Passive Sampling in Regulatory Chemical Monitoring of Nonpolar Organic Compounds in the Aquatic Environment.

We reviewed compliance monitoring requirements in the European Union, the United States, and the Oslo-Paris Convention for the protection of the marine environment of the North-East Atlantic, and evaluated if these are met by passive sampling methods for nonpolar compounds. The strengths and shortcomings of passive sampling are assessed for water, sediments, and biota. Passive water sampling is a suitable technique for measuring concentrations of freely dissolved compounds.

Mercury levels and trends (1993-2009) in bream (Abramis brama L.) and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) from German surface waters.

Mercury concentrations have been analysed in bream (Abramis brama L.) and zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) collected at 17 freshwater sites in Germany from 1993-2009 and 1994-2009, respectively, within the German Environmental Specimen programme. Mercury concentrations in bream ranged from 21 to 881 ng g(-1) wet weight with lowest concentrations found at the reference site Lake Belau and highest in fish from the river Elbe and its tributaries.

Occurrence of perfluorinated organic acids in the North and Baltic Seas. Part 2: distribution in sediments.

Purpose: The distribution of polar perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in sea water of the North and Baltic Seas has been described in part 1 of this study. In part 2, their occurrence in sediments is described in order to further investigate their distribution routes and possible sinks.

Methods: Sediments were extracted with methanol and PFCs with chain lengths of C(4) to C(10) analysed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry.

Occurrence of perfluorinated organic acids in the North and Baltic seas. Part 1: distribution in sea water.

Purpose: Due to their high water solubilities and mobilities, persistent, polar perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) such as perfluorinated carboxylates and sulfonates are likely to end up in the oceans. In part 1 of this study, their distribution in North and Baltic Sea water is reported, being of special interest because these seas are surrounded by highly industrialized countries with high population densities.

Methods: A combination of solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used after optimisation to determine nine PFCs with chain lengths of C(4) to C(10) in water samples at ultra-trace levels.

Needs for reliable analytical methods for monitoring chemical pollutants in surface water under the European Water Framework Directive.

The state of the art in monitoring chemical pollutants to assess water quality status according to Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the challenges associated with it have been reviewed. The article includes information on environmental quality standards (EQSs) proposed to protect the aquatic environment and humans against hazardous substances and the resulting monitoring requirements. Furthermore, minimum performance criteria for analytical methods and quality assurance issues have been discussed.

Remarkable findings concerning PBDEs in the terrestrial top-predator red fox (Vulpes vulpes).

In the present study, we have analyzed muscle, liver, and adipose tissue of 33 red foxes from Belgium for their content of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Median sums of seven tri- to hepta-BDEs (BDE 28, BDE 47, BDE 99, BDE 100, BDE 153, BDE 154, and BDE 183) were 2.2, 2.

Levels and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in various tissues of birds of prey.

In the present study, concentrations and tissue distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs; IUPAC # 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183, and 209) were examined in brain, adipose tissue, liver, muscle, and serum of birds of prey. Median SigmaPBDE levels (BDE 28-183) in the tissues of sparrowhawks ranged from 360 to 1900 ng/g lipid weight (lw), which was in general one order of magnitude higher than in the tissues of common buzzards (26-130 ng/g lw). There were no differences in PBDE congener patterns between the various tissues within individuals of a certain species.

Levels and trends of brominated flame retardants in the European environment.

In this paper, we review those data which have recently become available for brominated flame retardants (particularly the brominated diphenyl ethers (BDEs) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)) in samples from the European environment. Environmental compartments studied comprise the atmosphere, sediments and soils, sewage sludges, and a variety of biological samples and food chains. This is currently a very active research area, and we cite over 70 studies reported in the literature during 2003-04.

The Elbe flood in August 2002--organic contaminants in sediment samples taken after the flood event.

In the course of this study 37 sediment samples were analyzed. They were taken after the flooding in September 2002 along the Elbe and at the mouths of its major tributaries. The sampling program covered the entire river stretch that was affected by the floods, from Obristvi (Czech Republic) to the Elbe estuary (North Sea) on the German coast.

Levels and trends of polybrominated diphenylethers and other brominated flame retardants in wildlife.

In this paper, we review the available data for polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) and other flame retardants in wildlife, with the exception of fishes from Europe and North America which are covered in more detail elsewhere. More data are available for PBDEs than for other compounds, and these show that some of these compounds have become widely distributed in the environment, being found in samples from Europe, Australia, Azerbaijan, North America and the Arctic. Most available data relate to birds and their eggs and marine mammals, but the results of two food web studies are also included.

Xenoestrogens in the River Elbe and its tributaries.

4-Alkylphenols, 4-alkylphenol ethoxylates, 4-alkylphenoxy carboxylates, bisphenol A, bisphenol F, 4-hydroxyacetophenon, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and steroid hormones were analyzed in water samples of the River Elbe and its tributaries Schwarze Elster, Mulde, Saale, Havel and Schwinge. Additionally, freshly deposited sediments (FDS, composite samples) of the River Elbe and its tributaries were analyzed. The concentrations in water samples ranged from (in ng/l): bisphenol A 4 to 92, branched nonylphenol 13 to 87, branched nonylphenol ethoxylates <0.

Analysis and assessment of heavy metal pollution in suspended solids and sediments of the river Danube.

The Joint Danube Survey (JDS)--a comprehensive monitoring survey to assess the environmental pollution status of the river Danube--was carried out in 2001. Samples were taken at 74 positions along the river from Neu-Ulm (River-km 2589) down to the Danube Delta at the Black Sea (River-km 0) and in 24 main tributaries and anabranches. Besides other biological and chemical parameters, concentrations of Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, Hg, Ni, and Zn were determined in sediments and suspended solids.

German Environmental Survey 1998 (GerES III): environmental pollutants in blood of the German population.

The German Environmental Survey was conducted for the third time in 1998 (GerES III). The probability sample of about 4800 subjects was selected to be representative for the German population with regard to region (East-/West-Germany), community size, age (18 to 69 years) and gender. Blood samples were taken from each study participant and questionnaires were used to get exposure-related information.

[The detection of Alternaria mycotoxins in laboratory culture].

Analytical methods are described for detection of the Alternaria mycotoxins alternariol (AOH), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME), altenuene (ALT) and tenuazonic acid (TeA) in natural and semisynthetic laboratory cultures. After extraction and purification of the crude extract by column chromatography on silica gel the qualitative and quantitative analyses were carried out by thin layer (TLC)- and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC separations were achieved using a Hypersil ODS column with methanol/water containing a complexing agent as eluent.

[Occurrence of Fusarium strains and their mycotoxins in corn silage. 7. Formation of deoxynivalenol (DON) in a silage corn plot artificially inoculated with Fusarium culmorum and the effect of silaging on the stability of the DON formed].

The formation of deoxynivalenol in a maize plot inoculated with Fusarium culmorum was studied over a growing season. Already three weeks after inoculation 4.9 mg/kg of DON were measured in the infected ears.

[Occurrence of Fusarium strains and their mycotoxins on corn silage. 6. Formation of zearalenone and trichothecenes (type A) by indigenous Fusarium isolates].

A total of 399 indigenous Fusarium strains mainly isolated from silage maize were tested for the production of zearalenone and type A trichothecenes by thin-layer chromatography and biological assays. About 45% of the isolates examined were capable of producing different levels of zearalenone and trichothecene toxins on a cracked corn substrate. The majority of these strains (75%) produced zearalenone only and no trichothecenes type A.

[Occurrence of Fusarium species and their mycotoxins in corn silage. 5. Fusarium infestation in corn silage].

The internal mycoflora of silage maize plants was examined in several years. Average Fusarium infection of the maize plants was 10.4% and leaf sheaths and stalks were preferably colonized by the fungi.

[The occurrence of Fusarium strains and their mycotoxins in corn silage. 4. The occurrence of zearalenone in the first cut zone of horizontal silos].

Studies of the occurrence of zearalenone in the cutting surface of a horizontal silo were carried out over 12 days. On all sampling days the silage contained less than 0.1 mg/kg zearalenone (detection limit of the thin-layer chromatographic procedure).

[The occurrence of Fusarium varieties and their mycotoxins in silo corn. 3. The effect of silaging on the zearalenone content of CCM corn].

The influence of silaging on zearalenone already formed and on the growth of Fusarium culmorum in naturally contaminated CCM maize was studied. The zearalenone content remained approximately constant (13.35 +/- 2.

[The occurrence of Fusarium varieties and their mycotoxins in silo corn. 2. The formation of zearalenone in the field by artificial infection of silo corn with Fusarium culmorum (W. G. Smith) Sacc].

The formation of zearalenone in a maize plot artificially infected with Fusarium culmorum was studied. The zearalenone concentration steeply increased only in the 8th week after inoculation and reached a maximum value of ca. 7 ppm, whereas zearalenone could not be detected in the control variants.

[The occurrence of Fusarium varieties and their mycotoxins on silo corn. 1. A method for the determination of zearalenone in corn and corn silage by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection].

A method for the determination of zearalenone in maize and maize silage was developed which distinguishes itself by the effective and fast cleaning of the extracts with the help of a silica gel minicolumn. The samples were extracted with chloroform/methanol (9 + 1) and cleaned on a silica gel minicolumn after acid-base partition. The zearalenone was quantitatively determined optionally by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (excitation wavelength 236 nm, emission filter 418 nm) or thin-layer chromatography (TLC), p-methoxybenzene diazonium fluoroborate and aluminium chloride were used as detection chemicals.

Production of sterigmatocystin by Aspergillus versicolor isolated from roughage.

A total of 69 samples of hay and straw collected during the winter period of 1984/85 were surveyed for their contamination by Aspergillus versicolor. The percentage of A. versicolor-positive samples was 14.

Formation of Avenacein Y by Fusarium avenaceum Fries Sacc. isolates from Germany and pathogenicity of the isolates to cereal seedlings.

Twelve isolates ofFusarium avenaceum Fries Sacc. originating from diseased corn plants from Germany produced Avenacein Y in amounts ranging from 0.001 to 1.