Distribution of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Pesticides and PCBs in the ...

Relative Carsentration Factws for Lorines
Through Varias Camparlmmts of the Antic Envi t
(normalized to HCB = 1)
PeCegic Benthic Polar
c w Air
(Vapou)
Seauatw
(0-50 in)
Zooplankton
PZM m) - P. iitmalis
kphipods
A,
Seal
Blthber
Bear
Liver
HCB 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
aHCH 3 160 2.3 2.5 1 2.4 4
Zchlordane 0.05 1 1.5 1.9 5 12 175
dieldrin 0.01 1.3 0.8 1-2 0.4 2 2.5
H)DT 0.01 0.01 3 1.3 10 32 25
PCB 0.12 0.04 1.5 1.2 36 24 75
The particulate data for bottom ice cores in June 1987
gives evidence that concentration of PCBs and DDT in the food
chain starts with ice algae. concentration of PCBs, DDE and DDT
in particulates from two samples of bottom ice in June 1987
containing abundant ice algae were much higher than any other
organochlorines. These samples can be contrasted with ice
samples taken the previous May when concentrations of epontic
algae, inferred from discoloration of bottom ice, were lower. DDT
concentrations were 2 orders of magnitude greater while PCBs about
an order of magnitude greater in the June 1987 sample. In
contrast, aHCH the most abundant dissolved compound in melted
ice, is presen: at approximately the same levels in both May and
June ice particulates and is present at 1 - 50 times lower
concentrations than DDT or PCBs. (Table 4.3). The strong
affinity of PCBs and DDT for particles has been noted by Tanabe
and Tatsukawa (1983). These authors estimated an extremely short
residence time of less than 20 days for productive surface waters.
The biota data clearly show a preferential enrichment of
the cis isomer of chlordane. Trans/cis ratios in air and surface
seawater are generally >1; ratios in plankton were generally 0.4