TY - JOUR
T1 - Absorption of decabromodiphenyl ether and other organohalogen chemicals by grey seals (Halichoerus grypus)
AU - Thomas, Gareth O.
AU - Moss, Simon E.W.
AU - Asplund, Lillemor
AU - Hall, Ailsa J.
PY - 2005/2/1
Y1 - 2005/2/1
N2 - An input-output balance study was performed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls and some organochlorine pesticides on three captive, juvenile grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). The animals were fed a diet of herring for six months, during the last three months of which this study was performed. A supplement of decabromodiphenyl ether was included in the diet during the second month of the study. Consistently high absorption (>89%) was observed for all of the chemicals studied, whereas work on other animals has generally shown high (>80%) net absorption at log K OW < ∼6, dropping towards higher log K OW, and very low absorption of decabromodiphenyl ether. The half-life of decabromodiphenyl ether in blood was estimated to be between 8.5 and 13 days. Measurable concentrations of decabromodiphenyl ether were detected in seal blubber at the end of the study, indicating that this chemical can be stored in adipose and may bioaccumulate. Current understanding of the mechanism of absorption of organohalogen chemicals and the potential for accumulation of decabromodiphenyl ether will need reassessing in the light of these results. Decabromodiphenyl ether is absorbed effectively from the diet by grey seals, and can be stored in the blubber even after exposure ceases.
AB - An input-output balance study was performed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers, polychlorinated biphenyls and some organochlorine pesticides on three captive, juvenile grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). The animals were fed a diet of herring for six months, during the last three months of which this study was performed. A supplement of decabromodiphenyl ether was included in the diet during the second month of the study. Consistently high absorption (>89%) was observed for all of the chemicals studied, whereas work on other animals has generally shown high (>80%) net absorption at log K OW < ∼6, dropping towards higher log K OW, and very low absorption of decabromodiphenyl ether. The half-life of decabromodiphenyl ether in blood was estimated to be between 8.5 and 13 days. Measurable concentrations of decabromodiphenyl ether were detected in seal blubber at the end of the study, indicating that this chemical can be stored in adipose and may bioaccumulate. Current understanding of the mechanism of absorption of organohalogen chemicals and the potential for accumulation of decabromodiphenyl ether will need reassessing in the light of these results. Decabromodiphenyl ether is absorbed effectively from the diet by grey seals, and can be stored in the blubber even after exposure ceases.
KW - BDE209
KW - Bioavailability
KW - Fish
KW - Marine foodchain
KW - PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls)
KW - Polybrominated diphenylethers
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=7444220698&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.envpol.2004.06.011
DO - 10.1016/j.envpol.2004.06.011
M3 - Article
C2 - 15519732
AN - SCOPUS:7444220698
SN - 0269-7491
VL - 133
SP - 581
EP - 586
JO - Environmental Pollution
JF - Environmental Pollution
IS - 3
ER -