Contaminant levels in sediments and asteroids (Asterias rubens L., Echinodermata) from the Belgian coast and Scheldt estuary: polychlorinated biphenyls and heavy metals

The Science of the Total Environment
Bruno DanisMichel Warnau

Abstract

The Southern Bight of the North Sea is particularly exposed to anthropogenic contamination, due to heavy urbanisation and industrialisation of its catchment area. The present work focuses on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and metal contamination of the marine environment along and off the Belgian coast. Its objectives were to compare the concentrations of seven PCB congeners and four heavy metals in the sediments (a repository for anthropogenic contaminants) and in the asteroid Asterias rubens (a recognized bioindicator species). Nineteen sampling stations were considered between the mouth of the Scheldt Estuary and the southern limit of the Belgian coast (asteroids were found in 10 out of the 19 stations). PCB and metal concentrations measured in sediments and asteroids were in the range of values reported in previous studies. Stations under direct influence of the Scheldt were the most impacted by the considered contaminants. Metal concentrations varied according to the grain-size fraction considered. In asteroids, PCBs and metals were found to be selectively distributed among body compartments, and pyloric caeca were found to most efficiently discriminate between sampling stations contamination levels. PCB and metal analysis...Continue Reading

References

Jul 1, 1994·Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·K Booij, C van den Berg

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Citations

Feb 5, 2005·Applied and Environmental Microbiology·David C GillanPhilippe Dubois
Apr 25, 2007·Biofouling·David C Gillan, Philippe Pernet
Jul 22, 2008·Toxicology in Vitro : an International Journal Published in Association with BIBRA·Luka TravenVladimir Mićović
Mar 9, 2007·The Science of the Total Environment·Heidi Van den BroeckRonny Blust
Jan 22, 2014·Marine Pollution Bulletin·Gert EveraertColin R Janssen
Sep 29, 2011·Marine Pollution Bulletin·Alexander CallawaySara Benetti
Feb 8, 2007·Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·Hermes SanctorumWilly Baeyens
May 7, 2008·Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology·Guillemette Joly-TurquinMonique Guillou
Jun 27, 2021·Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology·Budiawan BudiawanWahyu Retno Prihatiningsih

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