East versus West: Organic contaminant differences in brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) eggs from South Carolina, USA and the Gulf of California, Mexico

► This was the first known analysis of BDEs in the Gulf of California (GofCA). ► Brown pelicans in southeast U.S. (SC) and GofCA have different population trends. ► GofCA eggs had higher levels of lower brominated BDEs than SC; patterns also varied. ► PCBs, chlordanes, dieldrin and mirex were greater in SC eggs; DDTs and HCHs were lower.