A Significant Downturn in Levels of Hexabromocyclododecane in the Blubber of Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) Stranded or Bycaught in the UK: An Update to 2006

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Abstract

In an earlier paper, we reported data indicating a sharp increase in hexabromocyclododecane concentrations in the blubber of 85 harbor porpoises from the UK, from about 2001 onward. That time trend was evaluated using data from 1994-2003, generated on a diastereoisomer basis using LC-MS. In this paper we report additional data for 138 animals collected during 2003-2006. SigmaHBCD concentrations ranged from <10 to 11,500 microg kg(-1) wet weight (up to 12,800 microg kg(-1) lipid weight) and TBBP-A was not detected in any samples. The maximum SigmaHBCD concentration observed in this study was about half that seen in the earlier study (21,400 microg kg(-1) lipid weight) and, in both studies, the highest concentration was for an animal stranded or bycaught in 2003. Investigation of time trends confirmed a statistically significant increase between 2000 and 2001 (p < 0.01) and a statistically significant decrease between 2003 and 2004 (p < 0.05). Neither trend was confounded by age, sex, nutritional status, or location. Possible contributory factors to the observed decrease include the closure in 2003 of an HBCD manufacturing plant in NE England which had considerable emissions up to 2003, and two voluntary schemes intended to reduce emissions of HBCD to the environment from industry which, however, did not formally begin until 2006.

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