Spatial distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polybrominated biphenyls in lake trout from the Laurentian Great Lakes

Concentrations of two types of brominated flame-retardants (BFRs); polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) were determined in a single age class of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) collected from the Laurentian Great Lakes in 1997. Mean concentrations of total PBDE were highest in samples from Lake Ontario at 95±22 ng/g wet weight (ww) or 434±100 ng/g lipid weight (lw) while the lowest concentrations were observed in Lake Erie lake trout (27±8.6 ng/gww, 117±37 ng/glw). In all samples, the predominant PBDE congeners 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 the primary components of the commonly used penta-BDE formulation flame retardant. Lake trout collected from Lake Huron had the highest concentrations of PBBs (3.1±1.7 ng/gww, 15±8.5 ng/glw), while the lowest levels were detected in fish from Lake Superior (0.25±0.13 ng/gww, 1.7±0.89 ng/glw). In all lake trout samples, 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl (BB-153), a major constituent of the flame-retardant FireMaster BP-6®, was the predominant PBB congener.