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Pollution fingerprints in eels as models for the chemical status of rivers
Belpaire, C.; Goemans, G.; Geeraerts, C.; Quataert, P.; Parmentier, K. (2007). Pollution fingerprints in eels as models for the chemical status of rivers, in: Belpaire, C. (2008). Zendingsverslag : ICES Symposium : Environmental indicators. Zendingsverslagen van het instituut voor natuur- en bosonderzoek, 2008(10): pp. 10-27
In: Belpaire, C. (2008). Zendingsverslag : ICES Symposium : Environmental indicators. Zendingsverslagen van het instituut voor natuur- en bosonderzoek, 2008(10). Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek: Groenendaal
In: Zendingsverslagen van het instituut voor natuur- en bosonderzoek. Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek: Brussel
Related to:
Belpaire, C.; Goemans, G.; Geeraerts, C.; Quataert, P.; Parmentier, K. (2008). Pollution fingerprints in eels as models for the chemical status of rivers, in: Belpaire, C. Pollution in eel: a cause of their decline? = Verontreiniging in paling: een oorzaak van zijn achteruitgang?. Mededelingen van het Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek, M.2008.2: pp. 201-218, more
Belpaire, C.; Goemans, G.; Geeraerts, C.; Quataert, P.; Parmentier, K. (2008). Pollution fingerprints in eels as models for the chemical status of rivers. ICES J. Mar. Sci./J. Cons. int. Explor. Mer 65(8): 1483-1491. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsn112, more
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Document type: Conference paper
Keywords
    Bioindicators
    Fingerprinting
    Hydrographic features > Physiographic features > Rivers
    Organisms > Indicators > Indicator species
    Pollution
    Pollution > Water pollution
    Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]; Anguilla anguilla (Linnaeus, 1758) [WoRMS]
    Belgium, Flanders [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    bio-indicator; European eel; Flanders; pollution fingerprints; Water Framework Directive
Authors  Top 
  • Belpaire, C.
  • Goemans, G.
  • Geeraerts, C.
  • Quataert, P.
  • Parmentier, K.
Abstract
    The 2006 EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) proposed the monitoring of a selection of priority substances in the aquatic phase, including lipophilic substances. However, there are strong arguments for measuring lipophilic substances in biota. Yellow eel is a good candidate because it is widespread, sedentary, and accumulates many lipophilic substances in its muscle tissue. Several authors have described the indicative value of measured concentrations, yet few studies have investigated to what extent the spectrum of contaminants present characterizes the local environmental pollution pressure. To evaluate the value of the pollution profile of an eel as a fingerprint of the chemical status of the local environment, two datasets were selected from the Flemish Eel Pollutant Network database. The pollution profiles in individual eels along a river ( even at distances,5 km) proved to be significantly different. Analysis of pooled contaminant data from multiple sites and sampling years within rivers allows characterization of river-specific chemical pressures. These results highlight the usefulness of eels as bio-indicators for monitoring pollution with lipophilic chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides, in rivers. As such, eels may be used effectively within the monitoring programme for a selection of priority substances referred to in the WFD.
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