title: Organochlorine compounds and aliphatic hydrocarbons in Pacific walrus blubber.
abstract: Blubber samples were collected from 8 male and 19 female Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) taken during a 1991 joint USA/USSR cruise traveling widely through the Bering Sea. Dieldrin was found at a level similar to that reported 10 years earlier; oxychlordane was found at a slightly higher concentration than reported previously (Taylor et aL, 1989). Heptachlor epoxide was detected for the first time and found at a low concentration. An initial testing for alpha-, beta- and gamma-HCH detected concentrations similar to those in other Bering Sea pinnipeds. Mean summation of PCB was 0.45 microg g(-1) wet weight in males and 0.16 microg g(-1) in females; only one sample was > 1 microg g(-1). Traces of aliphatic hydrocarbons were detected in all sampled animals, only pristane (x = 0.48 microg g(-1)) was found in concentrations > 1 microg g(-1). Small sample sizes, a lack of samples from immature animals, and uniformly low concentrations of contaminants precluded meaningful analysis of age-related effects and regional differences.
authors.affiliation: Marine Mammals Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK 99503, USA. dana_seagars@fws.gov
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Seagars
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garlich-Miller
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D005260:Female; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D007219:Industrial Oils / Q000032:analysis; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014856:Walruses / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D007306:Insecticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls