IDENTIFICATION OF POLYCHLOROCAMPHENES (PCCS) IN THE POLAR BEAR (URSUS-MARITIMUS) FOOD-CHAIN

Fifteen congeners of polychlorocamphenes (PCCs) were identified in polar bear fat and ringed seal blubber using HRGC/ECNI-MS techniques. Several of these compounds coeluted with chlordane and PCB congeners, but could be identified by analysis of the ECNI spectra of the chromatographic peaks and by comparison of their retention times with components in a technical toxaphene mixture and authentic standards. ECNI spectra of pure PCC congeners are also presented. Three nonachlorobornene compounds not in toxaphene were also detected. One of these was at higher levels relative to total PCCs in polar bear than in ringed seal. The pattern of PCC congener distribution in polar bear and ringed seal was more complicated than previously described in arctic mammals and fish. In particular, the octachlorobornane (T2) and nonachlorobornane (T12), which dominate in arctic amphipods, burbot, narwhal and beluga, were only 8-11% of total PCCs in ringed seal and polar bear. Levels of PCCs were 1.0 mg/kg in polar bear and 0.25 mg/kg in ringed seal. The bioaccumulation potential of PCCs in polar bear is similar to that of HCH and DDE, but much less than that of PCBs and oxychlordane. Analysis of polar bear tissues may provide a useful measure of the geographical distribution of PCCs in the arctic environment.