Spatial distribution and bioaccumulation of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) in mussel and fish from the Gulf of Gdansk, Baltic Sea

Blue mussel, flounder, perch and lamprey from the Gulf of Gdansk accumulate many tetra- through hepta-CNs. Highest concentrations in fishes and lamprey are PCN congeners such as nos. 42, 52, 60, 61 and 69, which do not have vicinal (adjacent) carbon atoms unsubstituted with chlorine (NVC-Cl PCNs) and seem to be relatively resistant in the marine environment. In mussel, chloronaphthalenes such as nos. 38/40, 33/34/37, 28/43 and 47 dominate, i.e. the congeners, which have two or three vicinal carbon atoms unsubstituted with chlorine (DVC-Cl and TVC-Cl PCNs). PCNs with two vicinal carbon atoms unsubstituted with chlorine (DVC-Cl PCNs) are less abundant in fish and lamprey than NVC-Cl members, while those congeners with three (TVC-Cl PCNs) or four (QVC-Cl PCNs) vicinal carbon atoms unsubstituted are present as only minor compounds or are absent. Congener-specific data obtained using a non-destructive sample extraction and clean-up method coupled to HRGC-HRMS can be useful to explain potential species- or site-specific differences of the pollution pattern with PCNs. Most of the hexa-CNs, both hepta-CNs and some penta- and tetra-CNs show their high potency for bioaccumulation in flounder when related to mussel as their food. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.