title: Hexabromocyclododecane affects benthic-pelagic coupling in an experimental ecosystem.
abstract: Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) is an additive brominated flame retardant and a recognized PBT chemical. However, little is known about its effects on coastal species, and even less on ecosystem effects. We investigated the dose-response effects of HBCDD over 8 months in 1000 L experimental mesocosms assembled from coastal Baltic Sea ecosystem components. HBCDD was added via spiked plankton material and a range of structural and functional endpoints were measured during the experiment. Increasing HBCDD concentration decreased the biomass of large Macoma balthica, resulting in a decreased recirculation of nutrients to the water. Changes in plankton communities were also observed, either due to direct toxic HBCDD effects or indirect via changes in benthic-pelagic coupling of nutrients. Such complex ecosystem responses can only be quantified and understood by using realistic experimental set-ups, and including knowledge of system-specific ecological interactions. This is the first study of HBCDD effects on ecosystem level.
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, 14189 Huddinge, Sweden. Electronic address: clare.bradshaw@su.se.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.affiliation: AquaBiota Water Research, Löjtnantsgatan 25, 11550 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: johan.naslund@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Näslund
authors.affiliation: AquaBiota Water Research, Löjtnantsgatan 25, 11550 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: joakim.hansen@su.se.
authors.forename: Joakim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecologia e Recursos Marinhos, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Pasteur, 458, 22290-240 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. Electronic address: betinaksuzuki@unirio.br.
authors.forename: Betina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kozlowsky-Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Vanadisvägen 15, 11346 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sundström
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences, Technology and Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, 14189 Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D017753:Ecosystem; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D005411:Flame Retardants; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C089796:hexabromocyclododecane
keywords: Baltic sea; Brominated flame retardants; HBCDD; Indirect ecosystem effects; Mesocosm study; Structural equation modelling