title: Absorption of decabromodiphenyl ether and other organohalogen chemicals by grey seals (Halichoerus grypus).
abstract: An input-output balance study was performed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls and some organochlorine pesticides on three captive, juvenile grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). The animals were fed a diet of herring for six months, during the last three months of which this study was performed. A supplement of decabromodiphenyl ether was included in the diet during the second month of the study. Consistently high absorption (>89%) was observed for all of the chemicals studied, whereas work on other animals has generally shown high (>80%) net absorption at log K(OW) < approximately 6, dropping towards higher log K(OW), and very low absorption of decabromodiphenyl ether. The half-life of decabromodiphenyl ether in blood was estimated to be between 8.5 and 13 days. Measurable concentrations of decabromodiphenyl ether were detected in seal blubber at the end of the study, indicating that this chemical can be stored in adipose and may bioaccumulate. Current understanding of the mechanism of absorption of organohalogen chemicals and the potential for accumulation of decabromodiphenyl ether will need reassessing in the light of these results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science, Institute of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK. g.o.thomas@lancaster.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gareth O
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Simon E W
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: Lillemor
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Asplund
authors.forename: Ailsa J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hall
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010647:Phenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000378:metabolism*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated; D010575:Pesticides; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; C010902:decabromobiphenyl ether