Levels and enantiomeric ratios of chlorinated hydrocarbons in livers of arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) and adipose tissue and liver of a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sampled in Iceland

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), oxychlordane, DDT and its metabolites, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), and compounds of technical toxaphene (CTTs) were quantified by gas chromatography and electron capture detection in livers of ten arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) and in liver and adipose tissue of a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sampled in Iceland. Enantiomeric ratios of oxychlordane and other chiral organochlorines were determined after gas chromatographic enantioseparation on two chiral stationary phases. The organochlorine pattern of the livers of arctic foxes was dominated by oxychlordane. The enantiomeric ratio of oxychlordane was >1 with the exception of the sample with the highest oxychlordane level. This result was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. PCB congeners and other organochlorines were only lowly abundant. PCB congeners were topped by PCB 180. The samples were from two independent populations, one feeding on the marine and the other feeding on the terrestrial food web. Levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons reflected the different food habits of the arctic foxes from coastal and inland habitats. Liver and adipose tissue of the polar bear showed deviating levels and ratios of the contaminants. Oxychlordane and p,p'-DDD were the only compounds found in greater abundance in liver than in adipose tissue. All other compounds were more abundant in adipose tissue. Enantiomeric ratios of oxychlordane, alpha-HCH, B8-1413 (Parlar #26), and B9-1679 (Parlar #50) were >1 if the compounds were detected in the polar bear samples.