Chemical contaminants in fish species from rivers in the North of Luxembourg: Potential impact on the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra)

Chemosphere
Aurore BoscherGérard Schmidt

Abstract

Contamination levels of PCBs, and of the heavy metals cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) were analyzed in four fish species from seven rivers in the North of Luxembourg. During August and September 2007, 85 samples of fish were collected belonging to four species: the stone loach (Barbatula barbatula, n=12 pools), the chub (Squalius cephalus, n=36), the barbel (Barbus barbus, n=23) and eel (Anguilla anguilla, n=14). The concentration of seven indicator PCBs ( summation operator(7)PCBs) reached a mean of 39ngg(-1) and varied between 4.0 and 346.2ngg(-1) (wet wt) depending on the site and species. Fish collected at Wallendorf on the Our River and sites on the Wiltz and the Clerve rivers showed the highest concentrations for PCBs. In comparison with 1994, PCB levels in fish decreased strongly during the last decade in these rivers. Lead was detected at low levels (0-181.4ngg(-1) wet wt). Mercury concentrations ranged between 10.3 and 534.5ngg(-1) (wet wt) exceeding maximum tolerable levels for human consumption of 500ngg(-1) in two fish out of 85. Chubs and eels from the Sûre River were the most contaminated by mercury. Cadmium levels varied between 4.0 and 103.9ngg(-1) (wet wt). In addition to mercury in fish, cadmium was t...Continue Reading

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