The aim of this work was to establish the level of pollution by highly persistent polychlorinated contaminants in sediments from the Vistula Lagoon. Concentrations of PCBs, DDT and its metabolites, isomers of HCH and HCB were determined in the surface sediments (0 - 3 cm depth) from 6 stations. All the substances investigated were present in sediment samples from the Vistula Lagoon in concentrations above the detection limit of the method used (0.01 ng?g-1 d.w.). Concentrations of isomers of HCH and HCB ranged between 0.04 and 0.33 ng?g-1 d.w.. PCB values varied from 0.10 ng?g-1 d.w. to 0.99 ng?g-1 d.w. Of all the substances analysed, DDT and its metabolites were present in the highest concentrations - up to 1.97 ng?g-1 d.w.
Organochlorine pesticides such as DDT and its metabolites (p,p?-DDT, o,p?-DDT, p,p?-DDD, p,p?-DDE), hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (alpha, beta and gamma (-HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and selected PCB congeners (28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, 180) were analysed in plankton, benthic organisms (Cerastoderma glaucum, Mytilus trossulus, Macoma balthica, Crangon crangon), muscle tissue of fish (Zoarces viviparus, Myoxocephalus scorpius, Clupea harengus, Salmo trutta) and birds (Phalacrocorax carbo, Larus ridibundus). We can observe clear differences in the bio-accumulation pattern of these toxic substances in pelagic organisms or benthos and bottom feeding fish.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.