Species-specific bioaccumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, hexabromocyclododecan and dechlorane plus in biota: A review

Abstract

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecans (HBCDs) and dechlorane plus (DPs) are ubiquitous contaminants that are found in numerous matrices around world. They have been proven to be environmentally persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic to biota, and subject to long-range transport. Technical PBDE mixtures consist of congeners with different bromine content. HBCDs were consisting of three diasteroisomers (α-, β- and γ-HBCD) and these three isomers are chiral and occur as racemates in technical mixtures. Commercially available DP is a mixture of two stereo isomers: syn -DP and anti -DP. Inter- and intra-species differences on bioaccumulation of PBDEs, HBCDs, and DPs were observed in wildlife which could be attributed to species-specific differences in habitat, diet, contaminant metabolism, absorption and execution as well as different physical and chemical properties among different chemicals. The congener-specific accumulation for PBDEs, the diadtereoisomer and enantiomer-specific accumulation for HBCDs, and the isomer-specific accumulation for DPs in biota indicated the bioaccumulation of these three types of contaminants in biota are very complex processes. This review summarizes the species-specific bioaccumulation of PBDEs, HBCDs, and DPs in biota and analyzes the potential causes for this observation. The currently existing problems and needs for further research are also discussed.