Distribution of Organochlorine Contaminants in Tissues of Croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) from Samborombón Bay, Argentina

LANFRANCHI, AL; DE MORENO, JEA; MORENO, VJ, METCALFE, T., MENONE, ML.

Environmental Sciencies

MYU K.K.

Año: 1998 vol. 6 p. 55 - 67

0915-955X

Abstract: The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined in tissues from male and female croaker Micropogonias jurnieri, caught in the resting stage in Samboromb6n Bay, Argentina. Concentrations are reported on a wet weight basis and normalized to lipid content. The highest concentrations of organochlorine compounds were found in male liver and female ovary, but high concentrations were also detected in subcutaneous fat. The concentrations of OCPs in the liver of both sexes were in the order of: total cyclodienes > total DDT and its metabolites > total HCH, while those in the reproductive organs: total cyclodienes > total HCH > total DDT and its metabolites. In subcutaneous fat, DDT and its metabolites were the principal components. PCBs in the tissues were dominated by tri, tetra, penta and hexachlorobiphenyl congeners, with large contributions from the highly p",-rsistent congeners 138 and 153 in female livers and male gonads. The concentrations of PCBs in the ovary were twice the standard level considered safe for normal reproduction in other latitudes. Differences in concentrations of organochlorines in the tissues of male and female fish may be due to lipid mobilization during spawning.