Probing the Thermodynamics of Biomagnification in Zoo-Housed Polar Bears by Equilibrium Sampling of Dietary and Fecal Samples.

ABSTRACT: In a proof-of-concept study, we recently used equilibrium sampling with silicone films to noninvasively derive the thermodynamic limit to a canine's gastrointestinal biomagnification capability (BMF_lim) by determining the ratio of the products of the volume (V) and fugacity capacity (Z) of food and feces. In that earlier study, low contaminant levels prevented the determination of contaminant fugacities (f) in food and feces. For zoo-housed polar bears, fed on a lipid-rich diet of fish and seal oil, we were now able to measure the increase in f of nine native polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) upon digestion, providing incontestable proof of the process of gastrointestinal biomagnification. A high average BMF_lim value of ∼171 for the bears wa

SUBMITTER: Chen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9260956 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature