Analytical validation for the HRMS detection of organochlorines in living marine mammals from biopsy microsamples
- Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans, Sidney, British Columbia (Canada)
It has been demonstrated that marine mammals accumulate high concentrations of lipophilic organochlorine contaminants in blubber. As predators of the high trophic level they have also been used to evaluate contamination in the marine environment. Sampling of living marine mammals using a microsample (100 to 200 mg) biopsy dart technique offers a potentially invaluable chronicle in assessing levels and types of persistent environmental pollutants from a sample in which age, sex and other genetic information can additionally be ascertained. The authors have explored analytical methodology based on a high sensitivity detection system (HRGC/HRMS) which provides multi-residue determinations from biopsy dart microsamples. Lipid content and the concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs and non-ortho and mono-ortho substituted PCBs were measured in 100 mg biopsy dart replicates taken from a killer whale carcass and in three strata of the blubber of that carcass. Statistically acceptable results were obtained from the dart replicates which compared very well with those of the blubber strata. Analytical data from 100 mg extractions from an established in house blubber CRM also compared well against a series of 2.5 g extractions of that CRM. The extraction and cleanup procedures used also allow for the determination of other organohalogen contaminants such as DDT and other pesticides, all the remaining PCBs, polychlorinated diphenylethers and brominated residues. The strengths and limitations of the analytical methodology and the biopsy dart as a sampling tool and pollution predicator will be illustrated in terms of method accuracy and precision, glassware and procedural blanks associated with each extraction batch, and the incorporation of an in house micro reference standard.
- OSTI ID:
- 242355
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9511137-; ISBN 1-880611-03-1; TRN: IM9626%%183
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) world conference, Vancouver (Canada), 5-9 Nov 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Second SETAC world congress (16. annual meeting): Abstract book. Global environmental protection: Science, politics, and common sense; PB: 378 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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