Standard Presentation Australian Marine Sciences Association Annual Meeting 2023

What We Know 25 Years On - A Review of Metal Contaminants in Australian Marine Megafauna (#285)

Chad Jarolimek 1 , Josh King 1 , Simon Apte 1 , Jane Hall 2 3 , Anil Gautam 4 , Megan Gillmore 4 , Chris Doyle 4
  1. CSIRO Land and Water, Lucas Heights, NSW, Australia
  2. Australian Registry of Wildlife Health, Taronga Conservation Society, Mosman, NSW, Australia
  3. Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, Australia
  4. Science, Economics and Insights Division, Department of Planning and Environment, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia

Expansive urban, industrial, and agricultural development along the Australian coastline has led to increased pollution of the marine environment by a wide variety of anthropogenic chemicals. The potentially detrimental impact of these chemicals on marine megafauna is of concern, due to their susceptibility to bioaccumulation and biomagnification. This study has undertaken a comprehensive compilation of the published data for trace metal concentrations in Australian marine mammals, birds, and turtles. Most studies relied on the utilisation of opportunistically collected samples, animal strandings, and bycatch. Large data gaps in geographical, temporal and species coverage were found. For instance, there is little or no data for cetaceans in NSW or NT and the WA data comprises mainly mercury data for over 400 sperm whales captured in the 1970s. Where possible, trends in the data were examined including comparisons with international data. There was a lack of supporting diagnostic data on dead and stranded animals to account for the cause of mortality or identify physiologic changes that may result from exposure to contaminants (e.g., compromised renal function and Cd exposure). The key knowledge gaps, trends, and recommendations for future investigations will be presented.