Global baseline pollution studies. IX. C6-C14 organochlorine compounds in surface-water and deep-sea fish from the eastern North Atlantic

Studies comparing the pattern of organochlorine compounds as accumulated by surface water and deep sea fish were conducted around Madeira and the Azores. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), polychloroterpenes (Toxaphene), DDT, chlordane, dieldrin and mirex were determined in fish liver and muscle. Levels of unmetabolized 4,4-DDT and other pollutants in the fauna at 1200 - 1500 m depths were much higher than in surface living fish. Available analytical data for the sea water supported by the hypothesis suggest that these findings are due to recycling of persistant chemicals in the fauna in deep water. In terms of ecotoxicological evaluation, such recycling would have long ranging effects which should be seriously considered. Deep sea fish from the Bermudas and Hudson Canon showed similar levels of pollution.