Enantiomer-specific analysis of hexabromocyclododecane in fish from Etnefjorden (Norway)

High-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) was applied to sterospecifically quantify the content of α-, β-, and γ-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in six fish species from the Norwegian Etnefjorden. A combination of a β-PM cyclodextrin and an achiral column enabled the paired chromatographic separation of the stereoisomers in the order (−)-α-, (+)-α-, (−)-β-, (+)-β-, (+)-γ- and, (−)-γ-HBCD. The limits of detection were in the range of 6–21 pg g−1 depending on the stereoisomer and the concentrations of α-, β-, and γ-HBCD in fillets ranged from <5.4 ng g−1 to 11.1 μg g−1 lipid weight. α-HBCD enantiomers were throughout dominating, and in most cases the accumulation of the respective first eluted enantiomers ((−)-α-, (−)-β- and (+)-γ-HBCD) was observed. Deviations from the racemic EF-value were considered to be significant if it was outside of the expanded uncertainty range for each of the racemic HBCD-ratios. The composition of HBCD isomers varied between the investigated fish species and the relative high values for the γ-HBCD concentrations for the bottom-dwellers flounder and thorny skate seems to echo the HBCD pattern of ocean sediments.