Halogenated organic contaminants in marine fish and mussels from southern Greenland--pilot study on relations to trophic levels and local sources.
Mussels and marine fish (shorthorn sculpin and Greenland cod) were sampled at three locations with varying human activity. Fish livers and mussels were analysed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and chlorinated pesticides including chlordane and toxaphene. Levels of chlorinated contaminants in shorthorn sculpins from the background location, [capital Sigma]PCB (217-224 ng g(-1) lw), [capital Sigma]DDT (180 ng g(-1) lw) and hexachlorobenzene (32-44 ng g(-1) lw), were in the same range as previously observed in eastern Greenland but exceeded the levels previously observed in southern and western Greenland. Multivariate analysis showed that pollutant concentrations were mainly explained by trophic levels of the species (cod > sculpins > mussels). A pooled sample of shorthorn sculpins from the harbour of Qaqortoq had significantly higher PCB and PBDE concentrations with a different congener pattern compared to the background site, while other contaminants were comparable. This points towards local pollution sources, possibly accumulated emissions from burning of waste.
Glasius
Marianne
M
National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Atmospheric Environment, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark. Marianne@Glasius.DK
Christensen
Jan H
JH
Platz
Jesper
J
Vorkamp
Katrin
K
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005399:Fishes; D020387:Food Chain; D006116:Greenland; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010575:Pesticides; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls