Geographic variation of chlorinated hydrocarbon in burbot (Lota lota) from remote lakes and rivers in Canada

Levels of PCB, chlorobenzenes and chlorinated pesticides were studied in burbot from 8 remote locations on a transect from northwestern Ontario to the Mackenzie river delta. Toxaphene, PCB and DDT were the major chlorinated hydrocarbon residues in burbot liver from all sites. Toxaphene was the predominant organochlorine residue in northern fish and averaged 1400 ng per g (lipid weight) in the 3 most northerly sites. There was a decline in concentrations of PCB, DDT, lindane, dieldrin and mirex in burbot liver with increasing north latitudes. There was no significant difference in mean concentrations of toxaphene, alpha HCHs and tri- and tetrachlorobiphenyls between southern and northern sites. There are 44 references.