Organochlorines in fish and crabs from the Kristiansand fjord in Norway

Nord Vet Med. 1978 Sep;30(9):375-9.

Abstract

The levels of sum-DDT, PCBs, and HCB in fish liver and crab hepatopancreas from the Kristiansand fjord area in Norway have been determined (fig. 1). The respective mean levels (fat weight basis) in stationary fish species and crabs are given in table I. The levels of PCBs and sum-DDT were about the same, and the HCB level two to one hundred times higher than corresponding levels reported for codfish (liver) from several harbours along the Norwegian coasts (Brevik et al. in press). The levels calculated on a wet weight basis, found is stationary fish from the harbour of Kristiansand and Topdals-fjord were two to three times higher than those in crabs. Calculated on a fat weight basis, however, the levels in stationary fish and crabs were much more similar (table II). The harbour area was more contaminated with PCBs and HCB than the other sites examined. It seems impossible, however, on the basis of present data to further pinpoint sources of the relatively high degree of HCB contamination in the Kristiansand fjord area.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brachyura / metabolism*
  • Chlorobenzenes / metabolism*
  • DDT / metabolism*
  • Fishes / metabolism*
  • Hexachlorobenzene / metabolism*
  • Norway
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / metabolism*
  • Water Pollutants* / analysis
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

  • Chlorobenzenes
  • Water Pollutants
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Hexachlorobenzene
  • DDT
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls