Levels of organochlorine compounds in an inland seal population in eastern Finland

Fourteen Saimaa ringed seals (Phoca hispida saimensis) were studied for PCB, DDT, chlordane and chlorophenol compounds in blubber, liver, muscle, heart and kidney in Lake Saimaa, eastern Finland, in 1977–1981. Both PCBs and total DDT increased on average from a good 5 mg kg^?1 in extractable fat of blubber in a new-born to a good 65 mg kg^?1 in sexually mature specimens, the maximum being 93 and 104 mg kg^?1 respectively. Concentrations of PCBs and tDDT in blubber and liver were most clearly dependent on the age and weight of the seal. Chlordanes were found in all 14 specimens (mean 0.59 mg kg^?1 in blubber), trichlorophenol in one, tetrachlorophenol in two and pentachlorophenol in all three specimens studied. Although some of the Saimaa seals had reached quite high levels of both PCBs and tDDT, the present results do not indicate that the steady decrease of the Saimaa seal population during the last two decades would have been caused by these toxins, at least not in isolation.     

Contaminant concentrations in sport fish from San Francisco Bay, 1997

In 1997, seven sport fish species were sampled from seven popular fishing areas in San Francisco Bay. Mercury exceeded a human health screening value in 44 of 84 (52%) samples. All collected samples of leopard shark and striped bass exceeded the mercury screening value of 0.23 microg/g wet weight. PCBs exceeded the screening value in 51 of 72 (71%) samples. DDT, chlordane, and dieldrin, had lower numbers of samples above screening values: 16 of 72 (22%) for DDT, 11 of 72 (15%) for chlordanes, and 27 of 72 (37%) for dieldrin. Concentrations of PCBs and other trace organics were highest in white croaker and shiner surfperch, the two species with the highest fat content in their muscle tissue. Fish from one location, Oakland Harbor, had significantly elevated wet weight concentrations of mercury, PCBs, DDTs, and chlordanes compared to other locations. Removal of skin from white croaker fillets reduced lipid concentrations by 27-49% and concentrations of trace organics by 33-40%.     

Hyperactivity and changed diurnal activity in flounders,Platichthys flesus,exposed to DDT

Flounders (Platichthys flesus), which had been given oral doses of DDT, developed hyperactivity and abnormal diurnal activity 5–7 weeks after the dosage of DDT was terminated. For the flounder given the highest dose (12.5 mg DDT kg^?1 fresh body weight) a more than 20-fold increase in swimming activity was recorded. The levels of DDT found in various organs (axial muscle, liver and brain) are compared with levels of DDT found in wild populations of fish from the Baltic Sea. The results are also discussed in relation to results obtained in a parallel study on the physiological effects of DDT on the flounder.     

Organohalogen contaminants and trace metals in North-East Atlantic porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus)

The North-East Atlantic porbeagle (Lamna nasus) population has declined dramatically over the last few decades and is currently classified as ‘Critically Endangered’. As long-lived, apex predators, they may be vulnerable to bioaccumulation of contaminants. In this study organohalogen compounds and trace elements were analysed in 12 specimens caught as incidental bycatch in commercial gillnet fisheries in the Celtic Sea in 2011. Levels of organohalogen contaminants were low or undetectable (summed CB and BDE concentrations 0.04–0.85 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight). A notably high Cd concentration (7.2 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight) was observed in one mature male, whereas the range observed in the other samples was much lower (0.04–0.26 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight). Hg and Pb concentrations were detected only in single animals, at 0.34 and 0.08 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight, respectively. These contaminant levels were low in comparison to other published studies for shark species.     

Analyses of organic and inorganic contaminants in Salton Sea fish

Chemical contamination of fish from the Salton Sea, a quasi-marine lake in Southern California, could adversely impact millions of birds using the Pacific Flyway and thousands of humans using the lake for recreation. Bairdiella icistia (bairdiella), Cynoscion xanthulus (orangemouth corvina), and Oreochromis spp. (tilapia) were sampled from two river mouths and two nearshore areas of the Salton Sea. Muscle tissues were analyzed for a complete suite of 14 trace metals and 53 pesticides. Fish muscle tissues had concentrations of selenium ranging between 1.89 and 2.73 microg/g wet weight. 4,4'-DDE accounted for 94% of the total DDT metabolites. Total DDTs ranged between 17.1 and 239.0 and total PCBs between 2.5 and 18.6 ng/g wet weight. PCB congeners 132, 138, 153, 168, and 180 comprised over 50% of the total PCBs. Given the potential implementation of a commercial fishing at the Salton Sea in the future, the presence of persistent organic pollutants and selenium warrants further research into the effects of these mixtures on fish populations, and on wildlife and humans consuming fish.     

Organochlorines and other environmental contaminants in muscle tissues of sportfish collected from San Francisco Bay

Edible fish species were collected from 13 locations throughout San Francisco Bay, during the spring of 1994, for determination of contaminant levels in muscle tissue. Species collected included white croaker, surfperch, leopard and brown smoothhound sharks, striped bass, white sturgeon and halibut. 66 composite tissue samples were analysed for the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (P0CBs), pesticides, trace elements and dioxin/furans. The US EPA approach to assessing chemical contaminant data for fish tissue consumption was used for identifying the primary chemicals of concern. Six chemicals or chemical groups were found to exceed screening values (SVs) established using the US EPA approach. PCBs (as total Aroclors) exceeded the screening level of 3 ng g⁻¹ in all 66 muscle tissue samples, with the greatest concentrations (638 ng g⁻¹) found near San Francisco's industrial areas. Mercury was elevated (> 0.14 μg g⁻¹) in 40 of 66 samples with the greatest concentrations (1.26 μg g⁻¹) occurring in shark muscle tissues. Concentrations of the organochlorine pesticides dieldrin, total chlordane and total dichlorodiphenyltri-chloroethane (DDT) exceeded screening levels in a number of samples. Dioxin/furans (as toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQ's)) were elevated (> 0.15 pg g⁻¹) in 16 of the 19 samples analysed. Fish with high lipid content (croaker and surfperch) in their muscle tissue generally exhibited higher organic contaminant levels while fish with low lipid levels (halibut and shark) exhibited lower organic contaminant levels. Tissue samples taken from North Bay stations most often exhibited high levels of chemical contamination. The California Office of Health Hazard Assessment is currently evaluating the results of this study and has issued an interim Health Advisory concerning the human consumption of fish tissue from San Francisco Bay.     

Application of the Mussel Watch concept in studies of the distribution of hydrocarbons in the coastal zone of the Ebro Delta

The Mussel Watch concept was applied in a study of man-induced chemical changes in the Ebro Delta on the Catalonian coast to obtain a preliminary assessment of the distribution of synthetic organic compounds, petroleum and biogenic hydrocarbons in the local coastal zone. Mussels, oysters and clams were selected as the indicator organisms. Levels of petroleum accumulated by mussels were generally high, in the order of 100–800 μg^?1 dry weight, equivalent to those in mussels in the most polluted harbours and bays of California. The relative distributions of the steranes and pentacyclic triterpanes in the mussels were significantly different from those found in petroleum from a local field, indicating that local petroleum was not contributing to the present contamination. The composition of biogenic compounds was variable, probably reflecting differences in the composition of local plankton communities, PCB levels were high in relation to current levels in mussels from US sites, reflecting continuing PCB use in Spain. The Delta appears to be a point source of a number of organochlorine compounds, including HCB, the DDT compounds, endrin and γ-chlordane. Levels of the DDT compound o,p′-DDD, a pharmacologically active substance, were unexpectedly high; identification was confirmed by GS/MS. Many unidentified peaks were present on EC chromatograms, indicating a more complex pattern of contamination than might be suggested by printed summaries of data.     

Chlorinated hydrocarbons in marine fish and shellfish of Nigeria

The concentration ranges of chlorinated hydrocarbons in marine fish were HCB (0.03–9.5 ppb), Lindane (0.02–5.3 ppb), Endosulphan (0.21–4.9 ppb), DDT (0.50–18.6 ppb), Aldrin (0.05–54.6 ppb) and PCB (4.78–225 ppb). Fish contained higher concentrations of Aldrin, Heptachlor, HCB and Lindane than shellfish, while a reverse trend was observed for DDT and PCBs. The concentrations of residues obtained were found to be lower than those reported in literature for industrialized countries. Predator fish species were found to concentrate more residues in muscle tissue than plankton feeders. The DDT/PCB values were less than 1 indicating a predominance of industrial activities over agricultural activities as the source of contamination of the marine environment. The fish Galeoides decadactylus is a potential bio-indicator for chlorinated hydrocarbons pollution monitoring in the study area.     

Temperature and accumulation of DDT by sea mullet (Mugil cephalus L.)

Accumulation of tech-DDT by the sea mullet Mugil cephalus L. was investigated at 15, 20, 25 and 30°C. Tissue residues of p,p′-DDT in fish increased with temperature reflecting an increase in metabolic rate. Metabolic degradation of p,p′-DDT to p,p′-DDD was also indicated. Rate of uptake of p,p′-DDT (mg kg^?1 h^?1) was not positively correlated with temperature and decreased with time at 15, 25 and 30°C. These results suggest that the uptake of DDT from water can be regulated by M. cephalus.     

Sweden

Four invertebrate and one fish species (Cerastoderma edule, Mya arenaria, Arenicola marina, Crangon crangon, Solea solea) from a single area of the German Wadden sea were investigated for concentrations of ten organochlorine pollutants in 1976. PCB concentrations (wet tissue basis) were predominating with 10–200 ng g^?1, while p,p′-DDD, dieldrin, α-HCH, γ-HCH and p,p′-DDE generally ranged between 1 and 10 ng g^?1. Values of α-endosulfan were even lower; p,p′-DDT, endrin and heptachlor epoxide could not be detected. Residue levels in shrimps were close to the lower range of values which have been found in this species from other areas of the North Sea since 1974. The patterns of residue concentrations in the five aquatic species were remarkably different indicating species- and compound-specific bioaccumulation. Trophic level and lipid content were shown to be responsible for PCB concentrations increasing from bivalves to fish.     

The Accumulation of Crimidin in Some Fish Organs

The accumulation of crimidin in total samples and in some organs of five fish species was studied under experimental conditions. The species were Cyprinus carpio, Carassius carassius, Tinca tinca, Scardinus erythrophthalmus and Leucaspius delineatus. Fish were exposed to concentrations of 10 mg · l^?l and 50 mg · l^?1. During short-term experiments water and fish samples were taken at intervals of t = 0, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours, during the long-term experiment sampling was performed weekly for six weeks. Total samples were analysed for C. carassius, T. tinca, S. erythrophthalmus and L. delineatus. Samples of individual organs and tissues were taken as follows: C. carpio – gills, digestive tract, muscular tissue, kidneys, gonads; C. carassius – gills, digestive tract, muscular tissue, ovaries, testes. Crimidin was determined by gas chromatography. In samples from the short-term experiments at a concentration of 10 mg · l^?1 in the water the amount was roughly 10¹–10 mg · kg^?1, at a concentration of 50 mg · l^?1 in the water roughly 10¹ mg · kg^?1. In most cases the accumulation coefficient was lower than 1.0. The accumulation capacity of individual fish species did not differ greatly. Of the internal organs only the kidneys had a high accumulation capacity, otherwise the highest values were found in muscular tissue and the gills. After one – three weeks the amount of crimidin in most organs falls, and after transfer to clean water there is a general sharp decline. Thus crimidin is not firmly bound in the body.     

Organochlorine pollution in sperm whales,Physeter macrocephalus,from the temperate waters of the eastern North Atlantic

Residues of DDE, DDD, DDT and PCB were measured in different tissues of fourteen sperm whales caught in the waters off Spain's north-western coasts. Unlike what seems common in other marine mammal species, females appear to be more contaminated by organochlorine compounds than males. Pollutant levels in this species were found to be intermediate to other cetaceans, probably due to their feeding habits mainly based on squid and bottom fish. Concentrations of total DDT and PCB in blubber were similar to most of those determined in sperm whales from other areas of the northern hemisphere.     

Zum Vorkommen von DDT und polychlorierten Biphenylen (PBC) in Fischen aus Seen des Bezirkes Schwerin

Investigations were made of 212 fish samples of eight fish species from 29 lakes of the Schwerin county. Determinations were made gas-chromatographically after chemical derivatization. In lakes with a low anthropogenic load the following concentrations were found: 0.05 mg/kg DDT, 0.03 mg/kg PCB. In lakes with higher pollution, the concentrations were 0.21 mg/kg DDT and 0.42 mg/kg PCB. The limit of tolerance for foodstuffs was never exceeded and predatory fish did not show higher concentrations than non-predacious fish. For ten eels, however, the mean contents were 1.6 mg/kg DDT and 0.36 mg/kg PCB. The total content of DDT in all fishes was composed as follows: 70 … 75% p,p′-DDE, 15 … 20% p,p′-DDD and 5 … 10% p,p′-DDT. Trout from an intensive-breeding plant contained 0.16 mg/kg DDT and 0.04 mg/kg PCB from the contaminated feed. By means of a change-over to different feed the contents were reduced to 0.03 mg/kg DDT and 0.04 mg/kg PCB.     

Assessment of Metal Pollution in Water and Surface Sediments of the Seyhan River,Turkey, Using Different Indexes

The aim of this study was to assess the level of heavy metals (Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) contamination and enrichment in the surface sediments of the Seyhan River, which is the receiving water body of both treated and untreated municipal and industrial effluents as well as agricultural drainage waters generated within Adana, Turkey. Sediment and water samples were taken from six previously determined stations covering the downstream of the Seyhan dam during both wet and dry seasons and the samples were then analyzed for the heavy metals of concern. When both dry and wet seasons were considered, metal concentrations varied significantly within a broad range with Al, 7210–33 967 mg kg^?1 dw; Cr, 46–122 mg kg^?1 dw; Cu, 6–57 mg kg^?1 dw; Fe, 10 294–26 556 mg kg^?1 dw; Mn, 144–638 mg kg^?1 dw; Ni, 82–215 mg kg^?1 dw; Pb, 11–75 mg kg^?1 dw; Zn, 34–146 mg kg^?1 dw in the sediments while Cd was at non‐detectable levels for all stations. For both seasons combined, the enrichment factor (EF) and the geo‐accumulation index (I_geo) for the sediments in terms of the specified metals ranged from 0.56 to 10.36 and ?2.92 to 1.56, respectively, throughout the lower Seyhan River. The sediment quality guidelines (SQG) of US‐EPA suggested the sediments of the Seyhan River demonstrated “unpolluted to moderate pollution” of Cu, Pb, and Zn, “moderate to very strong pollution” of Cr and Ni. The water quality data, on the other hand, indicated very low levels of these metals suggesting that the metal content in the surface sediments were most probably originating from fine sediments transported along the river route instead of water/wastewater discharges with high metal content.     

Mercury in tropical marine organisms from north Queensland

Total mercury concentrations were determined in a variety of fish and invertebrates and two dugongs from the coastal waters of Townsville on the N.E. coast of Australia. Fish generally contained the highest levels of mercury with 50% of the sharks examined having muscle concentrations above 0.5 μg g^?1 wet weight. A significantly positive correlation was found between muscle levels and body length in sharks. Seventy per cent of the teleosts examined contained less than 0.2 μg g^?1 in their muscle tissue and only 7% were above 0.5 μg g^?1. Mercury concentrations in teleost liver were significantly positively correlated with muscle levels. Of the invertebrates examined, the cephalopod molluscs contained the highest levels although none exceeded 0.5 μg g^?1. Mercury levels in the dugong were extremely low compared with most reported values for other marine mammals. It was concluded that the area contained mercury levels slightly above those considered normal for a non-contaminated marine environment.     

Chlorinated hydrocarbons in lower continental slope fish collected near the Farallon Islands,California

During December, 1985, Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) were collected at water depths of 500 and 1000 m and sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria) were collected at a water depth of 1000 m in the vicinity of former low-level radioactive and chemical munition disposal sites located near the Farallon Islands, California. Liver tissues were analysed for chlorinated hydrocarbons by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (GC/ECD). Chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDTs and PCBs) were detected in all fish. Concentrations of total DDTs and PCBs in livers of Dover sole and sablefish were as high as, or higher than, those recently reported for the same species collected in heavily contaminated coastal waters of Southern California. The presence of DDTs (up to 9 μg g⁻¹, wet wt) and PCBs (up to 7 μg g⁻¹, wet wt) in fish livers may indicate extensive contamination of the coastal waters or bottom sediments in the vicinity of the Farallon Islands. Even though the definitive sources of the chlorinated hydrocarbons detected in the Dover sole and sablefish are not known, the relative proximity of the former chemical munition disposal sites indicates that these areas may be a potential source of one or both of these contaminants.     

Organohalogen contaminants and total mercury in forage fish preyed upon by thick-billed murres in northern Hudson Bay

Twelve marine fish species collected from a thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia) breeding colony in northern Hudson Bay in the Canadian Arctic during 2007–2009 were analyzed for legacy organochlorines (e.g. PCBs, DDT), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), perfluorinated carboxylates (PFCAs) and sulfonates (PFSAs), and total mercury (Hg). No one species of prey fish had the highest levels across all contaminant groups analyzed. For the two pelagic fish species sampled, concentrations of the major organochlorine groups (e.g. Σ₂₁PCB, ΣDDT, ΣCHL, ΣCBz), ΣPBDE, ΣPFCA and Hg were consistently higher in Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) than in capelin (Mallotus villosus). Biomagnification factors from whole fish to thick-billed murre liver across all species were generally higher for Σ₂₁PCB and ΣDDT. ΣPBDE did not biomagnify.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticides in sediments of the baltic and coastal waters of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Summary The distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticides, e.g. the isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), p,p’-dichiorodiphenyitrichloroethane (DDT) and its primary metabolites DDE and DDD was investigated in surface sediments (0–2 cm) and sediment cores (0–45 cm) from the western Baltic Sea and the coastal waters of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Sediment sampling was carried out in the Belt Sea, the Arkona Basin, the Pomeranian Bight and in almost all Bodden and Haff areas of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in autumn 1993 and 1994. The highest concentrations of PCB and DDT compounds, measured in the innercoastal waters, reached 214 ng g^-1 dry weight (d. w.). The values of HCH isomers ranged between 0.01 and 2.9 ng g^-1 d.w., the highest levels being those of Β-HCH. Levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons, which varied depending on the sediment properties, indicated increased riverine inputs (Oder, Peene, and Uecker). Elevated levels in the Oderhaff and Peenestrom characterize that area as a sink and, due to remobilization of the upper sediment layer (fluffy layer) into the pelagic, also as a source of organic contaminants. Input from agriculture and industrial point sources (shipyards, shipbuilding) was observed in the coastal waters. The homogeneous PCB and DDT distribution (TOC standardization) observed in the surface sediments of some areas in the western Baltic indicates high sediment dynamics. This is supported by the results of sediment core analyses which showed a constant PCB and DDT distribution down to a depth of 15 to 20 cm.

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Polychlorierte Biphenyle (PCB) und Organochlorpestizide im Sediment der Ostsee und der Küsten-gew?sser Mecklenburg-Vorpommerns

Zusammenfassung Die Verteilungen von polychlorierten Biphenylen (PCB) und Organochlorpestiziden (DDT, HCH und HCB) wurden in Oberfl?chensedimenten (0–2 cm) und in Sedimentkernen (0–45 cm) der westlichen Ostsee und der Küstengew?sser Mecklenburg-Vorpommerns untersucht. Die Sedimentprobenahme erfolgte in der Beltsee, der Arkonasee, der Pommerschen Bucht und in nahezu allen Bodden-und Haffgew?ssern Mecklenburg-Vorpommerns im Herbst 1994 und 1995. Die h?chsten Konzentrationen wurden für die PCB-und DDT-Verbindungen bis 214 ng g^-1 Trockenmasse (TM) in den Küstengew?ssern gemessen. Für die HCH-Isomeren lagen die Werte zwischen 0,01 und 2,9 ng g^-1 TM, mit h?chsten Konzentrationen für das Β-HCH. Die Werte der chlorierten Kohlenwasserstoffe (CKW) variieren nach der Sedimentbeschaffenheit und weisen auf erh?hte Eintr?ge über die Flu\systeme (Oder und Peene) hin. Die h?heren Konzentrationen in den Bodden-und Haffgew?ssern charakterisieren diese Gebiete als Senke und durch erneute Mobilisierung der oberen Sedimentschicht in das Pelagial auch als Quelle für die organischen Schadstoffe. Insbesondere konnten die Eintr?ge aus der Landwirtschaft und aus industriellen Punktquellen (Werftstandorte, Schiffbau) in den Küstengew?ssern festgestellt werden. Die nahezu homogene PCB-und DDT-Verteilung im Oberfl?chensediment der westlichen Ostsee ist ein Hinweis auf die hohe Sedimentdynamik in diesem Gebiet. Dieses wird durch die Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen an Sedimentkernen unterstützt, die eine konstante PCB-und DDT-Verteilung bis zu einer Tiefe von 15 bis 20 cm zeigten.

     

Acute toxicity of platinum to coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

The effects of short-term exposure to tetravalent platinum on survival, opercular movement and post-treatment growth of coho salmon fry (Oncorhynchus kisutch) was investigated. Employing a static water acute toxicity bioassay with platinum as PtCl₄2HCl·6 H₂O, at 8.5±0.2°C, and a water hardness of 55.9±3.5 mg l.^?1 (as CaCo₃), the 24, 48, and 96-h LC₅₀ values were 15.5, 5.2, and 2.5 mg Pt⁴⁺ l.^?1 respectively.Rates of opercular movement for fish exposed to platinum increased with increasing concentrations to a level of 1.0 mg l.^?1. No further significant increases were evident above this level. Hypoactivity of fish exposed to 0.3 mg l.^?1 and higher was evident during the acute toxicity bioassay and much of the post-treatment study. Post-treatment rate of growth for fish exposed to sublethal concentration of platinum for 96 h was less than that of the controls.All organs examined histopathologically were within normal ranges with the exception of the gills and olfactory organ. Lesions in fish exposed to concentration of 0.3 mg l.^?1 and higher were characterized by branchial epithelial hypertrophy and hyperplasia, and necrosis of olfactory epithelial cells.