THE PATTERN OF ORGANOCHLORINES IN MUSSELS MYTILUS-EDULIS L. FROM THE SOUTH-WEST BALTIC SEA

The concentration of organochlorines (PCB, DDT and its metabolites, HC H isomers and HCB) were determined in mussel, Mytilus edulis, from the south west Baltic Sea. The harbor Kiel Innenforde showed the highest contamination with PCB (487 mu g/kg dry weight), the Gelting bathing b each area the lowest contamination (38 mu g/kg). The highest contamina tion with DDT was measured in Lubeck bay, which may be explained by th e long term application of DDT in the former German Democratic Republi c. Penta- and hexa-chlorinated PCB were selectively accumulated in Myt ilus edulis whereas highly lipophilic PCB with more than seven chlorin e atoms were found in negligible concentrations. The accumulation of t hese compounds in mussels is determined by equilibrium partitioning wi th ambient water.