TRANS-NONACHLOR, OCTACHLOROSTYRENE, MIREX AND PHOTOMIREX IN ANTARCTICSEABIRDS

Octachlorostyrene (OCS) and trans-nonachlor (TNC) were detected in cap e petrels (Daption capense) of King George Island, which tallies with their presence in samples of gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) of the Falkland Islands. The detection of TNC in a sample of the Antarctic s outhern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides) implies that the Antarctic regi on has been contaminated by this compound. Mirex and photomirex were a lso detected in samples of the cape petrels and southern fulmar, as we ll as in Adelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) from Hop Island. The rat ios of the mirex and photomirex concentrations in the truly Antarctic species from different locations are similar, which suggests that thes e compounds are diffusely distributed over the continent. The detectio n of organochlorine pollutants in Antarctic seabirds is an indication that these compounds have a global distribution. Screening of subcutan eous fat of Antarctic seabirds for organochlorines provides an excelle nt indication of the occurrence of organochlorine pollutants in Antarc tica, and as such an 'early warning' for the global dispersion of thes e compounds.