title: Chemical analyses of dredged spoil disposal sites at the Belgian part of the North Sea.
abstract: The chemical status of five dredged spoil disposal sites in the Belgian Part of the North Sea is evaluated. A linear mixed-effect model was applied to PCB, PAH and heavy metal data from 2005 to 2014. No decrease in PCB concentrations was found, with even an increase at two disposal sites. Hg/AL ratios increased with 62% at one disposal site (BR&WS2) from 2005 to 2006 to 2013-2014. Cu and Zn concentrations increased at two disposal sites. Additional harbour sampling suggests that the latter is possibly linked to antifouling paints. Based on OSPAR environmental assessment criteria, the current chemical status of the sites suggests no chronic effect of dredged spoil disposal. However, increasing time trend data for PCB, Hg, Cu and Zn demonstrate the importance of monitoring to identify adverse trends.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Animal Sciences Unit - Aquatic Environment and Quality, Ankerstraat 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium. Electronic address: Bavo.Dewitte@ilvo.vlaanderen.be.
authors.forename: Bavo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: De Witte
authors.affiliation: Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Center (CODA-CERVA), Trace Element Service, Leuvensesteenweg 17, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium. Electronic address: Ann.ruttens@coda-cerva.be.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ruttens
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Animal Sciences Unit - Aquatic Environment and Quality, Ankerstraat 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium. Electronic address: Bart.Ampe@ilvo.vlaanderen.be.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ampe
authors.affiliation: Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Center (CODA-CERVA), Trace Element Service, Leuvensesteenweg 17, 3080 Tervuren, Belgium. Electronic address: Nadia.waegeneers@coda-cerva.be.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Waegeneers
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Animal Sciences Unit - Aquatic Environment and Quality, Ankerstraat 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium. Electronic address: Johanna.Gauquie@ilvo.vlaanderen.be.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gauquie
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Animal Sciences Unit - Aquatic Environment and Quality, Ankerstraat 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium. Electronic address: Lisa.devriese@ilvo.vlaanderen.be.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Devriese
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research, Animal Sciences Unit - Aquatic Environment and Quality, Ankerstraat 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium. Electronic address: Kris.cooreman@ilvo.vlaanderen.be.
authors.forename: Kris
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cooreman
authors.affiliation: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, OD Nature, Ecochem, 3de en 23ste Linieregimentsplein, 8400 Oostende, Belgium. Electronic address: Kparmentier@naturalsciences.be.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Parmentier
mesh_terms: D001530:Belgium; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009659:North Sea
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy
keywords: Dredged spoil disposal; Heavy metals; PAH; PCB; Pollution control measures