Skip to main content
Log in

Residue of chlorinated pesticides in fish caught in the Southern Baltic

  • Original research paper
  • Published:
Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the residue of chlorinated pesticides in the edible fish caught in the Gulf of Gdańsk and in the Vistula Lagoon. The highest mean concentrations of total DDT were found in the muscles of salmon (331.45 ng g−1 lw.) and sabre carp (306.29 ng g−1 lw.) caught in the Vistula Lagoon, and in the muscles of cod (309.88 ng g−1 lw.) and herring (304.86 ng g−1 lw.) from the Gulf of Gdańsk. Moreover, it was discovered that the following were present in the muscles of fish: DDT metabolites (pp’-DDE and pp’-DDD isomers) as well as hexachlorobenzene and its metabolites and endrin, dieldrin, α-endosulfan isomers and methoxychlor. Pesticides concentrations were higher in the livers of fish than in the muscles, which proves that the removal of toxins from the fish systems dominates over their accumulation. Because no concentration limits for pesticides have been defined, consumer safety assessment of fish caught in the Southern Baltic and in the Vistula Lagoon is not possible. The authors, having observed an increase in heksachlorobenzen in fish tissues suggested the existence of contemporary sources of pesticides which introduce them into the coastal zone.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arrhenius, F. & Hansson S. (1992). Food consumption of herring and sprat in the Baltic Sea. ICES, Baltic Fish Committee J, 7, 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartel, R. (2001). Return of salmon back to Polish waters. Ecology & Hydrobiology 1,3; 377–392.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bignert, A., Litzén K., Odsjö T., Olsson M., Persson W. & Reutergårdh L. (1995). Time related factors influence the concentrations of sDDT, PCBs and shell parameters in eggs of Baltic Guillemot (Uria aalge), 1861–1989. Environmental Pollution, 89:27–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bignert, A., Danielsson S., Nyberg E., Asplund L., Eriksson U., Berger U. & Haglund P. (2010). Comments Concerning the National Swedish Contaminant Monitoring Programme in Marine Biota, 2010. Report to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Report nr 1:2010, - 154.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brylińska, (2001). Ryby słodkowodne Polski. PWN Warszawa, 141–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buszewski, B., Buszewska T., Chmarzyński A., Kowalkowski T., Kowalska J., Kosbucki P., Zbytniewski R., Namieśnik J., Kot-Wasik A., Pacyna J. & Panasiuk D. (2005). The present condition of the Vistula river catchment area and its impact on the Baltic Sea coastal zone. Reg Environ change. 5, 97–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Casini, M., Cardinale M. & Arrhenius F. (2004). Feeding preferences of herring (Clupea harengus) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus) in the southern Baltic Sea, ICES, J. Mar. Sci. 61, 1267–1277.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Mekkawi, H., Diab M., Zaki M. & Hassan A. (2009). Determination of chlorinated organic pesticide residues in water, sediments and fish farms at Abbassa and Shal Al-Husainia, Shakia governorate. Australian J. Bass. Appl. Sci. 3(4), 4376–4383

    Google Scholar 

  • Evans, D.W., Dodo D.K. & Hanson P.J. (1993). Trace-element concentrations in fish livers: implications of variations with fish size in pollution monitoring. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 26, 329–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falandysz, J., Brudnowska B., Iwata H. & Tanabe S. (1999a). Organochlorine pesticides and polichronated biphynls in the ambient air in city of Gdańsk. Roczniki PZH. 50(1), 39–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Falandysz, J., Strandberg B., Strandberg L., Bergqvist P. A. & Rappe Ch. (1999b). Dieldrin, aldrin, endrin, isodrin, endosulphan 1 and 2 on fish in the Gulf of Gdańsk, Roczniki PZH. 50(2), 131–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Falandysz, J. & Strandberg B. (2004). Persistent organochlorine compounds in sludge and sediments from tha Gdańsk region, Baltic Sea. Pol. J. Env. Stud. 13(2), 133–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Falkowska L., Reindl A.R., Szumiło E., Kwaśniak J., Staniszewska M., Bełdowska M., Lewandowska A. & Krause I. (2013). Mercury and chlorinated pesticides on the highest level of the food web as exemplified by herring from the Southern Baltic and African penguins from the zoo. Water Air and Soil Pollution 224:1549. DOI: 10.1007/s11270-013-1549-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gąsowska, M. (1962). Klucze do oznaczania kręgowców Polski. Cz. I, Krągłouste-Cyclostomi, Ryby-Pisces. Opracowanie zbiorowe, PWN, Warszawa, Kraków. 240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grynkiewicz, M., Polkowska Ż., Górecki T. & Namieśnik J. (2001). Pesticides in precipitation in the Gdańsk region (Poland). Chemosphere. 43, 303–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • HELCOM, (2010). Hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea — An integrated thematic assessment of hazardous substances in the Baltic Sea. Balt. Sea Environ. Proc. No. 120B.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackowski, E. (2002). Ryby Zatoki Puckiej. Monografia rybacka, Wydaw. Mor. Inst. Ryb., Gdynia. 108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koistinen, J. Kiviranta H, Ruokojärvi P, Parmanne R, Verta M, Hallikainen A & Vartiainen T. (2008). Organohalogen pollutants in herring from the northern Baltic Sea: concentrations, congener profiles and explanatory factors. Environ Pollut. 154(2), 172–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kosikowska M., Szymańska M. & Biziuk M. (2011). Determination of pesticides residues in ambient air in tri-city. [in:] JakośĆ Powietrza a jakośĆ życia. W. Wardencji (ed.), 63–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kosior, M., Trella K.K. & Jaworski A., (2001). Fecundity of cod (Gadus morhua callarias L.) in the southern Baltic in the late 1990s. Acta Ichthyol. Piscat. 31(2), 55–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kot-Wasik, A., Dębska J. & Namieśnik J. (2004). Monitoring of organic pollutants in coastal waters of the Gulf of Gdańsk, Southern Baltic. Mar. Poll. Bull. 49, 264–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kwaśniak J. & Falkowska L. (2012). Mercury distribution in muscles and internal organs of the juvenile and adult Baltic cod (Gadus morrhua callarias Linnaeus, 1758). Oceanol. Hydrobiol. Stud. 41(2), 65–71. DOI: 10.2478/s13545-012-0018-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moilanen, R., Pyysalo H., Wickström K. & Linko R. (1982). Time trend of chlordane, DDT and PCB concentration in Pike (Esox Lucius) and Baltic Herring (Clupea harengus) in the Turku Archipelago, Northern Baltic Sea for the period 1971–1982. Bull. Environm. Contam. Toxicol. 29, 334–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nfon, E, Cousins I.T. & Broman D. (2008). Biomagnification of organic pollutants in benthic and pelagic marine food chains from the Baltic Sea. Sci Total Environ. 397(1–3), 190–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olsson, M., Bignert, A., Aune, M., Haarich, M., Harms, U., Korhonen, M., Poutanen, E., Roots, O. & Sapota, G. (2003). Organic contaminants. Chapter in Forth Periodic Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, 1994–1998. Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission 2002. pp 133–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reindl, A.R., Bolałek J. & Falkowska L. (2013). Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the marine food web: herrings from the southern Baltic Sea (Clupea harengus) — penguins from the zoo (Spheniscus demersus). Oceanol. Hydrobiol. Stud. 42(1). DOI: 10.2478/s13545-000-0000-0

    Google Scholar 

  • Roots, O. & Talvari A. (1997). Bioaccumulation of the toxic chlororganic compounds and their isomers into the organism of Baltic grey seals. Chemosphere. 35(5), 979–985.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sapota, G. (1997). Chlorinated hydrocarbons in sediments from the Vistula Lagoon. Oceanol. Hydrobiol. Stud. 26(2–3), 61–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sapota, G. (2006). Decreasing trend of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in herring from the southern Baltic Sea. Oceanol. Hydrobiol. Stud. 35(1), 15–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strandberg, B., Strandberg L., van Bavel B., Bergqvist P.A., Broman D., Falandysz J., Näf C., Papakosta O., Rolff C. & Rappe C. (1998a). Concentrations and spatial variations of cyclodienes and other organochlorines in herring and perch from the Baltic Sea. Sci Total Environ. 215(1–2), 69–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strandberg, B., Bandh C., Van Bavel B., Bergqvist P. A., Broman D., Näf C., Pettersen H. & Rappe C. (1998b). Concentrations, biomagnification and spatial variation of organochlorine compounds in a pelagic food web in the northern part of the Baltic Sea, Sci. Tot. Environ. 217, 143–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szlinder-Richert, J., Barska I., Mazerski J. & Usydus Z. (2008). Organochlorine pesticidies in fish from the southern Baltic Sea — levels, bioaccumulation features and temporal trends during the period from 1997 to 2006. Mar. Poll. Bull. 56(5), 927–940.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Terlecki, J. (2000). Ciosa, Pelecus cultratus (Linnaeus, 1758). In: Ryby słodkowodne Polski. M. Brylińska (ed.). Warszawa, PWN. 322–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiener, J. G., Krabbenhoft D. P., Heinz G. H. & Scheuhammer A. M. (2003). Ecotoxicology of mercury. In: Hoffman, DJ, Rattner BA, Burton GA, Cairns J, editors. Handbook of ecotoxicology. Boca Raton7 Lewis Publ. 409–463.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiśniewolski, W., Augustyn L., Bartel R., Depowski R., Dębowski P., Klich M., Kolman R. & Witkowski A. (2004). Możliwości odtworzenia populacji ryb wędrownych (jesiotra — Acipenser sturio/A. oxyrhynchus, łososia — Salmo salar, troci — Salmo trutta trutta i certy — Vimba vimba) w polskich rzekach. WWF Polska, Warszawa. 42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vorkamp, K., Christensen J. H., Glasius M. & Riget F. F. (2004). Persistent chalogenated compounds in black guillemots (Cepphus grylle) from Greenland — levels, compound patterns and spatial trends. Mar. Poll. Bull. 48, 111–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zitko, V. (2003). Chlorinated pesticides: Aldrin, DDT, endrin, dieldrin, mirex. Pages 47–90 in The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry (H. Fiedler, ed), vol. 3, Part O, Persistent Organic Pollutants. Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrzej R. Reindl.

About this article

Cite this article

Reindl, A.R., Falkowska, L., Szumiło, E. et al. Residue of chlorinated pesticides in fish caught in the Southern Baltic. Ocean and Hydro 42, 251–259 (2013). https://doi.org/10.2478/s13545-013-0081-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13545-013-0081-z

Key words

Navigation