Polychlorinated naphtalenes (PCNs) in sub-Arctic and Arctic marine mammals, 1986-2009

• A selection of PCN congeners was analyzed in pooled blubber samples of pilot whale (Globicephala melas), ringed seal (Phoca hispida), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) and Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), covering a time period of more than 20 years (1986-2009). The analytes were extracted and cleaned-up using open column extraction and multi-layer silica gel column chromatography. The analysis was performed using high resolution GC-MS. PCN congeners #48, #52, #53, #66 and #69 were found in the blubber samples between 0.03 and 5.9 ng/g lw. Also PCBs were analyzed in minke whales and fin whales from Iceland. The total PCN content accounted for less than 1% of the total coplanar PCB content. The lowest PCN concentrations were found in the samples from the latest sampling period (2006-2009). The results indicate a decline in the PCN load in marine mammals from the studied area in recent years.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap -- Miljövetenskap (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Earth and Related Environmental Sciences -- Environmental Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Marine mammals

polychlorinated naphtalenes (PCNs)

temporal concentration variations

Miljökemi

Environmental Chemistry

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

ovr (ämneskategori)