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PCBs, DDTs and methyl sulphone metabolites in various tissues of harbour porpoises from Swedish waters

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Per Berggren

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Abstract

Aryl methyl sulphones of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 3-p,p0-DDE (MeSO2-PCBs and 3-MeSO2-p,p0-DDE), PCBs and DDTs were analysed in ®ve di€erent tissues (blubber, nuchal fat, liver, muscle, brain) of adult male harbour porpoises from the west coast of Sweden. Two di€erent methods for MeSO2-PCBs and 3-MeSO2-p,p0-DDE determination were used, gas chromato- graphy±mass spectrometry and gas chromatography±atomic emission detection. Highest concentrations of MeSO2-PCBs were found in liver (0.15±0.49 mg/g lipid wt.), which corresponded to 2.0±2.8% of the PCBs concentrations. Blubber and nuchal fat showed MeSO2-PCB concentrations that were three to ®ve times lower than those in liver. Concentrations of 3-MeSO2-p,p0-DDE in liver, muscle and brain corresponded to 0.26±4.6% of the p,p0-DDE concentrations, while in blubber and nuchal fat, 3-MeSO2- p,p0-DDE constituted 0.033±0.21% of p,p0-DDE. The di€erent tissues analysed showed similar levels (lipid wt.) of PCBs and DDTs, except for brain that had almost 10 times lower levels compared to the other tissues. Using the PCBs/MeSO2-PCBs ratio to estimate MeSO2-PCB formation and secondary metabolism capacity, the harbour porpoise showed a relatively low cap- acity of MeSO2-PCB formation compared to other small toothed whales and seals. Blubber sampled from ®ve di€erent anatomical locations showed that concentrations of contaminants may be unevenly distributed in blubber in certain animals. This should be taken into account when choosing sampling sites on the porpoise.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Karlson K, Ishaq R, Becker G, Berggren P, Broman D, Colmsjö A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Environmental Pollution

Year: 2000

Volume: 110

Issue: 1

Pages: 29-46

Print publication date: 01/10/2000

Online publication date: 15/05/2000

Acceptance date: 25/10/1999

ISSN (print): 0269-7491

ISSN (electronic): 1873-6424

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(99)00283-3

DOI: 10.1016/S0269-7491(99)00283-3

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