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Bioaccumulation of organic and inorganic contaminants in biota: A long-term evaluation in the Belgian part of the North Sea
Vanavermaete, D.; De Witte, B.; Hostens, K.; Ruttens, A.; Waegeneers, N.; Cheyns, K.; Leus, J.; De Baets, B. (2024). Bioaccumulation of organic and inorganic contaminants in biota: A long-term evaluation in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 209: 117068. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117068
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more
Peer reviewed article  
Available in  Authors 
Keywords
    Biota
    Chemical elements > Metals
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Chemical contamination; Disposal sites; PAHs; PCBs
Authors  Top 
  • Waegeneers, N., more
  • Cheyns, K., more
  • Leus, J.
  • De Baets, B., more
Abstract
    Determining the extent of pollution in the marine environment remains challenging. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and metals can, during dredging operations, be transported from a port or harbour into the open sea, where they may exert a harmful effect on the marine ecosystem. To fully understand the impact of these chemicals, monitoring programs should not only focus on sediment concentrations, but should also take into account the bioaccumulated concentration in the tissue of multiple target organisms.In this study, the concentration of primary contaminants is determined in common starfish (Asterias rubens), flying crab (Liocarcinus holsatus), and brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) and the difference in the concentration of contamination between different dredge disposal sites at open sea is investigated. Different factors such as lipid weight, dry weight, grain size, and total organic carbon were measured and used to understand the difference between the observed bioaccumulation and the measured sediment concentrations.

    Key message

    Different contaminants are detected in biota such as common starfish, flying crab and brown shrimp. These contaminants can be linked to dredging activities, with disposal sites associated with industrial ports showing higher contamination.
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