title: Monitoring micropollutants in marine waters, can quality standards be met?
abstract: The environmental risks of 33 micropollutants occurring in Belgian coastal zone were assessed as single-substances and as mixtures. Water and sediment samples were taken in harbors, coastal waters and the Scheldt estuary during 2007-2009. Measured environmental concentrations were compared to quality standards such as Predicted No Effect Concentrations (PNECs), Environmental Quality Standards (EQSs), and Ecotoxicological Assessment Criteria (EAC). Out of a total of 2547 samples analyzed, 232 and 126 samples exceeded the EQS and EAC, respectively. Highest risks were observed for TBT, PBDEs, PCBs and the PAHs anthracene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, and benzo(b)fluoranthene in the water compartment and for TBT and PCBs in the sediment compartment. Samples taken at all stations during the April 2008 campaign indicate a potential risk of the contaminant mixtures to the aquatic environment (except W06 station). This study argues the need to revise quality standards when appropriate and hence the overall regulatory implication of these standards.
authors: ARCHE, Stapelplein 70, Box 104, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. an.ghekiere@arche-consulting.be
authors: An
authors: A
authors: Ghekiere
authors: Frederik
authors: F
authors: Verdonck
authors: Michiel
authors: M
authors: Claessens
authors: Els
authors: E
authors: Monteyne
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Roose
authors: Klaas
authors: K
authors: Wille
authors: Annelies
authors: A
authors: Goffin
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Rappé
authors: Colin R
authors: CR
authors: Janssen
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D058735:Environmental Policy; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls