Trouts as freshwater sentinel for polybrominated diphenyl ethers: an overview of biologic factors and spatial distribution patterns

JUAN MANUEL RIOS; LANA, N.B.; BERTON, P.; NÉSTOR F. CIOCCO; JORGELINA C. ALTAMIRANO

La Plata, Buenos Aires

Congreso; VI Congreso Argentino de Limnología; 2014

Instituto de limnología Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a group of compounds used as flame retardants in polymeric products available for domestic and industrial uses. PBDEs are released from the polymeric interstices along its useful life, and after final disposal. Despite their technological benefits, PBDEs are considered a threat for wild environment and human health due to their persistence, toxicity, and accumulation capability. These pollutants have been found geographically widespread in fish species, as well as other environmental samples. Trout was reported as a suitable organism for monitoring PBDEs levels in freshwater due to their food habits. The aim of this work is to critically review the application and usefulness of wild trout as tool for monitoring PBDEs in freshwater environments. Analyzed reports include data from anthropized areas as well as from remote regions, including European and North American´s Great Lakes, European freshwater environments, subarctic areas and northern Patagonia, respectively. Critical factors were grouped in organism-specific factors (sex, size, weight, lipid, tissue type and food habits) and PBDE levels in surrounding environment. Data were analyzed using a principal component analysis. Five wild trouts species [Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Brown trout (Salmo trutta), Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), and Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)], worldwide collected within the time frame 1994-present, were considered. Results indicate that trout tissues from European and North American´s Great Lakes have the highest PBDEs loads. This pattern could be in accordance to high industrial activities at these locations. Brown (Salmo trutta) and Lake (Salvelinus namaycush) trout reported the highest PBDE levels along the considered wild trout species. Both species tend to feed higher in the food web and grow to be larger individuals. Preliminary results suggest that wild freshwater trout could be useful as PBDEs bioindicator.