ENANTIOSELECTIVE ANALYSIS OF ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDES IN HERRING ANDSEAL FROM THE SWEDISH MARINE-ENVIRONMENT

Factors influencing the changes of enantiomeric ratios (ERs) in herrin g (Clupea harengus), I:rey seal (Halichoerus grypus), harbour seal (Ph oca vitulina) and ringed seal (Phoca hispida) collected along the Swed ish coastline were studied by enantioselective high-resolution gas chr omatography (HRGC). Three-year-old male and female herring individuals from different sampling sites were selected, whereas seal blubber and liver samples represented different species, sexes and geographical l ocations. Enantioselective analysis of cr-hexachlorocyclohexane (cr-HC H), chlordanes and chlordane metabolites were performed. In general, h erring showed similar ERs within the Baltic Sea. Results indicate that species specific differences are important factors controlling the ER s of Baltic seals. Inverse ERs in seal blubber and liver, and a low de viation from the racemic ratio of some components in the liver indicat e that not only enantioselective degradation but also stereoselectivit y of other processes are responsible for the changes of ERs in biota. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.