Peter Lindberg

Polybrominated diphenyl ether congener patterns, hexabromocyclododecane, and brominated biphenyl 153 in eggs of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) breeding in Sweden

Previous analyses of 52 peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) eggs collected from two wild and one captive population in Sweden 1987 through 1999 were complemented by including additional polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners (BDE-35, -183, -184, -185, -196, -197, -203, and -207). In addition, 31 eggs not previously analyzed for hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and BDE-209 were analyzed for these. Geometric mean concentrations of BPBDEs, HBCD, and the hexabrominated biphenyl (BB-153) were 3,100, 140, and 81 ng/g of lipid weight for the southern population; 2,500, 110, and 84 ng/g of lipid weight for the northern population; and 47, not detected, and 8 ng/g of lipid weight for the captive population. The BDE congener pattern was dominated by BDE-153, -99, and -100. The results were used to investigate whether a difference in PBDE congener pattern could be distinguished between the two wild populations of peregrine falcons due to different diets, as the southern population preys mainly on birds belonging to the terrestrial food chain while the northern population preys more on aquatic birds. A multivariate t-test showed a subtle but significant (p < 0.001) difference in PBDE congener pattern between the two populations. However, our hypothesis that higher-brominated congeners of PBDEs would be present to a greater extent in the terrestrial food chain was not supported by principal component analysis. The average brood size for individual females from the southern population decreased with increasing concentrations of IPBDE in the eggs (log-linear regression p < 0.01).

Mercury levels in feathers of peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus compared with total mercury content in some of its prey species in Sweden

Abstract Mercury levels in feathers of adult and nestling peregrines in Fennoscandia between 1971 and 1978 were determined by the neutron activation method. In order to study bioaccumulation in a peregrine food chain, a sample of the main prey species was analysed. Peregrines in northern Fennoscandia had significantly higher levels of mercury (adults x 17·6 ppm, nestling x 8·31 ppm) than falcons in southern Sweden (adults x 9·95 ppm, nestling x 2·79 ppm). This was associated with a higher proportion of aquatic bird species in the diet of the northern falcons. Migrant waders were most contaminated and within this group a correlation was found between trophic levels and accumulation. Terrestrial birds such as the willow grouse and pigeon had low levels. We estimated the average level of mercury in the pectoral muscle of prey in northern Sweden to be 0·203 ppm and in southern Sweden to be 0·066 ppm. The ratio in peregrine nestling in southern and northern Sweden was 1:2·96, which is in agreement with the levels observed in the food chain. Mercury levels in nestlings were lower than in their parents, probably because of the shorter exposure time. A sequential primary rectrix analysis gave a negative correlation between level and time. The successive decrease in levels could be explained by excretion of mercury in connection with the seasonal moult and/or to a shift to less contaminated prey species (juveniles) during the breeding season. Mercury levels have decreased significantly in both prey species and peregrines in Sweden during 1971–1977 compared with the period 1940–1966 when alkyl mercury was used as a seed dressing. The use of alkyl mercury was probably one of the factors behind the population decline of the peregrine in Sweden.

Temporal trends of perfluorinated surfactants in Swedish peregrine falcon eggs (Falco peregrinus), 1974-2007.

Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are today known to be globally distributed environmental contaminants. In the present study, concentrations of PFAS were analyzed in Swedish peregrine falcon eggs (Falco peregrinus), collected between 1974 and 2007. Analytes included in the study were perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCAs; carbon chain lengths C6-C15), perfluorinated sulfonates (PFSAs; C4, C6, C8, and C10), and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA). The predominant PFAS was perfluorooctane sulfonate, PFOS (83 ng/g wet weight (w wt) mean concentration in samples from 2006), followed by perfluorotridecanoate, PFTriA (7.2 ng/g w wt) and perfluoroundecanoate, PFUnA (4.2 ng/g w wt). PFCA concentrations increased exponentially over the studied time. In contrast, concentrations of PFOS and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) increased initially but leveled off after the mid 1980s. This is different from previously observed temporal trends in marine organisms. The present study is the first to establish temporal trends for PFAS in terrestrial biota. The results indicate potential differences between marine and terrestrial biota regarding sources of PFAS exposure and response to emission changes. The toxicological implications of PFAS exposure for the falcons are not known, but according to recent findings impaired hatching success and sublethal toxicological effects from PFOS exposure in the Swedish peregrine falcon cannot be ruled out.

Temporal trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and hexabromocyclododecane in Swedish Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinus) eggs

A temporal trend study of brominated flame retardants in eggs from peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinus), a terrestrial bird of prey, is presented. Eggs collected between 1974 and 2007 were analyzed for the major constituents of the Penta-, Octa- and Decabromodiphenyl ether technical products (BDE-47, -99, -100, -153, -183 and -209), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). Concentrations of BDE-99, -100, -153, -183, -209 and HBCD increased from 1974 to 2000. After the early 2000s, BDE-99, -100, -153 and -183 concentrations decreased, whereas BDE-209 and HBCD concentrations continued to increase. No temporal trend was detected for BDE-47. Rates of increase also differed, with BDE-99 and -100 increasing 3-fold between the 1980s and mid-1990s, and BDE-153 and -183 increasing approximately 10-fold during the same period. The average yearly increase was 15% and 11% for BDE-209 and HBCD, respectively, based on log-linear regression trends. There is a change in BDE congener patterns over time, with a shift from the predominance of BDE-99 and -47 until the late 1980s, to BDE-153 becoming the predominant congener later on. BFR temporal trends in Swedish peregrine falcon eggs reflect European BFR usage patterns.

Residue levels of polychlorobiphenyls, ΣDDT, and mercury in bird species commonly preyed upon by the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus Tunst.) in Sweden

The levels of polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), ΣDDT, and total mercury were analyzed in samples of common prey species of the peregrine falcon in two falcon territories, one in northern and one in southern Sweden. Resident and herbivorous prey species showed low residue levels, while elevated levels were found in birds feeding on animals in aquatic habitats. According to biomass, waders accounted for most of the mercury and ΣDDT in the diet of the northern falcons, while the blackheaded gulls had this role in southern Sweden.During the breeding season, the peregrines in northern Sweden were exposed to significantly higher levels of ΣDDT and Hg than the southern peregrines. The estimated average residue levels (based on breast muscles) in the diet were in northern Sweden 0.26 ppm ΣDDT, 0.47 ppm PCB and 0.20 ppm Hg wet-weight. Corresponding figures for southern Sweden were 0.17 ppm ΣDDT, 0.53 ppm PCB and 0.07 ppm Hg.The organochlorine levels in a sample of peregrine eggs were higher than expected from contaminant levels in the diet. It is possible that the main accumulation of pesticides occurs on wintering grounds in western Europe for the Fennoscandian peregrines.