The composition and distribution of PCB in arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) caught near Longyearbyen on Svalbard

Samples from 44 arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus), caught near Longyearbyen on Svalbard, were analyzed with respect to their content of PCB. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric investigations revealed that 7 PCB components constituted the main part of the total PCB present. These components were quantified individually. A moderate degree of PCB contamination was recorded. Calculated on a fat weight basis, the total concentrations of PCB in fat tissue and liver were about equal, but the relative amounts of most of the PCB components present were different in the 2 tissues. The total amount of PCB in brain, calculated on a fat weight basis, was significantly less than the corresponding concentrations in liver, kidney, muscle, and fat tissue. The special distribution trend observed in this study is related to the structure of the PCB components present and the arctic nature of the sampling area.