Flame retardants organotin compounds and surfactants in opossum shrimps of the Scheldt estuary.

Context of the study

Flame retardants (like PBDEs) are used globally and are very persistent when they end up in the environment. Surfactants (like APE) have also been widely produced, and most of them end up in the aquatic environment. Together with organotin conpounts they are ofthen detected at high levels in estuarine waters world wide. All three groups might have long term effects on the endocrine system. Little is known however on how these compounds transfer to hyperbentic communities.

Content of the study

Main results of the study