2003 Volume 13 Issue 3 Pages 765-779
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and coplanar PCBs (Co-PCBs) in ten species of wild birds collected from Japan were analyzed. The results revealed that the concentrations and homologue / isomer profiles were speciesspecific, featuring with their unique habitats and feeding habits. The rank of residue levels of PCDD/Fs and Co-PCBs were following : granivore ≅ omnivore < carnivore ≅ piscivore < predator, and suggested that persistent and toxic isomers tend to bioaccumulate selectively increasing with a trophic level. PCDD/Fs predominantly contributed to TEQ in species whose food source mainly depended on the terrestrial ecosystem, while Co-PCBs in species on the aquatic ecosystem, implying the contamination pattern vary according to habitats. The result of cluster analysis using the profile data of PCDD/Fs isomer or TEQ contribution considerably corresponded to the classification by each ecological characteristic. TEQ levels in wild birds from Japan analyzed in this study were within the range of those from other countries. However, raptors at the top of terrestrial food chain showed the elevated level among species, thus the result emphasizes it is necessary to elucidate the exposure route in their ecosystem.
