Analysis of PCBs and persistent chlorinated pesticides in seals, fish, sediments and seawater

The Scientific Authority leads core monitoring studies on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in arctic marine mammals, fish, seawater and sediments that are conducted under the Northern Contaminants Program and in fish from Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes under the Great Lakes Action Plan. The datasets for the Arctic studies are large reflecting annual sampling at 3 locations for ringed seals and include approximately 100 individual organohalogen compounds as analytes. Similarly the data for fish from AOCs will be compared with previous measurements of POPs in fish to assess exposure and the effectiveness of mitigation programs. Time series for various contaminants are available which span up to 35 years providing unique insights into regional and global trends in pollution. The data have been important contributions to Canadian international activities such as the development of the Stockholm Convention on POPs and reporting for the State of the Great Lakes. Concentrations of POPs in Arctic samples are generally very low due to the remoteness of the lakes and arctic marine environments that the samples come from. In the case of fish from Areas of Concern, we anticipate higher levels but require the same suite of analytes as for the Arctic samples and similar detection limits. We are seeking an outside laboratory to conduct the analyses of these samples. The lab would be provided with samples by the Scientific Authority and after conducting extraction and analysis would provide Environment Canada with the extracts so that additional analyses could be performed. The contracted laboratory would be required to demonstrate in that it can meet rigorous quality assurance criteria including low laboratory blank contamination, consistency of performance in the analysis of certified reference materials, and evidence of successful participation in national or international quality assurance programs.