Hydroxylated and methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers in long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) and their main food, Baltic blue mussels (Mytilus trossulus × Mytilus edulis)

Abstract

Long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) that breed in northern Europe and western Siberia and commonly winter in the Baltic Sea, are threatened by a significant population decrease. The ducks are, by primarily feeding on Baltic blue mussels (Mytilus trossulus × Mytilus edulis) while wintering in the Baltic Sea, potentially subjected to high levels of toxic hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs). To assess long-tailed ducks exposure to polybrominated phenols (PBPs), polybrominated anisoles (PBAs), hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs), their methylated counterparts (MeO-PBDEs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), livers of ten long-tailed ducks wintering in the Baltic Sea were analysed. Pattern and levels of analytes in long-tailed ducks (liver) and blue mussels sampled in March and May at nine sites in the Baltic Sea were compared. The geometric mean concentration (ng/g l.w.) in livers of long-tailed ducks and Baltic blue mussels were: Σ(2)PBPs: 0.57 and 48; Σ(2)PBAs: 0.83 and 11; Σ(7)OH-PBDEs: 6.1 and 45; Σ(7)MeO-PBDEs: 3.8 and 69; Σ(7)PBDEs: 8.0 and 7.2, respectively. Based on an estimated daily intake of 450 g fresh blue mussel meat, long-tailed ducks daily dietary intake of brominated substances while foraging in the Baltic Sea in March-May was estimated to; 390 ng Σ(2)PBPs, 90 ng Σ(2)PBAs, 370 ng Σ(7)OH-PBDEs, 590 ng Σ(7)MeO-PBDEs and 59 ng Σ(7)PBDEs. The low levels of PBPs, PBAs, OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs in the long-tailed duck livers compared to blue mussel, despite a continuous daily intake, suggest that these compounds are poorly retained in long-tailed ducks.

Bromoanisoles and methoxylated bromodiphenyl ethers in macroalgae from Nordic coastal regions

“…[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]36 BPs and OH-BDEs are partially ionized at seawater pH, 37,38 but are nevertheless subject to bioaccumulation. 24,28,39 Diverse toxic effects of 2,4,6-triBP 40 and OH-BDEs [18][19][20] have been reported, and benecial antimicrobial activity has been attributed to 6-MeO-BDE47. 41 Many studies have demonstrated interconversion of BPs/BAs and OH-BDEs/MeO-BDEs through O-methylation/ demethylation reactions, 18,19,40 and it has been suggested that wildlife acquire OH-BDEs through O-demethylation of accumulated MeO-BDEs.…”

“…Macroalgae and cyanobacteria are important sources of bromophenolic compounds to the Baltic ecosystem and they are transferred through the food web from macroalgae to invertebrate grazers to sh. 24 Several studies have reported bromophenolic compounds in Baltic mussels, which lter-feed on cyanobacteria 8,10,21,[28][29][30] and transferred from mussels to seaducks. 28 Macroalgae from the Nordic coastal region are being promoted as human food, with published recipes utilizing local species.…”

“…24 Several studies have reported bromophenolic compounds in Baltic mussels, which lter-feed on cyanobacteria 8,10,21,[28][29][30] and transferred from mussels to seaducks. 28 Macroalgae from the Nordic coastal region are being promoted as human food, with published recipes utilizing local species. 31 Consideration should be given to the bromophenolic compounds and other HNPs present in macroalgae used for human consumption, to place exposure in perspective with anthropogenic compounds.…”

Determination of Hydroxylated Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Blood from Baltic Grey Seals

“…The width of the diamond is proportional to the size of the sample (i.e., the amount of animals belonging to the group) whole fish from the Baltic proper, both in perch (Perca fluviatilis, 6.6 ng/g w.w.) [31], and in herring (0.49 ng/g w.w.) [29]. However, the levels were higher than the reported liver concentration in long-tailed duck from the Baltic proper (0.24 ng/g w.w.) [32].…”

Screening of halogenated phenolic compounds in plasma and serum from marine wildlife

“…Blood from these birds was only used for method evaluation, and no quantitative data for HPCs have been published (Dahlberg et al 2014). However, quantitative data for HPCs in the livers from the long-tailed ducks have been published (Dahlberg et al 2016). Herring (Clupea harengus) and flounder (Platichthys flesus) plasma collected at the Askö marine research station in May and June of 2011 were also remains from previous studies; no data have been published on these samples.…”