Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in serum samples of Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) from Spain

Concentrations of 23 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), p,p′-DDT and two of its metabolites, p,p′-DDE and p,p′-TDE have been measured in serum samples of up to 1 ml of Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) gathered from five populations in Spain. ∑PCB concentrations were found to be in the range 3.2–97 ng/ml, while those of ∑DDTs ranged from 0.93 to 38 ng/ml. p,p′-DDT/p,p′-DDE ratios higher than one were only found in the Segovia population, which could be an indication of recent use of p,p′-DDT in the area. In all cases, PCB profiles were dominated by congeners 52, 132 + 105, 138, 153 and 180. However, some differences among the five populations studied became evident when their profiles were compared with those of technical PCB mixtures by principal components analysis. The DDT and PCB levels detected in the serums analysed were lower than those previously reported for similar avian species and those reported to have deleterious effects on survival or reproduction of birds.