HBCDs in the top predator Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) from Greenland seawaters

Introduction Hexabromocyclododecane (1,2,5,6,9,10-hexabromocyclododecane, HBCD) is a brominated flame retardant (BFR) consisting of 16 possible isomers, three of them (α-, β-and γ-HBCD) are the main components in the commercial mixtures 1. The Greenland shark Somniosus microcephalus is a top predator and the long-lived vertebrate known, with an average life span of at least 272 years 2. In general, its biology and ecotoxicology are poorly understood 3. Considering that S. microcephalus is an opportunistic, extremely long-lived and slow-growing top-predator 2 , it is prone to bioaccumulate high concentrations of organohalogen contaminants (OCs) such as BFRs in its tissues 3. The aims of this study were to: (a) assess the HBCD concentrations in muscle samples of S. microcephalus from Greenland seawaters and (b) to investigate whether HBCD concentration is correlated to lipid content, gender, and age.