Bioaccumulation of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Alternative Halogenated Flame Retardants in a Vegetation-Caribou-Wolf Food Chain of the Canadian Arctic

Environ Sci Technol. 2018 Mar 6;52(5):3136-3145. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b04890. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Abstract

The trophodynamics of halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative HFRs were investigated in the terrestrial, vegetation-caribou-wolf food chain in the Bathurst Region of northern Canada. The greatest concentrations in vegetation (geometric mean of lichens, moss, grasses, willow, and mushrooms) were of the order 2,4,6-tribromophenyl allyl ether (TBP-AE) (10 ng g-1 lw) > BDE47 (5.5 ng g-1 lw) > BDE99 (3.9 ng g-1 lw) > BDE100 (0.82 ng g-1 lw) > 1,2,3,4,5-pentabromobenzene (PBBz) (0.72 ng g-1 lw). Bioconcentration among types of vegetation was consistent, though it was typically greatest in rootless vegetation (lichens, moss). Biomagnification was limited in mammals; only BDE197, BDE206-208 and ∑PBDE biomagnified to caribou from vegetation [biomagnification factors (BMFs) = 2.0-5.1]. Wolves biomagnified BDE28/33, BDE153, BDE154, BDE206, BDE207, and ∑PBDE significantly from caribou (BMFs = 2.9-17) but neither mammal biomagnified any alternative HFRs. Only concentrations of BDE28/33, BDE198, nonaBDEs, and ∑PBDE increased with trophic level, though the magnitude of biomagnification was low relative to legacy, recalcitrant organochlorine contaminants [trophic magnification factors (TMFs) = 1.3-1.8]. Despite bioaccumulation in vegetation and mammals, the contaminants investigated here exhibited limited biomagnification potential and remained at low parts per billion concentrations in wolves.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arctic Regions
  • Canada
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Flame Retardants*
  • Food Chain
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
  • Reindeer*
  • Wolves*

Substances

  • Flame Retardants
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers