BIOGENIC ORGANOCHLORINE COMPOUNDS - FINDI NGS, FUNCTION, ENVIRONMENTAL RELEVANCE

Organic chlorinated compounds are of increasing interest due to their almost ubiquitous occurrence in the biosphere, their toxic and cancero genic activity, and their environmental relevance. Despite the relativ ely high level of knowledge on anthropogenic chlorine compounds, knowl edge about biogenic chlorine compounds is comparatively poor. This is astonishing because the quantity of natural emissions of particular or ganic chlorinated compounds into the ecosphere exceeds that from indus trial production considerably. An overview of the occurrence, biosynth esis, and ecological significance of biogenic chlorine-containing orga nics is given in this article. Results of recent investigations on thi s topic are discussed and the natural elimination processes of organic chlorinated compounds presented.