| Summary: | The data show concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in plasma and adipose tissue of adult female polar bears from Svalbard sampled in spring and autumn, 2012-2013. The data was used to explore what determines the variation in concentrations of PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and brominated flame retardants in adult female polar bears from Svalbard. The predictor variables included samplig season, location, feeding habits (approximated by stable isotopes and fatty acid composition), body condition index, fasting status (the ratio between plasma urea in mmol/L and creatinine μmol/L), age (years) and breeding status. 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). Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen, d13C and d15N, were analysed in red blood cells and are shown in ‰ unit. Fatty acid composition was determined in adipose tissue and shown in % unit. Breeding status refers to females captured alone (no), or with cubs of the year (coy) or with one or two year old offspring (yrl).
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