Temporal Trends (1986–2004) of Organochlorines and Brominated Flame Retardants in Tawny Owl Eggs from Northern Europe

Abstract

Eggs (n = 139) from tawny owls (Strix aluco) were collected annually (1986-2004) in Central Norway and analyzed for organochlorines (OCs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). p,p'-DDE (2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethene) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were the dominating contaminants (mean/median = 2.7/1.7 and 2.9/1.6 microg/g, lipid weight [l.w.], respectively), comprising 90% of the contaminant burden. Other OCs (hexachlorobenzene [HCB], hexachlorocyclohexanes [HCHs], trans-nonachlor and oxychlordane) comprised less than 4% of the contaminant burden. Concentrations of OCs dropped 74-96% during the study period; p,p'-DDE, HCB, beta-HCH, oxychlordane, and PCBs decreased rapidly in the early (1986-1989) study period (23-34% per year; mean = 27.4%), but leveled off to less than 7% (mean = 3.6%) in the late period (2001-2004). The decrease in p,p'-DDE concentrations leveled off in the early 1990s, possibly due to an early ban on the use of DDT. alpha-HCH showed the strongest decline (always > 20% per year), while trans-nonachlor and gamma-HCH dropped at a constant rate of 9% per year. Toxaphene made up less than 0.6% of the measured contaminants (mean/median = 39/13 ng/ g, l.w.), and the concentrations of these compounds were lower in the late period compared to the early period, but not significant. BFRs, including hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (sigmaPBDE: mean/median = 182/ 85 ng/g, l.w.) made up about 3% of the measured contaminants. sigmaPBDE declined significantly over the study period (62%). Most PBDE congeners declined: significantly for BDE-47 (80% reduction) and BDE-153 (50% reduction), but the patterns differed; i.e., congeners associated with PentaBDE mixtures showed a rapid annual decline early (22-26%) and a slower decline late in the study period (6-12%), while the PBDEs associated with OctaBDE declined at a constant rate (1-4%). This may result from a larger reduction in the use of PentaBDE compared to other PBDE products in Europe.

Levels, isomer profiles and chiral signatures of particle-bound hexabromocyclododecanes in ambient air around Shanghai, China

“…The demand for HBCDs has increased in recent years, especially after the regulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their use as alternative to the banned penta-and octaBDEs in some applications (Arnot et al, 2009;Covaci et al, 2006;Law et al, 2006aLaw et al, , 2008a. Meanwhile, their levels in the environment are generally increasing, as demonstrated by HBCD data for marine bird eggs from Norway (Knudsen et al, 2005), sea lions from California, U.S. (Stapleton et al, 2006), tawny owl eggs from northern Europe (Bustnes et al, 2007), freshwater fishes from the U.S. Mid-Atantic (Chen et al, 2011), and peregrine falcon eggs from Sweden (Johansson et al, 2011). However, a closer look at the recent literatures reveals a more complex situation.…”

Polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants in eggs may reduce reproductive success of ospreys in Oregon and Washington, USA

“…A number of PBDE congeners have been reported in eggs of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) from Sweden (Lindberg et al 2004;Johansson et al 2009) and the northeastern United States (Chen et al 2008). Eggs collected from several owl species in northern Europe and China also contained PBDEs (Jaspers et al 2005;Bustness et al 2007;Chen et al 2007). Further, hydroxylated (OH) PBDEs, which may be metabolites resulting from PBDE exposure, were recently reported in blood samples of bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nestlings from British Columbia and California (McKinney et al 2006).…”

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

“…Many studies have reported relatively low levels of this congener in eggs of different bird species. Bustnes et al (2007) found a total percent contribution of less than 5% for PBDE-154 to the total PBDEs investigated in eggs of Tawny owl in northern Europe. A similar trend was observed in the analysis of different tissues (muscles, liver and kidney) of birds of prey in northern China.…”