Thirty year monitoring of PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and tetrabromodiphenylether in eel from The Netherlands.
Because of their excellent properties as a biomonitor, yellow eels (Anguilla anguilla) have been used for time-trend monitoring of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and tetrabrominated diphenylether (tetra-BDE). The program has now lasted for thirty years and has delivered valuable information on trends and spatial differences of these compounds in the delta of the rivers Rhine and Meuse and other Dutch canals, rivers and lakes. Specific local PCB, HCH and dieldrin contaminations were identified. Temporal trends show a slow decrease of PCB concentrations since 1977. Eels from the rivers Rhine and Meuse still exceed present European maximum residue limits for dioxin-like PCBs. Apart from some exceptions, OCP and tetra-BDE concentrations have also decreased, and more than those of PCBs. Fat contents of eel have decreased from an average of 21 to ca. 13%. This decrease in fat contents, coincides with the strong reduction of the European eel stock.
de Boer
Jacob
J
VU University, Institute for Environmental Studies, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. jacob.de.boer@ivm.vu.nl
Dao
Quy T
QT
van Leeuwen
Stefan P J
SP
Kotterman
Michiel J J
MJ
Schobben
John H M
JH
D000818:Animals; D004524:Eels / Q000378:metabolism; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009426:Netherlands; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis*; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D005223:Fats; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C511295:2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls