Dynamics of organochlorine compounds in herring gulls (Larus argentatus): II. A two-compartment model and data for ten compounds

Abstract

A two‐compartment open model using plasma and seasonally variable lipid compartments was developed and validated for several organochlorines in herring gulls (Larus argentatus). Plasma clearance rate constants (k′pc, L·kg−1·d−1), plasma: whole‐body lipid partition coefficients (Kpf) and compartment sizes for lipid and plasma were obtained for juvenile gulls injected i.p. with a mixture of p,p′‐DDD, p,p′‐DDE, hexachlorobenzene, oxychlordane, γ‐hexachlorocyclohexane, trans‐chlordane, octachlorostyrene, dieldrin, mirex and photomirex. Concentrations in plasma were determined at 11 time points during the 239‐d study, and whole‐body contaminant burdens and lipid weights were determined at 3 time points. Mean Kpf for p,p′‐DDD and p,p′‐DDE (0.0038 ± 0.0002) was different from that of the other organochlorines (0.0058 ± 0.0005, n = 7). The latter values were close to the expected fraction lipid in plasma, indicating a simple thermodynamic partitioning between lipid pools in adipose tissue and plasma. Plasma clearance rate constants ranged from approximately 0.04 L·kg−1·d−1 for slowly clearing organochlorines such as p,p′‐DDE and mirex to 500 L·kg−1·d−1 for rapidly clearing γ‐hexachlorocyclohexane and trans‐chlordane. Simulations using these parameters and lipid weight regimes for individual experimental birds tracked observed plasma concentrations and final body burdens closely. Simulated whole‐body half‐lives of organochlorines in wild adult gulls were similar to those published for other species.

Explaining differences between bioaccumulation measurements in laboratory and field data through use of a probabilistic modeling approach

“…In the present simulations, the focus was on predicting whole‐body concentration of the chemical using a simplified single‐compartment framework. Such a framework often works well (Clark et al 1987) for persistent chemicals that exhibit relatively long half‐lives in animals on the order of weeks or longer. However, a single‐compartment approach introduces several errors when extended to chemicals that are rapidly cleared from the animal.…”

Age and accumulation of persistent organochlorines: A study of arctic-breeding glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus)

“…Van den Brink et al [13] showed that DDE and HCB fluctuated with changing body mass in Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and southern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides), while the same was not the case for PCBs. Hexachlorobenzene and oxychlordane are more volatile than DDE and PCB-153 and are more quickly eliminated from the body [32,34]. Moreover, body condition, measured as body mass controlled for body size, did not affect the OC concentrations among birds of known age, but birds with a high percentage of lipids in the blood had higher levels of HCB and oxychlordane but not of DDE and PCB-153.…”

“…Bird studies have established a strong relationship between blood level and the body burden of persistent OCs [26][27][28][29], and by using blood samples, we were able to test how various factors, such as the trophic levels at which birds fed (known diet differences between breeding areas), sex, and body condition, influenced OC concentration, compared to age. We also analyzed the relationships between increasing age and organochlorine pesticides such as hexachlorbenzene (HCB), oxychlordane, and DDE, which vary in clearance rate [34]. For example, glaucous gulls with high levels of PCBs have relatively high levels of most persistent congeners [23,31].…”

“…For example, glaucous gulls with high levels of PCBs have relatively high levels of most persistent congeners [23,31]. Both HCB and oxychlordane are less persistent [34] and are found in lower concentrations than PCB-153 and DDE [23,25]. We also analyzed the relationships between increasing age and organochlorine pesticides such as hexachlorbenzene (HCB), oxychlordane, and DDE, which vary in clearance rate [34].…”

Persistent organic pollutants in blood samples of Southern Giant Petrels (Macronectes giganteus) from the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

“…In Antarctica, HCHs are mainly detected in organisms on low trophic levels and birds that feed mainly on krill (Corsolini et al, 2006; Corsolini et al, 2011; Taniguchi et al, 2009). Moreover, HCHs are rapidly metabolized and excreted by birds, and consequently are less prone to accumulate in their tissues (Clark et al, 1987). …”