Chlorocymenes, cymenenes and other chlorohydrocarbons in pulp mill effluents, sludges and exposed biota

Polychlorinated cymenes (PCYMS) and cymenenes (PCYMD) were analyzed by GC/LRMS/SIM in effluents and sludges of three different pulp mills and in fish and mussels exposed to pulp mill effluents. The levels of PCYMS+PCYMD were 0.3–4.8 μg/l in total effluents, < 0.08–1.9 μg/g dw in biosludges, 0.2–14 μg/g lw in fish and 0.4–45 μg/g lw in mussels. Other known chlorohydrocarbon pollutants were measured, as well. Their total contents (mainly PCB and DDT residues) was 0.06–1 μg/l in effluents. In fish and mussels, elevated levels 1.4–125 μg/g lw and 0.4–1.3 μg/g lw, respectively, were measured.