Concentrations and patterns of hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) from Svalbard.
Concentrations and patterns of hydroxylated (OH) polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated in liver from arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) sampled from Svalbard 1997-2011 (n = 100). The most important OH-PBDE in the arctic foxes was 6-OH-BDE47 detected in 24% of the samples. Relationships between 6-OH-BDE47, δ(13)C and BDE47 suggest that 6-OH-BDE47 residues in arctic foxes are related to marine dietary input, while the relative importance of the metabolic/natural origin of this compound remains unclear. 4-OH-CB187 and 4-OH-CB146 were the main OH-PCBs among the analyzed compounds. The OH-PCB pattern in the present arctic foxes indicates that arctic foxes have a capacity to biotransform a wide range of PCBs of different structures. Formation and retention of OH-PCBs was tightly related to PCB exposure. Furthermore, ΣOH-PCB concentrations were four times higher in the leanest compared to the fattest foxes. Concentrations of 4-OH-CB187 and 4-OH-CB146 among the highest contaminated arctic foxes were similar to the previously reported concentrations for polar bears. Given the high endocrine disruptive potential of OH-PCBs, we suggest that endocrine system may be affected by the relatively high OH-PCB residues in the Svalbard arctic fox population.
Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway. Electronic address: heli.routti@npolar.no.
Heli
H
Routti
Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway; Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
Martin S
MS
Andersen
Norwegian Polar Institute, Fram Centre, NO-9296 Tromsø, Norway.
Eva
E
Fuglei
Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway.
Anuschka
A
Polder
Department of Arctic and Marine Biology, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
Nigel G
NG
Yoccoz
D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D004032:Diet; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D005589:Foxes / Q000378:metabolism*; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006900:Hydroxylation; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D013538:Svalbard
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Biotransformation; Body condition; OH-PBDE; OH-PCB