Determination of PCDDs, PCDFs, and PCBs in California peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) and their eggs

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Abstract
Levels of organochlorine compounds; polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including non‐ortho congeners; polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs); and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were determined in seven California peregrine falcon eggs (Falco peregrinus) collected from five sites between the years 1983 to 1988; one immature falcon was analyzed for PCDDs and PCDFs only. All of the identified PCDDs and PCDFs were 2,3,7,8‐substituted. The major PCDD and PCDF congeners identified in the eggs were 1,2,3,7,8‐pentachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (1,2,3,7,8‐PnCDD) at a geometric mean (mean) value of 11 ng/kg, 1,2,3,6,7,8‐hexachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (1,2,3,6,7,8‐HxCDD) at a mean value of 11 ng/kg, 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) at a mean value of 6.2 ng/kg, and 2,3,4,7,8‐pentachlorodibenzofuran (2,3,4,7,8‐PnCDF) at a level of 6.5 ng/kg. 2,3,7,8‐Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) was present at a mean value of 5.7 ng/kg. Values of p,p′‐DDE in the eggs ranged from 7,100 to 26,000 μg/kg, with a mean value of 12,000 μg/kg. ΣEPCB levels ranged from 1,400 to 13,000 μg/kg, with a mean value of 4,800 μg/kg. The mean values of the non‐ortho congeners 3,4,4′‐trichlorobiphenyl (PCB 37); 3,3′,4,4′‐tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77); 3,3′4,4′5‐pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126); and 3,3′4,4′,5,5′‐hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 169) were 0.18, 0.93, 1.0, and 0.14 μg/kg, respectively. TCDD equivalents (TEQs) were calculated for the mean values of PCDDs, PCDFs, and non‐ortho‐PCBs in the eggs. Total TEQs in the eggs was 120 ng/kg; PCB 126 accounted for 83% of the TEQs.

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