Organochlorines, brominated flame retardants and mercury levels in six seabird species from the Gulf of St. Lawrence (Canada): relationships with feeding ecology, migration and molt.
Concentrations of organochlorines (OCs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and mercury (Hg) were measured in eggs of six seabird species breeding in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. Stable nitrogen (delta15N) and carbon (delta13C) isotopes were used as ecological tracers to measure trophic level and connectivity with benthos, respectively. Concentrations, patterns as well as ecological tracers varied significantly between species. The sum of polychlorinated biphenyls (SigmaPCBs) was the most important group measured in all seabird species based on concentration followed generally by the sum of chlorinated pesticides (SigmaCPs), the sum of brominated flame retardants (SigmaBFRs) and finally total Hg (THg). SigmaPCBs, SigmaCPs and SigmaBFRs increased with trophic level, whereas THg did not. Only SigmaBFRs increased with a higher connectivity with the benthos. Seabird species resident to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence ecosystem showed higher Hg and BFR levels than migratory species. Molt patterns were used to explain variations of contaminant levels.
Lavoie
Raphael A
RA
Biology Department, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1N 6N5. lavoie.raphael@gmail.com
Champoux
Louise
L
Rail
Jean-François
JF
Lean
David R S
DR
D025041:Animal Migration / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001717:Birds / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002170:Canada; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000032:analysis; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D018978:Molting / Q000502:physiology*; D010063:Ovum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D013045:Species Specificity
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D005411:Flame Retardants; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds