Preliminary study of long-range transport of halogenated flame retardants using Antarctic marine mammals

Eight PBDE congeners, three emerging brominated flame retardants, five dechloranes and eight MeO-PBDEs were monitored in tissues (muscular, adipose, brain) and fur of southern elephant seal and Antarctic fur seal of the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula. Total PBDEs and total dechloranes concentrations ranged between n.d.–6 ng/g lw. While PBDEs were not detected in brain tissue, Dec 602 was found in brain tissue of both seal species indicating that dechloranes —with potential neurological toxicity— could cross the blood-brain barrier. Emerging brominated flame retardants were not detected in any sample and only two MeO-PBDEs, which are of natural origin, were found. The presence of the detected compounds in biota from the Antarctic evidences their long-range transportation, being of special interest the detection of emerging compounds such as dechloranes. This is the first time that these contaminants have been detected in marine mammals from the Antarctic. BDE-47 concentrations were lower than previously reported for the same species, suggesting a successful effect of the existing regulation and bans on PBDEs. Capsule abstract: Halogenated flame retardants were in tissues of Antarctic seals proving long-range transport. Dechloranes showed similar behaviour to PBDEs, additionally they crossed the BBB. © 2018 Elsevier B.V.