OCCURRENCE OF NON-ORTHO, MONO-ORTHO AND DI-ORTHO SUBSTITUTED PCB CONGENERS IN POLECATS, STONE MARTENS AND BADGERS FROM THE STATE OF BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY

The concentrations of non-ortho, mono-ortho and di-ortho substituted P CB congeners in tissues of three European mustelid species - polecat, stone marten and badger - were determined. Median congener concentrati ons are comparable in the three species and are lower than in previous studies on polecats. In all samples PCB-126 contributes most to the T CDD-TEQ; it occurs in considerably higher concentrations in polecats. Additionally, amphibs, the main prey of polecats, were analysed. The t otal PCB intake of polecats feeding solely on amphibs would be below a critical level, considering the NOAEL for the reproduction of mink, a closely related species. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.