Organochlorine contaminants and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in eggs and embryos of Antarctic birds

Abstract

AbstractOrganochlorine contaminants (OCs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were investigated in the eggs of five bird species from the South Shetland Islands. Additionally, OCs and PBDEs were also analysed in embryos of two species. The concentration ranges in eggs were (ng g-1wet weight) 2.11 to 541 for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), <0.25 to 0.88 for PBDEs, 2.45 to 405 forp,p’-DDE and 1.50 to 603 for mirex. The PCBs were predominant in the eggs ofMacronectes giganteus,Catharacta antarcticaandLarus dominicanus, whereas hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was the major compound found in the eggs ofPygoscelis antarcticusandSterna vittata. The PBDE congeners were detected only in the eggs ofC. antarctica(PBDE 47 and 153) andS. vittata(PBDE 47). There were differences in OC concentrations of up to two orders of magnitude betweenM. giganteusembryos which were related to the development stage and OC concentrations in the respective eggs. Trophic ecology and post-breeding dispersal exerted an influence on contaminant patterns. Comparisons with data from the literature indicate an increase in the concentrations of some OCs over recent years.