Levels and congener pattern of PCBs in arctic fox, Alopex lagopus, in Svalbard

Abstract

Levels and congener pattern of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in samples of subcutaneous fat and liver from 27 polar foxes, Alopex lagopus, caught in Svalbard during the winter 1983–1984. In all the samples analysed the composition of individual PCB congeners was studied by comparison with 12 individual PCB congeners (IUPAC nos. 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 170, 180, 183, 194, 206 and 209). In addition, the PCB congeners nos. 99, 105, 114, 156 and 157 were determined in the fat samples. In both liver and fat samples the sum PCB was calculated based on the concentrations of seven selected congeners, nos. 138, 153, 170, 180, 194, 206 and 209. These congeners were the same as those used in a corresponding investigation made on arctic fox from Svalbard 10 years earlier. The present study reveals that the PCB levels in arctic fox in Svalbard are high and essentially unchanged in the period from 1973–1974 to 1983–1984. The mean sum PCB levels in fat and liver were 8·3 ± 11 and 0·4 ± 0·4 μg g −1, and the extractable fat was 81·2 ± 8·4 and 4·5 ± 1·7% for the two tissues, respectively. In fat, sum PCB ranged from 0·5 to 41·0 μg g −1. PCB nos. 153 and 180 accounted for approximately 65% of sum PCB. The contributions of PCB nos. 138 and 153 to the sum PCB were found to increase from 1974 to 1984. The PCB congener pattern is similar to that found in polar bears, and is dominated by a few congeners (99, 138, 153, 170, 180 and 194). No significant differences in PCB levels were found between sexes or between age groups. However, significantly higher PCB levels were found in old animals (≥ 3 years) with less than 2 cm of fat on the ramp as compared with young animals (1–2 years) with more than 2 cm of fat on the rump. Effects on vital functions from the observed levels of PCBs cannot be excluded for the most contaminated foxes.