Isomer-Specific Analysis and Toxic Evaluation of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Striped Dolphins Affected by an Epizootic in the Western Mediterranean Sea (original) (raw)

1993, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology

Isomer-specific concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) including planar, mono-and di-ortho congeners and concentrations of DDT were determined in striped dolphins affected by a morbiUivirus epizootic in the western Mediterranean in 1990. Extremely high concentrations of PCBs ranging from 94 to 670 Ixg/g (wet wt) were detected in the blubber. Similarly, DDT concentrations were high, between 22 and 230 ixg/g (wet wt). The concentrations of three non-ortho coplanar PCBs were 43 (3,3',4,4'-T4CB), 6.8 (3,3',4,4',5-PsCB), and 7.8 (3,3',4,4',5,5'-H6CB) ng/g (wet wt), respectively, the highest residue levels reported to date. The estimated 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalents of non-, mono-and di-ortho PCB congeners in striped dolphins were several times higher than those observed for other marine mammals and humans. Mono-ortho congeners contributed greater 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalents than non-ortho members. The higher ratio of