| Abstract |
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are predominantly anthropogenically-
derived chemicals, characterized by their persistence, toxicity, capacity
for bioaccumulation and tendency for long-range environmental transport.
They have been observed at elevated concentrations in polar environments
and biota, including Antarctic foraging humpback whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae). Southern hemisphere humpback whales are highly dependent on
lipid reserves accumulated during summer feeding to sustain their seasonal
migration and associated period of voluntary fasting, the longest known in
any mammal. This extreme life-history behaviour has been observed to
result in a dramatic increase in blubber POP concentrations and presumed
circulating lipophilic POP burdens during times of negative energy balance.
Toxicological investigations of the effect of circulating POP burdens are,
however, constrained by logistical challenges associated with large
cetacean research, and the limitations of existing non-lethal research
approaches. This thesis research was designed to develop a humpback whale
derived fibroblast cell culture for species-specific assessment of the
toxicological impact of priority POPs and other potential stressors.
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