title: Two abundant bioaccumulated halogenated compounds are natural products.
abstract: Methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-PBDEs) have been found bioaccumulated in the tissues of a variety of aquatic animals and at concentrations comparable to those of anthropogenic halogenated organic compounds, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The origin of the MeO-PBDEs has been uncertain; circumstantial evidence supports a natural and/or an industrial source. By analyzing the natural abundance radiocarbon content of two MeO-PBDEs isolated from a True's beaked whale (Mesoplodon mirus), we show that these compounds were naturally produced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA.
authors.forename: Emma L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Teuten
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Reddy
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000840:Anisoles / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D001711:Biotransformation; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006900:Hydroxylation; D008745:Methylation; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010647:Phenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D014907:Whales / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C496823:2-(2',4'-dibromophenoxy)-3,5-dibromoanisole; C496824:2-(2',4'-dibromophenoxy)-4,6-dibromoanisole; D000840:Anisoles; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls