Congener-specific analysis of toxaphene in eggs of seabirds from Germany by HRGC–NCI–MS using a carborane–siloxane copolymer phase (HT-8)

A method for the congener-specific analysis of toxaphene in eggs of seabirds from a monitoring program from the northern part of Germany was carried out. The method was optimized in most steps of the procedure: injection temperature, HRGC with an HT-8 column, ion source temperature and the MS detection mode NCI/SIM measuring the isotope clusters of [M]−, [M–Cl]−, [M–HCl]− and [M–2Cl]−. The suitability of 1,4-exo, 7,8,9,10,10-heptachloro-5-methoxytricyclo [5,2,1,02,6]dec-3,8-diene as internal standard was demonstrated. 14 toxaphenes with Parlar numbers and more than 60 unknown toxaphenes could be identified. Spatial and temporal trends of toxaphene contamination are presented by using the Parlar 22 components standard for quantification.