Polychlorochinated Biphenyl (PCBs) residues in suburban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) - preliminary study

The objective of our study was to determine residues of PCB indicator congeners in select organs of suburban foxes from the West Pomeranian area of Poland. Quantitative analysis was conducted by capillary gas chromatography using the mass spectrometry method. Mean concentrations of ΣPCBs (sum of PCBs: 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) in the liver and lung was 389.99 ng/g and 110.57 ng/g of lipid weight. The proportion of dominant congeners (#180, 153 and 138) in total PCB was 90.9% in the liver and 77.1% in lungs. The PCB concentrations obtained in the liver of foxes are lower than the literature data, especially with regard to highly chlorinated congeners.