Tjelvar Odsjö

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in biological samples from the Swedish environment

Abstract Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, PBDE, are widespread contaminants in the Swedish environment and are present in both background and industrialised areas. This study presents results from analyses of a variety of species from different sampling sites in Sweden. The spatial trend along the Swedish coast is similar to that of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and the DDTs. PBDE seem to bio-magnify in fish consumers like grey seal and guillemot (egg). The relative amounts of the investigated tetra- and pentabrominated PBDE congeners are different in different species and in different areas. The importance of a sampling strategy when doing time-trend studies is demonstrated for guillemot eggs.

The need for adequate biological sampling in ecotoxicological investigations: a retrospective study of twenty years pollution monitoring

Abstract The measurement of concentrations of persistent bioaccumulating chemicals in ecological samples is an important tool in ecotoxicological science. It is important to consider the need for both chemical and biological precision when designing research programmes for studying environmental pollution. The balance between chemical and biological precision is discussed on the basis of a database from the Swedish Contaminant Programme covering the period 1969–1989. The negative consequences of the analysis of pooled samples instead of individual specimens are demonstrated. The importance of various biological parameters such as sampling sites, content of fat and age of the specimens analyzed is shown. The prerequisite of a sufficiently long lime-span and frequency of sampling in monitoring studies is shown.

Temporal trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and hexabromocyclododecane in milk from Stockholm mothers, 1980-2004.

Environmental and human exposures to brominated flame retardants (BFR) have been of emerging concern since some BFR are persistent and bioaccumulative compounds. Among those, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) have frequently been reported in low to high ng/g concentrations in human blood around the world while hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) only occasionally has been reported and then in the low ppb concentrations in human blood. The present study concerns PBDE congener and HBCDD concentrations in human milk from Stockholm from 1980 to 2004. HBCDD concentrations has increased four to five times since 1980 until 2002 but seems to have stabilized at this concentration in the last years (2003/04). Similarly, BDE-153 has continued to increase at least to 2001, after which it has stabilized in the mothers milk. Other PBDE congeners with four to five bromine substituents peaked 5 years earlier (1995) and are all decreasing. DecaBDE (BDE-209) is not a suitable biomarker for time trend studies according to the present results, showing no changes over time. This is likely due to its short apparent half-life in humans and poor transfer from blood to milk.

Time-related factors influence the concentrations of sDDT, PCBs and shell parameters in eggs of Baltic guillemot (Uria aalge), 1861–1989

Three hundred and nine eggs of guillemot (Uria aalge) have been used to study the time trends in DDT and PCB pollution of the Baltic during the period 1969–1989. As a comparison, herring (Clupea harengus) from the Baltic have been used. Eggshell thickness has been studied in 370 eggs collected between 1861–1989. The inter-relationships between various morphological and chemical parameters were studied with respect to the date of egglaying (first-laid eggs and replacement eggs) and year of collection. The following morphological and chemical parameters have been studied: weight, length and breadth of eggs; weight, thickness, thickness index and density index of eggshells; fat content and concentrations of sDDT and PCBs in the eggs. sDDT and PCBs concentrations have decreased in the Baltic since the 1970s. Eggshell thickness is significantly lower in recent material compared to historical material collected before 1946; it has increased since the 1970s but is still lower than before 1946. Compared to the first-laid eggs, replacement eggs had significantly lower values for morphological data. The concentrations of sDDT and PCBs were significantly higher in replacement eggs. Fat content was similar in the two groups. The results show that date of egglaying has to be considered in monitoring studies and that such considerations will improve the interpretation of data and reduce the number of samples needed.

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.

The Swedish Environmental Specimen Bank--application in trend monitoring of mercury and some organohalogenated compounds.

The Environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) at the Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, constitutes a base for ecotoxicological research as well as for spatial and trend monitoring of contaminants in Swedish fauna. Since the 1960s, tissue samples from more than 150000 organisms have been collected from different groups of animals, habitats and types of landscape. Samples from the ESB have been utilized for retrospective studies of trace elements, organohalogenated compounds and radionuclides. Among many matrices utilized, eggs of guillemot (Uria aalge) have proven to be an appropriate matrix for assessment of the contamination of the Baltic Sea. Results from time trend studies based on this material showing trends in concentrations of DDT, PCB, PCDD/F, and mercury are presented in this paper.

Decreasing lead levels in Swedish biota revealed by 36 years (1969-2004) of environmental monitoring.

Since the 1980s, lead levels decreased significantly in most marine biota from the Baltic Sea, the Kattegatt and the Skagerrack and in terrestrial biota from south and central Sweden, analysed in the National Swedish Environmental Monitoring Programme. In herring and cod liver, the decrease was 4.2-7.1% annually 1981-2003 and in perch liver and guillemot eggs analysed since the middle of the 1990s the decrease was 10-13%. In kidneys of young starlings from south and central Sweden, lead levels decreased 6.2-12% annually and the annual decrease in liver and kidney from young moose was 8.8% and 6.5%, respectively. In northern Sweden, lead levels decreased in pike liver by 2.8% between 1969 and 1994 and in reindeer liver by 3.5% annually while a significant increase (5% annually 1981-1994) has been detected in arctic char. In some marine biota, there were indications of a larger decrease during the last ten years compared to the whole period. The large decline in lead emission to the atmosphere during the last twenty years, mainly because of decreasing use of leaded gasoline has obviously resulted in decreasing lead levels in biota.

Temporal trends of PCC in guillemot eggs from the Baltic

Abstract Pooled samples of homogenized Guillemot eggs from 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1987 and ten individual eggs for each of the two years, 1976 and 1989 have been analyzed for PCC with GC-ECD and GC-MS in the ECNI mode. Regression analysis on PCC concentrations versus sampling year, using the results obtained in GC-ECD analyses based on pooled egg samples and the mean values of the egg samples from 1976 and 1989 respectively, revealed a significant (p

The Swedish Environmental Specimen Bank with reference to the National Contaminant Monitoring Programme in Sweden

The environmental Specimen Bank (ESB) at the Swedish Museum of Natural History constitutes the base for the National Contaminant Monitoring Programme in Sweden. This is a part of the Swedish Environmental Monitoring Programme (PMK). Since the beginning of the 1960s more than 120,000 organisms have been collected and stored in the Swedish ESB. The present PMK-programme started in 1978 under the authority of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The present paper gives a brief presentation of main types of material and species annually collected for storage in the Swedish ESB, with special reference to the Contaminant Monitoring Programme.

Coordination of environmental specimen banking in the Nordic countries, its mission and strategy

Under the authority of the Nordic Council of Ministers and their Working Group for Environmental Monitoring, a project for coordination of environmental specimen banking in the Nordic countries started in 1991. The project covers the established and planned central environmental specimen banks in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. The aim of the project is to coordinate and harmonize procedures and methods used in specimen banking such as, collection of material, transport, preparation and storage. In order to increase the possibilities for future international cooperation in monitoring and ecotoxicological scientific work, the Project Group will form the strategy for the continuing work in the Nordic countries. The Project Group will propose adaptation to commonly utilized methods for morphometric measurements of specimens and collection of some common species for future monitoring. The national responsibility for specimen banking in an international perspective will be emphasized.