Three decades (1983-2010) of contaminant trends in East Greenland polar bears (Ursus maritimus). Part 2: Brominated flame retardants

Brominated flame retardants were determined in adipose tissues from 294 polar bears (Ursus maritimus) sampled in East Greenland in 23 of the 28 years between 1983 and 2010. Significant linear increases were found for sum polybrominated diphenyl ether (Sigma PBDE), BDE100, BDE153, and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). Average increases of 5.0% per year (range: 2.9-7.6%/year) were found for the subadult polar bears. BDE47 and BDE99 concentrations did not show a significant linear trend over time, but rather a significant non-linear trend peaking between 2000 and 2004. The average Sigma PBDE concentrations increased 2.3 fold from 25.0 ng/g lw (95% Cl.: 153-34.7 ng/g lw) in 1983-1986 to 58.5 ng/g lw (95% C.I.: 43.6-73.4 ng/g lw) in 2006-2010. Similar but fewer statistically significant trends were found for adult females and adult males likely due to smaller sample size and years. Analyses of delta N-15 and delta C-13 stable isotopes in hair revealed no clear linear temporal trends in trophic level or carbon source, respectively, and non-linear trends differed among sex and age groups. These increasing concentrations of organobromine contaminants contribute to complex organohalogen mixture, already causing health effects to the East Greenland polar bears. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.