Levels and trends of brominated diphenyl ethers in blubber of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from the U.K., 1992-2008.
Controls were placed on the production and use of the penta-mix polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) formulation within the European Union in 2004. In porpoises stranded or bycaught around the U.K., BDE congeners from this product predominate. Lipid-normalized concentrations of 9 (summed) BDE congeners in the blubber of 415 porpoises sampled during the period 1992-2008 have been investigated for possible time trends resulting from the regulatory action. Our analysis suggests that, overall, median Sigma9BDE concentrations peaked around 1998 and have since reduced by between 53.8% and 73.5% to 2008. Our best point estimate is that the reduction has been 67.6%. This decline was highly statistically significant (p < 0.001) and was not confounded by a range of other factors which were also considered (area, season, nutritional status, bycaught/stranded, and age class).
Law
Robin J
RJ
The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Cefas Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, U.K., robin.law@cefas.co.uk
Barry
Jon
J
Bersuder
Philippe
P
Barber
Jonathan L
JL
Deaville
Rob
R
Reid
Robert J
RJ
Jepson
Paul D
PD
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D008954:Models, Biological; D050741:Phocoena / Q000378:metabolism*; D012623:Seawater; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom
D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers