Congener-specific analysis of toxaphene in eggs of seabirds from Germany by HRGC-NCI-MS using a carborane-siloxane copolymer phase (HT-8)

A method for the congener-specific analysis of toxaphene in eggs of seabird s from a monitoring program from the northern part of Germany was carried o ut. The method was optimized in most steps of the procedure: injection temp erature, HRGC with an HT-8 column, ion source temperature and the MS detect ion mode NCI/SIM measuring the isotope clusters of [M](-), [M-Cl](-), [M-HC l](-) and [M-2Cl](-). The suitability of 1,4-exo, 7,8,9,10,10-heptachloro-5 -methoxytricyclo [5,2,1,0(2.6)]dec-3,8-diene as internal standard was demon strated. 14 toxaphenes with Parlar numbers and more than 60 unknown toxaphe nes could be identified. Spatial and temporal trends of toxaphene contamina tion are presented by using the Parlar 22 components standard for quantific ation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.