Persistent organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Greenland environment - Long-term temporal changes and effects on eggs of a bird of prey

The project studied the long-term time trend of brominated flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) eggs. Furthermore, possible effects of the contamination on the eggshell thickness were investigated using multivariate statistical methods. The contamination profile of the eggs was dominated by PCBs and organochlorine pesticides, but the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), including the fully brominated congener BDE-209, were also found in all eggs analysed. All compound groups were found at very high concentrations, reaching median summed concentrations of 55 µg/g lw for PCBs. Indications of an increase in PBDE concentrations during the last 17 years were found, while concentrations of organochlorine compounds seemed to decrease or remain constant. The correlation coefficient between the concentration and the eggshell thickness was negative, indicating a negative influence of the contaminants on the eggshell thickness. Thus, it has not been possible to identify remarkable improvement in the ecotoxicological pressure on the peregrine falcons during the period of investigation.