Dechlorane Plus flame retardant in terrestrial raptors from northern China

While a number of studies have addressed the environmental presence and behavior of the Dechlorane Plus (DP) flame retardant, there is still a dearth of information in terrestrial ecosystems. The present study revealed that median ∑DP (including anti- and syn-DP isomers) concentrations ranged from 10 to 810 ng/g lipid weight in muscle and liver tissues of six terrestrial raptor species collected in 2004–2006 from Beijing, China. Some concentrations rival the greatest DP burdens ever reported in global wildlife. Significant, positive correlations were observed between fanti (concentration ratio of anti-isomer to ∑DP) and ∑DP concentrations in the Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) tissues. These results suggested that the DP burdens could be substantially driven by the accumulation of the anti-isomer in terrestrial birds. The tissue-specific accumulation of DP further suggested that factors (e.g., hepatic binding enzymes) other than lipid solubility could be important in determining tissue deposition of DP.

► This is one of the few studies addressing DP exposure in terrestrial ecosystems.
► We report the highest DP burdens (3820 ng/g lw) ever observed in global wildlife.
► Results indicate substantial bioaccumulation of DP in Chinese terrestrial raptors.
► Results suggest heightened DP exposure in China's biggest metropolitan regions.
► Factors other than lipid solubility are also important in tissue deposition of DP.