CHLOROBIPHENYLS AND ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES IN VARIOUS SUB-ANTARCTIC ORGANISMS

Brains, livers and muscles of two Gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) from the Falkland Islands and muscles of Argentinian hake (Merluccius merluccius hubbsi), flying fish (Cypselurus cyanopterus) and squid (Illex illecebroscus argentinus) were analysed for 24 individual chlorobiphenyl (CB) congeners and 15 other organochlorine compounds. In comparison with Atlantic hake (Merluccius merluccius) caught south of Ireland, an enrichment of lower chlorinated biphenyls in the sub-Antarctic organisms was found. The absolute values of the CBs and other organochlorine compounds were extremely low compared with the more polluted areas of the North-East Atlantic. Compared with earlier reported DDE/PCB ratios in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic organisms, up to more than 10, DDE/PCB ratios clearly below 1, were found, which may suggest a rise of CB concentrations in the sub-Antarctic region. The presence of trans-nonachlor, cis-chlordane and octachlorostyrene was confirmed by gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis.