We investigated between 2014 and 2016 the concentrations of PCBs, DDTs and HCB and trace elements in blubber and skin samples of Australian humpback and snubfin dolphins collected from the Fitzroy River estuary and Port Curtis, Queensland, Australia. The concentrations of PCBs, DDTs and HCB from this study were compared with results from samples collected in 2009 and 2010 from the same areas. Our results showed that the concentrations of PCBs, DDTs and HCB have increased over time. A large proportion (~68%) of the sampled population accumulated organochlorines contaminants above thresholds over which immunosuppression and reproductive anomalies are known to occur. Results also suggest a general enrichment of some trace elements above natural levels in humpback and snubfin dolphins from the Fitzroy River estuary and Port Curtis. Extensive flooding in adjacent catchments is the most likely primary factor responsible for increased distribution and bioavailability of these contaminants into coastal waters. Land-based pollution from the adjacent catchments is an ongoing threat to coastal systems and particularly for top predators such as dolphins in the Great Barrier Reef. Climate change models predict increasing frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events that will impact coastal Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef. Reduction of land-based persistent pollutants into coastal waters of the Great Barrier Reef will be critical for the health and survival of humpback and snubfin dolphins in this region.

我们调查了2014年至2016年之间从Fitzroy河河口和澳大利亚昆士兰州Port Curtis收集的澳大利亚座头鲸和Snubfin海豚的油脂和皮肤样本中PCB，DDTs和HCB以及痕量元素的浓度。将这项研究中的PCBs，DDTs和HCB的浓度与2009年和2010年从同一地区收集的样品的结果进行了比较。我们的结果表明，PCB，DDT和HCB的浓度随时间增加。采样人口中有很大一部分（〜68％）积累了超过已知的免疫抑制和生殖异常阈值的有机氯污染物。研究结果还表明，来自菲茨罗伊河河口和柯蒂斯港的座头鲸和金翅雀海豚中一些微量元素的含量普遍高于自然水平。相邻集水区的大面积洪水是造成这些污染物进入沿海水域的分布和生物利用度增加的最可能的主要因素。邻近流域的陆上污染正持续威胁着沿海系统，尤其是对大堡礁等海豚等顶级掠食者而言。气候变化模型预测极端降雨事件的频率和强度将增加，这将影响昆士兰沿海和大堡礁。减少大堡礁沿海水域中的陆基持久性污染物对于该地区的座头鲸和小鳍海豚的健康与生存至关重要。来自邻近流域的陆地污染正持续威胁着沿海系统，尤其是对于大堡礁等海豚等顶级掠食者。气候变化模型预测极端降雨事件的频率和强度将增加，这将影响昆士兰沿海和大堡礁。减少大堡礁沿海水域中的陆基持久性污染物对于该地区的座头鲸和小鳍海豚的健康与生存至关重要。来自邻近流域的陆地污染正持续威胁着沿海系统，尤其是对于大堡礁等海豚等顶级掠食者。气候变化模型预测极端降雨事件的频率和强度将增加，这将影响昆士兰沿海和大堡礁。减少大堡礁沿海水域中的陆基持久性污染物对于该地区的座头鲸和小鳍海豚的健康与生存至关重要。