Difference between revisions of "PFOS contamination in bib and plaice in the Western Scheldt"

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<u>'''Context of the study'''</u>
 
<u>'''Context of the study'''</u>
  
There is a lack of information on the degree of pollution by [[PFOS|Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid]] (PFOS) in the aquatic wildlife of Western Europe. The degree of PFOS pollution in the Western Scheldt is particularly interesting, given it's it's importance as a nursing area for wild life, and the presence of important chemical plants in Antwerp (upstream of the Western Scheldt).<ref name = pub>[http://www.vliz.be/imis/imis.php?module=ref&refid=70418 Hoff, P.T.; Van de Vijver, K.; Van Dongen, W.; Esmans, E.L.; Blust, R.; De Coen, W.M. (2003). Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid in bib (Trisopterus luscus) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) from the western Scheldt and the Belgian North Sea: distribution and biochemical effects. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 22(3): 608-614]</ref>
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There is a lack of information on the pollution caused by [[PFOS|perfluorooctane sulfonic acid]] (PFOS) in the aquatic wildlife of Western Europe. The degree of PFOS pollution in the Western Scheldt is particularly interesting, given its importance as a nursing area for wild life, and the presence of important chemical plants in Antwerp (upstream of the Western Scheldt).<ref name = pub>[http://www.vliz.be/imis/imis.php?module=ref&refid=70418 Hoff, P.T.; Van de Vijver, K.; Van Dongen, W.; Esmans, E.L.; Blust, R.; De Coen, W.M. (2003). Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid in bib (Trisopterus luscus) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) from the western Scheldt and the Belgian North Sea: distribution and biochemical effects. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 22(3): 608-614]</ref>
  
 
<u>'''Content of the study'''</u>
 
<u>'''Content of the study'''</u>
  
The aim of this study was to determine PFOS concentrations in the muscles and livers of two common fish species: bib and plaice. The study used fish occurring at different locations of the Belgian sea and in the Western Scheldt. This way information was obtained on the severity and distribution of the PFOS pollution. It was also investigated if the PFOS concentrations varied between different fish sizes, and other factors.  
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The aim of this study was to determine PFOS concentrations in the muscles and livers of two common fish species: bib and plaice. The study used fish occurring at different locations of the Belgian part of the North Sea and in the Western Scheldt. This way information was obtained on the severity and distribution of the PFOS pollution. [[Image:steenbolk.jpg|thumb|right|250px| <div style="text-align: center;"> Three bibs © Alain Norro </div>]] It was also investigated whether the PFOS concentrations varied between different fish sizes or between other possible factors.  
  
 
[[Image:steenbolk.jpg|thumb|right|250px| <div style="text-align: center;">
 
Three bibs © Alain Norro </div>]]
 
 
<u>'''Main results of the study'''</u>
 
<u>'''Main results of the study'''</u>
  
Both for bib and plaice, PFOS concentrations in the liver and muscles were higher for the specimens caught in the Western Scheldt than in those caught at sea. Furthermore, the closer the fish were caught to Antwerp the higher the PFOS concentrations got. This could suggest discharges of PFOS in Antwerp.
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Both for bib and plaice, PFOS concentrations in the liver and muscles were higher for the specimens caught in the Western Scheldt than for those caught at sea. Furthermore, the closer the fish were caught to Antwerp the higher the PFOS concentrations got. This could suggest discharges of PFOS in Antwerp.
It may however be argued that these higher concentrations are caused by the smaller average size of the fish. It has been argued that, while growing, the fish dilute their PFOS content. Therefore, larger fish would show a lower PFOS content. This study indeed observed lower liver PFOS concentrations in large bibs.   
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It may however be argued that these higher concentrations are caused by the smaller average size of the fish. It has been suggested that, while growing, the fish dilute their PFOS content, causing larger fish to have lower PFOS contents. This study indeed observed lower PFOS concentrations in the livers of large bibs.   
The study indicated that PFOS might cause liver damage in bibs.<ref name = pub>[http://www.vliz.be/imis/imis.php?module=ref&refid=70418 Hoff, P.T.; Van de Vijver, K.; Van Dongen, W.; Esmans, E.L.; Blust, R.; De Coen, W.M. (2003). Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid in bib (Trisopterus luscus) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) from the western Scheldt and the Belgian North Sea: distribution and biochemical effects. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 22(3): 608-614]</ref>
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The study also indicated that high concentrations of PFOS might cause liver damage in bibs.<ref name = pub>[http://www.vliz.be/imis/imis.php?module=ref&refid=70418 Hoff, P.T.; Van de Vijver, K.; Van Dongen, W.; Esmans, E.L.; Blust, R.; De Coen, W.M. (2003). Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid in bib (Trisopterus luscus) and plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) from the western Scheldt and the Belgian North Sea: distribution and biochemical effects. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 22(3): 608-614]</ref>
  
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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{{author
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|AuthorID=19826
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|AuthorFullName=Daphnis De Pooter
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|AuthorName=Daphnisd}}
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[[Category:Ecotoxicology]]
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[[Category:Coastal and marine pollution]]

Latest revision as of 17:40, 5 November 2019

Plaice on ice © VLIZ (Decleer)

Context of the study

There is a lack of information on the pollution caused by perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in the aquatic wildlife of Western Europe. The degree of PFOS pollution in the Western Scheldt is particularly interesting, given its importance as a nursing area for wild life, and the presence of important chemical plants in Antwerp (upstream of the Western Scheldt).[1]

Content of the study

The aim of this study was to determine PFOS concentrations in the muscles and livers of two common fish species: bib and plaice. The study used fish occurring at different locations of the Belgian part of the North Sea and in the Western Scheldt. This way information was obtained on the severity and distribution of the PFOS pollution.
Three bibs © Alain Norro
It was also investigated whether the PFOS concentrations varied between different fish sizes or between other possible factors.

Main results of the study

Both for bib and plaice, PFOS concentrations in the liver and muscles were higher for the specimens caught in the Western Scheldt than for those caught at sea. Furthermore, the closer the fish were caught to Antwerp the higher the PFOS concentrations got. This could suggest discharges of PFOS in Antwerp. It may however be argued that these higher concentrations are caused by the smaller average size of the fish. It has been suggested that, while growing, the fish dilute their PFOS content, causing larger fish to have lower PFOS contents. This study indeed observed lower PFOS concentrations in the livers of large bibs. The study also indicated that high concentrations of PFOS might cause liver damage in bibs.[1]


References

The main author of this article is Daphnis De Pooter
Please note that others may also have edited the contents of this article.

Citation: Daphnis De Pooter (2019): PFOS contamination in bib and plaice in the Western Scheldt. Available from http://www.coastalwiki.org/wiki/PFOS_contamination_in_bib_and_plaice_in_the_Western_Scheldt [accessed on 28-03-2024]