POPs in key species of Marine Antarctic ecosystems

These data set regards the average p,p'-DDE and HCB concentration (0.86±0.98 and 0.37±0.17 ng g–1 wet wt. respectively) measured in krill samples collected from the Ross Sea (71°20’S– 72° 331’S/170° 22’E–178° 04’E) in January 2000. Average PCB concentrations in these samples were much higher (167±85 ng g–1 wet wt.), and congener- specific PCB profiles showed a prevalence of low-chlorinated isomers (tetra-PCBs accounted for most of the 48 residue). This pattern differed from that usually detected in organisms from low and mid latitudes, and it was likely due to global fractionation at high latitudes. Isomer patterns in organisms from the Ross Sea were similar to those of Kanechlor, a technical mixture mostly used in Japan and other eastern Asian countries, roughly located at the longitude of the Ross Sea. On a lipid weight basis, concentrations of total polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (DFs) in the same krill samples were 27 pg g–1, and those of non- and mono-ortho-substituted polychlorinated biphenyls (dioxin-like PCBs) were 0.9 ng g–1.
About the presence of Organochlorine Pesticides in krill sampled at Ross Sea in Terra Nova Bay, during 2001/02. The concentrations of HCB, HCHs and DDTs found were 0.23 ± 0.01, 0.28 ± 0.04 and 0.18 ± 0.03 respectively while chlordanes (CHLs) were below the detection limit (MDL< 0.02 ng/g wet wt). Mean PBDE concentrations were 0.20 ng/g in krill whole body and 5.60 ng/g on a lipid basis. PCB levels were higher with one order of magnitude than PBDEs levels.