How much do PCB toxic equivalents account for PHAH toxicity in predatory birds?

Pereira, M. Gloria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3740-0019; Murk, A.J.; Van den Berg, H; Walker, Lee A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1471-7075; Shore, Richard F.. 2014 How much do PCB toxic equivalents account for PHAH toxicity in predatory birds? Environmental Pollution, 193. 240-246. 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.07.004

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.07.004

Abstract/Summary

Various diffuse polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs) exert common toxicity through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Apex predators spatially and temporally integrate diffuse contamination and simultaneous exposure can cause additive toxicity. We investigated the extent to which PCBs, still amongst the most prevalent PHAHs accumulated by predators, accounted for total PHAH toxicity in raptors and fish eating birds from Britain. We analysed egg or liver extracts from six species and compared chemically determined ΣPCB-TEQs concentrations with total AhR-mediated toxicity determined using the chemical-activated luciferase gene expression bioassay (CALUX-TEQ). Dioxin-like PCB profiles in eggs and livers were dominated by congeners 118, 105 and 167. ΣPCB-TEQ and CALUX-TEQ concentrations were positively associated but not in a 1:1 relationship. ΣPCB-TEQ were broadly similar to CALUX-TEQ concentrations in eggs and livers with CALUX-TEQ concentrations >50–80 and 160–320 pg g−1 lipid respectively, but were lower than CALUX-TEQ concentrations in less contaminated samples.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1016/j.envpol.2014.07.004
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore
ISSN:	0269-7491
Additional Keywords:	dioxin-like PCBs, TEQs, Ah receptor, CALUX-assay, sparrowhawk, kestrel, herons, gannet, merlin, peregrine falcon
NORA Subject Terms:	Zoology
Date made live:	07 Aug 2014 15:32 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/508033

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

10.1016/j.envpol.2014.07.004

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Shore

ISSN:

0269-7491

Additional Keywords:

dioxin-like PCBs, TEQs, Ah receptor, CALUX-assay, sparrowhawk, kestrel, herons, gannet, merlin, peregrine falcon

NORA Subject Terms:

Zoology