ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS IN THE PLASMA OF PEREGRINE FALCONS AND GYRFALCONS NESTING IN GREENLAND

Levels of organochlorine compounds in the blood plasma of after-second -year female peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) were determined from samples collected from southern Greenland in 1985 and western Greenla nd from 1983 to 1989, and from adult and nestling gyrfalcons (Falco ru sticolus) from western Greenland in 1989 and 1990. Samples were taken during nesting. Levels of p,p'-DDE (DDE) in peregrine plasma were 140 mug/kg wet weight geometric mean (GM) for the southern samples, and 22 0 mug/kg GM for the western samples. Calculated levels of DDE for eggs from plasma levels are below those associated with declining peregrin e populations. Only DDE was found in the gyrfalcon plasma; levels were below 20 mug/kg. In addition to DDE, other organochlorines quantified in peregrine plasma included p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, polychlorinated biph enyls, six chlordane compounds, beta-HCH, HCB, and Mirex. There was no trend over time for any of the compounds reported in peregrines excep t HCB, which decreased over the study period. There was no significant difference in the levels of the compounds reported between the region s. Females, which were sampled more than once, showed no clear trends with respect to increasing or decreasing residues.