Hydroxylated and methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers in long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) and their main food, Baltic blue mussels (Mytilus trossulus × Mytilus edulis).
Long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) that breed in northern Europe and western Siberia and commonly winter in the Baltic Sea, are threatened by a significant population decrease. The ducks are, by primarily feeding on Baltic blue mussels (Mytilus trossulus × Mytilus edulis) while wintering in the Baltic Sea, potentially subjected to high levels of toxic hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs). To assess long-tailed ducks exposure to polybrominated phenols (PBPs), polybrominated anisoles (PBAs), hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs), their methylated counterparts (MeO-PBDEs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), livers of ten long-tailed ducks wintering in the Baltic Sea were analysed. Pattern and levels of analytes in long-tailed ducks (liver) and blue mussels sampled in March and May at nine sites in the Baltic Sea were compared. The geometric mean concentration (ng/g l.w.) in livers of long-tailed ducks and Baltic blue mussels were: Σ(2)PBPs: 0.57 and 48; Σ(2)PBAs: 0.83 and 11; Σ(7)OH-PBDEs: 6.1 and 45; Σ(7)MeO-PBDEs: 3.8 and 69; Σ(7)PBDEs: 8.0 and 7.2, respectively. Based on an estimated daily intake of 450 g fresh blue mussel meat, long-tailed ducks daily dietary intake of brominated substances while foraging in the Baltic Sea in March-May was estimated to; 390 ng Σ(2)PBPs, 90 ng Σ(2)PBAs, 370 ng Σ(7)OH-PBDEs, 590 ng Σ(7)MeO-PBDEs and 59 ng Σ(7)PBDEs. The low levels of PBPs, PBAs, OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs in the long-tailed duck livers compared to blue mussel, despite a continuous daily intake, suggest that these compounds are poorly retained in long-tailed ducks.
Analytical and Toxicological Unit, Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
Anna-Karin
AK
Dahlberg
Analytical and Toxicological Unit, Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
Vivian Lindberg
VL
Chen
Kalmar Maritime Academy, Linnaeus University, SE-391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.
Kjell
K
Larsson
Analytical and Toxicological Unit, Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden; Swedish Toxicology Sciences Research Center (Swetox), Forskargatan 20, SE-151 36 Södertälje, Sweden.
Åke
Å
Bergman
Analytical and Toxicological Unit, Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: lillemor.asplund@aces.su.se.
Lillemor
L
Asplund
D000818:Animals; D000840:Anisoles / Q000032:analysis; D004372:Ducks; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005060:Europe; D020387:Food Chain; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D049878:Mytilus; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D000840:Anisoles; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D010636:Phenols; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Blue mussel; Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ether; Long-tailed duck; MeO-PBDE; OH-PBDE; PBDE