Integrating molecular microbial methods to improve faecal pollution management in rivers with designated bathing waters.

Rivers are at risk from a variety of pollution sources. Faecal pollution is of particular concern since it disperses pathogenic microorganisms in the aquatic environment. Currently, faecal pollution levels in rivers is monitored using faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) that do not offer information about pollution sources and associated risks.

Altitudinal gradients of PBDEs and PCBs in fish from European high mountain lakes.

A first case of temperature-dependent distribution of polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in remote areas is shown. Analysis of these compounds in fish from Pyrenean lakes distributed along an altitudinal transect shows higher concentrations at lower temperatures, as predicted in the global distillation model. Conversely, no temperature-dependent distribution is observed in a similar transect in the Tatra mountains (Central Europe) nor in fish from high mountain lakes distributed throughout Europe.

Influence of altitude and age in the accumulation of organochlorine compounds in fish from high mountain lakes.

The analysis of hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexanes, polychlorobiphenyls, and DDTs in muscle of fish from high mountain lakes shows that a proportion of their concentration variance depends on fish age and lake altitude. Interestingly, the magnitude of this share corresponds linearly with the log-transformed vapor pressure (Vp) of the organochlorine compounds (OC). Thus, the distributions of OC with Vp < 10(-2.