Determination of extractable organic bromine and chlorine in biological compartments of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) by neutron activation analysis

Abstract

Tissues, eggs and bile of adult Atlantic cod raised in captivity and fed natural food with no additional halogenated compounds of any kind were analyzed by neutron activation. There was a large difference in the tissue distributions of extractable organic chlorine (EOC1) and bromine (EOBr). Liver lipid had the lowest levels of EOBr and EOC1, of all the components investigated, and eggs had the highest levels of EOC1. Heart contained the most EOBr and EOC1 per unit lipid, of the tissues. The presence of a larger proportion of EOBr than EOC1 in bile suggests a higher rate of excretion of EOBr. The EOC1 concentratios found in cod egg lipids were about 5 times higher than the highest values previously reported for EOC1 in lipid.