title: Effects of environmental exposure and diet on levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in eggs of a top predator in the North Atlantic in 1980 and 2008.
abstract: Concentrations of POPs in Great skua eggs from Shetland are among the highest in North Atlantic seabirds, with up to 11,600 μg/kg (ww) DDE and up to 17,900 μg/kg ww ∑PCB. Concentrations of legacy POPs were significantly lower in 2008 than 1980. Decreases were greatest for least persistent compounds. Median ∑PBDEs increased from 99 μg/kg ww in 1980 to 173 μg/kg ww in 2008. There were changes in Great skua breeding season diet, with more adult Herring and Mackerel and less Sandeel. These changes increase exposure to POPs, since Herring and Mackerel accumulate more POPs than Sandeels. In both years, eggs with higher δ15N had higher POP concentrations. In 1980, birds feeding more on demersal discard fish from trawl fisheries and less on Sandeels, had higher POP levels in eggs. In 2008, individuals feeding more on Herring and Mackerel, and less on discards, had higher POP levels in eggs.
authors.affiliation: College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, Graham Kerr Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Eliza H K
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Leat
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bourgeon
authors.forename: Katrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Borgå
authors.forename: Hallvard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Strøm
authors.forename: Sveinn A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hanssen
authors.forename: Geir W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Gabrielsen
authors.forename: Aevar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Olafsdottir
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Magnusdottir
authors.forename: Aaron T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Fisk
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Jan O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Bustnes
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Furness
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001267:Atlantic Ocean; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D020387:Food Chain; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000378:metabolism*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000378:metabolism*; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism*; D012606:Scotland
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated