Chlorinated fatty acids in muscle lipids and blubber of harbour porpoise and harbour seals

Abstract: Muscle and blubber samples from a harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and a blubber sample from a harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) were extracted and analysed to determine the presence of chlorinated fatty acids (ClFAs). Chlorinated fatty acids were detected in all samples. The highest concentrations of ClFA were found in the porpoise muscle phospholipids (about 6 mg Cl/g lipid). By GC-PICIMS, chlorohydroxy fatty acids were identified as the main ClFAs in the muscle sample. The sample also contained fatty acids which were tentatively identified as chlorinated sulphone-like derivatives. The blubber samples and the porpoise muscle triacylglycerols held ClFA concentrations below 0.1 mg Cl/g lipid.