Widespread contamination by tris(4-chlorophenyl)methane and tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol in cetaceans from the North Pacific and Asian coastal waters

For understanding global distribution, transport and behavior of tris(4-chl orophenyl)methane (TCPMe) and tris(4-chlorophenyl)methanol (TCPMOH), the tw o newly identified microcontaminants, the present study determined their co ncentrations and other persistent organochlorines (OCs) in the blubber of n ine species of adult male cetaceans collected from various locations in the North Pacific Ocean and coastal waters of some Asian countries, during 198 5-97. Concentrations of TCPMe and TCPMOH were found to be highest in northe rn right whale dolphins, which may be attributable to wide distribution of this species, including some heavily polluted areas such as coastal Califor nia. Elevated residue levels of TCPMe and TCPMOH were observed in both off- shore and coastal species, suggesting widespread contamination of these com pounds in the marine environment, Higher contamination of TCPMe and TCPMOH was found in cetaceans from temperate and cold waters than those from tropi cal regions. The latitudinal distribution of TCPMe and TCPMOH in cetaceans from the North Pacific and Asian coastal waters was similar to that of DDTs , suggesting less transportable nature of TCPMe and TCPMOH in the marine en vironment. Data on the occurrence of TCPMe and TCPMOH further indicated hig h bioaccumulation potential of these compounds, which was comparable to DDT s. Relative concentrations of TCPMe/TCPMOH in cetaceans were apparently hig her than those observed in seals, suggestive of lower metabolic capacity fo r these compounds in cetaceans than in pinnipeds, which is similar to class ic contaminants like polychlorinated biphenyls and DDTs. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.