Effects of environmental exposure and diet on levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in eggs of a top predator in the North Atlantic in 1980 and 2008

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2011-05, Vol.159 (5), p.1222-1228
• Main Authors: Leat, Eliza H.K., Bourgeon, Sophie, Borgå, Katrine, Strøm, Hallvard, Hanssen, Sveinn A., Gabrielsen, Geir W., Petersen, Ævar, Olafsdottir, Kristin, Magnusdottir, Ellen, Fisk, Aaron T., Ellis, Sandra, Bustnes, Jan O., Furness, Robert W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adults; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Atlantic Ocean; Autoecology; Aves; Biological and medical sciences; breeding season; Charadriiformes - metabolism; DDE (pesticide); Diet; Eggs; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants - metabolism; Feeding; Fish; fish discards; Food Chain; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Great skua; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - metabolism; herring; Herrings; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - metabolism; Legacy; Mackerel; Marine; North Atlantic; Ovum - metabolism; Persistent organic pollutants; Pollutants; Scomber; Scotland; Seabird; seabirds; Skuas; Vertebrates: general zoology, morphology, phylogeny, systematics, cytogenetics, geographical distribution
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.01.036

Concentrations of POPs in Great skua eggs from Shetland are among the highest in North Atlantic seabirds, with up to 11,600 μg/kg (ww) DDE and up to 17,900 μg/kg ww ∑PCB. Concentrations of legacy POPs were significantly lower in 2008 than 1980. Decreases were greatest for least persistent compounds. Median ∑PBDEs increased from 99 μg/kg ww in 1980 to 173 μg/kg ww in 2008. There were changes in Great skua breeding season diet, with more adult Herring and Mackerel and less Sandeel. These changes increase exposure to POPs, since Herring and Mackerel accumulate more POPs than Sandeels. In both years, eggs with higher δ 15N had higher POP concentrations. In 1980, birds feeding more on demersal discard fish from trawl fisheries and less on Sandeels, had higher POP levels in eggs. In 2008, individuals feeding more on Herring and Mackerel, and less on discards, had higher POP levels in eggs. ► POP levels in Great skua eggs are among the highest in North Atlantic seabirds. ► Legacy POPs decreased from 1980 to 2008 but PBDEs increased. ► Decreases in legacy POPs were greatest for least persistent compounds. ► Levels in eggs varied between nests according to diets of individual females. ► Levels of POPs were influenced slightly by changes in diet between decades. Great skua eggs from Shetland show a decrease in legacy POPs and an increase in PBDEs between 1980 and 2008, and an influence of diet composition.