Spatial and temporal distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) from the Great Lakes

Abstract

To examine the spatial and temporal distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (Br1-Br7) in biota from the Great Lakes, lake trout ('Salvelinus namaycush' W) were analysed by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The spatial analysis was performed using lake trout collected from Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario in 1997. The temporal trend was based on take trout samples collected from Lake Ontario between 1978 and 1998. PBDE concentrations were higher in lake trout from Lake Ontario at 434 ± 100 ng/g lipid weight (lw) in comparison to Lakes Superior (392 ± 159 ng/g lw), Huron (251 ± 98 ng/g lw), and Erie (117 ± 37 ng/g lw). The PBDE concentrations in lake trout from Lake Ontario increased from 2.8 ± 1.2 ng/g lw in 1978 to 919 ± 225 ng/g lw in 1998. In all samples, the predominant PBDE congeners detected were 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99), and 2,2',4,4',6-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-100), which are also the main components in a commercial PBDE flame-retardant. Together these data demonstrate that PBDEs are ubiquitous pollutants bioaccumulating in the Great Lakes.