ENVIRONMENTAL-ANALYSIS OF POLYCHLORINATED TERPHENYLS - DISTRIBUTION IN SHELLFISH FROM THE EBRO DELTA (MEDITERRANEAN)

Polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs) have characteristics almost identica l with those of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and have been used fo r analogous applications, but only sporadic reports of the occurrence of PCTs in the environment have been published. High-resolution gas ch romatography with electron-capture detection (HRGC-ECD) and mass spect rometric detection in the selected ion monitoring mode was used to ana lyse samples for PCTs. The homologue distribution of Aroclor 5432, 546 0. Leromoll 141 and the PCTs in samples of shellfish from the Ebro Del ta (Catalonia, Spain) was established, taking into account the contrib ution of the M - Cl2!+ fragments. Quantification was achieved by HRGC -ECD. Concentrations were between 790 and 3 ng/g (dry mass).