title: Novel flame retardants in urban-feeding ring-billed gulls from the St. Lawrence River, Canada.
abstract: This study investigated the occurrence of a comprehensive suite of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and current-use flame retardants (FRs) in ring-billed gulls breeding in a highly industrialized section of the St. Lawrence River, downstream from Montreal (QC, Canada). Despite major point-sources and diffuse contamination by FRs, nearly no FR data have been reported in birds from this area. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate (BEHTBP) was detected in 89% of ring-billed gull livers (mean: 2.16 ng/g ww; max: 17.6 ng/g ww). To our knowledge, this is the highest detection frequency and highest concentrations reported thus far in any avian species or populations. Dechlorane Plus (DP) isomers were also particularly abundant (anti-DP detected in 100% and syn-DP in 93% of livers). Other detected FR compounds (3-14% detection) included 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (EHTBB), hexachlorocyclopentenyl-dibromocyclooctane (HCDBCO) and β-1,2-dibromo-4-(1.2-dibromoethyl)-cyclohexane (β-TBECH). Mean BDE-209 (57.2 ± 12.2 ng/g ww) in ring-billed gull livers was unexpectedly high for this midtrophic gull species, exceeding levels reported in several apex raptors such as peregrine falcons. BDE-209's relative contribution to ∑PBDEs was on average 25% (exceeding BDE-47 and BDE-99) and contrasted with profiles typically reported for fish-eating gull species. The present study highlighted preoccupying gaps in upcoming FR regulations and stressed the need for further investigation of the sources of FR exposure in highly urbanized areas.
authors: Centre de recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors: Marie-Line
authors: ML
authors: Gentes
authors: Robert J
authors: RJ
authors: Letcher
authors: Elyse
authors: E
authors: Caron-Beaudoin
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Verreault
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001565:Benzoates / Q000032:analysis; D002170:Canada; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis*; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated / Q000032:analysis; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000032:analysis; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D045483:Rivers
chemical_list: C576261:2-ethylhexyl 2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate; D001565:Benzoates; D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated; D010795:Phthalic Acids; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; C526360:dechlorane plus; C527454:hexachlorocyclopentadienyl-dibromocyclooctane; C576262:bis(2-ethylhexyl) 2,3,4,5-tetrabromophthalate