PERSISTENT POLLUTANTS IN FISH-EATING SEA BIRDS - BIOACCUMULATION, METABOLISM AND EFFECTS

This review is concerned with sea birds of the orders Procellariformes, Pelecaniformes and Charadriformes which are specialised fish eaters. Data on persistent organochlorine residues in eggs and tissues of these species is summarised, making comparisons between species, geographical locations and years. Attention is focussed on pollutants that are strongly bioaccumulated, emphasising their molecular features. The capacity of the birds to metabolise xenobiotics is reviewed, and is related to the selective bioaccumulation of pollutants. Amongst the detoxication enzymes of sea birds, monooxygenases are particularly important in the metabolism of persistent organochlorine pollutants. The properties of these enzymes, and their inducibility are discussed. Evidence for lethal and sublethal effects of organochlorine compounds in the field is presented, and discussed in relation to possible effects on populations. The very wide range of pollutants found in sea birds raises questions about possible interactive effects of combinations of compounds. Recent developments in biochemistry and molecular biology have opened the way for the production of assay systems which can be used to monitor exposure to pollutants and toxic effects of pollutants under field conditions. © 1990.