title: Congener-specific accumulation and food chain transfer of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in two arctic food chains.
abstract: Congener-specific accumulation and prey to predator transfer of 22 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were assessed in polar cod, ringed seal, polar bear, and beluga whale. Although the concentrations found were relatively low, these results show that PBDEs have reached the Arctic. PBDE congeners 47, 99, and 100 were dominant in all species studied. The pattern in ringed seal was somewhat simpler than in polar cod, with PBDE 47 accounting for more than 90% of the total PBDEs. In contrast, beluga whales, feeding on prey similar to that of ringed seals, showed higher PBDE levels and a more complex PBDE pattern than ringed seals. In contrast, polar bears contained only PBDE 47 in relatively small amounts. These differences in levels and patterns are likely due to species-specific differences in PBDE metabolism and accumulation. The metabolic index suggested that PBDEs 47 and 99 accumulate to the same magnitude as PCB 153 (PCB = polychlorinated biphenyl) in ringed seals and beluga whales. In contrast to beluga whales, ringed seals can metabolize PBDE 100 to some extent. Polar bears are seemingly capable of metabolizing virtually all PBDEs and are therefore unsuitable as indicators for PBDE contamination in the environment.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Polar Institute, N-9296 Tromsø, Norway, Hans.Wolkers@npolar.no
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wolkers
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van Bavel
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Derocher
authors.forename: Oystein
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wiig
authors.forename: Kit M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lydersen
authors.forename: Gunilla
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lindström
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D004032:Diet; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004987:Ethers / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology; D020387:Food Chain; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000502:physiology; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D001503:Ursidae / Q000502:physiology; D014907:Whales / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D004987:Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls