Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 7, 2026

Thermal Imaging to Study Stress Non-invasively in Unrestrained Birds
Published on: November 6, 2015
Accumulation and exposure assessment of persistent chlorinated and fluorinated contaminants in Korean birds
Mandana Barghi1, Xiangzi Jin1, Sunggyu Lee1
1Department of Marine Science and Convergence Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
To date, information is scarce on the accumulation and potential risks of persistent chlorinated and fluorinated contaminants in birds. In this study, organohalogen contaminants (OHCs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), were measured in the liver tissues of 10 bird species (n = 69) from Korea. Among the OHCs, PFASs showed the highest concentration, ranging from 5.40 to 11,300 (median: 294) ng/g wet weight. The median concentrations of OCPs and PCBs in all the bird samples were 147 and 81.9 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. The maximum concentration of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) observed in our bird samples was highest reported so far. Concentrations of OHCs in predatory birds were significantly greater than those measured in non-predatory birds, indicating the importance of diet and trophic position for bioaccumulation of these contaminants. In addition, different accumulation patterns of OHCs were found between predatory and non-predatory birds. Significant correlations were found between organochlorine concentrations and stable nitrogen isotope ratio (δ15N) measurements, whereas no correlation was found between PFASs and δ15N. Although the concentrations of PCBs and DDTs in birds were lower than the threshold levels, 25% and 49% of birds exceeded the toxicity reference value and predicted no effect concentration for PFOS, respectively, implying potential health risks to Korean birds.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Radical Substitution: Allylic Chlorination
Contaminants and Errors
Another key consideration is determining the appropriate number of samples required to...
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Chlorination and Bromination of Benzene
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Fluorination and Iodination of Benzene
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Repetitive IV Injections
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions

