Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans and non-ortho- and mono-ortho-chlorine substituted polychlorinated biphenyls in grey seals from Sable Island, Nova Scotia, in 1995
Addison, R.F.; Ikonomou, M.G.; Stobo, W.T.
Marine Environmental Research 47(3): 225-240
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0141-1136 Accession: 035515413
Six mother-pup pairs of grey seals (Halichoerus gryPus) were sampled on Sable island, Nova Scotia (NS), in January 1995. Blubber samples from mothers and pups, and blood and milk samples from mothers were analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and for non-ortho and mono-ortho chlorobiphenyls (NO- and MO-CBs). Total PCDD and PCDF concentrations were each below 20 pg/g lipid in blubber samples; these are among the lowest concentrations recorded in seals, and indicate little contamination by these compounds. Total NO-CB concentrations in blubber were in the low ng/g lipid range. Concentrations of MO-CB ranged from a few pg/g lipid to several hundred ng/g lipid in blubber; detected only sporadically in blood samples but were measurable in milk samples. The transfer efficiency of CB congeners between maternal and pup blubber lipid was inversely correlated with lipid solubility (as indicated by 1n KO/W) and this selectivity of transfer appeared to occur partly at the stage of digestion of milk by the pup.