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. 2018 Sep;25(27):26939-26956.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-018-2728-1. Epub 2018 Jul 14.

Assessment of seafood contamination under the marine strategy framework directive: contributions of the German environmental specimen bank

Annette Fliedner  1 , Heinz Rüdel  2 , Burkhard Knopf  2 , Nina Lohmann  3 , Martin Paulus  4 , Michael Jud  5 , Ulrike Pirntke  6 , Jan Koschorreck  6
Affiliations

Assessment of seafood contamination under the marine strategy framework directive: contributions of the German environmental specimen bank

Annette Fliedner et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2018 Sep.

Abstract

Descriptor 9 (D9) of the European Union Marine Strategy Framework Directive refers to the compliance of contaminant levels in fish and other seafood of a defined marine region or subregion with human health threshold values. This requires georeferenced samples that are often difficult to obtain when relying on commercial fisheries or programs designed for monitoring human exposure. The present study examines whether georeferenced samples of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) and eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) fillet of the German environmental specimen bank (ESB) can be used in this context. The suitability of the ESB samples, procedures, and analytical methods is evaluated with respect to D9 requirements. Based on ESB data for the D9 relevant contaminants Pb, Cd, Hg, ∑4 PAHs, PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like (dl)-PCBs, and indicator non-dl-PCBs and the potentially relevant substances TBT, PFOS, PBDE, and HBCDD, the Good Environmental Status for D9 is assessed at the ESB sites in the North and Baltic Seas. The overall evaluation indicates that ESB samples are suitable for D9 assessment with the limitation that only coastal areas of the North and Baltic Seas are covered. Over a period of up to 30 years, concentrations of the D9 relevant contaminants were well below the maximum levels allowed for human consumption.

Keywords: Biota monitoring; Blue mussel; Descriptor 9; Eelpout; Environmental specimen bank; Marine strategy framework directive.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Marine sampling sites of the German Environmental Specimen Bank
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Trends of D9 relevant contaminants in ESB samples of blue mussels (soft body) and eelpout (fillet) from the North Sea/Lower Saxony Wadden Sea (coastal region of FAO/ICES Division 27.4.b). The lines represent the results of the linear regression (solid for significant linear trend, dashed for not significant). ML maximum level allowed in fish and fishery products (Reg. (EC) No. 1881/2006 and amendments; EC 2006a, 2008c, 2011a, b, c)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Trends of D9 relevant contaminants in ESB samples of blue mussels (soft body) and eelpout (fillet) from the North Sea/Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea (coastal region of FAO/ICES Division 27.4.b). The lines represent the results of the linear regression (solid for significant linear trend, dashed for not significant). ML maximum level allowed in fish and fishery products (Reg. (EC) No. 1881/2006 and amendments; EC 2006a, 2008c, 2011a, b, c))
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Trends of D9 relevant contaminants in ESB samples of blue mussels (soft body) and eelpout (fillet) from the Baltic Sea/Bodden National Park of Western Pomerania (coastal region of FAO/ICES Subdivision 27.3d.24). The lines represent the results of the linear regression (solid for significant linear trend, dashed for not significant). ML maximum level allowed in fish and fishery products (Reg. (EC) No. 1881/2006 and amendments; EC 2006a, 2008c, 2011a, b, c)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Concentrations of TBT (μg kg−1 dry weight, as cation) in blue mussels (soft body) (a) and PFOS, PBDE, and HBCDD (μg kg−1 wet weight) in eelpout (fillet) (b–d) from the ESB sampling sites in the North and Baltic Seas. BS Baltic Sea/Bodden National Park of Western Pomerania, NS 1 North Sea/Lower Saxony Wadden Sea, NS 2 Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea, EAC OSPAR environmental assessment criterion, EQS environmental quality standard
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