title: Contaminant (PAHs, OCs, PCBs and trace metals) concentrations are declining in axial tissue of sand flathead (Platycephalus bassensis) collected from an urbanised catchment (Port Phillip Bay, Australia).
abstract: Concentrations of PAHs, OCs, PCBs and trace metals were determined in the white muscle of sand flathead Platycephalus bassensis collected at 6 locations in Port Phillip Bay during 2015. No PAHs, OCs or PCBs were detected in the white muscle of sand flathead at any of the locations, however measurable levels of As, Cu, Hg, Se and Zn were detected at all sites. Only As and Hg exhibited regional difference in white muscle concentrations, with As present only in a non-toxic organic form and Hg measured at levels that are comparable to levels reported in reference sites in other studies. All contaminants detected in the white muscle of sand flathead collected in Port Phillip Bay in 2015 were below Australian Food Standards guideline values, and by world standards, the Port Phillip Bay sand flathead population is considered minimally contaminated. Furthermore, tissue contaminant concentrations appear to be decreasing over time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, P.O. Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia. Electronic address: m.gagnon@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Marthe Monique
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Gagnon
authors.affiliation: Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, P.O. Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia.
authors.forename: Jarrad Kyle
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management (CAPIM), Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Sara M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management (CAPIM), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hassell
authors.affiliation: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management (CAPIM), The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Vincent J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Pettigrove
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D061006:Bays / Q000737:chemistry*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry; D010473:Perciformes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014507:Urbanization; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Contaminants; Fish; Organochlorines; PCBs; Port Phillip Bay; Trace metals