Organochlorine residues in blood of cinereous vultures and Eurasian griffon vultures in a northeastern Mediterranean area of nature conservation

In the National Park of Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest (Dadia NP, Greece), seven “target” PCBs and 16 organochlorine pesticides (OCs) were analysed in blood samples of cinereous vultures ( Aegypius monachus ) and Eurasian griffon vultures ( Gyps fulvus ). PCB congeners 138, 153 and 180 predominated in both species’ blood samples. In both species, no differences were detected in congener levels between successive age classes, but in cinereous vulture, there were significant differences between adult and nestling in levels of PCB 28, 52, 101, 118 and between nestling and immature in levels of PCB 101. Regarding pesticides, p , p ′-DDE dominated in both vultures followed by β-HCH, lindane and endosulfan sulphate, but ∑OCs were higher in griffon vulture. Significant differences were detected only between nestling and sub-adult cinereous vultures in heptachlor levels and between nestling and adult in p , p ′-DDT. The origin of pollutants differs between the two vulture species and pollution patterns may not reflect those at Dadia NP.