Dechlorane plus and related compounds in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) eggs from Canada and Spain

Environ Sci Technol. 2011 Feb 15;45(4):1284-90. doi: 10.1021/es103333j. Epub 2011 Jan 11.

Abstract

Concentrations of Mirex, Dechlorane (Dec) Plus (DP), Dec 602, Dec 603, and Dec 604 were significantly higher in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) eggs from Canada than Spain, with the former having the only measurable concentrations of the dechlorinated DP products, decachloropentacyclooctadecadiene (aCl10DP) and undecachloropentacyclooctadecadiene (aCl11DP). Large variations also occurred in the in ovo concentrations of the DP monoadduct, DPMA. This is the first study to report the accumulation and metabolism of DP by peregrines, both DP and dechloranes in European biota, as well as dechloranes in a terrestrial organism and one at the top of the food web. The geographical differences in the measured in ovo concentrations reflect local exposure of the adult peregrines on their breeding grounds, likely differences in diet of the adults, the production of DP on the Niagara River, and the greater use of Mirex and dechloranes as flame retardants in North America than Europe.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Canada
  • Eggs*
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Environmental Pollutants / metabolism
  • Falconiformes / metabolism*
  • Flame Retardants / analysis*
  • Flame Retardants / metabolism
  • Food Chain
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / analysis*
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / metabolism
  • Mirex / metabolism
  • Polycyclic Compounds / analysis*
  • Polycyclic Compounds / metabolism
  • Spain

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Flame Retardants
  • Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated
  • Polycyclic Compounds
  • dechlorane 602
  • dechlorane 603
  • dechlorane 604
  • dechlorane plus
  • Mirex