Temporal trends of organochlorine contamination in Black Guillemots in Iceland from 1976 to 1996

Ólafsdóttir, Kristín; Petersen, Aevar; Magnúsdóttir, Elín V.; Björnsson, Þorvaldur Þ.; Jóhannesson, Torkell

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2004.06.016

Cited by 31 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Few studies assessing chemical pollutants have hitherto been performed in Iceland and its marine environment (i.e. refs [16][17][18]. These studies, investigating e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organochlorine Compounds and Their Metabolites in Seven Icelandic Seabird Species - a Comparative Study

Jörundsdóttir

Löfstrand

Svavarsson

et al. 2010

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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The present study is designed to assess the occurrence of a few organochlorine contaminants and their metabolites in eggs of different marine bird species in Iceland, a country located in the sub-Arctic of the North-Western Atlantic. Previous investigations from e.g. Sweden and The Netherlands have shown some obvious differences in contaminant concentrations, including e.g. hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyl metabolites (OH-PCBs) in guillemot (Uria aalge) and other bird species. Eggs from seven marine bird species, Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea), common eider (Somateria mollissima), guillemot, fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), great black-backed gull (Larus marinus), lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus), and great skua (Stercorarius skua), that all breed in Iceland, were collected and analyzed for several persistent organic compounds and their metabolites. The contaminant levels varied between the species investigated. The highest concentrations were found in eggs from the great skua (18 and 23 microg/g l.w. of CB-153 and 4,4'-DDE, respectively). The concentration difference was generally 2 orders of magnitude higher in great skua for all organochlorine compounds analyzed with the exception of HCB. HCB did not vary as much between the seven species (ranging from 34 to 710 ng/g l.w). OH-PCB and MeSO(2)-PCB metabolites congener concentrations and patterns showed differences in metabolic capacity between bird species. Guillemot and great skua seem to distinguish themselves most from other species i.e. with the absence of 4-OH-CB187 and low relative levels of 4-OH-CB146 in guillemot and the low abundance of OH-PCBs in great skua.

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“…Few studies assessing chemical pollutants have hitherto been performed in Iceland and its marine environment (i.e. refs [16][17][18]. These studies, investigating e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organochlorine Compounds and Their Metabolites in Seven Icelandic Seabird Species - a Comparative Study

Jörundsdóttir

Löfstrand

Svavarsson

et al. 2010

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…The presence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment has been a cause of concern for over 40 years (1). After reports on the toxicity of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) on humans and wildlife, the production of many organochlorines was banned worldwide resulting in a decrease of levels in both environment and biota (2), although some studies have reported that levels tended to stabilize in recent decades (3). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used as flame retardants in numerous applications such as textiles, plastics, and foams.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accumulation of Organochlorines and Brominated Flame Retardants in the Eggs and Nestlings of Great Tits,Parus major

Dauwe

Jaspers

Covaci

et al. 2006

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Insectivorous birds may be very useful sentinels for local point-source contamination with persistent pollutants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Eggs have been used extensively to monitor lipophilic contaminants, as females can pass contaminants stored in their body tissues into their eggs. Concentrations and profiles in eggs therefore relate to contamination in the female. Because nestlings are raised on food items collected locally, it is expected that the body burden in nestlings would reflect their diet and local pollution levels better than eggs. In this study we compared the accumulation and the profile of PCBs, PBDEs, and OCPs in great tit (Parus major) eggs, nestlings (5-, 10-, and 15-days old), and their food in two study sites. Our results showed that concentrations in great tit eggs were 4 to 6 times higher than those in nestlings. Concentrations in nestling great tits corresponded with concentrations predicted by a bioenergetics-based model. Most of the persistent organic pollutants in 15-day old nestlings were still from maternal origin. The profile of these persistent pollutants in eggs and nestlings also gradually changed during development. With increasing age, the proportion of the most persistent compounds decreased. This study shows that most of the persistent pollutants in fully grown nestlings may still be from maternal origin. For nestlings to be suitable as indicators of local contamination, most of the POPs they accumulate should originate from dietary sources rather than from maternal transfer via the egg. Nestling birds may therefore not be good sentinels for local contamination with persistent pollutants.

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“…For example, since the ban on DDT in Canada and the United States in the 70s, concentrations of this chemical have declined in many arctic species over the last few decades (18,19). As many of these species are important components of traditional diets, DDT concentrations in northern people have mirrored this decreasing trend seen in these animals (20).…”

Section: General Predicted Climate Change Trends In the Northmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential impact of climate on human exposure to contaminants in the Arctic

Kraemer

Berner

Furgal

2005

International Journal of Circumpolar Health

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Many northern indigenous populations are exposed to elevated concentrations of contaminants through traditional food and many of these contaminants come from regions exterior to the Arctic. Global contaminant pathways include the atmosphere, ocean currents, and river outflow, all of which are affected by climate. In addition to these pathways, precipitation, animal availability, UV radiation, cryosphere degradation and human industrial activities in the North are also affected by climate change. The processes governing contaminant behaviour in both the physical and biological environment are complex and therefore, in order to understand how climate change will affect the exposure of northern people to contaminants, we must have a better understanding of the processes that influence how contaminants behave in the Arctic environment. Furthermore, to predict changes in contaminant levels, we need to first have a good understanding of current contaminant levels in the Arctic environment, biota and human populations. For this reason, it is critical that both spatial and temporal trends in contaminant levels are monitored in the environment, biota and human populations from all the Arctic regions. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2005;64(5):498-508.)

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Temporal trends of organochlorine contamination in Black Guillemots in Iceland from 1976 to 1996

Cited by 31 publications

References 26 publications

Organochlorine Compounds and Their Metabolites in Seven Icelandic Seabird Species - a Comparative Study

Organochlorine Compounds and Their Metabolites in Seven Icelandic Seabird Species - a Comparative Study

Accumulation of Organochlorines and Brominated Flame Retardants in the Eggs and Nestlings of Great Tits,Parus major

The potential impact of climate on human exposure to contaminants in the Arctic

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