens from each 

animal using standard procedures and equipment designed to minimize the contamination of the 

tissues during removal and handling. Because of the rapid deterioration of tissues following 

death, it was decided that only animals that strand alive and die of natural causes or are 

euthanized, or animals that are considered “freshly dead,” are sampled. 

Materials that contacted the specimens were limited to Teflon and titanium. The tissue samples 

(blubber, kidney and liver) were excised from the animals using titanium knives, placed in 

Teflon bags, and transported on ice to the NOAA/NMFS Panama City Laboratory. At the 

laboratory, each specimen was divided into Samples A and B (approximately 150 g, each) 

according to the NMMTB protocols (Becker et al., 1999), placed in pre-cleaned Teflon sample 

jars, frozen, and express shipped to the NBSB, NIST Gaithersburg, MD in liquid nitrogen vapor 

shippers. Upon arrival at NIST, samples were immediately placed in liquid nitrogen-vapor 

cooled (-150 °C) freezers. 

Tissue Sample Preparation 

Each tissue specimen to be analyzed (approximately 150 g, each) was homogenized using a 

cryogenic procedure designed to reduce the likelihood of changes in sample composition due to 

thawing and refreezing (Zeisler et al., 1983). Subsamples of the tissue homogenate, a frozen 

(non freeze-dried) powder, were transferred to Teflon jars (10 mL) for storage (at -150 °C) until 

analyses were performed. Portions used for instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) 

were lyophilized prior to analysis. 

Age Determination 

Teeth were extracted from the jaws during necropsy or after maceration in the lab. Teeth were 

sectioned longitudinally to a thickness of 2 mm using a low-speed saw (Isomet 11-1180, Lake 

Bluff, IL). Sections were then placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for approximately 24 h. 

Samples were removed and rinsed in running tap water for approximately 3 h and then soaked in 

tap water for at least 24 h. Sections were placed in approximately 80 mL of a decalcifying agent. 
4

Decalcification was prolonged (relative to Tursiops teeth) and took approximately 6 h to 16 h for 

completion. Decalcified sections were rinsed in running water for 6 h and then soaked in tap 

water for at least 24 h. 

Teeth were serially sectioned using a sledge-type microtome (American Optical Co., 

Southbridge, MA) with a freezing attachment. Each 2 mm section was further sectioned to 25 

μm then soaked in tap water for at least 1 h to remove any additional acid. Thin sections were 

stained in Mayer’s hematoxylin for 75 min, rinsed in tap water for 1 min, blued in 0.5% 

ammonium hydroxide, and then rinsed again. Teeth were placed in 50% glycerin for 30 min and 

then placed in 100% glycerin for 24 h to complete the exchange of water to glycerin. Sections 

were mounted on slides in 100% glycerin. This method has been used successfully for other 

small delphinids (Perrin and Myrick, 1980; Myrick et al., 1983). 

Sections were examined under 10X to 60X magnification using a stereoscopic microscope 

(Nikon, Tokyo, Japan). Growth layers were generally read using guidelines developed for 

Tursiops by Hohn et al. (1989). Each growth layer group (GLG) consisted of a dark and light 

staining layer. Sections were read three times in the blind and the average reading was 

considered the final estimate. In a few cases, when readings were several layers apart, a fourth 

reading was taken and a subjective decision was made for the final estimation. Several of the 

teeth had extensive damage caused by extraction and could only provide minimum age estimates. 

For quality assurance purposes, the process was repeated using a second and sometimes third 

tooth (when available). In such cases, all sections were evaluated and readings were made from 

the best-mounted sections. This procedure was necessary for most of the older animals. Ages 

were estimated to the last fully formed GLG except in younger animals. Animals with less than 

8 GLGs were read to the nearest 0.5 GLG and animals <1 GLG were aged to the nearest 0.25 

GLG. It has been established with other small delphinids that one GLG corresponds to 1 y of 

life. This was assumed to be the case for rough-toothed dolphins, although this relationship has 

not been verified directly.

Analysis of Blubber for Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants by NIST Charleston 

Cryo-homogenized blubber samples were shipped from the NMMTB in Gaithersburg, MD to the 

NIST Charleston Laboratory in a liquid-nitrogen-vapor shipper. Upon arrival specimens were 

stored at -80 o

C until required for analysis. The Teflon jar containing the sample was removed 

from the -80 oC freezer and immediately placed in a small Dewar flask containing approximately 

100 mL of liquid nitrogen. Between 0.792 g and 1.21 g of sample was removed from the jar 

using a clean metal spatula that had been immersed in liquid nitrogen to prevent the frozen 

sample from adhering to the spatula. The frozen sample was placed in a clean 150 mL beaker 

and weighed to the nearest 0.001 g. A small Styrofoam block was placed on the balance pan 

under the beaker to provide insulation and prevent balance drift. The sample was mixed with 30 

g of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4; combusted at 700 °C for 24 h, then cooled in a desiccator prior to 

use). The mixture was then transferred to a 33 mL pressurized fluid extractor cell (PFE; Dionex, 

Salt Lake City, UT) to which 10 g of Na2SO4 had been previously added. A small volume 

(approximately 1 mL) of dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) was added to rinse the beaker, and then 

transferred to the PFE cell. For quality assurance purposes, RTDL-004 was analyzed 

independently three times, and two blanks and two aliquots of NIST SRM 1945 Organics in 
5

Whale Blubber were prepared and analyzed. Each blank consisted of approximately 45 g of 

Na2SO4 in a PFE cell. The samples of SRM 1945 were prepared in the same manner as the 

dolphin blubber samples. A mixed internal standard solution containing 4,4’-DDT-d8, 4,4’-

DDE-d8, 4,4’-DDD-d8, endosulfan I-d4, PCB 103, and PCB 198 was then added to the PFE cells, 

by weighing (to the nearest 0.00001 g) approximately 1 mL of the solution. 

Six calibration solutions were prepared by weighing (to the nearest 0.00001 g) portions of SRMs 

2261 Chlorinated Pesticides in Hexane, 2262 Chlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in 2,2,4-

trimethylpentane, 2274 PCB Congener Solution-II in Isooctane and 2275 Chlorinated Pesticide 

Solution-II in Isooctane into weighed portions of isooctane. The calibration curve ranged from 

approximately 5 ng to 1000 ng added to the PFE cell. Approximately 1 mL of the appropriate 

mixed calibration solution was weighed (to the nearest 0.00001 g) in an HPLC syringe, then 

added on top of the Na2SO4. The mixed internal standard solution was then added to each PFE 

vial, by weighing (to the nearest 0.00001 g), approximately 1 mL of the solution. 

The samples were extracted with CH2Cl2 using PFE. The conditions were as follows: the cell 

temperature was 100 °C, equilibration 5 min, static time 5 min, cell pressure was 6.89 MPa and 

there were three cycles (one-third of the solvent each time). The sample extracts were then 

reduced to between 0.5 mL to 1 mL by evaporation in a stream of purified nitrogen using a 

Turbovap II (Zymark, Hopkinton, MA). High-molecular-mass compounds were removed by 

size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using a 600 mm x 25 mm (10 μm particle size with 100 Å 

diameter pores) PLGel column (Polymer Labs, Amherst, CA) as described in Kucklick et al.

(2001). The extract was then fractionated using a semi-preparative aminopropylsilane column 

(μBondapak NH2, Waters) into relatively lower- and higher-polarity fractions (F1 and F2, 

respectively). F1 consisted of 50 mL of hexane, while F2 consisted of 60 mL of 25% CH2Cl2 in 

hexane. Target compounds contained in F1 included PCBs, heptachlor, oxychlordane, 2,4’-

DDE, 4,4’-DDE, 2,4’-DDT, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and mirex. Target analytes in F2 

included 4,4’-DDT, cis- and trans-chlordane, cis- and trans-nonachlor, α-, β-, and γhexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), heptachlor epoxide, 2,4’- and 4,4’-DDD, and dieldrin. 

Organochlorine compounds were determined by injecting each sample twice into a gas 

chromatograph (GC) with dual micro-electron capture detectors (ECD) (Hewlett Packard 6890, 

Palo Alto, CA). Organochlorines in F1 and F2 from the aminopropylsilane column were 

separated using a 60 m 5% phenyl methylpolysiloxane column (DB-5, J&W Scientific, Folsom, 

CA) with 0.25 mm internal diameter and a 0.25 μm film thickness and a 60 m DB-XLB 

(proprietary phase, J&W Scientific) with 0.25 mm interior diameter and a 0.25 μm film 

thickness. The instrument was configured by installing a 5 m x 0.25 mm retention gap to the 

inlet, then attaching a glass Y connector to the free end. The columns were connected to the Y 

splitter, then to the ECDs. The injector and detector temperatures were 220 °C and 325 °C, 

respectively; the carrier and makeup gasses were H2 (constant velocity of 30 cm/s) and N2 (60 

mL/min), respectively. Samples were injected into the GC (2 μL, splitless injection), and the 

oven was programmed from 90 °C initially (1 min hold) to 170 °C at 25 °C/min, then 1 °C/min 

to 260 o

C, then ramped to 300 °C at 15 °C/min (10 min hold, 107 min total run time). The 

amount of each compound in the unknown was calculated using the mass of internal standard 

added and the slope and intercept of either the entire six-point calibration curve generated from 

the response of the calibrants or those generated from the three calibrants which bracketed the 
6

concentration. Different internal standards were used to quantify target analytes to avoid 

suspected interferences and to maximize repeatability and reproducibility. PCB 103 was used to 

quantify all F1 analytes other than 4,4’-DDE, which was quantified using 4,4’-DDE-d8. All F2 

analytes were quantified using endosulfan I-d4. Analyses of most F1 target analytes were made 

with the DB-XLB column (Figure A1-a), as it gave baseline resolution on the majority of PCBs, 

and using PCB 103 as the internal standard. PCBs 87 and 101 were quantified with the DB-5 

column, using PCB 103 as the internal standard, because of coelution problems on the DB-XLB 

column (Kucklick et al., 2001). All F2 target analytes were quantified using GC-ECD with the 

DB-5 column and a splitless injection (Figure A1-b). Detection limits were calculated as three 

times the concentration of a given compound in the mean blank, which gave more conservative 

detection limits than using the mean blank plus three standard deviations. The total non-volatile 

solvent extractable material was measured on subsamples (50% of total) taken from the original 

extracts by first reducing the solvent volume from the extraction with the Turbovap, then 

allowing the remaining solvent to evaporate at room temperature. The extracts were repeatedly 

weighed until a stable mass was achieved. The ratio of the residue to the wet mass extracted 

represents the fraction of the total non-volatile solvent extractable material. 

Analysis of Blubber for Persistent Organochlorine Pollutants by NIST Gaithersburg 

The NIST Gaithersburg laboratory also analyzed six rough-toothed dolphin blubber samples: 

RTDL-001 to RTDL-006. The sample extraction and clean up procedures were similar to those 

detailed above. Briefly, the blubber homogenates were mixed with Na2SO4 then added to PFE 

cells. The cells were spiked with an internal standard mixture containing PCB 103, 198, and 

perdeuterated 4,4’-DDT. The sample and calibrants were extracted and high-molecular-weight 

materials were removed from the extracts using SEC. The chlorinated extract was reduced in 

volume then further isolated using a silica solid-phase extraction column (plus size, Waters 

Corporation, Milford, MA) that was precleaned using 15 mL of 10% dichloromethane in hexane. 

The fraction of interest was eluted also with 10% volume fraction of CH2Cl2 in hexane. The 

eluant was concentrated to approximately 0.5 mL for analysis. 

The concentrated samples were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, 

Hewlett Packard 6890/5973). A 0.25 mm x 30 m fused-silica capillary column containing 5% 

phenyl-substituted methylpolysiloxane phase (HP-5ms, Hewlett Packard), 0.25 μm film 

thickness was used. The column was held isothermally (60 °C) for 1 min, temperature 

programmed at 45 °C per min to 180 °C for 30 min, and then temperature programmed at 2 °C 

per min to 250 °C where it was held isothermally for 15 min. All injections were 2 μL in a 

pulsed splitless mode. Helium was used as a carrier gas at a constant flow rate of 1 mL per min. 

The MS transfer line was held at 280 °C. The major ions included 222, 255.95, 289.90, 323.9, 

359.85, 393.80, 425.75, 463.75, 497.70 for the PCBs and 284, 181, 389, 353, 246, 371, 409, 235, 

243, 195, 263, 272 for the pesticides. Seven-point calibration response curves for the analytes 

relative to the internal standards were determined by processing gravimetrically-diluted PCB and 

pesticide calibrant solutions. The percent nonvolatile extractable material (mainly lipid) was 

determined for each sample after extraction. The extract was evaporatively concentrated to 

approximately 20 mL (mass known), and an aliquot of 90 μL (mass known) was placed on an 

aluminum pan. The extract on the pan was air dried, and the mass of the dried extract was noted. 
7

The ratio of the residue to the wet mass extracted represents the fraction of the total non-volatile 

solvent extractable material. 

Analysis of Liver and Kidney for Trace Elements 

Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) for 35 Elements in Livers and Kidneys: 

Each sub-sample selected for INAA was freeze-dried at 1 Pa, -20 °C shelf temperature and -50 

°C condenser temperature, for 5 d. Five of the 15 tissues were subjected to additional drying 

because the tissues did not appear to be dry after 5 d. Subsequent drying, for an additional 5 d, 

did not result in significant changes in the values for the ratios of dry to wet mass for these 

tissues. Determination of total extractable organic material showed that those kidney tissues that 

did not appear to be dry contained greater amounts of lipid than the other tissues. The wet 

appearance of these sub-samples (from animals identified as RTDL-003, RTDL-005, RTDL-007, 

RTDL-008, and RTDL-013) was probably due to a relatively high lipid content rather than to 

insufficient drying. The ratios of dry mass to wet mass, or conversion factors (C.F.), for the 15 

kidney and 15 liver tissue samples are listed in Table B1 (in Appendix B) together with the 

animal and tissue identification codes. 

Two disks, approximately 200 mg each, were formed from each of the dried, powdered subsamples using a commercially available stainless steel die and hydraulic press. Two disks were 

also formed from SRM 1566a Oyster Tissue, and one from a pilot whale liver tissue homogenate 

(Whale Liver Homogenate I) that is used for quality assurance in the analysis of marine mammal 

tissues (Wise et al., 1993, Becker et al., 1999). The mass of each disk was recorded and all were 

packaged in acid-washed linear polyethylene (LPE) film in preparation for irradiation. Disks 

were also formed from standards consisting of filter papers containing known amounts of each 

element. 

Analyses of short-lived products of neutron irradiation were performed sequentially over the 

course of several days. Each sample or aliquot of SRM was irradiated, together with one of the 

standards, for 120 s in the NIST reactor pneumatic tube irradiation facility, RT-4, at reactor 

power of 20 MW. After the irradiation, each sample, control, and standard was repackaged in 

clean LPE film for counting. Each sample was placed at a distance of 18 cm from a germanium 

detector, and gamma rays were collected for 300 s after a decay time of approximately 120 s for 

determination of Mg, Cl, Ca, V, Cu, Br, and I. Gamma rays were collected again, after 2 to 3 h 

of decay, for 20 min at a distance of 8 cm for the determination of Na, K, and Mn. 

Analyses of intermediate-lived and long-lived products of neutron irradiation were performed 

after the analyses of short-lived products. Samples and standards were packaged individually in 

bags formed from LPE film and placed together in a polyethylene irradiation vessel or rabbit. 

For the assay of intermediate- and long-lived nuclides, each rabbit was irradiated in a pneumatic 

rabbit tube irradiation facility at a reactor power of 20 MW for 16 h. After a decay time of 

approximately 6 d, gamma rays from intermediate-lived nuclides (As, Mo, Cd, La, Sm, and Au) 

were collected for 2 h from samples positioned 15 cm from an intrinsic germanium detector. 

After decay times of 4 to 8 weeks, gamma rays from long-lived nuclides (Sc, Fe, Co, Zn, Se, Rb, 

Sr, Ag, Sn, Sb, Cs, Ba, Ce, Eu, Tb, Hf, Ta, Th, and U) were collected for 8 h from samples 

positioned approximately 5 cm from the same detector. 
8

Spectral reduction and data analysis were accomplished using a μVAX 3400 computer with 

Nuclear Data peak search and activation analysis software. Quantitative evaluation was done by 

the comparator method using all standards from the individual irradiations. Nuclear Data 

software was used to calculate "standard constants" (the ratio of the amount of activity of a given 

nuclide that was present immediately after irradiation to the mass of the element, Ao/g) and these 

constants were used to determine element concentrations of the samples. 

Mass fractions of the following elements were at or below the INAA detection limits in these 

tissues: Sc, V, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, I, Ba, La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Hf, Ta, Au, Th, and U. INAA 

detection limits are listed in Table B2 in Appendix B. All results from analysis of individual 

portions are listed in Table B3 in Appendix B and discussed below. 

Sources of uncertainty for this analysis included uncertainty of counting statistics, uncertainty in 

the element content of the standards, uncertainty in dry mass of materials, and any differences 

between samples and standards in irradiation and counting geometries. Analysis of portions of 

SRM 1566a and Whale Liver Homogenate (I) were included for the purpose of quality 

assurance. Results of analysis of these control materials are shown in Tables B4 and B5 in 

Appendix B. INAA values agree with the certified or literature values within the total 

uncertainties listed.

ICP-MS Analysis of Cd, Hg, Pb, Sb, Tl, Th, Mn, Sn, Cu, Ag and Zn in Liver and Kidney 

Samples: Frozen sub-samples of dolphin tissues weighing between 0.3 g and 0.7 g were 

transferred to tared 100 mL PFA-Teflon containers using a ceramic spatula. The spatula was 

cleaned with high-purity water, wiped with a metal-free cloth, and chilled before use. The 

weighing process was performed rapidly to prevent the defrosting and gelling of the tissue 

samples. Each container of dolphin tissue was sampled at least two times so that duplicate 

sample preparations could be made. An acid mixture containing 4 mL of HNO3 and 2 mL of 

HClO4 was added to each container, which was then sealed. The samples were dissolved by 

microwave digestion (Milestone MLS-2100, Monroe, CT). After digestion, the sample 

containers were cooled, and the samples transferred to 100-mL low-density-polyethylene bottles 

and diluted to a final volume of approximately 100 mL with high-purity water containing 1% 

K2Cr2O7. The mass and density of each final solution was used to calculate the analyte 

concentration. 

The above elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) using a Perkin Elmer (Boston, MA) Elan 5000 ICP-MS in the TotalQuant II mode and 

external standards. As a quality assurance check on the ICP-MS measurements, Pb was 

determined on selected subsamples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) 

and Hg was determined by cold-vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CVAAS). All results 

from analysis of individual portions are listed in Table B3 in Appendix B and discussed below. 

Analysis of Whale Liver Homogenate (I) was included for the purpose of quality control and 

results are listed in Table B6, Appendix B. Mass fractions of Sb, Tl, and Th were <0.05 mg/kg. 
9

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

Biological Information 

Total length (cm) and animal gender are presented in Table 1. Of the 15 animals, 6 were male 

and 9 were female; 3 females were pregnant and all fetuses were female. The most common 

pathological conditions found during the necropsies were ectopic or displaced spleen (9 of 15 

animals), pneumonia (8 animals), and fibroid kidneys (7 animals). 

Table 1: Individual animal and sample information 

NBSB Number Age Length Lactating (L) Blubber Lipid Kidney Lipid 

 (years) (cm) or with fetus (F) (percent) (percent) 

Male 

RTDL-012 0.5 136 -- 54.9 5.9 

RTDL-014 2.5 185 -- 60.0 7.19 

RTDL-004 3 199 -- 55.8* 5.92 

RTDL-006 4.5 207 -- 73.3 6.13 

RTDL-002 10 229 -- 44.4 6.72 

RTDL-005 na** 235 -- 42.8 20.5 

 

Female 

RTDL-001 0.8 183 -- 66.3 5.25 

RTDL-011 3.5 202 -- 58.1 9.3 

RTDL-015 4 177 -- 45.4 6.27 

RTDL-010 10 209 -- 54.2 12.2 

RTDL-009 7.5 228 -- 61.1 9.6 

RTDL-008 22 221 L 49.1 29.8 

RTDL-003 25 235 F 38.0 15.8 

RTDL-013 42 253 F 50.4 45.2 

RTDL-007 na 241 F 41.1 32.4 

*Average of three measurements 

**na; not available 

The mean lipid (total non-volatile solvent extractable material) content of the female roughtoothed dolphin blubber samples was 51.5% with a range from 38.0% to 66.3% and in males was 

55.1% with a range from 42.8% to 73.3% (Table 1). To assess repeatability of lipid 

determinations, lipid content was measured in triplicate subsamples of RT-004 by NIST 

Charleston and determined to be 55.8% (1.3%, 1 SD). The lipid content of RTDL-004 blubber 

was also determined by the NIST Gaithersburg laboratory and found to contain 56.9% lipid. 

Lipid content was measured in three samples of SRM 1945 and was determined to be 70.1% 

(0.1%), compared to the certified value of 74.3% ± 0.4%. The percent total extractable organic 

content of the kidney tissues ranged from 5.25% to 45.2% (mean = 14.5%; median 9.27%) and 

that of the liver tissues ranged from 3.29% to 6.97% (mean = 4.88%; median = 4.87%). 
10

Blubber Analyses 

Quality Control: Several mechanisms were used to assess the accuracy and precision of data 

and to evaluate the comparability of data generated by the NIST Charleston and NIST 

Gaithersburg laboratories. POPs were determined by each laboratory in three aliquots of SRM 

1945 that were analyzed with the rough-toothed dolphins (Table A1). Duplicate portions of six 

rough-toothed dolphin blubber specimens (RTDL-001 through RTDL-006) were analyzed by 

both the NIST Charleston and Gaithersburg laboratories. Results from these analyses are 

presented in Tables A2 and A3. The largest deviation was observed for PCB 18, where the 

relative deviation ranged from 33% in RDTL-003 to 164% in RTDL-004. The reason for the 

deviation was not known as the values for PCB 18 determined in SRM 1945 by both NIST 

Charleston and NIST Gaithersburg were within the 95% confidence interval of the certified 

value for this compound (4.48 ng/g wet mass ± 0.88 ng/g wet mass). Repeatability within a 

batch was assessed by the NIST Charleston Laboratory through three analysis of RTDL-004 

made in separate batches (Tables A3 and A4). The average percent relative standard deviation of 

measurements made on this sample was 6.42% (1.04% to 17.3%). 

PCBs and Organochlorine Pesticides: Many target compounds including PCBs, DDTs, 

chlordanes, mirex, dieldrin, HCHs, and HCB were detected in the nine female and six male 

(Table 2) rough-toothed dolphins analyzed (Tables A5 and A6, Figures A1-a,b). The 

concentrations of PCB congeners are given in Table A5. Organochlorine pesticides 

concentrations in the rough-toothed dolphin samples are given in Table A6. All results and 

comparisons to other studies are given on a lipid-mass basis unless otherwise noted. The results 

from the NIST Gaithersburg and NIST Charleston analyses were averaged. 

PCBs were the organochlorine compounds found in greatest concentrations in the rough-toothed 

dolphins in this study. The sum of PCBs (ΣPCBs; sum of 31 individual congeners or congener 

groups) in female dolphin samples averaged 25,900 ng/g (range: 1,310 ng/g to 49,400 ng/g) 

(Table A5). ΣPCBs in males averaged 46,900 ng/g ΣPCBs (range: 24,900 ng/g to 73,600 ng/g). 

PCB congener 153 contributed most to the ΣPCBs with a mean percent contribution of 24% 

(range: 22% to 29%) in females, and 26% in males (range: 24% to 29%). Other PCB congeners 

detected at relatively high concentrations included PCBs 99, 101, 118, 138, 180, and 187 (Fig. 

A1-a). 

When compared to cetaceans from studies in other geographic regions, the rough-toothed 

dolphins from this sample set have lower levels of ΣPCBs (Table 2). For example, higher 

concentrations of ΣPCBs have been observed in male Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus; mean: 

128,000 ng/g) inhabiting coastal Japanese waters (Prudente et al. 1997, Table 2) and in stranded 

male striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from the western Mediterranean Sea (mean: 

1,300,000 ng/g; Kannan et al. 1993, Table 2). Kuehl and Haebler (1995) reported that male 

bottlenose dolphins that stranded on the Gulf Coast of Texas had a mean ΣPCB concentration of 

93,000 ng/g, which is higher than that of the rough-toothed dolphins (Table 2). Other studies 

examining stranded bottlenose dolphins from the Texas (Salata et al. 1995) and the Atlantic 

coasts (Kuehl et al., 1991) reported higher mean ΣPCB concentrations- 36,100 ng/g and 60,600 

ng/g, respectively (Table 2). 
11

With such a limited data set, and because so little is known about the relationship between the 

cycling of contaminants and the pelagic food web in the Gulf of Mexico, any conclusions about 

the differences in mean ΣPCBs between coastal bottlenose dolphins and pelagic rough-toothed 

dolphins must be made with caution. We speculate that this difference is attributable primarily 

to habitat differences, as the near-shore waters of the Gulf of Mexico are in much closer 

proximity to potential point sources of PCBs resulting in higher contamination of the coastal 

food web and dolphin prey species. The pelagic rough-toothed dolphins' prey may have lower 

exposures and concentrations of PCBs, accounting for the difference in the ΣPCBs. 

Additionally, the rough-toothed dolphins feed at a lower tropic level than the bottlenose 

dolphins, which would result in less biomagnification of contaminant levels. 

The suggested toxic threshold concentration of PCBs in marine mammal blubber is 17,000 ng/g 

lipid mass (Kannan et al., 2000). Additionally, results from Lahvis et al. (1995) indicate that 

even relatively low levels of PCBs and DDTs can have negative effects on immune system 

function. Based on this criterion, it is likely that for the population represented by this limited 

sample group, PCBs pose a health risk. Unfortunately, little is understood about the mechanisms 

of cumulative actions of the complex mixtures of organochlorines to which these dolphins are 

exposed, and how these compounds impact the animals’ health status (Marine Mammal 

Commission, 1999). Therefore, it is not currently possible to determine whether the health 

conditions and ultimate deaths of these dolphins were related to body burdens of POPs. 

The DDT group compounds (2,4’-DDD, 4,4’-DDD, 2,4’ DDE, 4,4’-DDE, 2,4’-DDT, and 4,4’-

DDT) were the organochlorine pesticide compounds present in the highest concentrations. In 

females, the average ΣDDT concentration was 14,100 ng/g ranging from 298 ng/g to 34,900 ng/g 

(Table A6). In males, the mean ΣDDT was 22,100 ng/g, ranging from 10,300 ng/g to 37,900 

ng/g (Table A6). 4,4’-DDE was the DDT group compound present in the highest concentration, 

contributing 71% (range: 48% to 89%) to ΣDDTs in females, and 79% (range: 73% to 92%) in 

males (Table A6). The male rough-toothed dolphins had mean ΣDDT concentrations similar to 

those reported previously in several odonteceti species including Dall’s porpoise (Phocoenoides

dalli) from both the northeastern and northwestern Pacific (mean: 17,900 ng/g) and Pacific 

white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) from the North Pacific (mean: 23,900 ng/g; 

Prudente et al., 1997, Table 2). Coastal bottlenose dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico (Salata et 

al., 1995) had a mean ΣDDTs of 15,300 ng/g, which was lower than the mean level found in the 

pelagic rough-toothed dolphins (mean ΣDDTs of 17,400 for both sexes, Table 2). However, the 

maximum concentrations of ΣDDTs in bottlenose dolphins from both the Gulf of Mexico 

(74,600 ng/g) and the Atlantic (80,000 ng/g) were more than double those measured in the 

rough-toothed dolphins (Salata et al., 1995, Kuehl et al., 1991, Table 2). 

 

Prudente et al. (1997), Salata et al. (1995), Kuehl et al. (1991), and Kuehl and Haebler (1995) all 

reported that 4,4’-DDE contributed the most to ΣDDTs in all cetacean species they studied, 

consistent with our results. To better evaluate exposure to other DDT compounds and currentuse DDT, the percentage ratio of 4,4’-DDT to 4,4’-DDT + 4,4’-DDE was calculated (Figure 1). 

In females, the mean ratio was 18 (range: 13 to 38) and in males, the mean ratio was 9.2 (range: 

3.0 to 16). Interestingly, the ratios were much higher in the rough-toothed dolphins than those 

from bottlenose dolphins that stranded in the Gulf of Mexico. The mean ratio in bottlenose 
12

dolphins that were analyzed by Salata et al. (1995) was 4.1, while the mean in dolphins analyzed 

by Kuehl and Haebler (1995) was 4.2. This difference may be attributable to two reasons. One 

explanation may be that the range of the rough-toothed dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico includes 

areas that are more heavily contaminated by current use DDT than the U.S. Gulf Coastal range of 

bottlenose dolphins. Mexico, which forms the western boundary of the Gulf of Mexico, 

currently uses DDT for mosquito control in amounts that exceed DDT usage by other Latin 

American countries (Lopez-Carrillo et al., 1996). If the rough-toothed dolphins feed in this 

region, it may explain their elevated levels of parent DDT compounds. A second explanation 

may be that rough-toothed dolphins have less ability than bottlenose dolphins to metabolize DDT 

compounds, perhaps because this species lacks the CYP2B gene that transcribes the cytochrome 

P450 mono-oxygenase isozyme responsible for metabolism of these compounds (Stegeman and 

Hahn, 1994). 

Figure 1: Comparison of the ratios of 4,4'-DDT to 4,4'-DDT + 4,4'-DDE (%) in dolphin species 

from the Gulf of Mexico. 

Following DDTs, the sum of chlordanes (Σchlordanes; the sum of heptachlor, heptachlor 

epoxide, cis-nonachlor, trans-nonachlor, cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane, and oxychlordane) was 

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Female roughtoothed dolphinsMale roughtoothed dolphinsRough-toothed

dolphins, both

sexes

Bottlenose

dolphins (Kuehl

and Haebler, 1995)

Bottlenose

dolphins (Salata et

al., 1995)

4,4'-DDT/4.4'-DDE+4,4'-DDT (%)
13

the organochlorine pesticide group detected at highest concentration. Σchlordanes averaged 

3,670 ng/g in females (40.3 ng/g to 12,400 ng/g) and 4,060 ng/g in males (1,620 ng/g to 8,200 

ng/g, Table 2). Trans-nonachlor contributed the most to Σchlordanes, with a mean percentage of 

total in females of 61%, ranging from 52% to 80%, and in males of 70%, ranging from 56% to 

82%. The highest mean concentrations of Σchlordanes found by Prudente et al. (1997) were in 

male Risso’s dolphins from Japanese coastal waters; mean Σchlordanes were 12,800 ng/g, or 

approximately three times higher than the mean concentration measured in this set of roughtoothed dolphins (Table 2). This difference may be attributable to global fractionation of 

chlordane compounds resulting in higher levels at higher latitudes, and therefore greater 

contamination of prey species and ultimately top tier predators, a common trend with many 

organochlorines (Bidleman et al., 1998). Salata et al. (1995) reported a mean Σchlordanes 

concentration of 3,890 ng/g lipid mass in bottlenose dolphins of both sexes from the Gulf of 

Mexico, which was lower than the measured mean Σchlordanes concentration in the roughtoothed dolphins from this study (Table 2). However, if only levels of trans-nonachlor are 

compared, the mean concentrations from bottlenose dolphins inhabiting the coastal waters of 

both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic (2170 ng/g lipid mass and 2930 ng/g lipid mass 

respectively) are approximately the same as those measured in the rough-toothed dolphins (2600 

ng/g) (Salata et al., 1995; Kuehl et al., 1991). 

Mirex, an organochlorine widely used as an insecticide and fire retardant until it was banned in 

1978 (Smith et al., 1978), was detected in all of the rough-toothed dolphin samples in this study. 

The mean mirex concentration in female dolphin samples was 376 ng/g and ranged from 33.4 

ng/g to 912 ng/g (Table A6). Males had a mean mirex concentration of 710 ng/g with a range 

from 348 ng/g to 1,145 ng/g (Table A6). Male rough-toothed dolphins had mirex concentrations 

higher than those reported for male bottlenose dolphins also from the Gulf of Mexico (502 ng/g 

lipid mass; Kuehl and Haebler, 1995, Table 2). This was also true when the mean from both 

sexes (517 ng/g) was compared to that reported by Salata et al. (1995) for Gulf of Mexico 

bottlenose dolphins (485 ng/g, Table 2). However, the rough-toothed dolphins had more than 

double the mean mirex concentration of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (194 ng/g, Kuehl et al.,

1991, Table 2). The difference between concentrations of mirex in the rough-toothed dolphins 

and bottlenose dolphins from the Atlantic is probably due to extensive mirex application in the 

southeastern U.S. for fire ant control and because of the compound’s chemical properties. Mirex 

is very hydrophobic and non-volatile, so is therefore unlikely, once it has entered the 

environment, to volatilize and form a latitudinal concentration gradient as is seen with many 

other POPs (Smith et al., 1978). The difference in mirex concentrations between animals from 

the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic may make mirex potentially useful as a marker compound to 

discriminate stocks of rough-toothed dolphins in these two regions. However, there are no data 

available on contaminant levels in rough-toothed dolphins from the Atlantic, so comparisons are 

not currently possible. 

Dieldrin was detected in all of the rough-toothed dolphin samples analyzed. Dieldrin 

concentrations in female dolphin samples had a mean of 467 ng/g and ranged from 18.4 ng/g to 

1,840 ng/g (Table A6). Males had a mean dieldrin concentration of 306 ng/g and ranged from 

189 ng/g to 487 ng/g (Table A6). By comparison, adult male bottlenose dolphins analyzed by 

Kuehl and Haebler (1995) had a higher mean dieldrin concentration (1,080 ng/g) than that found 

in the rough-toothed dolphins from this study (Table 2). Salata et al. (1995) and Kuehl et al.
14

(1991) also reported higher mean dieldrin concentrations in bottlenose dolphins of both sexes 

from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic (547 ng/g and 1450 ng/g respectively, Table 2). 

HCHs were detected at relatively low levels in all individuals analyzed. In females, the mean 

concentration of ΣHCHs (α-, β-, and γ-HCH) was 69.5 ng/g, ranging from 5.29 ng/g to 268 ng/g. 

The ΣHCHs in males averaged 23.0 ng/g and concentrations ranged from 14.5 ng/g to 45.1 ng/g 

(Table A6). In the majority of females, β-HCH contributed the most to ΣHCHs, with a mean 

contribution of 66% to the ΣHCH (range from 38% to 100%). However, in RTDL-003, only γHCH was detected, while in RTDL-008, α-HCH contributed 100% to the ΣHCHs. In males, βHCH contributed the most to ΣHCHs, contributing an average of 74.5% to the ΣHCH (range 

from 64% to 85%). The rough-toothed dolphins had lower concentrations of ΣHCHs compared 

to concentrations found in Dall’s porpoise from the Japan Sea (mean: 7,140 ng/g, Prudente et al. 

1997, Table 2). Coastal bottlenose dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico had mean β-HCH 

concentrations of 64.2 ng/g (Salata et al., 1995, Table 2). This was higher than the mean β-HCH 

concentration found in the rough-toothed dolphins. HCH patterns in the rough-toothed dolphins, 

with β-HCH being the dominant congener, were similar to those found by reported by Prudente 

et al. (1997) and Salata et al. (1995). Lower ΣHCH concentrations in rough-toothed dolphins 

relative to animals from waters adjacent to Asia were not surprising because most current HCH 

use is in India (Iwata et al., 1993). Additionally, Iwata et al. (1993) determined that there was a 

latitudinal concentration gradient with HCHs resulting in higher levels at higher latitudes, which 

would explain the relatively low levels of HCHs detected in these sub-tropical animals. 

HCB concentrations were among the lowest of all POPs detected. Mean lipid mass HCB 

concentrations in female dolphins was 48.4 ng/g and ranged from < 1 ng/g to 70.9 ng/g (Table 

A6). Males had a mean HCB concentration of 48.2 ng/g and ranged from 20.8 ng/g to 79.5 ng/g 

(Table A6). The highest concentration of HCB detected by Prudente et al. (1997) was in Dall’s 

porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli) from the Sea of Japan, with a mean HCB concentration of 1,430 

ng/g (Table 2). These authors suggest that HCB distribution is heavily dependent upon 

temperature due to its high volatility, with HCB partitioning mainly to cold areas or higher 

latitudes. This could explain why animals from the sub-tropical Gulf of Mexico, such as the 

rough-toothed dolphins, or bottlenose dolphins (mean: 510 ng/g; Salata et al., 1995, Table 2) 

have lower concentrations of HCB. 

The variability of levels of organochlorines caused by gender and age is an interesting feature of 

this data set. Unfortunately, the data set is small (n = 15) and limited by the absence of some age 

groups, thus limiting a complete interpretation. For instance, older males, typically having the 

highest POP concentrations, are not represented. However, age and gender trends in the POP 

data can still be observed even with this limitation. One interesting feature of the data, and one 

of concern, is the relatively high POP concentrations in the immature dolphins (Figure 2). 
15

Table 2: Comparison of organochlorine concentrations (ng/g lipid mass) among dolphin species and locations. Snumber of PCB congeners summed to derive ΣPCB. Species n Sex ΣPCBs ΣDDTs ΣChlordanes Mirex Dieldrin HCB Rough-toothed dolphin 6 M 46,900 22,100 4,060 710 306 62.0 

 24,900-73,600 10,300-37,900 1,620-8,200 348-1,150 186-487 20.8-92.0  9 F 25,900 14,100 3,700 376 467 48.2 

 1,310-38,100 298-34,900 40.3-12,400 33.4-912 18.4-907 <2-70.9 Bottlenose dolphin 12 M/F 60,600 15200* 2930** 194 1,450 --  17,400-196,000 519-80,000* 172-9,200** 36-584 74.0-5,820 -- Bottlenose dolphin 9 M 93,000 37,000* -- 502 1,080 --  64,000-187,000 15,000/78,000* -- 271-810 290-1,800 -- Bottlenose dolphin 33 M/F 36,100 15,300 3,890 485 547 510 

 4,100-149,000 428-76,000 190-28,400 167-6,540 28.7-2,030 19.8-2,18Risso's dolphin 5 M 128,000 -- 12,800 -- -- -- 

 88,400-151,000 -- 7,210-17,400 -- -- -- Striped dolphin 9 M 1,300,000 -- -- -- -- -- 

 88,400-2,6000,000 -- -- -- -- -- Dall's porpoise 3 M -- 17,900 -- -- -- 1,430 

 -- 9,760-33,300 -- -- -- 813-2,310 Pacific white-sided dolphin 3 M -- 23,900 -- -- -- --  -- 21,600-28,400 -- -- -- -- 

*4,4'-DDE only **trans-nonachlor only ***β−HCH only (1) Kuehl et al. (1991); Western Atlantic (85 PCB congeners summed) 

(2) Kuehl et al. (1995); Gulf of Mexico (number of PCB congeners summed not stated) (3) Salata et al. (1995); Gulf of Mexico (number of PCB congeners summed not stated) (4) Prudente et al. (1997); North-western Atlantic (55 PCB congeners summed) 

(5) Kannan et al. (1993); Mediterranean (number of PCB congeners summed not stated) 
16

It is well established that mothers transfer organochlorines to their offspring via lactation (e.g.,

Addison and Brodie, 1987). While the authors could not find any published information on the 

nursing duration of rough-toothed dolphin calves, there is information on bottlenose dolphins. 

Assuming that the botttlenose dolphin calves nurse for similar lengths of time, rough-toothed 

dolphin calves under the age of 18 months were likely receiving most or all of their nutrients 

from their mothers’ milk (Cockroft and Ross, 1990). For calves whose mothers have had 

previous offspring, the risk of negative health effects from POPs is diminished as females may 

offload up to 80% of their body burden to their first-born calves (bottlenose dolphins, Cockroft et 

al., 1989). This would explain the elevated levels seen in the young rough-toothed dolphins 

(Figure 2). The elevated levels in RTDL-007, a pregnant female, suggest that she was carrying 

her first calf and had not yet off-loaded her body burden to a previous offspring. Unfortunately, 

none of the neonates were available for analysis, which could have provided information about 

parturitional transfer of POPs in this species. Previously, it has been suggested that the 

predominantly lactational transfer of POPs to first-born calves may have serious health 

implications including increased mortality (Cockroft et al., 1989) Considering that so little is 

known about many of the details of the rough-toothed dolphins life history, this is an area 

warranting further study. 

Figure 2: Age versus ΣPCB congeners (ng/g lipid mass) for female rough-toothed dolphins. 

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

0 10 20 30 40 50

Age (years)

ΣPCBs (ng/g lipid)
17

Liver and Kidney Analyses 

Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses to determine inorganic constituents in kidney and liver 

tissues of the 15 rough-toothed dolphins are discussed below. For each method, analyses were 

performed on duplicate sample portions and results from analyses on these individual portions 

are presented in Table B3, Appendix B. Duplicate portions of SRM 1566a Oyster Tissue and of 

Whale Liver Homogenate I were used as control materials for INAA and one portion of Whale 

Liver Homogenate I was used for the ICP-MS analyses. Results for these materials are shown in 

Tables B4, B5, and B6 in Appendix B. In general, values determined by INAA and ICP-MS 

agree with certified values, reference values, or literature values. 

Analysis of Duplicate Subsamples: For most elements, the values from INAA and ICP-MS of 

duplicate portions agree within the total uncertainties listed for each method. Poor agreement 

between duplicate portions was observed for Pb in all tissues, Ca in three kidney specimens and 

two liver specimens, Cd in one liver specimen, and for several elements in the kidney tissue with 

highest lipid content (RTDL-013). 

Values for Pb in a given sub-sample varied by as much as two orders of magnitude. It is unlikely 

that the tissues are inhomogeneous with respect to lead. It is probable that the observed 

inhomogeneity is the result of contamination of the tissues either during collection or processing 

of the sub-samples. Identification of the source of contamination is under investigation. For this 

reason, the values for Pb are not included in this report. 

Calcium values from duplicate portions showed poor agreement in several of the specimens. 

Poor agreement for duplicate portions was observed for liver tissues from RTDL-003 and 

RTDL-007 and for kidney tissues from RTDL-005, -007, and -008. The kidney tissues of these 

animals contained greater amounts of lipid material than the others (see Table B1). Although 

kidney lipid levels were highest for RTDL-013, Ca values in this specimen were below the 

INAA detection limit of 16 mg/kg. This type of apparent Ca inhomogeneity was found in beluga 

whale kidney tissues that were known to contain Ca nodules (Becker, 2000). Tissue 

mineralization is not uncommon and could result in tissues that contain small Ca deposits that 

are not homogeneously distributed, even after cryogenic homogenization. 

The values from the duplicate sub-samples of the kidney tissue containing the highest amount of 

lipid, from animal RTDL-013, showed poor agreement for the elements Na, Cl, K, and Br which 

are short-lived NAA products. For this reason, an additional sub-sample was included in the 

subsequent analysis of long-lived products of NAA. Values among these three portions were 

inconsistent. The portions from this tissue were too oily to be easily removed from the LPE bags 

after the long irradiation. It is possible that inconsistent LPE film element content contributed to 

the observed variation; however it is more likely that the sub-samples from this tissue are 

inhomogeneous. Values for several of the electrolytes in duplicate portions of the tissues with 

high lipid content were inconsistent and were generally lower than those in the other tissues. 

Electrolytes are hydrophilic rather than lipophilic so that these results may be expected. 

Electrolytes: Na, Mg, Ca, Cl, K, Br: Although most researchers do not determine electrolyte 

levels in marine mammal tissues, results of this study were compared with other INAA results 

from analysis of marine mammal tissues from the NBSB. In general, INAA of marine mammal 
18

liver tissues has shown that concentrations of electrolytes vary little from animal to animal, or 

among species (Mackey et al., 1995). Levels of most of the electrolytes in liver and kidney of 

rough-toothed dolphins are consistent with this finding. Values of the relative standard deviation 

for Na, Mg, Cl, K, and Br for these 15 rough-toothed dolphin liver tissues ranged from 9% to 

13%. Little variation was observed because these elements are essential and are regulated 

biochemically. Levels of Na, Mg, Cl, K, Br, and Cs in these tissues are similar to those found in 

NBSB tissues of several other odontocetae including white-sided dolphin, pilot whale, harbor 

porpoise, and beluga whale. See Tables 3 and 4. 

Levels of Ca were high and amounts in duplicate portions varied greatly in kidneys of three 

rough-toothed dolphins (RTDL-005, -007, and -008) and in livers of two (RTDL-003, RTDL007). The three kidney specimens were those with high lipid content (20% to 32%). Calcium 

values were below the INAA detection limit (of about 16 mg/kg) in the specimen (RTDL-013) 

containing the largest amount of extractable organic material (45%). Calcium levels found in the 

rough-toothed dolphins were similar to those found in the beluga whales from Cook Inlet 

(Becker et al., 2001) which contained calcified nodules and were inhomogeneous with respect to 

Ca. Tissue calcification has been associated with connective tissue kidney lesions in humans 

(Selye, 1961) and with carcinoma (see e.g., Davidson et al, 1990.) 

Table 3: Comparison of concentration ranges (mg/kg wet mass) of trace elements in kidneys of 

rough-toothed dolphins and those of other odontocetae. 

 Rough-Toothed 

Dolphins n = 15 

Beluga Whales 

n = 10 

Beluga Whales 

n = 37 

Common Dolphin 

n = 18 

Harbor Porpoise 

n = 23 

 This work Becker et al. (2001) Hansen et al. (1990)Law et al. (1994) Law et al. (1994)

Na 1021 -2297 1884 - 2350 -- -- -- 

Mg 47 - 205 86 - 165 -- -- -- 

Cl 1257 - 2932 1811 - 2688 -- -- -- 

K 932 - 3013 1814 - 2223 -- -- -- 

Ca 57 - 1197 69 - 2232a

 -- -- -- 

V ≤0.04 ≤0.04 -- -- -- 

Mn 0.172 – 1.06 0.38 - 1.24 -- -- -- 

Cu ≤4 ≤5 -- 1.9 - 7.6 2.3 - 15 

Br 14.2 - 25.5 15 - 28 -- -- -- 

Fe 30 - 77 58 - 155, 732b

 -- -- -- 

Co 0.004 - 0.013 0.006 - 0.018 -- -- -- 

Zn 8.6 - 18.7 19 - 30 15 - 40 (27.2) 12 - 35 16 - 45 

As ≤0.5 - 0.7 ≤0.06 - 0.21c

 -- 0.8 - 1.4 (n = 7) -- 

Se 2.4 - 11 0.41 - 3.87 0.34 - 4.24 (2.2) 1.9 - 3.9 (n = 11) 0.6 - 4.9 

Rb 0.41 - 1.4 0.7 - 1.8 -- -- -- 

Ag ≤0.005 - 0.015 ≤0.005 - 0.02, 36.7d -- -- -- 

Cd 0.01 - 1.02e

 2.2 - 9.0 ≤0.015 - 28.7 (10.3) 0.12 - 9.3 ≤0.07 - 8.7 

Cs 0.025 - 0.068 0.045 - 0.11 -- -- -- 

Hg 0.9 - 15e

 -- ≤ 0.005 - 8.88 0.3 - 6.0 ≤0.01 - 37 a These kidneys were inhomogeneous with respect to Ca because of the presence of calcified nodules in the tissue. b Concentrations for nine kidneys ranged from 58 mg/kg to 155 mg/kg; the value for the remaining tissue was 732 mg/kg ± 22 mg/kg (1 

SD) 

c Arsenic levels for seven of the ten kidneys were below the detection limit of 0.06 mg/kg and the remaining three values ranged from 0.14 

mg/kg to 0.21 mg/kg. d Silver levels in seven of the ten kidneys were below the below the detection limit of about 0.005 mg/kg, concentrations in two kidneys 

were 0.01 mg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg, and the remaining value was 37 mg/kg ± 4 mg/kg (1 SD). e

Values were determined by ICP-MS 
19

Essential Trace Metals: Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Se: Levels of four of these essential trace elements in 

liver tissues of rough-toothed dolphins also showed little animal-to-animal variation. Values for 

the relative standard deviation for Mn, Co, Cu, and Zn ranged from about 10% to 25%. As was 

the case with electrolytes, this relatively narrow range of values was expected since these 

elements are essential and are regulated biochemically. The ranges of values found for these 

elements in rough-toothed dolphin liver and kidney were generally similar to those reported for 

other marine mammal species. See Tables 3 and 4. 

Although Se is an essential element, much greater animal-to-animal variation was observed for 

Se concentrations than for the other essential elements. Selenium mass fractions ranged from 2.9 

mg/kg to 122 mg/kg in liver tissues and from 2.6 mg/kg to 11.1 mg/kg in kidney tissues. Values 

for the relative standard deviation of selenium were 40% for concentrations in kidney and 110% 

for liver. Similar ranges have been reported for other marine mammal species. This 

comparatively wide range of values was probably due to the role of selenium in metal 

detoxification (Frost and Lish, 1975; Hammond and Beliles, 1980). Selenium or seleno-proteins 

may assist in the removal of several toxic metals so that Se concentrations often increase with 

increasing concentrations of other metals. Koemann et al. (1973) first reported a linear 

correlation between Se and Hg in liver tissues. Since then, many other researchers have also 

observed this relationship (e.g., Julshamn et al., 1987; Meador et al., 1993; Mackey et al., 1996). 

Hepatic Se concentrations also increase with those of Ag in several species of odontocetae 

(Becker et al., 1995). 

Selenium values were slightly higher in the rough-toothed dolphin kidneys when compared with 

levels found in tissues of other species. The Se concentrations in kidney tissues containing a 

higher amount of lipid appeared to be slightly higher than in tissues with a lower amount of lipid. 

Selenium values from animals RTDL-003, -005, -007, -008, and -013, ranged from 6.9 mg/kg to 

11.1 mg/kg, whereas the range for the remaining tissues was 2.4 mg/kg to 5.9 mg/kg. Selenium 

values in the liver tissues from those dolphins were also higher (with a range of 33 mg/kg to 122 

mg/kg) in the animals whose kidneys contained higher lipid amounts (RTDL-003, -005, -007, 

-008 and -013) compared to a range of 2.9 mg/kg to 28 mg/kg for the remaining animals. The 

number of tissues analyzed was insufficient to determine whether this difference was significant. 

Similar patterns were observed for Hg, which is discussed below. 

Potentially Toxic Metals: As, Ag, Cd, Hg: Levels of As in rough-toothed dolphins were 

below the INAA detection limit of 0.06 mg/kg in 14 of the 15 kidney tissues analyzed and 

ranged from 0.2 mg/kg to 0.6 mg/kg in rough-toothed dolphin liver tissues. These ranges were 

consistent with values reported for other species of marine mammal. Hepatic As levels in roughtoothed dolphins were similar to those found in harbor porpoise and the range overlaps ranges 

reported for several other species of marine mammals (Table 4). 

Levels of Ag, Cd, and Hg in rough-toothed dolphin tissues showed much greater animal-toanimal variation than As. The relative standard deviations of the average values for these 

elements ranged from about 50% to well over 100%, as values for a given element span several 

orders of magnitude. The elements Ag, Cd, and Hg are probably not essential, and have no 

known specific biochemical regulatory pathways in mammals. These metals often accumulate in 

liver and kidney tissues over time (e.g., Mackey et al., 1996). Results from ICP-MS showed that 
20

renal Cd values ranged from 0.05 mg/kg to 3.94 mg/kg. These values are similar to the levels 

found in the kidneys of other marine mammals from the NBSB and with selected literature 

values (Table 3). Levels of Hg in rough-toothed dolphin kidneys also spanned two orders of 

magnitude, consistent with ranges observed in other species (see Table 3). Hepatic Hg in roughtoothed dolphins RTDL-003, -007 and -013 represented some of the higher values (175 mg/kg, 

180 mg/kg, and 235 mg/kg) observed for tissues from the NBSB. The hepatic Hg values for 

rough-toothed dolphins were within the range of values reported for other odontocetae such as 

Mediterranean striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba;1.2 mg/kg to 1544 mg/kg; Andre et al,

1991) and were similar to the values for harbor porpoise reported by Law et al., 1992. (See Table 

4.) 

Table 4: Comparison of concentration ranges (mg/kg of wet mass) of selected trace elements in 

livers of rough-toothed dolphins with ranges for other odontocetae. 

Element Rough-Toothed 

Dolphins 

n = 15 

Pilot 

Whales 

n = 9 

White-sided 

dolphin 

n = 4 

Porpoise 

n = 37 

Common 

dolphin 

N = 42 

Striped 

Dolphin 

n = 7 

Harbor Porpoise

n = 6 

This work Mackey et al. 

Unpublished

Mackey et al. 

Unpublished.

Law et a1. 

1992 

Law et a1. 

1992

Law et a1. 

1992

Mackey et al. 

unpublished

Na 1044 - 1704 1238 - 1621 1108 - 1264 -- -- -- 1195 - 1703 

Mg 120 - 186 94.5 - 182.5 134 - 162 -- -- -- 128 - 267 

Cl 1343 - 2012 1630 - 2229 1356 - 1528 -- -- -- 1589 - 2030 

K 2333 - 3565 1998 - 2792 2772 - 3146 -- -- -- 2128 - 3307 

Ca 23 - 60.5, 243 24 - 68 41 - 58 -- -- -- 30 - 63 

V ≤0.03 ≤0.02 ≤0.01 - 0.06 -- -- -- ≤0.02 

Mn 2.81 - 5.09 1.78 - 3.41 3.10 - 4.12 -- -- -- 2.68 - 5.15 

Cu 3.55 - 7.31 ≤1.3 - 4 3.2 - 8.1 5 - 120 2.7 - 12, 40, 81 3.7 - 12 3.84 - 15.3 

Br 14.7 - 24.5 15.6 - 21.2 12.4 - 16.6 -- -- -- 11.8 - 16.4 

Fe 115 - 615 144 - 806 66 - 296 -- 0.8 - 45 0.9 - 9 

(n = 4) 

1.1 - 4.2 

Rb 0.8 - 1.7 1.44 - 2.1 ≤1 - 3 -- -- -- 1.0 - 1.7 

Ag 0.05 - 1.18 0.013 - 0.333 0.27 - 1.50 -- -- -- 0.15 - 0.76 

Cd ≤0.5 2.8 - 14.3 0.46 - 3.65 <0.06 - 0.44 <0.07 - 6.5 <0.07 - 11 ≤0.5 

Cs 0.024 - 0.089 ≤0.002 - 0.01 0.009 - 0.075 -- -- -- 0.033 - 0.5 

Hg 3.4 - 235 1.05 - 112 1.0 - 22.7 0.6 - 190 0.14 - 130 0.59 - 22 0.56 - 38.6 

 

Relationship between liver and kidney: In general, no strong relationships were found between 

element concentrations in kidney and liver. Concentrations of Se in liver and kidney appeared to 

be correlated with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.75 (p<0.002; Figure 3). No other 

significant linear correlation relationships were observed between the two tissues. 

Element Accumulation with Age: Liver and kidney may serve as repositories for some trace 

elements. Data from this study were analyzed to determine whether any elements increased with 

increasing animal age. Results indicated that Se, Hg, Ag, and Sn accumulated in rough-toothed 

dolphin liver and that Hg and Se accumulated in kidney tissues. 
21

Figure 3: Renal and hepatic Se concentrations (mg/kg) in rough-toothed dolphins. 

Several researchers observed that levels of Hg and Se were correlated and increase over time in 

liver tissue of several mammalian species. This relationship was thought to be the result of Se 

assisting in the detoxification of Hg or its compounds (Koeman et al, 1975; Martoja and Viale 

1977). Results of this work indicated that Se and Hg accumulated with age in both liver and 

kidney of rough-toothed dolphins (Figures 4 and 5). The linear correlation coefficient (r) for 

hepatic Se concentrations versus age was 0.77, and for hepatic Hg versus age, r = 0.96. The 

linear correlation coefficient for renal Se concentrations vs. age was 0.95, and that for renal Hg 

was 0.92. Accumulation of Hg and Se with age was reported in many marine mammal species. 

(See, e.g., Koeman et al., 1975; Wagemann et al., 1983; Meador et al., 1993.) 

Less is known about levels of Sn in marine mammal tissues. Most researchers do not determine 

Sn. There are some data on levels of the butyltin compounds in marine mammal tissues. Law et 

al. (1998) report that levels of total butyltin compounds in liver tissues of porpoises and grey 

seals (Halichoerrs grypus) ranged from 0.01 mg/kg to 0.6 mg/kg and levels as high as 10 mg/kg 

have been reported (Iwata et al., 1995). Levels of Sn in livers of these animals ranged from 0.08 

mg/kg to 1.10 mg/kg. Levels in kidney tissues ranged from the ICP-MS detection limit of 0.02 

mg/kg to 0.14 mg/kg. Hepatic Sn was linearly correlated with animal age (r = 0.95) indicating 

accumulation in liver tissues with time (Figure 6). Hepatic Ag concentrations (r = 0.90) also 

increased with animal age. This was also observed for several species of marine mammals from 

the NBSB (Becker et al., 1995; Mackey et al., 1996). 

2

4

6

8

10

12

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

y = 4.2 + 0.041x R= 0.75 

Renal Se (mg/kg)

Hepatic Se (mg/kg)
22

 A) 

 B) 

Figure 4: Hepatic (A) and renal (B) Se concentrations (mg/kg) as a function of rough-toothed 

dolphin age estimate (y). 

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0 10 20 30 40 50

y = -0.4 + 2.9x R= 0.95

Hepatic Se (mg/kg)

Age Estimate (y)

2

4

6

8

10

12

0 10 20 30 40 50

y = 4 + 0.11x R= 0.77

Renal Se (mg/kg)

Age Estimate (y)
23

 A) 

 B) 

Figure 5: Hepatic (A) and renal (B) Hg concentrations (mg/kg) as a function of rough-toothed 

dolphin age estimate (y). 

 

0

50

100

150

200

250

0 10 20 30 40 50

y = -3.5 + 5.6x R= 0.96

Hepatic Hg (mg/kg)

Age Estimate (y)

0

5

10

15

20

0 10 20 30 40 50

y = 1.5 + 0.32x R= 0.92

Renal Hg (mg/kg)

Age Estimate (y)
24

Figure 6: Hepatic Sn concentrations (mg/kg) as a function of rough-toothed dolphin age 

estimate (y). 

Element Correlations: Data were analyzed to determine whether concentrations of any 

elements were correlated (Tables B7 and B8). Positive linear correlations were observed for 

Na:Cl; Se:Ag; Hg:Se; Ag:Hg; Hg:Sn; and Se:Sn in liver tissue, and for Se:Hg in kidney. Since 

Se, Ag, Sn, and Hg were found to increase with animal age, it is possible that there were no 

direct biochemical relationships between these elements, but simply that they all increased with 

age. The correlation of Na and Cl may reflect electrolyte balance. Positive linear correlation 

relationships were also observed for Mn:Zn and Rb:K in kidney tissues. 

CONCLUSIONS 

This study has documented persistent organic pollutant (POP) and element concentrations in a 

pelagic species for which little data of this kind are otherwise available. Levels of the POP 

compounds discussed above were similar to or lower than those found in other species of 

odontecetes from the Gulf of Mexico as well as other geographical locations (Kuehl et al., 1991; 

Kuehl and Haebler; 1995, Prudente et al., 1997; and Salata et al., 1995). However, the roughtoothed dolphins had higher percentage ratios of 4,4’-DDT to 4,4’-DDT + 4,4’-DDE than those 

measured in bottlenose dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico, suggesting higher exposure to currentuse DDTs. Differences in mirex concentrations between rough-toothed dolphins and bottlenose 

dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico versus bottlenose dolphins from the western Atlantic may 

prove useful in discriminating between stocks of rough-toothed dolphins from the two regions. 

Of particular concern were the relatively high concentrations of POPs in the immature dolphins. 

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

0 10 20 30 40 50

y = 0.21 + 0.021x R= 0.95

Hepatic Sn (mg/kg)

Age Estimate (y)
25

The contaminant concentrations versus age structure suggests that there is substantial off-loading 

of females’ body burdens to their calves, which is of concern, as little is known about the 

potential negative effects on individual animals and population levels. 

Element contents of liver and kidney tissues are, in general, consistent with levels found in other 

odontocetae. Levels of Se and Hg in liver tissues were among some of the higher values found 

in marine mammal tissues from the NBSB, but were similar to those reported for several other 

species of odontocetae. The elements Se, Ag, Sn, and Hg accumulate in rough-toothed dolphin 

liver with age. Results also indicate that Se and Hg accumulate in rough-toothed dolphin kidney. 

These findings may reflect the protective mechanism of Se in detoxification or removal of Hg in 

these tissues. Levels of hepatic Hg and Se were higher in the rough-toothed dolphins with Ca 

inhomogeneity and higher lipid content in the kidney. Additional study is required to determine 

the significance of this finding. 

The mortality event of rough-toothed dolphins in 1997 provided a limited sample set from which 

much can be learned, but there are still many unanswered questions: e.g., What are contaminant 

levels in older adult males? How do levels and contaminant profiles from Atlantic rough-toothed 

dolphins compare with those for rough-toothed dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico? 

Unfortunately, to address these questions, researchers are dependent on mass-mortality events 

from which to obtain samples. The MMHSRP administered by NOAA provides the support and 

coordination for a systematic investigation of mass stranding events and for collection and 

banking of tissues from these animals so that researchers will have the opportunity to address 

these questions in the event of future rough-toothed dolphin stranding events. 

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Tanabe, S.; Iwata, H.; Tatsukawa, R. Sci. Total. Environ. 1994, 154, 163.

Wise, S. A.; Schantz, M. M.; Koster, B. J.; Demiralp, R.; Mackey, E. A.; Greenberg, R. R.; 

Burow, M.; Ostapczuk, P.; Lillestolen, T. I. Fresenius J. Anal. Chem. 1993, 345, 270. 

Zeisler, R.; Langland J. K.; Harrison, S. H. Anal. Chem. 1983, 55, 2431. 
29

APPENDIX A: PERSISTENT ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS: 

ANALYTICAL DATA
30

Table A1: Organochlorines in SRM 1945 determined by NIST Gaithersburg and NIST 

Charleston (n = 3 each). Percent difference is the difference between the certified or reference (bold) 

values ((measured value – certified value/certified value) * 100).

Compound Gaithersburg Charleston Certified or 

 Mean 1 SD %Diff Mean 1 SD %Diff Reference Values 95% CL

PCB 18 4.62 0.2 3 4.68 0.4 5 4.48 0.88 

PCB 31 3.34 0.1 7 3.72 0.1 19 3.12 0.69 

PCB 28 12.3 0.4 -13 10.0 0.2 -29 14.1 1.4 

PCB 52 39.9 0.9 -8 35.9 0.4 -18 43.6 2.5 

PCB 49 18.4 0.4 -11 16.1 0.3 -22 20.8 2.8 

PCB 44 12.3 0.2 1 11.6 0.3 -5 12.2 1.4 

PCB 66 24.7 1.0 5 29.5 1.4 25 23.6 1.6 

PCB 95 35.0 1.0 4 32.7 0.6 -3 33.8 1.7 

PCB 101+90 67.9 2.2 4 81.0 1.7 24 65.2 5.6 

PCB 99 50.6 0.7 11 51.4 0.9 13 45.4 5.4 

PCB 87 16.6 0.2 -1 22.4 0.9 34 16.7 1.4 

PCB 118 74.3 0.6 -0.4 74.1 2.0 -0.7 74.6 5.1 

PCB 105 29.7 1.4 -1 22.1 0.8 -27 30.1 2.3 

PCB 151+82 28.3 0.9 -2 26.2 1.6 -9 28.7 5.2 

PCB 149 82.8 4.2 -22 74.9 2.3 -30 106.6 8.4 

PCB 153 225 3.0 6 231 7.8 9 213 19 

PCB 138 133 2.1 1 113 7.6 -14 131.5 7.4 

PCB 128 22.9 0.5 -3 20.4 1.7 -14 23.7 1.7 

PCB 156 10.1 0.3 -2 10.1 0.3 -2 10.3 1.1 

PCB 187 111 2.5 5 101 3.6 -4 105.1 9.1 

PCB 183 35.8 0.3 -2 34.4 1.3 -6 36.6 4.1 

PCB 180 123 1.0 15 129 4.8 21 106.7 5.3 

PCB 170 42.3 0.7 4 33.5 1.2 -17 40.6 2.6 

PCB 201 16.8 0.4 -1 24.0 0.6 42 16.96 0.89 

PCB 195 16.8 0.2 -5 19.5 0.7 10 17.7 4.3 

PCB 194 47.6 4.1 20 58.2 2.6 47 39.6 2.5 

PCB 206 36.6 1.4 18 44.5 2.1 43 31.1 2.7 

PCB 209 15.4 0.3 45 18.4 0.6 74 10.6 1.1 

HCB 31.7 1.0 -4 27.1 0.5 -18 32.9 1.7 

α-HCH 16.4 0.6 1 15.5 0.6 -4 16.2 3.4 

β-HCH 8.40 0.4 5 3.87 0.3 -52 8.00 1.4 

γ-HCH 3.19 0.1 -3 3.09 0.1 -6 3.3 0.81 

oxychlordane 20.2 0.4 2 20.8 0.7 5 19.8 1.9 

heptachlor epoxide 10.4 0.4 -4 9.56 0.3 -11 10.8 1.3 

2,4'-DDE 12.2 0.5 -1 10.5 0.2 -15 12.3 0.87 

4,4'-DDE 468 9.0 5 556 7.5 25 445 37 

trans-chlordane 10.9 0.3 -- 10.6 0.4 -- -- -- 

cis-chlordane 47.4 1.0 1 53.4 1.2 14 46.9 2.8 

trans-nonachlor 218 3.5 -6 189 2.4 -18 231 11 

cis-nonachlor 49.0 0.7 1 48.8 1.4 0 48.7 7.6 

2,4'-DDD 19.2 0.6 6 19.5 1.5 8 18.1 2.8 

4,4'-DDD 130 6.1 -3 127 3.0 -5 133 10 

2,4'-DDT 95.8 5.0 -10 73.4 6.6 -31 106 14 

4,4'-DDT 241 5.5 -1 222 4.1 -9 245 15 

dieldrin 40.0 0.4 7 51.0 1.9 36 37.5 3.9 

mirex 29.8 0.6 57 35.1 1.3 86 18.9 2.8 

% lipid 73.9 0.2 0 70.1 0.1 -6 74.3 0.45 
31

Table A2: Results of paired PCB and organochlorine pesticides analyses made by NIST 

Gaithersburg and Charleston laboratories. Values are ng/g wet mass. 

Compound RTDL-001 RTDL-002 RTDL-003 

Gaithersburg Charleston Diff. (%) Gaithersburg Charleston Diff. (%) Gaithersburg Charleston Diff. (%) 

PCB 8 5.81 7.43 24 <2 2.73 -- 2.33 2.31 1 

PCB 18 10.7 8.23 26 9.53 18.1 62 2.65 1.03 88 

PCB 31 19.7 <1 -- 8.24 6.44 25 1.41 <1 -- 

PCB 28 w/ PCB 31 23.1 -- 3.68 <1 -- 1.79 2.41 30 

PCB 52 185 205 10 103 111 7 1.81 1.43 23 

PCB 49 180 166 8 51.8 51.9 0 1.19 <1 -- 

PCB 44 48.2 65.4 30 15.8 17.2 8 2.57 2.59 1 

PCB 66 238 293 21 82.3 82 0 6.53 7.9 19 

PCB 95 355 345 3 147 167 13 9.53 9.65 1 

PCB 101+90 2230 2778 22 416 484 15 32.5 44.5 31 

PCB 99 1229 1160 6 659 706 7 28.4 45.6 46 

PCB 87 282 269 5 87.5 103 16 13.0 11.4 13 

PCB 110 182 189 4 26.3 10.7 84 13.9 12.1 14 

PCB 118 1170 1220 4 466 573 21 28.2 35.5 23 

PCB 105 285 302 6 87.1 119 31 4.91 8.21 50 

PCB 151+82 544 599 10 293 392 29 19.6 20.9 6 

PCB 149 1398 1353 3 634 857 30 38.7 50.5 26 

PCB 153 6365 5881 8 3774 4795 24 180 247 31 

PCB 138 3645 2917 22 2642 2402 10 118 109 8 

PCB 128 552 512 8 228 321 34 21.2 18.3 15 

PCB 156 151 153 1 36.8 41.7 12 7.01 7.22 3 

PCB 187 2399 2301 4 1531 2060 29 114 126 10 

PCB 183 628 609 3 528 586 10 31.1 33.9 9 

PCB 180 2015 1969 2 1651 2020 20 84.3 111 27 

PCB 170 659 632 4 610 604 1 30.2 32.9 9 

PCB 201 324 369 13 214 315 38 18.9 20.3 7 

PCB 195 87.3 134 42 63.4 115 58 15.4 16.0 4 

PCB 194 297 309 4 277 363 27 35.7 35.8 0 

PCB 206 173 165 5 144 189 27 35.9 38.4 7 

PCB 209 37.8 35.6 6 44.6 49.7 11 26.8 22.6 17 

HCB 44.2 46.4 5 8.99 9.86 9 <2 <1 -- 

α-HCH 50.6 53.9 6 <2 1.59 -- <2 <1 -- 

β-HCH 115 109 5 4.45 5.11 14 <2 0 -- 

γ-HCH 13.4 14.3 6 <2 <1 -- <2 5.09 -- 

oxychlordane 161 151 6 89.6 97.2 8 3.65 4.29 16 

heptachlor epoxide 285 328 14 35.4 46.2 26 <2 <1 -- 

2,4'-DDE 144 149 3 56.7 51.9 9 3.74 3.99 6 

4,4'-DDE 10996 11337 3 5822 5950 2 225 217 4 

trans-chlordane 91.5 60.7 40 9.56 <1 -- <2 0.38 -- 

cis-chlordane 806 822 2 33.6 37.8 12 17.5 16.9 3 

trans-nonachlor 4923 5092 3 992 1079 8 38.4 39.1 2 

cis-nonachlor 1877 1909 2 187 196 5 16.4 15.1 8 

2,4'-DDD 201 219 9 26.5 29.8 12 <2 <1 -- 

4,4'-DDD 4481 4561 2 342 362 6 41.8 36.8 13 

2,4'-DDT 443 406 9 299 305 2 10.7 12.3 14 

4,4'-DDT 6682 6895 3 666 675 1 25.8 27.7 7 

dieldrin 1233 1213 2 90.4 91.9 2 17.4 19.0 9 

mirex 265 296 11 246 252 2 17.2 18.6 8 

% lipid 67.0 66.3 1 46.2 44.4 4 39.8 38.0 5 
32

Table A2: Continued 

Compound RTDL-004 RTDL-005 RTDL-006 

Gaithersburg Charleston Diff. (%) Gaithersburg Charleston Diff. (%) Gaithersburg Charleston Diff. (%) 

PCB 8 3.17 9.60 101 6.04 5.78 4 3.02 3.15 4 

PCB 18 6.26 55.9 159 6.01 30.0 133 9.17 42.2 128 

PCB 31 6.63 5.10 26 3.23 2.53 24 9.33 <1 -- 

PCB 28 10.4 17.0 48 5.85 8.22 34 w/ PCB 31 9.75 -- 

PCB 52 263 331 23 127 148 15 179 168 6 

PCB 49 143 170 17 52.6 64.2 20 125 97.5 25 

PCB 44 29.6 56.4 62 9.73 24.8 87 23.5 33.0 34 

PCB 66 276 267 3 92 115 22 104 126 19 

PCB 95 409 551 30 191 235 21 250 265 6 

PCB 101+90 972 1328 31 402 526 27 828 887 7 

PCB 99 1596 2081 26 1120 1301 15 1091 858 24 

PCB 87 275 284 3 105 127 19 140 76.2 59 

PCB 110 86.3 104 19 31.6 38.4 19 35.5 43.5 20 

PCB 118 1124 1428 24 456 595 26 759 652 15 

PCB 105 228 306 29 82.9 113 31 167 151 10 

PCB 151+82 1026 1155 12 534 638 18 418 416 0 

PCB 149 2319 2578 11 1122 1408 23 1090 982 10 

PCB 153 8961 12778 35 8961 9202 3 5292 4413 18 

PCB 138 6430 6529 2 4142 4622 11 2989 2111 34 

PCB 128 688 893 26 301 398 28 324 341 5 

PCB 156 81.1 89.3 10 30.1 35.7 17 49 48.8 0 

PCB 187 3439 3409 1 3439 3779 9 1690 1759 4 

PCB 183 1738 1652 5 1317 1241 6 560 494 13 

PCB 180 4064 5446 29 4064 4250 4 1500 1679 11 

PCB 170 1319 1685 24 1319 1220 8 606 518 16 

PCB 201 558 854 42 438 569 26 257 273 6 

PCB 195 177 265 40 77.8 139 56 77.4 111 36 

PCB 194 716 893 22 620 732 17 345 320 8 

PCB 206 242 309 24 158 186 16 139 155 11 

PCB 209 50.5 58.0 14 53.8 63.3 16 53.8 51.4 5 

HCB 43.1 46.5 8 10.2 14.1 32 64.8 69.0 6 

α-HCH 4.44 5.08 13 <2 2.41 -- <2 1.80 -- 

β-HCH 19.8 21.5 8 5.45 6.72 21 9.45 10.3 9 

γ-HCH <2 <1 -- <2 <1 -- <2 <1 -- 

oxychlordane 285 276 3 124 137 10 121 117 3 

heptachlor epoxide 55.5 129 80 22.7 46.7 69 25.7 51.4 67 

2,4'-DDE 214 220 3 104 117 12 221 213 4 

4,4'-DDE 18105 17744 2 15042 14809 2 5687 5879 3 

trans-chlordane 6.32 5.27 18 9.87 <1 -- 10.1 <1 -- 

cis-chlordane 122 129 6 39.4 38.6 2 35.6 39.9 11 

trans-nonachlor 3444 3510 2 2145 2029 6 785 755 4 

cis-nonachlor 651 625 4 201 210 4 205 213 4 

2,4'-DDD 74.6 70.9 5 58.3 59.5 2 46.9 47.6 1 

4,4'-DDD 951 937 1 315 323 3 524 553 5 

2,4'-DDT 597 575 4 398 441 10 222 248 11 

4,4'-DDT 1256 1311 4 451 449 0 625 655 5 

dieldrin 251 297 17 73.4 86.9 17 141 133 6 

mirex 666 625 6 466 509 9 274 232 17 

% lipid 56.9 55.8 2 43.2 42.8 1 72.1 73.3 2 
33

Table A3: Concentrations (ng/g lipid mass) of PCB congeners determined in three aliquots of 

RTDL-004 blubber. 

PCB Congener 

A

RTDL-004

B C

Mean 1 SD* %RSD 

 

PCB 8 15.0 19.0 17.2 17.1 2.0 11.6 

PCB 18 113 95.0 93.3 100 11 11.0 

PCB 29 95.0 70.3 72.5 79.3 14 17.3 

PCB 31 na** na na -- -- -- 

PCB 28 40.1 29.7 30.5 33.4 5.8 17 

PCB 52 602 579 593 592 12 2.0 

PCB 49 315 296 305 305 9.3 3.1 

PCB 44 112 103 101 105 5.8 5.5 

PCB 95 883 937 987 936 52 5.5 

PCB 66 452 463 478 464 13 2.9 

PCB 101+90 2300 2330 2380 2340 40 1.7 

PCB 99 3480 3500 3730 3570 139 3.9 

PCB 87 441 512 509 487 40 8.2 

PCB 110 204 186 187 193 10 5.3 

PCB 151+82 1860 1930 2070 1953 107 5.5 

PCB 149 4100 4380 4620 4370 260 6.0 

PCB 118 2370 2470 2560 2470 95 3.8 

PCB 153 21500 22400 22900 22300 709 3.2 

PCB 105 530 537 549 539 9.8 1.8 

PCB 138 10700 11400 11700 11300 513 4.5 

PCB 187 8960 9640 6110 8240 1120 14 

PCB 183 2620 2900 2960 2830 181 6.4 

PCB 128 1460 1580 1600 1547 76 4.9 

PCB 201 1390 1500 1530 1473 74 5.0 

PCB 156 180 178 160 173 11 6.4 

PCB 180 9090 9760 9760 9540 387 4.1 

PCB 170 2730 3010 3020 2920 165 5.6 

PCB 195 450 462 475 462 12 2.7 

PCB 194 1520 1620 1600 1580 53 3.3 

PCB 206 510 557 553 540 26 4.8 

PCB 209 102 114 104 107 6.0 5.6 

*Standard deviation 

**na = An unknown compound interfered with PCB 31.
34

 

Table A4: Concentrations (ng/g lipid mass) of organochlorine pesticides determined in three 

aliquots of RTDL-004 blubber homogenate.

Compound 

A

RTDL-004

B C

Mean 1 SD* %RSD 

 

α-HCH 11.5 9.88 9.10 10.2 1.2 12 

β-HCH 44.8 52.3 38.5 45.2 6.9 15 

γ-HCH <1 <1 <1 -- -- -- 

heptachlor <1 <1 <1 -- -- -- 

heptachlor epoxide 210 222 231 221 11 4.8 

trans-chlordane 8.26 7.08 9.44 8.26 1.2 14 

cis-chlordane 215 224 231 223 8.1 3.6 

trans-nonachlor 6280 5650 6290 6070 367 6.0 

cis-nonachlor 1040 1030 1120 1063 49 4.6 

oxychlordane 553 453 494 500 50 10 

2,4'-DDE 375 358 394 376 18 4.7 

4,4'-DDE 34100 30400 31800 32100 1868 5.8 

2,4'-DDT 1060 941 1030 1010 62 6.1 

4,4'-DDT 2610 2260 2350 2407 182 7.6 

2,4'-DDD 126 124 127 126 1.3 1.0 

4,4'-DDD 1770 1540 1680 1663 116 7.0 

mirex 1290 1140 1120 1183 93 7.8 

HCB 74.3 71.5 83.4 76.4 6.2 8.2 

dieldrin 559 530 533 541 16 3.0 

 

Lipid (%) 54.9 57.5 55.0 55.8 1.50 1.3 

* Standard Deviation 
35

Table A5: Concentrations (ng/g lipid mass) of PCB congeners determined in rough-toothed dolphin blubber homRTDL-001 to -006 are the average of the values determined by the Charleston and Gaithersburg NIST laboratori

Males Females

Compound RTDL002 RTDL- 004 RTDL- 005 RTDL- 006 RTDL- 012 RTDL- 014 RTDL- 001 RTDL- 003 RTDL- 007 RTDL- 008 RTDL 009 RTDL 

010 

PCB 8 6.15 11.39 13.74 4.24 7.27 8.00 9.94 5.97 7.56 <1 2.16 7.38 PCB 18 40.8 55.7 42.0 35.1 31.9 42.3 14.2 4.68 185 1.20 58.1 36.9 PCB 29 34.5 79.2 44.6 38.9 78.0 79.8 89.6 8.54 65.6 <1 39.1 76.9 PCB 31 17.8 11.7 7.48 12.9 <1 <1 <1 3.54 <1 <1 <1 <1 PCB 28 <1 30.5 19.2 13.3 35.5 25.0 34.8 6.34 36.9 <1 23.6 34.7 PCB 52 236 528 320 239 300 330 293 4.16 413 5.28 265 304 PCB 49 115 278 136 153 249 251 260 2.81 120 4.32 163 248 PCB 44 36.5 76.5 40.2 38.8 106 101 85.3 6.64 59.6 <1 63.2 105 PCB 66 181 482 241 158 452 415 399 18.6 86.2 9.85 221 438 PCB 95 347 853 496 354 508 560 525 24.7 570 2.91 401 518 PCB 101+90 995 2044 1080 1179 2260 2400 3759 99.4 1370 47.5 1460 4260 PCB 99 1508 3267 2816 1342 1730 1890 1792 95.7 2300 44.4 1210 1700 PCB 87 211 496 270 149 303 301 413 31.3 154 4.98 143 324 PCB 110 40.5 169 81.4 54.3 340 246 278 33.4 91.1 17.2 95.5 324 PCB 151+82 1150 2267 1223 971 870 991 1793 82.1 1200 26.4 641 853 PCB 149 228 475 228 219 2020 2290 440 17.0 2560 59.4 1520 1970 PCB 118 759 1937 1363 574 1780 1900 858 52.1 962 46.9 1120 1800 PCB 153 1651 4348 2943 1426 8690 10100 2064 115 14200 287 6510 8640 PCB 105 9484 19324 21122 6680 447 486 9185 551 205 9.39 281 457 PCB 138 5564 11501 10194 3513 4190 4920 4920 292 6960 105 3140 4230 PCB 187 3977 6077 8395 2372 3460 4120 3526 309 5570 140 2600 3490 PCB 183 1231 3008 2974 725 935 1110 928 83.7 1700 45.3 726 925 PCB 128 608 1405 813 457 743 863 798 50.7 750 22.8 541 746 PCB 201 586 1256 1172 364 563 653 520 50.5 841 28.8 431 553 PCB 156 86.8 151 76.5 67.3 231 230 228 18.3 51.0 9.03 117 236 PCB 180 4062 8451 9669 2186 3050 3770 2989 252 5770 151 2510 3100 PCB 170 1340 2669 2952 774 955 1180 968 81.2 1720 47.5 791 978 PCB 195 198 393 252 129 221 269 166 40.4 248 23.2 157 224 PCB 194 709 1429 1573 458 535 691 455 92.0 912 61.8 486 557 PCB 206 369 490 400 202 301 398 254 95.6 246 65.2 302 317 PCB 209 104 96.3 136 72.4 69.8 94.5 55.1 63.4 57.9 39.6 62.2 71.8 ΣPCBs 35877 73578 71092 24922 35463 40715 38099 2592 49412 1305 26081 37523 
36

Table A6: Concentrations (ng/g lipid mass) of Organochlorine pesticides determined in rough-toothed dolphin b

Values for RTDL-001 to -006 are the average of the values determined by the Charleston and Gaithersburg NIST 

 Males FemalesCompound RTDL002 RTDL- 004 RTDL- 005 RTDL- 006 RTDL- 012 RTDL- 014 RTDL- 001 RTDL- 003 RTDL- 007 RTDL- 008 RTDL- 009 RTD

01

α-HCH 3.96 8.45 5.13 2.61 8.01 6.28 78.4 <2 20.7 5.29 3.56 29.β-HCH 10.6 36.7 14.2 13.6 15.9 11.2 168 <2 69.4 <1 19.7 52.γ-HCH <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 20.8 9.21 <1 <1 <1 7 ΣHCHs 14.5 45.1 19.3 16.2 23.9 17.5 267 9.21 90.1 5.29 23.3 88.heptachlor <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 <2 hepta. epoxide 90.3 164 80.8 52.9 77.3 96.2 460 <2 172 <1 111 214 trans-chlordane <1 10.3 <1 <1 8 <1 114 <1 <1 <1 <1 48.cis-chlordane 78.9 223 90.7 51.9 229 225 1221 44.2 88.8 14.5 104.2 543 trans-nonachlor 2289 6172 4853 1059 1440 1850 7514 100 5430 21.5 1380 334cis-nonachlor 423 1132 478 287 586 666 2840 40.5 583 <1 427 132oxychlordane 206 498 304 164 233 268 234 10.2 503 4.31 237 22Σchlordanes 3087 8199 5806 1615 2574 3105 12384 195 6777 40.3 2259 5692,4'-DDE 120 385 257 299 237 242 220 9.95 214 5.88 157 239 4,4'-DDE 13001 31809 34710 7954 10200 12400 16756 568 26800 243 8630 10502,4'-DDT 667 1040 976 323 549 637 637 29.6 762 <1 616 554,4'-DDT 1481 2278 1047 880 1930 2400 10186 68.9 1310 43.1 1750 4242,4'-DDD 62 129 137 65.0 61.1 80.3 315 <2 65.8 <1 77 154 4,4'-DDD 778 1675 742 741 1150 1390 6784 101 882 6.02 1050 308ΣDDTs 16109 37317 37868 10262 14127 17149 34898 778 30033 298 12280 1876mirex 550 1145 1134 348 485 596 421 46.1 912 33.4 414 496  20.8 79.5 28.3 92.0 72.7 77.3 68.0 <2 31.7 6.04 62.6 70.dieldrin 201 487 186 189 361 412 1835 46.9 326 18.4 346 907 
37

Figure A1: Chromatograms from the analysis of the PCB (A) and pesticide fractions (B) 

of RTDL-007 by the NIST Charleston Laboratory.

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 min

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

 A-HCH

 B-HCH

 HEPT.EPOX.

 TRANS-CHLOR

 D4 Endosulfan I CIS-CHLOR

 TRANS-NONA

 DIELDRIN

 2,4'-DDD

 D8 4,4'-DDD

 4,4'-DDD CIS-NONA

 D8-4,4'-DDT 4,4'-DDT

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 min

Hz

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

 PCB 8

 HCB PCB 18 PCB 29 PCB 50

 PCB 28

 PCB 52 PCB 49

 PCB 44

 PCB 103

 oxychlordane

 PCB 95 PCB 66

 2,4'-DDE

 PCB 101 PCB 99

 PCB 87 4,4'-DDE-d8 4,4'-DDE PCB 154 PCB 110

 PCB 151

 PCB 149

 2,4'-DDT PCB 118

 PCB 153

 PCB 105

 PCB 138

 PCB 187 PCB 183

 PCB 128

 PCB 201

 PCB 156

 PCB 180

 MIREX

 PCB 170

 PCB 198

 PCB 195

 PCB 194

 PCB 206

 PCB 209

A) Rough-Toothed Dolphin 007

Fraction 1 (PCB fraction)

B) Rough-Toothed Dolphin 007

Fraction 2 (pesticide fraction)
38

APPENDIX B 

 ELEMENTS: ANALYTICAL DATA
39

Table B1: Rough-toothed dolphin liver (L) and kidney (K) specimen identification codes, ratios of dry to wextractable organic content. 

NMMTB Animal 

Identification 

NIST Liver 

Specimen 

Identification Code 

Dry to Wet 

Mass Ratio 

Total 

Extractable 

Organics 

NIST Kidney 

Specimen 

Identification Code

Dry to Wet 

Mass Ratio 

T

Ext

Or

RTDL-001 NM8L678.B003 0.2378 3.29 NM8K679 0.2204 RTDL-002 NM8L681.B003 0.2392 4.02 NM8K682 0.2187 RTDL-003 NM8L684.B003 0.2676 6.63 NM8K685 0.2483 RTDL-004 NM8L687.B003 0.2566 4.02 NM8K688 0.2106 RTDL-005 NM8L690.B003 0.2663 6.21 NM8K691 0.3657 RTDL-006 NM8L693.B003 0.2566 5.37 NM8K694 0.2250 RTDL-007 NM8L696.B003 0.2694 3.84 NM8K697 0.3615 RTDL-008 NM8L699.B003 0.2661 6.97 NM8K700 0.3322 RTDL-009 NM8L702.B003 0.2407 5.17 NM8K703 0.2360 RTDL-010 NM8L705.B003 0.2546 5.40 NM8K706 0.2704 RTDL-011 NM8L708.B003 0.2692 4.87 NM8K709 0.2410 RTDL-012 NM8L711.B003 0.2619 4.15 NM8K712 0.2205 RTDL-013 NM8L714.B003 0.2585 3.86 NM8K715 0.5530 RTDL-014 NM8L717.B003 0.2717 4.02 NM8K718 0.2196 RTDL-015 NM8L720.B003 0.2519 5.42 NM8K721 0.1977 
40

Table B2: INAA Detection limits for elements in tissue specimens. 

Element INAA Detection Limit (mg/kg) 

Sc 0.0003 

V 0.02 

Sr 1 

Mo 0.5 

Cd 0.4 

Sn 1 

Sb 3 

I 3 

Ba 5 

La 0.01 

Ce 0.02 

Sm 0.005 

Eu 0.0005 

Tb 0.001 

Hf 0.001 

Ta 0.0004 

Au 0.004 

Th 0.002 

U 0.1 
41

Table B3: Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney and liver tissues. Valu

uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expressed as mg/k

 Na Mg Cl K 

Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID (mg/kg) ucs U (mg/kg) ucs U ucs U ucs 

RTDL-001 NM8K679.B003.A 1970 18 46 75 15 30 2527 21 55 2964 37 

 NM8K679.B003.B 1951 18 45 120 10 20 2695 23 60 2817 36 

 NM8L678.B003.A 1426 6 37 174 6 13 1883 13 53 2854 33  NM8L678.B003.B 1420 6 37 174 7 15 1868 14 54 2937 32 

RTDL-002 NM8K682.B003.A 1880 17 43 137 10 20 2236 19 49 2184 29 

 NM8K682.B003.B 1853 17 43 130 10 20 2202 19 49 2174 37 

 NM8L681.B003.A 1714 7 44 153 5 11 1967 13 55 2362 32  NM8L681.B003.B 1695 7 44 181 8 17 1931 15 56 2303 29 

RTDL-003 NM8K685.B003.A 1985 18 46 106 10 20 1504 13 34 1594 29 

 NM8K685.B003.B 1903 18 45 156 15 30 2335 19 50 1532 29 

 NM8L684.B003.A 1465 6 38 133 5 11 1903 13 53 2525 34  NM8L684.B003.B 1450 6 38 141 6 12 1908 12 53 25001 29 

RTDL-004 NM8K688.B003.A 1860 17 43 132 9 18 2341 20 52 2640 42 

 NM8K688.B003.B 1863 17 43 120 9 18 2284 19 50 2482 30 

 NM8L687.B003.A 1393 6 36 158 5 11 1817 11 50 2882 34  NM8L687.B003.B 1368 6 36 158 6 13 1780 11 49 2878 28 

RTDL-005 NM8K691.B003.A 2358 22 55 85 7 14 1569 15 37 1629 36 

 NM8K691.B003.B 2235 21 53 142 12 24 2754 25 63 1591 37 

 NM8L690.B003.A 1477 6 38 149 5 11 1754 11 48 2673 29  NM8L690.B003.B 1465 6 38 137 11 22 1736 11 48 2638 28 

RTDL-006 NM8K694.B003.A 1886 17 43 116 8 16 2334 20 52 2680 39 

 NM8K694.B003.B 1868 17 43 145 9 18 2278 19 50 2551 41 

 NM8L693.B003.A 1540 7 40 152 4 9 1883 11 51 2732 33  NM8L693.B003.B 1515 8 40 147 6 13 1831 11 50 2608 34 

RTDL-007 NM8K697.B003.A 1931 18 45 88 7 14 1094 12 29 1917 17 

 NM8K697.B003.B 1938 18 45 101 11 22 2177 19 49 2224 38 

 NM8L696.B003.A 1341 6 35 165 5 11 1824 11 50 3031 31  NM8L696.B003.B 1324 6 35 176 7 15 1809 11 49 2996 31 

RTDL-008 NM8K700.B003.A 2213 12 39 225 15 30 2396 13 43 1876 34 

 NM8K700.B003.B 1844 17 43 185 16 32 2049 17 45 1938 37 

 NM8L699.B003.A 1645 7 43 169 5 11 1857 12 51 2521 32  NM8L699.B003.B 1613 7 42 169 7 15 1842 12 51 2463 35 

*Results are from INAA unless otherwise indicated by the NBSB Tissue ID code. 
42

Table B3 (Continued): Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney and liver tissuefraction, uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expressed 

mass. 

 Na Mg Cl K 

Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs 

RTDL-009 NM8K703.B003.A 2244 21 53 106 11 22 2947 25 65 1921 42 

 NM8K703.B003.B 2215 21 52 123 24 48 2916 24 63 1891 42 

 NM8L702.B003.A 1591 7 41 126 10 20 1985 12 54 2352 28  NM8L702.B003.B 1563 7 41 119 6 12 1927 12 53 2361 28 

 NM8K706.B003.B 1706 3 25 63 17 34 1993 17 44 1982 142 2

 NM8L705.B003.A 1553 7 41 146 5 11 1913 12 53 2396 34  NM8L705.B003.B 1540 7 41 149 11 22 1895 12 52 2464 32 

RTDL-011 NM8K709.B003.A 1820 17 43 112 16 32 2335 21 53 2480 37 

 NM8K709.B003.B 1769 17 42 136 19 38 2124 18 47 2371 35 

 NM8L708.B003.A 1446 7 38 176 12 24 1952 15 56 3048 32  NM8L708.B003.B 1435 6 37 182 8 17 1972 12 54 2943 36 

RTDL-012 NM8K712.B003.A 1977 18 46 148 10 20 2670 22 58 3135 37 

 NM8K712.B003.B 1933 18 45 113 17 34 2481 21 55 2892 35  NM8L711.B003.A 1048 5 28 182 6 13 1353 9 38 3566 32  NM8L711.B003.B 1039 5 27 191 6 13 1332 9 87 3564 45 

RTDL-013 NM8K715.B003.A 822 10 23 45 4 8 1006 8 21 803 63 

 NM8K715.B003.B 1220 14 33 49 9 18 1507 12 32 1060 68 

 NM8L714.B003.A 1518 7 40 161 5 11 1847 11 50 2566 30  NM8L714.B003.B 1505 7 39 153 7 14 1848 11 50 2635 39 

RTDL-014 NM8K718.B003.A 1793 17 42 106 16 32 2466 21 55 2566 40 

 NM8K718.B003.B 1841 17 43 84 17 34 2474 20 53 2721 34 

 NM8L717.B003.A 1365 6 36 167 7 15 1768 11 49 3255 37  NM8L717.B003.B 1367 6 36 184 6 13 1808 11 49 3257 41 

RTDL-015 NM8K721.B003.A 1982 19 47 135 21 42 2276 19 50 2281 30 

 NM8K721.B003.B 1953 18 45 129 18 36 2117 18 47 2194 32  NM8L720.B003.A 1658 7 43 118 13 26 2016 12 55 2813 34  NM8L720.B003.B 1659 7 43 123 11 22 2008 12 55 2873 38 

*Results are from INAA unless otherwise indicated by the NBSB Tissue ID code. 
43

Table B3 (Continued): Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney and liver tissuefraction, uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expressed 

mass. 

 Cu Mn Br Fe 

Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U m

RTDL-001 NM8K679.B003.A <3 - - - - 0.57 0.02 0.04 19.5 1.4 2.8 

 NM8K679.B003.B <3 - - - - 0.61 0.03 0.06 23.5 1.6 3.2  NM8K679.ICPMS 3.4 - - 0.4 0.72 - - 0.09 - - - - - -  NM8L678B003.A <3 - - - - 3.09 0.02 0.08 22.8 1.7 3.4  NM8L678.B003.B <3 - - - - 3.05 0.02 0.09 20.2 1.5 3.0  NM8L678.ICPMS 5.5 - - 0.6 3.9 - - 0.5 - - - - - - 

RTDL-002 NM8K682.B003.A <3 - - - - 0.55 0.03 0.05 21.4 1.6 3.2 

 NM8K682.B003.B <3 - - - - 0.55 0.02 0.03 18.4 1.7 3.4  NM8K682.ICPMS 2.6 0.3 0.3 0.74 - - 0.17 - - - - - -  NM8L681.B003.A 5.4 0.4 0.8 2.82 0.02 0.08 18.4 1.3 2.6  NM8L681.B003.B 5.6 0.5 1.1 2.80 0.02 0.08 22.2 1.5 3.0  NM8L681.ICPMS 8.2 - - 5.3 4.3 - - 3.1 - - - - - - 

RTDL-003 NM8K685.B003.A <3 - - - - 0.39 0.02 0.04 19.3 1.6 3.2 

 NM8K685.B003.B <3 - - - - 0.29 0.02 0.03 19.9 1.6 3.2  NM8K685.ICPMS 2.1 0.3 0.3 0.48 - - 0.09 - - - - - -  NM8L684.B003.A 6.5 0.3 0.6 3.73 0.02 0.10 21.4 1.7 3.4  NM8L684.B003.B 5.2 0.4 0.8 3.56 0.03 0.11 21.3 1.4 2.8  NM8L684.ICPMS 8.5 - - 1.0 4.9 - - 0.6 - - - - - - 

RTDL-004 NM8K688.B003.A <4 - - - - 0.58 0.05 0.11 17.9 1.7 3.4 

 NM8K688.B003.B <4 - - - - 0.60 0.06 0.12 23.6 1.9 3.8  NM8K688.ICPMS 3.3 0.4 0.4 0.79 - - 0.13 - - - - - -  NM8L687.B003.A 4.8 0.5 0.9 4.26 0.02 0.11 19.1 1.6 3.2  NM8L687.B003.B 4.3 0.3 0.5 4.21 0.03 0.12 20.5 1.3 2.6  NM8L687.ICPMS 5.8 - - 2.1 5.6 - - 2.5 - - - - - - 

RTDL-005 NM8K691.B003.A <4 - - - - 0.45 0.03 0.05 20.6 2.1 4.2 

 NM8K691.B003.B <4 - - - - 0.48 0.06 0.06 19.1 1.4 2.8  NM8K691.ICPMS 1.7 0.2 0.2 0.45 - - 0.06 - - - - - -  NM8L690.B003.A 7.5 0.4 0.8 3.30 0.02 0.09 21.6 1.5 3.0  NM8L690.B003.B 7.1 0.3 0.7 3.34 0.03 0.10 21.9 1.2 2.5  NM8L690.ICPMS 8.4 - - 1.0 4.2 - - 0.5 - - - - - - 

RTDL-006 NM8K694.B003.A <4 - - - - 0.75 0.07 0.14 19.0 1.6 3.2 

 NM8K694.B003.B <4 - - - - 0.70 0.02 0.04 19.6 1.8 3.6  NM8K694.ICPMS 3.5 0.5 0.5 0.90 - - 0.15 - - - - - -  NM8L693.B003.A 6.1 0.3 0.7 4.26 0.02 0.11 24.3 1.8 3.6  NM8L693.B003.B 6.1 0.3 0.6 4.14 0.04 0.13 24.7 1.4 2.9  NM8L693.ICPMS 8.1 - - 1.0 5.3 - - 0.6 - - - - - - 

*Results are from INAA unless otherwise indicated by the NBSB Tissue ID code. 
44

Table B3 (Continued): Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney tissues. Val

uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expressed as mg/k

 Cu Mn Br F

Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U 

RTDL-007 NM8K697.B003.A <5 - - - - 0.55 0.03 0.06 19.5 1.6 3.2 

 NM8K697.B003.B <5 - - - - 0.43 0.02 0.04 19.5 1.7 3.4  NM8K697.ICPMS 2.2 - - 0.6 0.53 - - 0.18 - - - - - -  NM8L696.B003.A 6.3 0.4 0.9 3.66 0.03 0.11 19.5 1.5 3.0  NM8L696.B003.B 6.4 0.4 0.8 3.55 0.03 0.11 19.4 1.4 2.8  NM8L696.ICPMS 7.8 - - 3.3 5.6 - - 4.0 - - - - - - 

RTDL-008 NM8K700.B003.A <5 - - - - 0.54 0.03 0.06 20.2 1.6 3.2 

 NM8K700.B003.B <5 - - - - 0.47 0.02 0.05 19.0 1.8 3.6  NM8K700.ICPMS 2.2 - - 0.6 0.59 - - 0.22 - - - - - -  NM8L699.B003.A 6.2 0.3 0.6 2.90 0.03 0.09 21.8 1.6 3.2  NM8L699.B003.B 5.7 0.3 0.6 2.76 0.03 0.09 22.1 1.5 3.0  NM8L699.ICPMS 8.0 - - 5.7 4.4 - - 4.1 - - - - - - 

RTDL-009 NM8K703.B003.A <3 - - - - 0.43 0.06 0.12 22.9 1.5 3.0 

 NM8K703.B003.B <3 - - - - 0.41 0.02 0.03 20.3 2.0 4.0  NM8K703.ICPMS 3.3 - - 3.4 0.58 - - 0.09 - - - - - -  NM8L702.B003.A 5.5 0.5 0.9 3.35 0.02 0.10 17.9 1.1 2.2  NM8L702.B003.B 4.7 0.4 0.9 3.24 0.03 0.03 17.6 1.4 2.8  NM8L702.ICPMS 9 - - 2 5.1 - - 1.6 - - - - - - 

RTDL-010 NM8K706.B003.A <3 - - - - 0.73 0.03 0.07 21.8 1.6 3.2 

 NM8K706.B003.B <3 - - - - 0.62 0.02 0.05 17.0 1.5 3.0  NM8K706.ICPMS 2.5 - - 0.3 0.72 - - 0.12 - - - - - -  NM8L705.B003.A 5.9 0.4 0.8 4.57 0.02 0.12 18.4 1.6 3.2  NM8L705.B003.B 5.9 0.3 0.7 4.53 0.02 0.13 17.1 1.4 2.8  NM8L705.ICPMS 8.8 - - 1.2 6.0 - - 1.0 - - - - - - 

RTDL-011 NM8K709.B003.A <3 - - - - 0.44 0.02 0.05 17.7 1.6 3.2 

 NM8K709.B003.B <3 - - - - 0.43 0.02 0.04 15.6 1.3 2.6  NM8K709.ICPMS 2.6 - - 0.9 0.65 - - 0.08 - - - - - -  NM8L708.B003.A 4.6 0.3 0.6 3.88 0.02 0.11 20.7 1.5 3.0  NM8L708.B003.B 4.3 0.3 0.7 3.78 0.08 0.18 19.2 1.7 3.4  NM8L708.ICPMS 7.6 - - 8.7 7.0 - - 10.0 - - - - - - 

RTDL-012 NM8K712.B003.A <3 - - - - 0.71 0.03 0.06 23.3 1.5 3.0 

 NM8K712.B003.B <3 - - - - 0.62 0.02 0.04 27.9 1.8 3.6  NM8K712.ICPMS 3.2 - - 0.4 0.90 - - 0.22 - - - - - -  NM8L711.B003.A 5.1 0.4 0.9 4.44 0.02 0.12 14.4 1.0 2.0  NM8L711.B003.B 4.9 0.4 0.8 4.42 0.09 0.20 14.9 1.1 2.2  NM8L711.ICPMS 5.5 - - 0.6 5.7 - - 0.7 - - - - - - 

*Results are from INAA unless otherwise indicated by the NBSB Tissue ID code. 
45

Table B3 (Continued): Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney tissues. Val

uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expressed as mg/k

 Cu Mn Br Fe Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U m

RTDL-013 NM8K715.B003.A <2 - - - - 0.16 0.01 0.02 11.9 1.3 2.6 

 NM 8K715.B003.B <2 - - - - 0.18 0.01 0.02 16.5 1.3 2.6  NM 8K715.B003.C - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  NM 8K715.ICPMS 1.0 - - 0.7 0.38 - - 0.12 - - - - - -  NM8L714.B003.A 6.2 0.3 0.7 4.37 0.02 0.12 16.5 1.2 2.4  NM 8L714.B003.B 5.5 0.4 0.9 4.35 0.03 0.12 16.9 1.6 3.2  NM 8L714.ICPMS 7.7 - - 1.2 6.2 - - 0.7 - - - - - - 

RTDL-014 NM8K718.B003.A <3 - - - - 0.54 0.05 0.09 21.5 1.4 2.8 

 NM8K718.B003.B <3 - - - - 0.58 0.02 0.05 23.2 1.6 3.2  NM8K718.ICPMS 3.1 - - 0.4 0.76 - - 0.09 - - - - - -  NM8L717.B003.A <3 - - - - 4.66 0.02 0.12 17.4 1.2 2.4  NM8L717.B003.B <3 - - - - 4.64 0.03 0.13 17.3 1.2 2.4  NM8L717.ICPMS 5.0 - - 0.6 5.2 - - 1.2 - - - - - - 

RTDL-015 NM8K721.B003.A <5 - - - - 0.49 0.02 0.05 18.5 1.7 3.4 

 NM8K721.B003.B <5 - - - - 0.44 0.02 0.04 16.9 1.5 3.0  NM8K721.ICPMS 2.1 - - 1.9 0.64 - - 0.42 - - - - - -  NM8L720.B003.A 3.6 0.7 1.3 5.14 0.03 0.14 16.4 1.2 2.4  NM8L720.B003.B 3.5 0.6 1.2 5.03 0.03 0.14 16.7 1.5 3.0  NM8L720.ICPMS 4.9 - - 3.3 7.3 - - 6.7 - - - - - - 

*Results are from INAA unless otherwise indicated by the NBSB Tissue ID code. 
46

Table B3 (Continued): Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney and liver tissuefraction, uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expressed 

mass. 

 Co Zn As Se 

Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U mg/

RTDL-001 NM8K679.B003.A 0.0041 0.0018 0.0036 15.80 0.08 0.42 <0.34 -- -- 2

 NM8K679.B003.B 0.0040 0.0017 0.0034 15.71 0.08 0.42 <0.20 -- -- 2 NM8K679.ICPMS -- -- -- 16.6 -- 2.1 -- -- --  NM8L678B003.A 0.0031 0.0002 0.0004 49.5 0.5 1.6 0.42 0.01 0.02 2 NM8L678.B003.B 0.0045 0.0003 0.0006 50.7 0.6 1.7 0.29 0.01 0.02 2 NM8L678.ICPMS -- -- -- 56.5 -- 6.8 -- -- -- 

RTDL-002 NM8K682.B003.A 0.0094 0.0002 0.0005 15.47 0.08 0.41 <0.32 -- -- 5

 NM8K682.B003.B 0.0081 0.0002 0.0004 15.67 0.08 0.42 <0.29 -- -- 5 NM8K682.ICPMS -- -- -- 19.3 -- 5.1 -- -- --  NM8L681.B003.A 0.0079 0.0003 0.0006 35.7 0.4 1.2 0.21 0.01 0.02 2 NM8L681.B003.B 0.0084 0.0003 0.0006 35.1 0.4 1.2 0.30 0.02 0.04 2 NM8L681.ICPMS -- -- -- 49.3 -- 38.5 -- -- -- 

RTDL-003 NM8K685.B003.A 0.0084 0.0002 0.0004 11.58 0.06 0.31 <0.44 -- -- 7

 NM8K685.B003.B 0.0051 0.0002 0.0004 10.35 0.06 0.28 <0.33 -- -- 6 NM8K685.ICPMS -- -- -- 14.1 -- 2.2 -- -- --  NM8L684.B003.A 0.0075 0.0004 0.0008 48.1 0.5 1.5 0.35 0.02 0.03 9 NM8L684.B003.B 0.0076 0.0004 0.0008 48.8 0.5 1.6 0.33 0.03 0.06 9 NM8L684.ICPMS -- -- -- 56.1 -- 6.5 -- -- -- 

RTDL-004 NM8K688.B003.A 0.0090 0.0002 0.0005 17.13 0.09 0.30 <0.51 -- -- 5

 NM8K688.B003.B 0.0089 0.0002 0.0005 16.92 0.08 0.29 <0.42 -- -- 5 NM8K688.ICPMS -- -- -- 20.5 -- 3.0 -- -- --  NM8L687.B003.A 0.0095 0.0003 0.0006 50.5 0.5 1.6 0.53 0.02 0.05 6 NM8L687.B003.B 0.0095 0.0002 0.0005 51.7 0.6 1.7 0.38 0.02 0.03 6 NM8L687.ICPMS -- -- -- 60.0 -- 30.4 -- -- -- 

RTDL-005 NM8K691.B003.A 0.0058 0.0003 0.0006 15.99 0.1 0.32 <0.51 -- -- 6

 NM8K691.B003.B 0.0056 0.0002 0.0004 15.28 0.09 0.30 <0.42 -- -- 6 NM8K691.ICPMS -- -- -- 16.1 -- 4.5 -- -- --  NM8L690.B003.A 0.0076 0.0002 0.0004 47.1 0.5 1.5 0.32 0.01 0.03 9 NM8L690.B003.B 0.0071 0.0004 0.0008 47.8 0.5 1.5 0.26 0.02 0.04 92 NM8L690.ICPMS -- -- -- 54.0 -- 6.5 -- -- -- 

RTDL-006 NM8K694.B003.A 0.0118 0.0002 0.0005 18.94 0.09 0.30 0.62 0.13 0.26 5

 NM8K694.B003.B 0.0119 0.0002 0.0005 18.51 0.09 0.31 0.40 0.07 0.14 5 NM8K694.ICPMS -- -- -- 21.2 -- 3.7 -- -- --  NM8L693.B003.A 0.0108 0.0003 0.0007 44.1 0.5 1.5 0.50 0.01 0.03 1 NM8L693.B003.B 0.0113 0.0003 0.0007 44.0 0.5 1.5 0.52 0.02 0.04 1 NM8L693.ICPMS -- -- -- 50.3 -- 5.9 -- -- -- 

*Results are from INAA unless otherwise indicated by the NBSB Tissue ID code. 
47

Table B3 (Continued): Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney and liver tissuefraction, uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expressed 

mass. 

 Co Zn As Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U 

RTDL-007 NM8K697.B003.A 0.0102 0.0003 0.0006 15.67 0.09 0.29 <0.40 -- -- 

 NM8K697.B003.B 0.0104 0.0003 0.0007 15.50 0.08 0.27 <0.38 -- --  NM8K697.ICPMS -- -- -- 15.7 -- 4.2 -- -- --  NM8L696.B003.A 0.0075 0.0004 0.0008 31.1 0.3 1.0 0.52 0.01 0.03  NM8L696.B003.B 0.0103 0.0004 0.0008 32.4 0.4 1.1 0.66 0.03 0.06  NM8L696.ICPMS -- -- -- 43.0 -- 32.7 -- -- -- 

RTDL-008 NM8K700.B003.A 0.0076 0.0002 0.0004 12.98 0.07 0.23 0.99 0.14 0.28 

 NM8K700.B003.B 0.0015 0.0003 0.0006 15.28 0.08 0.27 0.56 0.09 0.18  NM8K700.ICPMS -- -- -- 16.2 -- 6.2 -- -- --  NM8L699.B003.A 0.0078 0.0003 0.0006 36.8 0.4 1.2 0.46 0.02 0.04  NM8L699.B003.B 0.0073 0.0003 0.0006 36.9 0.4 1.2 0.48 0.03 0.06  NM8L699.ICPMS -- -- -- 49.3 -- 43.4 -- -- -- 

RTDL-009 NM8K703.B003.A 0.0067 0.0002 0.0004 12.77 0.07 0.23 <0.38 0.021 -- 

 NM8K703.B003.B 0.0061 0.0002 0.0004 12.45 0.07 0.22 <0.36 -- --  NM8K703.ICPMS -- -- -- 14.5 -- 2.6 -- -- --  NM8L702.B003.A 0.0070 0.0003 0.0006 51.6 0.6 1.7 0.34 0.01 0.03  NM8L702.B003.B 0.0072 0.0003 0.0006 50.4 0.5 1.6 0.31 0.02 0.05  NM8L702.ICPMS -- -- -- 68.3 -- 20.3 -- -- -- 

RTDL-010 NM8K706.B003.A 0.0104 0.001 0.0020 16.04 0.08 0.28 <0.35 -- -- 

 NM8K706.B003.B 0.0157 0.001 0.0020 14.88 0.08 0.26 <0.29 -- --  NM8K706.ICPMS -- -- -- 16.9 -- 2.8 -- -- --  NM8L705.B003.A 0.0099 0.0003 0.0007 42.6 0.5 1.4 0.36 0.02 0.04  NM8L705.B003.B 0.0096 0.0003 0.0006 42.5 0.5 1.4 0.33 0.02 0.05  NM8L705.ICPMS -- -- -- 50.6 -- 7.6 -- -- -- 

RTDL-011 NM8K709.B003.A 0.0137 0.0003 0.0007 16.90 0.09 0.30 0.51 0.13 0.26 

 NM8K709.B003.B 0.0096 0.0002 0.0005 16.17 0.08 0.28 0.38 0.07 0.14  NM8K709.ICPMS -- -- -- 19.0 -- 3.3 -- -- --  NM8L708.B003.A 0.0103 0.0003 0.0007 43.8 0.5 1.5 0.37 0.002 0.04  NM8L708.B003.B 0.01005 0.0003 0.0007 43.6 0.5 1.5 0.49 0.03 0.07  NM8L708.ICPMS -- -- -- 73.1 -- 108 -- -- -- 

RTDL-012 NM8K712.B003.A 0.0184 0.0003 0.0008 17.39 0.09 0.30 <0.35 -- -- 

 NM8K712.B003.B 0.0057 0.0002 0.0004 17.02 0.09 0.30 <0.22 -- --  NM8K712.ICPMS -- -- -- 20.7 -- 3.6 -- -- --  NM8L711.B003.A 0.0046 0.0002 0.0004 46.8 0.5 1.5 0.44 0.02 0.04  NM8L711.B003.B 0.0046 0.0003 0.0006 46.2 0.5 1.5 0.41 0.03 0.06  NM8L711.ICPMS -- -- -- 51.0 -- 5.9 -- -- -- 

*Results are from INAA unless otherwise indicated by the NBSB Tissue ID code. 
48

Table B3 (Continued): Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney and liver tissfraction, uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expre

mass.

 Co Zn As Se 

Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U m

RTDL-013 NM8K715.B003.A 0.0055 0.0012 0.0024 6.44 0.03 0.11 0.58 0.04 0.08 

 NM 8K715.B003.B 0.0077 0.0014 0.0028 9.41 0.05 0.17 0.74 0.05 0.10  NM 8K715.B003.C 0.0094 0.0018 0.0036 9.90 0.05 0.17 0.88 0.05 0.10  NM 8K715.ICPMS -- -- -- 10.6 -- 4.0 -- -- --  NM8L714.B003.A 0.0084 0.0004 0.0008 37.4 0.4 1.2 0.38 0.02 0.04  NM 8L714.B003.B 0.0080 0.0005 0.0010 35.7 0.4 1.2 0.55 0.04 0.08  NM 8L714.ICPMS -- -- -- 46.0 -- 7.2 

RTDL-014 NM8K718.B003.A 0.0076 0.0002 0.0004 18.04 0.09 0.31 0.13 0.01 -- 

 NM8K718.B003.B 0.0078 0.0002 0.0004 19.06 0.1 0.34 <0.19 -- --  NM8K718.ICPMS -- -- -- 19.3 -- 2.4 -- -- --  NM8L717.B003.A 0.0072 0.0003 0.0006 51.7 0.6 1.7 0.61 0.03 0.07  NM8L717.B003.B 0.0070 0.0002 0.0004 51.7 0.6 1.7 0.59 0.03 0.07  NM8L717.ICPMS -- -- -- 52.4 -- 8.3 

RTDL-015 NM8K721.B003.A 0.0092 0.0002 0.0005 17.23 0.09 0.30 <0.35 -- -- 

 NM8K721.B003.B 0.0073 0.0002 0.0004 16.65 0.08 0.28 <0.26 -- --  NM8K721.ICPMS -- -- -- 19.9 -- 13.7 -- -- --  NM8L720.B003.A 0.0089 0.0003 0.0006 61.1 0.7 2.0 0.49 0.02 0.05  NM8L720.B003.B 0.0092 0.0003 0.0006 62.0 0.7 2.1 0.44 0.03 0.06  NM8L720.ICPMS -- -- -- 77.2 -- 62.2 

*Results are from INAA unless otherwise indicated by the NBSB Tissue ID code. 
49

Table B3 (Continued): Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney and liver tissuefraction, uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expressed 

mass. 

 Rb Ag Cs Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs 

RTDL-001 NM8K679.B003.A 1.23 0.13 0.25 <0.006 - - - - 0.049 0.001 

 NM8K679.B003.B 1.16 0.12 0.24 <0.006 - - - - 0.042 0.001  NM8K679.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L678B003.A 1.17 0.04 0.08 0.043 0.004 0.008 0.0307 0.0014  NM8L678.B003.B 1.24 0.05 0.09 0.055 0.003 0.006 0.0305 0.0012  NM8L678.ICPMS - - - - - - 0.06 - - 0.01 - - - - 

RTDL-002 NM8K682.B003.A 0.96 0.10 0.20 <0.006 - - - - 0.042 0.003 

 NM8K682.B003.B 0.88 0.09 0.18 <0.006 - - - - 0.042 0.001  NM8K682.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L681.B003.A 0.75 0.03 0.06 0.572 0.006 0.018 0.0335 0.0011  NM8L681.B003.B 0.78 0.03 0.06 0.564 0.006 0.018 0.0333 0.0012  NM8L681.ICPMS - - - - - - 0.76 - - 0.49 - - - - 

RTDL-003 NM8K685.B003.A 0.77 0.08 0.16 <0.006 - - - - 0.045 0.001 

 NM8K685.B003.B 0.63 0.07 0.14 <0.006 - - - - 0.040 0.001  NM8K685.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L684.B003.A 1.01 0.04 0.09 0.886 0.008 0.027 0.0455 0.0015  NM8L684.B003.B 0.85 0.04 0.07 0.918 0.008 0.028 0.0481 0.0017  NM8L684.ICPMS - - - - - - 1.06 - - 0.13 - - - - 

RTDL-004 NM8K688.B003.A 0.97 0.10 0.20 0.012 0.002 0.004 0.032 0.001 

 NM8K688.B003.B 0.88 0.09 0.19 0.008 0.002 0.004 0.031 0.001  NM8K688.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L687.B003.A 1.00 0.03 0.07 0.185 0.004 0.009 0.0265 0.0013  NM8L687.B003.B 1.05 0.03 0.07 0.185 0.004 0.009 0.0267 0.0012  NM8L687.ICPMS - - - - - - 0.23 - - 0.07 - - - - 

RTDL-005 NM8K691.B003.A 0.78 0.08 0.17 <0.006 - - - - 0.040 0.001 

 NM8K691.B003.B 0.71 0.08 0.15 <0.006 - - - - 0.039 0.001  NM8K691.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L690.B003.A 0.97 0.04 0.08 1.002 0.008 0.029 0.0347 0.0015  NM8L690.B003.B 0.91 0.04 0.08 1.008 0.008 0.029 0.0350 0.0013  NM8L690.ICPMS - - - - - - 1.14 - - 0.13 - - - - 

RTDL-006 NM8K694.B003.A 1.33 0.14 0.28 0.017 0.002 0.004 0.049 0.001 

 NM8K694.B003.B 1.31 0.14 0.27 0.013 0.002 0.004 0.048 0.001  NM8K694.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L693.B003.A 1.07 0.03 0.07 0.677 0.006 0.020 0.0240 0.0012  NM8L693.B003.B 0.99 0.04 0.08 0.672 0.007 0.022 0.0253 0.0012  NM8L693.ICPMS - - - - - - 0.80 - - 0.09 - - - - 

*Results are from INAA unless otherwise indicated by the NBSB Tissue ID code. 
50

Table B3 (Continued): Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney and liver tissuefraction, uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expressed 

mass. 

 Rb Ag Cs 

Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs U mg/kg ucs 

RTDL-007 NM8K697.B003.A 1.02 0.11 0.21 <0.006 - - - - 0.060 0.001 

 NM8K697.B003.B 0.98 0.10 0.21 <0.006 - - - - 0.061 0.001  NM8K697.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L696.B003.A 1.41 0.04 0.09 0.732 0.007 0.023 0.0877 0.0019  NM8L696.B003.B 1.46 0.05 0.10 0.764 0.007 0.023 0.0901 0.0015  NM8L696.ICPMS - - - - - - 0.99 - - 0.78 - - - - 

RTDL-008 NM8K700.B003.A 0.78 0.08 0.16 <0.006 - - - - 0.030 0.001 

 NM8K700.B003.B 0.82 0.09 0.17 <0.006 - - - - 0.037 0.001  NM8K700.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L699.B003.A 0.93 0.03 0.07 0.667 0.006 0.020 0.0266 0.0011  NM8L699.B003.B 0.89 0.03 0.07 0.656 0.006 0.020 0.0287 0.0012  NM8L699.ICPMS - - - - - - 0.88 - - 0.66 - - - - 

RTDL-009 NM8K703.B003.A 0.97 0.10 0.20 <0.006 - - - - 0.036 0.001 

 NM8K703.B003.B 0.88 0.09 0.19 <0.006 - - - - 0.035 0.001  NM8K703.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L702.B003.A 0.94 0.03 0.06 0.532 0.006 0.018 0.0275 0.0012  NM8L702.B003.B 0.93 0.03 0.07 0.513 0.005 0.016 0.0267 0.0011  NM8L702.ICPMS - - - - - - 0.69 - - 0.15 - - - - 

RTDL-010 NM8K706.B003.A 1.09 0.11 0.23 <0.006 - - - - 0.034 0.001 

 NM8K706.B003.B 1.01 0.11 0.21 <0.006 - - - - 0.031 0.001  NM8K706.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L705.B003.A 1.00 0.03 0.07 0.503 0.005 0.016 0.0235 0.0012  NM8L705.B003.B 0.97 0.04 0.08 0.503 0.005 0.016 0.0230 0.0011  NM8L705.ICPMS - - - - - - 0.61 - - 0.07 - - - - 

RTDL-011 NM8K709.B003.A 1.33 0.14 0.28 <0.006 - - - - 0.039 0.001 

 NM8K709.B003.B 1.16 0.16 0.24 0.055 0.001 0.003 0.037 0.001  NM8K709.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L708.B003.A 1.24 0.04 0.08 0.229 0.004 0.010 0.0271 0.0010  NM8L708.B003.B 1.23 0.04 0.08 0.225 0.004 0.010 0.0256 0.0012  NM8L708.ICPMS - - - - - - 0.30 - - 0.21 - - - - 

RTDL-012 NM8K712.B003.A 1.37 0.14 0.28 <0.006 - - - - 0.069 0.001 

 NM8K712.B003.B 1.33 0.14 0.28 0.0085 0.0016 0.0032 0.068 0.001  NM8K712.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - - -  NM8L711.B003.A 1.72 0.05 0.11 0.101 0.004 0.008 0.0504 0.0016  NM8L711.B003.B 1.66 0.06 0.12 0.096 0.004 0.008 0.0490 0.0016  NM8L711.ICPMS - - - - - - - - - - - - 

*Results are from INAA unless otherwise indicated by the NBSB Tissue ID code. 
51

Table B3 (Continued): Results of INAA and ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney and liver tissfraction, uncertainties associated with counting statistics (ucs), and expanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expremass.

 Rb Ag Cs 

Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID mg/kg UCS U mg/kg UCS U mg/kg UCS 

RTDL-013 NM8K715.B003.A 0.31 0.03 0.07 0.0033 0.0007 0.001 0.025 0.0

 NM 8K715.B003.B 0.44 0.05 0.09 0.0045 0.0006 0.001 0.036 0.0 NM 8K715.B003.C 0.47 0.05 0.10 <0.004 - - - - 0.038 0.0 NM 8K715.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - -  NM8L714.B003.A 0.94 0.04 0.09 1.21 0.01 0.04 0.0692 0.00 NM 8L714.B003.B 0.93 0.04 0.09 1.16 0.01 0.03 0.0698 0.00 NM 8L714.ICPMS - - - - - - 1.46 - - 0.21 - - - 

RTDL-014 NM8K718.B003.A 1.06 0.11 0.22 0.018 0.002 0.004 0.041 0.0

 NM8K718.B003.B 1.09 0.11 0.23 0.021 0.002 0.003 0.044 0.0 NM8K718.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - -  NM8L717.B003.A 1.17 0.04 0.08 0.257 0.004 0.010 0.0333 0.00 NM8L717.B003.B 1.21 0.04 0.08 0.260 0.005 0.012 0.0346 0.00 NM8L717.ICPMS - - - - - - 0.29 - - 0.04 - - - 

RTDL-015 NM8K721.B003.A 0.80 0.08 0.17 <0.004 - - - - 0.026 0.0

 NM8K721.B003.B 0.76 0.08 0.16 <0.004 - - - - 0.024 0.0 NM8K721.ICPMS - - - - - - <0.02 - - - - - - -  NM8L720.B003.A 1.04 0.04 0.08 0.150 0.004 0.009 0.0245 0.00 NM8L720.B003.B 1.00 0.04 0.08 0.147 0.005 0.011 0.0262 0.00 NM8L720.ICPMS - - - - - - 0.19 - - 0.13 - - - 

*Results are from INAA unless otherwise indicated by the NBSB Tissue ID code. 
52

Table B3 (Continued): Results of ICP-MS analyses of rough-toothed dolphin kidney and liver tissues. Values fexpanded uncertainties (U; k=2) are expressed as mg/kg of wet mass.

Animal ID NBSB Tissue ID Cd (U) Sn (U) Hg (U) 

RTDL-001 NM8K679.ICPMS 0.05 0.01 <0.02 - - 0.9 0.1 

 NM8L678.ICPMS 0.01 0.003 0.08 0.06 3.4 0.8 

RTDL-002 NM8K682.ICPMS 2.44 0.31 0.05 0.23 7.7 2.1 

 NM8L681.ICPMS 0.79 0.20 0.43 0.28 52.3 14.9 

RTDL-003 NM8K685.ICPMS 1.18 0.16 0.05 0.07 12.8 1.5 

 NM8L684.ICPMS 0.69 0.09 0.74 0.09 174.7 20.3 

RTDL-004 NM8K688.ICPMS 2.56 0.30 <0.02 - - 2.1 0.3 

 NM8L687.ICPMS 0.38 0.06 0.37 0.11 7.9 1.7 

RTDL-005 NM8K691.ICPMS 0.83 0.20 0.05 0.08 9.6 1.7 

 NM8L690.ICPMS 0.72 0.09 0.78 0.32 179.8 26.6 

RTDL-006 NM8K694.ICPMS 3.94 0.46 0.14 0.31 4.0 0.7 

 NM8L693.ICPMS 0.85 0.12 0.38 0.07 22.6 2.6 

RTDL-007 NM8K697.ICPMS 1.89 0.32 0.04 0.01 14.9 1.7 

 NM8L696.ICPMS 0.63 0.17 0.87 0.57 176.8 51.0 

RTDL-008 NM8K700.ICPMS 2.25 0.36 0.04 0.06 5.6 0.9 

 NM8L699.ICPMS 0.79 0.17 0.55 0.68 66.2 16.1 

RTDL-009 NM8K703.ICPMS 1.09 0.14 0.06 0.10 4.0 0.7 

 NM8L702.ICPMS 0.38 0.07 0.39 0.20 56.4 11.2 

RTDL-010 NM8K706.ICPMS 2.03 0.26 0.02 0.03 3.3 0.5 

 NM8L705.ICPMS 1.02 0.12 0.35 0.32 31.5 4.8 

RTDL-011 NM8K709.ICPMS 2.90 0.33 0.03 0.09 2.1 0.9 

 NM8L708.ICPMS 0.61 0.23 0.42 0.65 12.0 10.1 

RTDL-012 NM8K712.ICPMS 0.12 0.17 0.01 0.05 1.0 0.7 

 NM8L711.ICPMS 0.03 0.02 0.14 0.23 3.4 0.5 

RTDL-013 NM8K715.ICPMS 0.83 0.12 0.13 0.14 14.3 5.8 

 NM8L714.ICPMS 0.65 0.08 1.10 0.19 235.2 36.3 

RTDL-014 NM8K718.ICPMS 2.45 0.30 0.02 0.05 2.9 0.4 

 NM8L717.ICPMS 0.23 0.03 0.29 0.07 11.2 1.4 

RTDL-015 NM8K721.ICPMS 1.44 0.16 <0.02 - - 1.7 1.2 

 NM8L720.ICPMS 0.25 0.11 0.22 0.35 13.0 3.6 
53

Table B4: Results of INAA of control materials included with analyses of kidney tissues. 

Values for SRM 1566a Oyster Tissue are expressed in mg/kg of dry mass and those for 

the QA Pilot Whale Liver Tissue Homogenate are expressed in mg/kg of wet mass. 

Uncertainties represent the combined total uncertainty. 

Whale Liver 

Homogenate 1 

Aliquot 1 

Assigned 

Values 

SRM 1566a 

Aliquot 1 

SRM 1566a 

Aliquot 2 

Average 

Value 

Certified 

Values 

Na 1268 ± 45 1260 ± 30 4190 ± 110 3950 ± 126 4070 4170 ± 130 

Mg 129 ± 20 140 ± 5 1200 ± 163 1150 ± 162 1175 1180 ± 170 

Cl 1720 ± 53 1730 ± 40 8360 ± 248 8320 ± 247 8340 8290 ± 140 

K 2713 ± 40 2640 ± 70 8230 ± 284 7810 ± 263 8020 7900 ± 470 

Ca 39 ± 12 46 ± 3 1920 ± 111 1850 ± 110 1885 1960 ± 190 

V ≤0.02 ≤0.03 4.85 ± 0.22 4.75 ± 0.21 4.80 4.68 ± 0.15 

Mn 3.14 ± 0.29 2.81 ± 0.10 12.2 ± 0.5 12.0 ± 1.4 12.1 12.3 ± 1.5 

Cu ≤4 2.96 ± 0.55 75 ± 10 71 ± 10 73 66.3 ± 4.3 

Br 13.6 ± 3 13.7 ± 0.6 64.1 ± 4 64.5 ± 12 64 Not certified 

I ≤2 ≤1 ≤6 ≤7 ≤7 4.46 ± 0.42 

Sc ≤0.001 ≤0.08 0.054 ± 0.002 0.055 ± 0.002 0.055 (0.06) 

Fe 448 ± 15 438 ± 10 532 ± 18 518 ± 17 525 539 ± 15 

Co 0.014± 0.001 0.014 ± 0.001 0.513 ± 0.014 0.500 ± 0.014 0.51 0.57 ± 0.11 

Zn 32.5 ± 0.9 32.2 ± 0.7 820 ± 22 830 ± 23 825 830 ± 57 

As 0.33± 0.24 0.53 ± 0.02 13.7 ± 0.4 14.5 ± 0.4 14.1 14.0 ± 1.2 

Se 11.6 ± 0.4 11.0 ± 0.3 2.18 ± 0.10 2.15 ± 0.10 2.17 2.21 ± 0.24 

Rb 1.9 ± 0.4 2.00 ± 0.06 3.3 ± 0.8 3.2 ± 0.8 3.24 (3) 

Sr ≤1.1 ≤0.8 Not analyzed Not analyzed -- 11.1 ± 1.0 

Mo ≤0.9 ≤0.4 ≤2 ≤2 ≤2 Not certified 

Ag 0.183 ± 0.011 0.181 ± 0.005 1.65 ± 0.06 1.69 ± 0.09 1.67 1.68 ± 0.15 

Cd 8.65 ± 1.53 8.51 ± 0.22 ≤4 ≤4 ≤4 4.15 ± 0.38 

Sn ≤2 ≤2 ≤7 ≤7 ≤7 (3) 

Sb ≤0.03 ≤0.08 ≤0.06 ≤0.02 ≤0.06 (0.01) 

Cs ≤0.004 0.004 – 0.007 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 0.02 

Ba ≤9 ≤5 ≤32 ≤32 ≤32 Not certified 

La ≤0.02 ≤0.003 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 0.3 

Ce ≤0.07 ≤0.02 0.21 ± 0.03 0.17 ± 0.03 0.19 0.4 

Sm ≤0.003 ≤0.002 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 0.06 

Eu ≤0.0009 ≤0.0006 0.012 ± 0.001 0.013 ± 0.001 0.012 0.01 

Tb ≤0.001 ≤0.001 ≤0.008 ≤0.007 ≤0.008 0.007 

Hf ≤0.001 ≤0.001 0.025 ± 0.005 0.032 ± 0.004 0.03 0.04 

Ta ≤0.0007 ≤0.0005 ≤0.003 ≤0.003 ≤0.003 0.003 

Au ≤0.05 ≤0.0002 ≤0.03 ≤0.04 ≤0.04 0.01 

Th ≤0.002 ≤0.001 0.035 ± 0.006 0.034 ± 0.006 0.035 0.04 

U ≤0.2 ≤0.004 ≤0.8 ≤0.8 ≤0.8 0.13 ± 0.01 
54

Table B5: Results of INAA of control materials included with analyses of liver tissues. Values for SRM 15

expressed on a dry mass basis and Whale Liver Homogenate I are expressed on a wet mass basis. Uncertaintexpanded uncertainties (U; k=2). 

Element 

Whale Liver 

Homogenate I 

Aliquot 1 

Whale Liver 

Homogenate I 

Aliquot 2 

Average 

Value 

Assigned 

Values 

SRM 1566a 

Oyster Tissue 

Aliquot 1 

SRM 1566a 

Oyster Tissue 

Aliquot 2 

Average Va

Na 1205 1272 1239 ± 31 1260 ± 30 4220 ± 20 -- -- 

Mg 135 130 133 ± 10.5 140 ± 5 1180 ± 20 -- -- 

Cl 1594 1691 1594 ± 79.3 1730 ± 40 8120 ± 270 -- -- 

K 2585 2748 2667 ± 90 2640 ± 70 8340 ± 90 -- -- 

Ca 39.7 55.6 48 ± 10.3 46 ± 3 2000 ± 40 -- -- 

V ≤0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.03 4.94 ± 0.09 -- -- 

Mn 2.84 2.99 2.92 ± 0.06 2.81 ± 0.10 12.3 ± 1.0 -- -- 

Cu 2.87 2.45 2.66 ± 0.60 2.96 ± 0.55 71 ± 2 -- -- 

Br 14.4 14.3 14.4 ± 2.0 13.7 ± 0.6 66 ± 3 -- -- 

I ≤3 ≤3.4 ≤3.4 ≤1 ≤9 -- -- 

Sc ≤0.09 ≤0.09 ≤0.09 ≤0.08 0.050 0.052 0.051 ± 0.0

Fe 394 425 410 ± 20 438 ± 10 528 529 528.5 ± 1

Co 0.012 0.013 0.013 ± 0.001 0.014 ± 0.001 0.46 0.56 0.51 ± 0.0

Zn 29.1 31.4 30.2 ± 0.7 32.2 ± 0.7 829 839 834 ± 5 

Mo ≤0.41 ≤0.31 ≤0.4 ≤0.4 ≤1 nd ≤1 

Ag 0.17 0.18 0.18 ±0.01 0.181 ± 0.005 1.71 1.72 1.72 ± 0.0

Cd 8.44 nd 8.44 ± 0.38 8.51 ± 0.22 3.90 4.21 4.06 ± 0.8

Sn ≤2 ≤2 ≤2 ≤2 ≤8 ≤8 ≤8 

Sb ≤0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.08 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 Cs 0.0056 00077 0.007 ± 0.002 0.004 – 0.007 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 ≤0.02 

Ba ≤8 ≤4 ≤8 ≤5 ≤15 ≤25 ≤25 La ≤0.006 ≤0.003 ≤0.006 ≤0.003 0.24 0.27 0.26 ± 0.0

Ce ≤0.0013 ≤0.0014 ≤0.0014 ≤0.02 0.197 0.216 0.21 ± 0.0

Sm ≤0.001 ≤0.002 ≤0.002 ≤0.002 0.055 0.050 0.053 ± 0.0

Eu ≤0.0001 ≤0.0001 ≤0.001 ≤0.0006 ≤0.01 ≤0.01 ≤0.01 

Tb ≤0.001 ≤0.001 ≤0.001 ≤0.001 ≤0.008 ≤0.008 ≤0.008 

Hf ≤0.0001 ≤0.0001 ≤0.0001 ≤0.001 0.023 0.033 0.03 ± 0.0

Ta ≤0.0001 ≤0.0001 ≤0.0001 ≤0.0005 ≤0.001 ≤0.001 ≤0.001 

Au ≤0.003 ≤0.003 ≤0.003 ≤0.0002 ≤0.014 ≤0.014 ≤0.014 

Th ≤0.00015 ≤0.00016 ≤0.00016 ≤0.001 0.035 0.040 0.038 ± 0.0

U ≤0.08 ≤0.05 ≤0.08 ≤0.004 0.112 0.134 0.12 ± 0.0
55

Table B6: Results of ICP-MS of Whale Liver Homogenate I expressed in mg/kg of wet mass. 

Uncertainties represent the expanded uncertainties (U; k=2). 

Element ICP-MS Value (mg/kg) Assigned Values (Wise et al., 1993) 

Mn 3.9 ± 0.7 2.81 ± 0.08 

Cu 3.88 ± 0.59 2.96 ± 0.20 

Zn 36.4 ± 7.9 32.2 ± 0.7 

Ag 0.22 ± 0.04 0.181 ± 0.005 

Cd 8.91 ± 1.10 8.51 ± 0.22 

Sn 0.19 ± 0.04 ≤2 

Hg 27.0 ± 3.5 28.2 ± 1.1 
56

Table B7: Linear correlation matrix for rough-toothed dolphin age, length, and hepatic element 

concentrations. 

 age length Na Cl K Cu Fe Co Zn Se Rb Ag Cd (ICP) Hg (ICP) Sn (ICP)

age 1.00 0.74 0.30 0.17 -0.50 0.57 -0.28 0.09 -0.54 0.95 -0.49 0.90 0.53 0.96 0.95 

length 0.74 1.00 0.52 0.51 -0.72 0.59 -0.57 0.35 -0.54 0.77 -0.62 0.85 0.69 0.78 0.84 

Na 0.30 0.52 1.00 0.84 -0.84 -0.03 -0.75 0.41 -0.04 0.07 -0.88 0.29 0.52 0.07 0.14 

Cl 0.17 0.51 0.84 1.00 -0.68 -0.18 -0.74 0.49 0.07 0.05 -0.69 0.14 0.38 0.04 0.12 

K -0.50 -0.72 -0.84 -0.68 1.00 -0.30 0.61 -0.31 0.23 -0.31 0.90 -0.55 -0.68 -0.32 -0.34 

Cu 0.57 0.59 -0.03 -0.18 -0.30 1.00 -0.05 -0.11 -0.56 0.64 -0.16 0.80 0.62 0.65 0.62 

Fe -0.28 -0.57 -0.75 -0.74 0.61 -0.05 1.00 -0.70 0.08 -0.12 0.71 -0.36 -0.62 -0.13 -0.32 

Co 0.09 0.35 0.41 0.49 -0.31 -0.11 -0.70 1.00 -0.17 0.04 -0.33 0.24 0.67 0.04 0.27 

Zn -0.54 -0.54 -0.04 0.07 0.23 -0.56 0.08 -0.17 1.00 -0.44 0.01 -0.53 -0.58 -0.46 -0.57 

Se 0.95 0.77 0.07 0.05 -0.31 0.64 -0.12 0.04 -0.44 1.00 -0.23 0.90 0.40 1.00 0.95 

Rb -0.49 -0.62 -0.88 -0.69 0.90 -0.16 0.71 -0.33 0.01 -0.23 1.00 -0.47 -0.56 -0.23 -0.28 

Ag 0.90 0.85 0.29 0.14 -0.55 0.80 -0.36 0.24 -0.53 0.90 -0.47 1.00 0.67 0.90 0.91 

Cd (ICP) 0.53 0.69 0.52 0.38 -0.68 0.62 -0.62 0.67 -0.58 0.40 -0.56 0.67 1.00 0.40 0.54 

Hg (ICP) 0.96 0.78 0.07 0.04 -0.32 0.65 -0.13 0.04 -0.46 1.00 -0.23 0.90 0.40 1.00 0.95 

Sn (ICP) 0.95 0.84 0.14 0.12 -0.34 0.62 -0.32 0.27 -0.57 0.95 -0.28 0.91 0.54 0.95 1.00 
57

Table B8: Linear correlation matrix for rough-toothed dolphin age, length, and renal element concentrations. 

 age length Na Cl K Mn Br Fe Co Zn As Se Rb Ag Cd (ICP) Hg (ICP) Sn (

age 1.00 0.74 -0.66 -0.83 -0.93 -0.80 -0.62 -0.31 -0.33 -0.88 0.75 0.77 -0.83 -0.36 -0.17 0.92 0.

length 0.74 1.00 -0.18 -0.58 -0.83 -0.60 -0.60 0.04 -0.28 -0.65 0.85 0.80 -0.66 -0.02 0.15 0.81 0.

Na -0.66 -0.18 1.00 0.67 0.34 0.40 0.58 0.24 -0.23 0.41 -0.28 -0.20 0.32 0.27 -0.06 -0.30 -0

Cl -0.83 -0.58 0.67 1.00 0.67 0.57 0.72 0.15 -0.09 0.50 -0.61 -0.71 0.60 0.23 -0.04 -0.80 -0

K -0.93 -0.83 0.34 0.67 1.00 0.78 0.66 0.36 0.27 0.83 -0.72 -0.59 0.88 0.21 0.15 -0.76 -0

Mn -0.80 -0.60 0.40 0.57 0.78 1.00 0.63 0.28 0.42 0.83 -0.43 -0.39 0.80 -0.05 0.32 -0.63 -0

Br -0.62 -0.60 0.58 0.72 0.66 0.63 1.00 0.29 0.01 0.47 -0.63 -0.44 0.57 -0.25 -0.26 -0.46 -0Fe -0.31 0.04 0.24 0.15 0.36 0.28 0.29 1.00 -0.13 0.19 -0.83 0.10 0.35 0.51 0.01 0.06 -0

Co -0.33 -0.28 -0.23 -0.09 0.27 0.42 0.01 -0.13 1.00 0.39 -0.37 0.02 0.51 0.38 0.43 -0.16 -0

Zn -0.88 -0.65 0.41 0.50 0.83 0.83 0.47 0.19 0.39 1.00 -0.72 -0.37 0.76 0.28 0.43 -0.65 -0

As (n=5) 0.75 0.85 -0.28 -0.61 -0.72 -0.43 -0.63 -0.83 -0.37 -0.72 1.00 0.89 -0.59 -0.30 -0.38 0.63 0.

Se 0.77 0.80 -0.20 -0.71 -0.59 -0.39 -0.44 0.10 0.02 -0.37 0.89 1.00 -0.40 0.05 0.28 0.86 0.

Rb -0.83 -0.66 0.32 0.60 0.88 0.80 0.57 0.35 0.51 0.76 -0.59 -0.40 1.00 0.41 0.25 -0.64 -0

Ag (n=6) -0.36 -0.02 0.27 0.23 0.21 -0.05 -0.25 0.51 0.38 0.28 -0.30 0.05 0.41 1.00 0.44 -0.37 -0

Cd (ICP) -0.17 0.15 -0.06 -0.04 0.15 0.32 -0.26 0.01 0.43 0.43 -0.38 0.28 0.25 0.44 1.00 -0.11 0.

Hg (ICP) 0.92 0.81 -0.30 -0.80 -0.77 -0.63 -0.45 0.06 -0.17 -0.65 0.62 0.86 -0.64 -0.38 -0.11 1.00 0.

Sn (ICP) 0.47 0.46 -0.45 -0.39 -0.39 -0.28 -0.56 -0.34 -0.08 -0.32 0.45 0.24 -0.31 -0.39 0.25 0.36 1.