Toxic assessment of PCBs by the 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalent in common cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) from Japan

Common cormorants collected from three colonies and their fish diet were analyzed for PCB congeners and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TEQs) were estimated. The highest total PCBs (40 mu g/g wet weight) found in adult cormorants from Shinobazu Pond located in Central Tokyo, was sevenfold higher than that from Lake Biwa. IUPAC 153 was the most abundant congener in adults and eggs, whereas IUPAC 28 + 31 was higher in some chicks and exhibited growth-related congeneric enrichment. The estimated metabolic index (MI) for PCB congeners revealed that mono- and non-ortho coplanars had higher bioaccumulation in cormorant liver and were expected to cause toxic effects. Among non-ortho coplanars, IUPAC 126 was predominant, and total non-ortho coplanars and TEQs in cormorants were threefold higher in Shinobazu Pond than those from Lake Biwa. The non-ortho IUPAC 126 contributed a higher portion to the total TEQs followed by IUPAC 105 and IUPAC 77. The hepatic IUPAC 169/126 ratio increased significantly with TEQs, implying a potential induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes in Shinobazu Pond cormorants. Based on the available data, PCB contamination in cormorants is enough to pose sublethal effects, especially in Shinobazu Pond and Godaiba Island, Tokyo, Japan. This could be a reason for recently observed high chick and juvenile mortality in those colonies in Tokyo.