Toxaphene in the aquatic environment of Greenland.
The octa- and nonachlorinated bornanes (toxaphene) CHBs 26, 40, 41, 44, 50 and 62 were analysed in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius), ringed seal (Pusa hispida) and black guillemot eggs (Cepphus grylle) from Greenland. Despite their high trophic level, ringed seals had the lowest concentrations of these species, with a Σ6Toxaphene median concentration of 13-20 ng/g lipid weight (lw), suggesting metabolisation. The congener composition also suggests transformation of nona- to octachlorinated congeners. Black guillemot eggs had the highest concentrations (Σ6Toxaphene median concentration of 971 ng/g lw). Although concentrations were higher in East than in West Greenland differences were smaller than for other persistent organic pollutants. In a circumpolar context, toxaphene had the highest concentrations in the Canadian Arctic. Time trend analyses showed significant decreases for black guillemot eggs and juvenile ringed seals, with annual rates of -5 to -7% for Σ6Toxaphene. The decreases were generally steepest for CHBs 40, 41 and 44.
Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Arctic Research Centre, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark. Electronic address: kvo@envs.au.dk.
Katrin
K
Vorkamp
Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
Frank F
FF
Rigét
Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
Rune
R
Dietz
D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D002170:Canada; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006116:Greenland; D007306:Insecticides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D046048:Seals, Earless / Q000378:metabolism; D014112:Toxaphene / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D007306:Insecticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014112:Toxaphene
Arctic char; Bioaccumulation; Black guillemot eggs; Ringed seal; Shorthorn sculpin; Trends