Organochlorines in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded along the southern North Sea between 2010 and 2013.

7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 6 dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDXs) and 8 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in the blubber of 20 harbour porpoises stranded on the coasts of the southern North Sea between 2010 and 2013. The results showed that porpoises that died from infectious diseases displayed significantly higher levels of PCBs in their blubber compared to healthy porpoises that died from physical trauma. ∑7CBs and ∑DDXs were higher in juvenile porpoises compared to adult females.

Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded along the southern North Sea: an assessment through metallic contamination.

Throughout the last few years, the southern North Sea has witnessed an increase in the number of stranded marine mammals, particularly the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). This species is subject to several potential threats such as exposure to contaminants, changes in food supply, marine traffic and fishery by-catch. The aims of this study were to investigate potential associations between contaminants and health status and to analyze spatial and temporal trends of metal concentrations in harbour porpoises.

Effects of food limitation on 9 metal concentrations in liver and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites in bile of juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) previously exposed to contaminated sediments.

A 2-step experimental design was employed in the present study on juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus): 1) juveniles were exposed for 26 d to 2 contaminated sediments and a reference one, and 2) they were transferred in clean seawater with clean sediment for 35 d, feeding fish once a day, twice a week, or once a week. Fish exposed to contaminated sediments presented a significant increase of hepatic Cd, Cu, and Pb concentrations compared with the reference condition after the 26-d exposure. Higher fluorescence signals of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites were found in bile from turbot exposed to contaminated sediments for 26 d compared with reference.