Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) in muscle and eggs of salmonid fishes from the Great Lakes

Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofura ns (PCDFs) were measured in dorsal muscle and eggs of coho salmon, lake tro ut, and chinook salmon collected from Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron ( Michigan waters). Absolute and relative concentrations of PCDDs and PCDFs v aried among sampling locations (inter- and intralake) and fish species. Fis h collected from Bay City (Saginaw Bay) contained the greatest concentratio ns of PCDDs and PCDFs both in muscle and eggs. Among the three fish species , chinook salmon accumulated greater concentrations than did coho salmon or lake trout. Concentrations of PCDFs were greater than those of PCDDs in al l fishes. OCDF and TCDF were the predominant congeners of PCDF, whereas OCD D and TCDD concentrations predominated in PCDDs. Homolog compositions of PC DDs and PCDFs suggested the existence of multiple local sources in various locations. Concentrations of PCDDs and PCDFs in eggs of fishes were signifi cantly correlated with those in muscle.