Levels of alpha-HCH, lindane, and enantiomeric ratios of alpha-HCH in marine mammals from the northern hemisphere

The enantiomeric ratios of α-HCH were determined by chiral gas chromatography in blubber of marine mammals from regions of the northern hemisphere (North Sea, Baltic Sea, Arctic, and Iceland). Cetaceans (harbour porpoises and white-beaked dolphins) showed a preferential accumulation of (+)-α-HCH. In blubber of harbour seals, grey seals and harp seals (+)-α-HCH was also more abundant than (--α-HCH. Hooded seals formed an exception with a (+/-) enantiomeric ratio of α-HCH < 1.