Selective bioaccumulation of chlorinated pesticides and metabolites in Arctic seabirds

Abstract

Chlorinated pesticides and metabolites (CPs) were quantified in the seabird species: little auk ( Alle alle), Brünnich's guillemot ( Uria lomvia), black guillemot ( Cepphus grylle) and black-legged kittiwake ( Rissa tridactyla). The purpose was to evaluate avian accumulation of selected CPs based on their concentrations and relative patterns, their relation to dietary descriptors (stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen), to enzymes involved in biotransformation, as well as CPs' accumulation potential relative to the recalcitrant polychlorinated biphenyl PCB-153. In all species, the CP pattern was dominated by p, p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDE) and hexachlorbenzene (HCB). Except for HCB, concentrations were not related to trophic position. Most CPs were quantified in black guillemot, indicating a slower elimination compared to other seabird species. Brünnich's guillemot showed efficient elimination of chlordanes, whereas the opposite was found for little auk. Kittiwake showed higher accumulation of persistent CP and metabolites than auks, whereas accumulation of less recalcitrant CPs was low.