Polychlorinated biphenyls in freshwater salmonids from the Kerguelen Islands in the Southern Ocean

The Subantarctic Kerguelen Islands (49°S, 70°E) contain freshwater ecosystems among the most isolated in the world. Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were assessed in the muscle of 48 brook trout and 38 brown trout caught during summer and spring 2006 in the rivers, lakes and ponds of Kerguelen. The sum of 29 PCBs averaged 404 and 358 ng g−1 lipid, and dioxin-like PCB was 19 and 69 ng g−1 lipid, in brook and brown trout, respectively. The values showed a high variability and some fish accumulated PCBs at levels similar to those of fish from impacted areas. While inter-sex differences were limited, the season and the morphotype appeared to have the most influence. Fish captured in summer had muscle PCB concentrations about three times higher than those caught in spring and the ‘river’ morphotype of brook trout showed the highest PCB levels.

► First assessment of PCB contamination of biota in Kerguelen Islands, Sub-Antarctica.
► PCB bioaccumulation level in trout varies from very high to undetectable.
► Habitat and morphotype are the most influential factors on the variability.
► Distribution pattern of PCBs in the muscle of fish is morphotype dependent.