Tissue distribution of organochlorine residues – PCBs and pesticides – in Antarctic penguins

• Published in: Antarctic Science
• Main Authors: Inomata, Odete N.K., Montone, R.C., Lara, W.H., Weber, R.R., Toledo, H.H.B.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1996
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctic; Antarctic Science
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102096000351; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102096000351

Antarctic penguins constitute excellent indicators of organic pollutants (PCBs, DDTs and HCHs), which reach the Antarctic either by atmospheric or maritime transport and are concentrated through the food chains. They are found mainly in lipids, both in adipose and other tissues of the organisms. Tissue samples of four gentoo and one Adélie penguins were collected during the summers of 1991, 1992 and 1993. PCBs and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were analysed in the adipose tissue, uropygeal gland, blood, brain, muscle, bone and liver. Organochlorines (OCs) were detected in the majority of the samples. The levels found in extractable fat were higher than in other tissues and the concentrations ranged from 42.3–1159.7 ng g −1 (HCB), from not detected to 39.3 ng g −1 (HCHs), from 30.8–972.3 ng g −1 (DDTs) and from 43.2–1583.6 ng g −1 (PCBs).