The pattern of organochlorines in mussels Mytilus edulis L. from the south west Baltic Sea.

The concentration of organochlorines (PCB, DDT and its metabolites, HCH isomers and HCB) were determined in mussel, Mytilus edulis, from the south west Baltic Sea. The harbor Kiel Innenförde showed the highest contamination with PCB (487 microg/kg dry weight), the Gelting bathing beach area the lowest contamination (38 microg/kg). The highest contamination with DDT was measured in Lübeck bay, which may be explained by the long term application of DDT in the former German Democratic Republic. Penta- and hexa-chlorinated PCB were selectively accumulated in Mytilus edulis whereas highly lipophilic PCB with more than seven chlorine atoms were found in negligible concentrations. The accumulation of these compounds in mussels is determined by equilibrium partitioning with ambient water.