Occurrence of organic halogens in marine mammals

Abstract

It is well known that synthetic organochlorine compounds, such as PCBs, DDTs, HCHs and chlordane compounds (CHLs), are widespread in the environment. These compounds can be found in almost all marine biota in all locations (Sladen et al., 1966, Kawano et al., 1984). Their concentrations in higher trophic marine organisms are often higher than those in lower trophic ones (Kawano et al., 1988). Sometimes marine mammals contain higher concentrations of these organochlorines than terrestrial animals do. Additionally, concern in naturally produced organic halogens has grown during the last decade (Lunde and Steinnes, 1975, Watanabe et al., 1987, Asplund et al., 1989, Wesén et al., 1990, Asplund and Grimvall, 1991). Analysis of total extractable organic halogens (TOX) will be of help to understand the levels of unidentified organic halogens when TOX and identified organic halogen concentrations are compared. In the present study, distribution of TOX and identified synthetic organohalogens in blubbers of some marine mammals are investigated.