Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) Eggs from the Northeastern U.S.

Abstract

A total of 114 peregrine falcon eggs from nests in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont were analyzed for polybrominanted diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Eggs were collected from 1996 to 2006, excluding 1997 and 1998. Total PBDE concentrations ranged from 74.5 to 6610 ng/g wet weight, with a median of 440. These levels were generally higher than those observed in European peregrine eggs, but comparable to those in North American seabird eggs. Congener patterns differed from such seabirds and were dominated by BDE-153, followed by BDE-99, -183, -209, -197, -207, -154, -100, and -196; with lesser contributions from BDE-47, -208, -203, -201, -206, -202, -138, and -119. Urban and rural falcon eggs contained similar total PBDE concentrations but different congener profiles. Urban eggs exhibited higher BDE-209 concentrations and greater percentages of other highly brominated congeners. BDE-209 was detectable in all eggs, with concentrations ranging from 1.4 to 420 ng/g wet weight Five octa- and three nona-brominated congeners were also frequently detected, some likely derived from the biodegradation of BDE-209. Temporal analyses indicated no significant changes in concentrations of total PBDEs, or most individual congeners, during the study period. An exception was BDE-209. It exhibited a significant increase, with a doubling time of 5 years. Current PBDE burdens may be insufficient to cause noticeable adverse effects at the population level, as the number of territorial pairs increased in the past decade. However, the high BDE-209 concentrations, short doubling time, and likely biodegradation observed in peregrine eggs from the northeastern U.S. may supportthe need for additional deca-BDE regulations.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in eggshells of the Southern Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) and Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) in South Africa

“…Regardless of these assertions, the comparison of the levels of the sum PBDEs in the SGH samples with those of peregrine falcon eggs which exhibit similar dietary preferences with the SGH was made. Generally, the observed levels for SGH in this study were comparable to those reported for peregrine falcons eggs in most European studies, Spain (160 -3600 ng g , lw) (Lindberg et al, 2004;Vorkamp et al, 2005;Chen et al, 2008;Johansson et al, 2009;Park et al, 2009;Guerra et al, 2012).…”

Polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons and metabolites: Relation to circulating thyroid hormone and retinol in nestling bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

“…We conclude that PBDEs did not influence thyroid hormones in eagles at environmentally relevant concentrations but that P OHPBDEs might have. However, research on thyroid hormone disruption of populations of wild birds highly exposed to PBDEs, such as urban peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), is indicated [45].…”

Swallows as Indicators of Environmental Pollution of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Basin: Are Persistent Organic Pollutants a Concern?

“…Concentrations of PBDEs in swallows also were relatively lower than those reported in greater trophic-level birds from the northeastern United States and other industrialized countries (Chen et al 2008;Johansson 2009;). However, concentrations of PBDEs in swallows from El Paso were greater than those observed in aplomado falcon eggs from two regions in Mexico (Mora et al 2011).…”