River Otters as Biomonitors

River otters as biomonitors for organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, and PBDEs in Illinois.

Fig. 1. Illinois counties for river otters from known locations (n=20) in our study. Counties outlined in the northwest corner of the state represent likely origination of otters incidentally collected between 1984 and 1989. Numbers indicate the sampled otters for each county.
Fig. 1. Illinois counties for river otters from known locations (n=20) in our study. Counties outlined in the northwest corner of the state represent likely origination of otters incidentally collected between 1984 and 1989. Numbers indicate the sampled otters for each county.

The study:

Carpenter SK, Mateus-Pinilla NESingh K, Lehner A, Satterthwaite-Phillips D, Bluett RD, Rivera NA, Novakofski JE. 2014. River otters as biomonitors for organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, and PBDEs in Illinois. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 100, 99-104 [pdf]

Highlights:

  • Studied organohalogenated compounds (OHCs) in livers of river otters from Illinois.
  • Highest mean concentration of dieldrin yet reported in North American river otters.
  • Dieldrin detected in 2009–2011 otters greater than in Illinois otters 25–30 years ago.
  • Greater mean concentration of polychorinated biphenyls (PCBs) detected in males.
  • Research is needed on differences in OHC exposure between Illinois watersheds.