The occurrence and dynamics of polychlorinated hydrocarbons in brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in south-western Slovakia

摘要

This study aimed at obtaining the data on the occurrence, levels and correlations of organic pollutants present in game ani mals (n = 75, Brown hare, Lepus europaeus Pall.) in the region of south-western Slovakia. The analyses performed included dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorobenzen (HCB), alpha- and beta hexachlorocyclohexane (α+β-HCH), gamma hexachlorocyclohexane (y-HCH), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-delor, commercial mixture of PCB congeners). A gas chro matograph with an electron capture detector was used for the analysis. PCB-delor and DDT were accumulated significantly in the highest level (0.105±0.059 mg/kg; 0.070 mg/kg) in depot fat in brown hares; however maximum permissible limits for the observed pollutants were not exceeded. Significantly higher concentrations of DDT, HCB, γ-HCH, and PCB-delor were found in adult ani mals when compared with juvenile hares. Gender and season had no effect on the accumulation of observed pollutants. Moderately positive correlation was found between PCB-delor and DDT (r = 0.59). Monitoring of environmental pollution with polychlorinated hydrocarbons is important with regard to public health, as game animals constitute an important part of food chain also for humans.