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Abstract:
Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants, feeding habits and body condition of polar bears from the Barents Sea, 1997-2017
Quality
The data show concentrations of PCBs, p,p’-DDE, HCB, beta-HCH, oxychlordan, BDE-47 and BDE-153 in adult female polar bears from the Barents Sea sampled in spring, 1997-2017. The data was used to explore temporal trends of contaminants. In addition, information on feeding habits (approximated by d13C and d15N), body condition, age and breeding status was related to the POP concentrations to determine whether concentrations and trends were affected by changes in these biological endpoints. All contaminants were analysed in plasma, and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen were analysed in red blood cells. All contaminant concentrations are in ng/g wet weight in the data file, but were lipid corrected (concentration/fat%*100) in the publication (except OH-PCBs). Values of stable isotopes are shown in ‰. Length and girth are given in cm, and weight in kg. Breeding status refers to females captured alone (n), or with cubs of the year (c) or with one or two year old offspring (y, 2y).