Geographical Distribution (2000) and Temporal Trends (1981−2000) of Brominated Diphenyl Ethers in Great Lakes Herring Gull Eggs

Abstract

Geographical distribution of brominated diphenyl ether (BDE) flame retardants in the North American Great Lakes ecosystem in 2000 was determined by analysis of herring gull eggs (13 egg pools) from a network of 15 monitoring colonies scattered throughout the lakes and connecting channels. sigmaBDEs were found at concentrations ranging from 192 to 1,400 microg/kg, mean of 662 +/- 368 microg/kg (wet weight of egg contents). Highest concentrations were found in northern Lake Michigan and Toronto harbor (1,000-1,400 microg/kg) and lowest in Lake Huron and Lake Erie (192-340 microg/kg). The distribution suggested that input from large urban/ industrial areas through air or water emissions contributes local contamination to the herring gull food web in addition to background levels from regional/global transport. The congener composition was similar among sampling sites. Major congeners were BDE-47 (43%), BDE-99 (26%), BDE-100 (13%) BDE-153 (11%), BDE-154 (4%), BDE-183 (2%) and BDE-28 (1%). Temporal trends of BDE contamination, 1981-2000, were established by analysis of archived herring gull eggs (10 egg pools) from colonies in northern Lake Michigan, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron and eastern Lake Ontario. BDE-47, -99 and -100, and BDE-153, -154 and -183 concentrations were grouped separately for analysis because these two groups had different trends and are primarily associated with the Penta BDE and Octa BDE flame retardant formulations, respectively. SigmaBDE47,99,100 concentrations were 5-12 microg/kg (wet weight) in 1981-1983 and then increased exponentially (p < 0.00001) at all three sites to 400-1,100 microg/kg over the next 17 years. Doubling times were 2.6 years in Lake Michigan, 3.1 years in Lake Huron and 2.8 years in Lake Ontario. SigmaBDE154,153,183 concentrations generally increased but varied in an erratic fashion among sites and decreased as a fraction of sigmaBDE over time. Concentrations of sigmaBDE154,153,183 were 100-200 microg/kg in eggs from all three colonies in 2000. Therefore, most of the dramatic increases in sigmaBDE concentrations observed over the past 20 years in the Great Lakes aquatic ecosystem seem to be connected with the Penta BDE formulation, which is mainly used as a flame retardant in polyurethane foam in North America. If present rates of change continue, concentrations of sigmaBDEs will equal or surpass those of sigmaPCBs in Great Lakes herring gull eggs in 10-15 years.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and traditional organochlorine pollutants in fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) from the Faroe Islands

“…The PBDE concentrations in fulmar and fulmar eggs from the Faroe Islands are lower than those determined in other bird eggs, studied so far (Lindberg et al, 2004;Norstrom et al, 2002;Sellström et al, 2003;Vorkamp et al, 2004b). For example, in guillemot eggs from the Baltic Sea and in guillemot from East Greenland, the PBDE concentrations are about 5 times higher than the levels found in the Faroese fulmar eggs.…”

“…The lower ΣPBDE/ΣPCB ratio in the fulmar egg may indicate different efficiency in transfer from the bird to egg, of these two classes of contaminants. The typical PBDE congener concentration pattern previously documented for wildlife has revealed BDE-47 as the most abundant PBDE congener followed by BDE-99, BDE-100, BDE-153 and BDE-154 as seen in guillemot eggs from the Baltic, black guillemot from Greenland and herring gull eggs from the Great Lakes (Norstrom et al, 2002;Sellström et al, 2003;Vorkamp et al, 2004b). In muscle and subcutaneous fat from juvenile fulmars ( Fig.…”

“…This implies a yet limited contamination of PBDEs in the Faroe Islands area. The ΣPBDE concentrations were about 2-5% of the ΣPCB concentration in the herring gull eggs and in the black guillemot eggs (Norstrom et al, 2002;Vorkamp et al, 2004b), while they were only 0.3% in the Faroese fulmar eggs. Subcutaneous fat and muscle from the juvenile fulmars also indicating low PBDE concentrations at the Faroe Islands.…”

“…For example, in guillemot eggs from the Baltic Sea and in guillemot from East Greenland, the PBDE concentrations are about 5 times higher than the levels found in the Faroese fulmar eggs. In herring gull eggs from the Great Lakes, the PBDE concentrations are two -three orders of magnitude higher (Norstrom et al, 2002;Sellström et al, 2003;Vorkamp et al, 2004b). This implies a yet limited contamination of PBDEs in the Faroe Islands area.…”

“…This is probably due to the awareness of PBDEs as persistent pollutants, and, accordingly, voluntary changes in the use of PBDEs in countries such as Sweden and Japan. In North America, the PBDE concentrations are still increasing, as seen both in herring gull eggs and in human serum (Hites, 2004;Norstrom et al, 2002;Sjödin et al, 2003). From 1981 to 2000, the PBDE concentrations in herring gull eggs from the Great Lakes increased 20-75-fold, mainly due to the tetra-and penta-BDE congeners, BDE-47, BDE-100 and BDE-99 (Norstrom et al, 2002).…”