A selection of PCN congeners was analyzed in pooled blubber samples of pilot whale (Globicephala melas), ringed seal (Phoca hispida), minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) and Atlantic whitesided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), covering a time period of more than 20 years (1986-2009). A large geographical area of the North Atlantic and Arctic areas was covered. PCN congeners 48, 52, 53, 66 and 69 were found in the blubber samples between 0.03 and 5.9 ng/g lw. Also PCBs were analyzed in minke whales and fin whales from Iceland and the total PCN content accounted for 0.2% or less of the total non-planar PCB content. No statistically significant trend in contaminant levels could be established for the studied areas. However, in all species except minke whales caught off Norway the lowest Sum PCN concentrations were found in samples from the latest sampling period.

Sum PCN = PCN-52, 53, 66 and 69. Values below LOD included in Sum PCN were divided by two. For PCN-48/35 values are indicative due to poor method reproducibility. Concentrations given per g lipid weight. Data extracted in the frame of a joint ICSTI/PANGAEA IPY effort, see http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.150150

Supplement to: Rotander, Anna; van Bavel, Bert; Rigét, Frank F; Auðunsson, Guðjón Atli; Polder, Anuschka; Gabrielsen, Geir W; Víkingsson, Gísli; Mikkelsen, Bjarni; Dam, Maria (2012): Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) in sub-Arctic and Arctic marine mammals, 1986-2009. Environmental Pollution, 164, 118-124