Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in eggshells of the Southern Ground-hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) and Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) in South Africa

摘要

This study was undertaken to assess the levels of eight PBDE congeners, namely: PBDE-17, 47, 100, 99,154, 153, 183 and 209 in eggshells of Southern Ground-Hornbill (SGH) Bucorvus leadbeateri and WattledCrane (WC) Bugeranus carunculatus obtained from different nesting sites within the eastern savanna ofLimpopo Province and the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, respectively. Analyses were performed usinggas chromatography–mass spectrometry employing the electron impact ionization technique. The resultsobtained indicated that the lower brominated congeners were predominant in both species. The totalPBDEs ranged between not detected (ND) to 264 lg g 1 lipid weight and 5.98–7146 lg g 1 lipid weightin the SGH and WC samples, respectively. More so, the mean recoveries of the 13C-labelled surrogatestandards ranged between 40% (PBDE-100) and 136% (PBDE-99). The potential hazards to these birdsvia PBDEs exposure were evaluated by determining the hazard quotients (HQs) by employing theestablished Lowest Observed Effect Level (LOEL) values associated with impaired pipping and hatchingsuccess as well as that associated with impaired reproduction. HQs values varying from 0.58 to 0.94and 27.71 to 45.27, respectively were obtained for SGH and WC species. This implies that the SGHpopulations are exposed to low to moderate hazards, while the WC populations are susceptible to highhazards. Considering the potential threats posed by PBDEs, particularly to the WC species, it is likely thatexposure to the current environmental levels of PBDEs by these birds may contribute to their reducedbreeding success and declining population trends.