Relationship between pesticide accumulation in transplanted zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and community structure of aquatic macroinvertebrates.

This study examined to what degree bioaccumulated pesticides in transplanted zebra mussels can give an insight to pesticide bioavailability in the environment. In addition, it was investigated if pesticide body residues could be related to ecological responses (changes in macroinvertebrate community composition). For this at 17 locations, 14 pesticide concentrations and nine dissolved metals were measured in translocated zebra mussels and the results were related to the structure of the macroinvertebrate community.

Distribution and bioaccumulation of POPs and mercury in the Ga-Selati River (South Africa) and the rivers Gudbrandsdalslågen and Rena (Norway).

Biomagnification of Hg and persistent organic pollutants (POPs: polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)) in aquatic food chains can lead to high pollutant concentrations in top predators, including humans. Despite this threat to human health, research concerning bioaccumulation is still underrepresented in the southern hemisphere and in (sub)arctic and (sub)tropical areas, emphasizing the need for research in these locations. In this study, samples of water, sediment and aquatic biota were analyzed to determine concentrations of POPs and total mercury (THg) in the Ga-Selati river (South Africa) and two rivers Rena and Gudbrandsdalslågen in Norway.

Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer of total mercury in the subtropical Olifants River Basin, South Africa.

The present study describes total mercury (THg) levels in surface water, sediment and biota from the Olifants River Basin (ORB) (South Africa) and investigates the trophic transfer of THg by means of trophic magnification factors (TMFs) in the subtropical ORB food web. Although levels in surface water, sediment and invertebrates were low, elevated levels of THg were measured in fish species of higher trophic levels (0.10-6.

Persistent organic pollutants in the Olifants River Basin, South Africa: Bioaccumulation and trophic transfer through a subtropical aquatic food web.

This study investigates the trophic transfer of persistent organic pollutants (POPs: PCBs, PBDEs, OCPs and PFASs) in the subtropical aquatic ecosystem of the Olifants River Basin (South Africa) by means of trophic magnification factors (TMFs). Relative trophic levels were determined by stable isotope analysis. POP levels in surface water, sediment and biota were low.

Distribution of trace elements in the aquatic ecosystem of the Thigithe river and the fish Labeo victorianus in Tanzania and possible risks for human consumption.

The aim of the present study was to assess the distribution of trace elements in the aquatic ecosystem of the Thigithe river. Samples of surface water, sediment and fish were collected up- and downstream of the North Mara Gold Mine (Tanzania) and following trace elements were analysed: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn. Trace element concentrations in surface water were below or near the detection limit.

Baseline levels and trophic transfer of persistent organic pollutants in sediments and biota from the Congo River Basin (DR Congo).

The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of persistent organic pollutants (POPs: (PCBs, PBDEs, DDTs, HCHs, CHLs and HCB) in sediments and biota from the middle Congo River Basin (CRB) and to investigate their trophic transfer through the aquatic food web using nitrogen stable isotope ratios. To our knowledge, no data on levels of POPs in sediment and biota from the CRB are present in the literature, and studies on trophic transfer and biomagnification profiles of POPs using δ(15)N are scarce in tropical regions. POP levels in the sediment and biota were low, with exception of total PCB levels found in fish from the Itimbiri River (1.