What can we learn from monitoring PCBs in the European eel? A Belgian experience
Abstract: Between 2000 and 2007 pooled muscle tissue samples of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) from 48 sites in Flanders (Belgium) were analysed for 30 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. There was a large variation between individual sites (range 117752 ng/g wet weight (ww) for the sum...
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ftunivantwerpen:c:irua:87538 2024-09-30T14:22:40+00:00 What can we learn from monitoring PCBs in the European eel? A Belgian experience Belpaire, Claude Geeraerts, Caroline Roosens, Laurence Neels, Hugo Covaci, Adrian 2011 pdf https://hdl.handle.net/10067/875380151162165141 eng eng info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1016/J.ENVINT.2010.10.006 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/isi/000287620100008 info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess 0160-4120 Environment international Biology info:eu-repo/semantics/article 2011 ftunivantwerpen https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVINT.2010.10.006 2024-09-10T04:06:32Z Abstract: Between 2000 and 2007 pooled muscle tissue samples of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) from 48 sites in Flanders (Belgium) were analysed for 30 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. There was a large variation between individual sites (range 117752 ng/g wet weight (ww) for the sum of the ICES 7 PCBs), eels from the River Meuse basin (mean 1545 ng/g ww) being considerably more polluted than those from the River Scheldt (615) and IJzer (61) basins. Overall, PCB 153, PCB 138 and PCB 180 were the most prominent congeners, however PCB patterns varied between the monitored locations. Analysis of the weight percentage of congeners demonstrates obvious differences in PCB composition between sites, indicating differential sources of pollution. Due to the variation in patterns, atmospheric fallout does not seem to be the main source of the PCB spread, but instead both local and upstream sources linked to industrial activities seem to be the main cause for PCB presence in Flanders. Considering the levels of the Sum 7 PCBs, eels are not compliant with the Belgian legal limits for consumption (75 ng/g ww) in 71% of the sites. Regular consumption of eels from polluted sites leads to a considerable excess of the WHO Acceptable Daily Intake value. Consumption of wild eels should by all means be prevented, as it presents risks for human health, especially for local anglers consuming their catch. Article in Journal/Newspaper Anguilla anguilla IRUA - Institutional Repository van de Universiteit Antwerpen Environment International 37 2 354 364 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
IRUA - Institutional Repository van de Universiteit Antwerpen |
op_collection_id |
ftunivantwerpen |
language |
English |
topic |
Biology |
spellingShingle |
Biology Belpaire, Claude Geeraerts, Caroline Roosens, Laurence Neels, Hugo Covaci, Adrian What can we learn from monitoring PCBs in the European eel? A Belgian experience |
topic_facet |
Biology |
description |
Abstract: Between 2000 and 2007 pooled muscle tissue samples of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) from 48 sites in Flanders (Belgium) were analysed for 30 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners. There was a large variation between individual sites (range 117752 ng/g wet weight (ww) for the sum of the ICES 7 PCBs), eels from the River Meuse basin (mean 1545 ng/g ww) being considerably more polluted than those from the River Scheldt (615) and IJzer (61) basins. Overall, PCB 153, PCB 138 and PCB 180 were the most prominent congeners, however PCB patterns varied between the monitored locations. Analysis of the weight percentage of congeners demonstrates obvious differences in PCB composition between sites, indicating differential sources of pollution. Due to the variation in patterns, atmospheric fallout does not seem to be the main source of the PCB spread, but instead both local and upstream sources linked to industrial activities seem to be the main cause for PCB presence in Flanders. Considering the levels of the Sum 7 PCBs, eels are not compliant with the Belgian legal limits for consumption (75 ng/g ww) in 71% of the sites. Regular consumption of eels from polluted sites leads to a considerable excess of the WHO Acceptable Daily Intake value. Consumption of wild eels should by all means be prevented, as it presents risks for human health, especially for local anglers consuming their catch. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Belpaire, Claude Geeraerts, Caroline Roosens, Laurence Neels, Hugo Covaci, Adrian |
author_facet |
Belpaire, Claude Geeraerts, Caroline Roosens, Laurence Neels, Hugo Covaci, Adrian |
author_sort |
Belpaire, Claude |
title |
What can we learn from monitoring PCBs in the European eel? A Belgian experience |
title_short |
What can we learn from monitoring PCBs in the European eel? A Belgian experience |
title_full |
What can we learn from monitoring PCBs in the European eel? A Belgian experience |
title_fullStr |
What can we learn from monitoring PCBs in the European eel? A Belgian experience |
title_full_unstemmed |
What can we learn from monitoring PCBs in the European eel? A Belgian experience |
title_sort |
what can we learn from monitoring pcbs in the european eel? a belgian experience |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
https://hdl.handle.net/10067/875380151162165141 |
genre |
Anguilla anguilla |
genre_facet |
Anguilla anguilla |
op_source |
0160-4120 Environment international |
op_relation |
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1016/J.ENVINT.2010.10.006 info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/isi/000287620100008 |
op_rights |
info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVINT.2010.10.006 |
container_title |
Environment International |
container_volume |
37 |
container_issue |
2 |
container_start_page |
354 |
op_container_end_page |
364 |
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1811635028855095296 |