CYCLIC ORGANOCHLORINES IN THE SEA STAR ASTERIAS-RUBENS FROM THE GERMAN BIGHT, DECEMBER 1988 MAY 1989

The contamination of the sea star (Asterias rubens) from the German Bight by five cyclic organochlorine compounds, during the period from December 1988 to May 1989 was studied. Differences in adsorption and accumulation among polychlorinated biphenyl congeners are explained by patterns of chlorine substitution. Pentachloro- to heptachlorobiphenyls with adjacent substituted carbons and those with 2,4,4-chlorine substitution were found to be bioaccumulated. However, a 2,3,4,5-substitution at one aromatic ring or the presence of a second phenyl group resulted in a remarkably lower accumulation of these compounds in tissue. This is attributed to the larger size of these molecules hindering their passage into the tissues. The distinct seasonal changes in organochlorine contamination are attributable to lipid content fluctuation accompanying reproduction and food availability. The alpha-hexachlorocyclohexene ratio was useful in identifying the short-term influence of rivers and water masses from the North Sea.