Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in black mussel and goby from Black Sea, Bulgaria

Abstract

Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were measured in two marine species: black mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and goby (Neogobius cephalarges). Samples were collected from Lake Varna and Varna Bay in the period of 2004 - 2005 in order to evaluate the status, spatial distribution and potential sources of pollution in these areas. The mussel, one of the most widely used bioindicators of persistent organic pollutants, has been used to monitor PCBs and DDTs contamination trends in Lake Varna and Varna Bay. Black sea gobies are non-migratory species and feed mainly with benthic organisms. Average PCB concentration in mussels were found 28.7 ng/g fat. Total PCB concentrations in goby varied in the range of 21.3 and 71.5 ng/g fat. Concentration in black mussel were found 28.7 ng/g fat for total DDTs. Average DDTs concentration in goby were measured 2116 ng/g fat. The levels of PCBs and DDTs in black mussels and goby from the Lake Varna and Varna Bay were comparable with those found in other marine ecosystems.