1 research outputs found
Assimilation Efficiency of PBDE Congeners in Chinook Salmon
Polybrominated
diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants are environmental
contaminants that can accumulate in biota. PBDE accumulation in an
organism depends on exposure, assimilation efficiency, and elimination/metabolism.
Net assimilation efficiency represents the fraction of the contaminant
that is retained in the organism after exposure. In the present study,
congener-specific estimates of net PBDE assimilation efficiencies
were calculated from dietary exposures of juvenile Chinook salmon.
The fish were exposed to one to eight PBDE congeners up to 1500 ng
total PBDEs/g food. Mean assimilation efficiencies varied from 0.32
to 0.50 for BDE congeners 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, and 154. The assimilation
efficiency of BDE49 was significantly greater than 100%, suggesting
biotransformation from higher brominated congeners. Whole body concentrations
of BDE49 significantly increased with both exposure to increasing
concentrations of BDE99 and decreasing fish lipid levels, implying
lipid-influenced debromination of BDE99 to BDE49. Excluding BDE49,
PBDE assimilation efficiency was not significantly related to the
numbers of congeners in the diets, or congener hydrophobicity, but
was greater in foods with higher lipid levels. Estimates of PBDE assimilation
efficiency can be used in bioaccumulation models to assess threats
from PBDE exposure to Chinook salmon health and recovery efforts,
as well as to their predators