|
(77-15) Chlorinated hydrocarbons in various elements of the Baltic environment. Sapota, Grazyna*,1, 1 Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, Maritime Branch, Waszyngtona 42, Gdynia, Poland ABSTRACT- The aim of this work was to establish the level of pollution by highly persistent organic compounds in the environment of the Gulf of Gdansk and bioaccumulation of these toxic substances in the food chain. Concentrations of such compounds were determined in water, bottom sediments, 7 species of benthic organisms (Mytilus trossulus, Macoma balthica, Mya arenaria, Cerastoderma glaucum, Crangon crangon, Saduria entomon, Halicryptus spinulosus), 4 species of fish (Clupea harengus, Zoarces viviparus, Myoxocephalus scorpius, Salmo trutta) and 2 species of bird (Larus ridibundus, Phalacrocorax carbo). Organisms being at the top of the food chain accumulated toxic substances in very high concentrations. The level of contaminants still impaired their condition and reproductive ability. The concentrations of PCBs and DDT in the Gulf of Gdansk are lower than, f. ex. 10 years ago, but are still about 2-4 times higher than those substances in samples from the north part on the Baltic Sea or several times higher than in samples from the open North Sea. Key words: pesticides and PCBs, bioaccumulation, food chain, Baltic Sea |
