Abstract

Significant (p < 0.05) decreasing trends were observed for PCDD/F toxic equivalents (TEQ(PCDD/F)) at three of the four sites (lipid weight (lw) and wet weight (ww), Swedish west coast lw only); however, other TEQ values e.g., TEQ(PCDD), TEQ(PCDF), TEQ(dl-PCB), TEQ(PCDD/F+dl-PCB) were inconsistent, decreasing at some sites but not others. In the most recent 10 years of data, fewer significant decreases were seen overall. Over the examined time period, significant decreases (Bothnian Bay, p < 0.01, southern Baltic Proper, p < 0.02) and increases (Swedish west coast, p < 0.02) in lipid content, growth dilution or lack thereof, and significant changes in age were observed. However herring were not randomly selected which biases this result. Continual efforts to decrease PCDD/F and dl-PCB emissions and to locate/reduce hotspots are necessary, while bearing in mind that herring biology may be impeding faster decreases of these chemicals. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Baltic herring; Baltic Sea; Dibenzofurans; Dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls; Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins; Temporal trends

Published in

Marine Pollution Bulletin
2013, volume: 73, number: 1, pages: 220-230

Authors' information