Sex- and size-dependent accumulation of Dechlorane Plus flame retardant in a wild frog-eating snake Amphiesma stolata. (15th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Jiang-Ping; Li, Xiao; Tao, Lin; Nie, You-Tian; Feng, Wen-Lu; Xu, Ya-Chun; Zeng, Yan-Hong; Luo, Xiao-Jun; Mai, Bi-Xian
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 297(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03-15
• Subjects: Dechlorane Plus -- Snake -- Bioaccumulation -- Trophic transfer -- E-waste; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118793
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Despite several studies having addressed the bioaccumulation of Dechlorane Plus (DP) flame retardant in wildlife, there is still a dearth of information for reptiles in general and for snakes in particular. Here, we report the residue levels and trophic transfer of syn -, anti -, and anti -Cl11 -DP in a frog-eating snake—namely, the striped keelback snake Amphiesma stolata —from a DP hotspot in South China. The concentrations of syn -, anti -, and anti -Cl11 -DP in A. stolata ranged from 1.06–21.2, 2.13–21.5, and 0.16–10.6 ng/g lipid weight, respectively, with significantly higher levels in males compared with females. Statistical analysis showed that the concentrations of these chemicals were negatively correlated with body sizes (length and mass) of the snake. The fractional abundance of anti -DP ( f anti ) did not significantly differ either between the sexes or between A. stolata and its diet (i.e., frogs). However, f anti showed positive correlations with the snake's body size and negative correlations with ∑DP concentrations (summed concentrations of syn - and anti -DP), indicating that body size and DP residue levels are important factors influencing DP isomeric profiles in these snakes. Biomagnification factors estimated based on the relationship between A. stolata and frogs were 0.49 ± 0.01 (mean ± SE), 0.44 ± 0.09, and 1.79 ± 0.54 for syn -, anti -, and anti -Cl11 -DP, respectively, suggesting trophic dilution of syn - and anti -DP and a mild biomagnification of anti -Cl11 -DP from frogs to snakes. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Male snakes contained significantly higher levels of DP than females. DP residue levels in the snakes were negatively correlated with their body size. DP isomeric profiles did not differ significantly between the snakes and frogs. A mild biomagnification of anti -Cl11 -DP from frogs to snakes. First report on sex- and size-dependent accumulation of DP in snakes.