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Abstract:
The populations of American (Anguilla rostrata) and European eels
(Anguilla anguilla) have been declining rapidly in the last decades.
Organic contaminants are suspected to be one of the possible causes for
the decline; however, so far there have been few investigations of the
uptake of specific compounds by different life cycle stages (e.g.
freshwater or marine stage) and how the contamination patterns develop
throughout the eel's life cycle. In the present study we measured
concentrations of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), alternate
brominated flame retardants (alternate BFRs) and Dechloranes (Decs) in
different life stages of European and American eels to compare the
contamination patterns and their development throughout the eel's life
cycle.
In general, concentrations of flame retardants (FRs) were similar to or
higher in American than in European eels, and a greater number of FRs
were detected. PBDE congeners that are characteristic of the Penta-PBDE
formulation were the most abundant FRs in all adult eels as well as
American glass eels. In European glass eels the alternate BFR
2,3-dibromopropy1-2,4,6-tribromophenylether (DPTE) and Dechlorane Plus
were the dominating FRs, with average concentrations of 1.1 +/- 0.31 ng
g(-1) ww and up to 0.32 ng g(-1) ww respectively. Of the PBDEs BDE-183
was the most abundant congener in European glass eels. Low
concentrations (less than 10% of the total contamination) of Tetra and
Penta-PBDEs in juvenile European eels indicated that bans of technical
Penta-PBDE in the European Union are effective. Enrichment of PBDEs was
observed over the life stages of both European and American eels.
However, a greater relative contribution of PBDEs to the sum FR
contamination in American eels indicated an ongoing exposure to these
substances. High contributions of alternate BFRs in juvenile eels
indicated an increased use of these substances in recent years.
Concentrations seemed to be driven primarily by location, rather than
life stage or age. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
