Accumulation and distribution of biogenic and pollutant hydrocarbons, pcbs and ddt in tissues of western mediterranean fishes

Abstract

Abstract Data on hydrocarbons, PCBs and total DDT in muscle, liver and gonads of Mullas barbatus. Trachurus trachurus, Merluccius merluccius, Engraulis enchrasicholus and Micromesistius poutassou collected along the Catalan Coast (NW Mediterrenean) are reported for the first time. The species and the collection sites—off Barcelona to the north (Palamos) and to the south (Ehro Delta)—were selected for the assessment of the effects of coastal pollutant sources on commercially valuable organisms. Mullus barbatus reflects the influence of local sources, and is therefore a useful bioindicator for organic pollutants. Despite some scattering of the results, concentrations are in general of the same order of magnitude for juvenile and adult specimens, although the pollutants considered exhibit different biological fates. Hydrocarbons are accumulated primarily in liver, whereas organochlorinated compounds are accumulated in gonads. Liver and muscle contents could reflect acute and chronic pollutants inputs respectively. The accumulation in muscle is more important for aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons than for the saturated ones, which are probably metabolized in the liver.