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Polycyclic aromatic compounds in Northwest Atlantic COD (Gadus morhua).
J Hellou1, J F Payne, C Hamilton
1Science Branch, North Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, PO Box 5667, St-John's, Newfoundland, Canada.
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC) were analyzed in cod. PACs were undetectable in muscle but found in liver and ovaries, with C-2 dibenzothiophene being a major component.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Marine Biology
- Ecotoxicology
Background:
- Polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAC) are environmental contaminants.
- Cod (Gadus morhua) are important finfish in the Northwest Atlantic ecosystem.
- Understanding PAC accumulation in fish is crucial for assessing ecosystem health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the presence and distribution of 27 PACs, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and polycyclic aromatic sulphur heterocycles, in cod tissues.
- To identify specific PACs and their concentrations in muscle, liver, and ovaries of cod from the Northwest Atlantic.
- To establish a baseline for PAC contamination in this finfish population.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 27 PACs, including 16 EPA priority PAH, alkylated naphthalenes, phenanthrene-anthracenes, and dibenzothiophenes (DBT).
- Tissue samples (muscle, liver, ovaries) from cod (Gadus morhua) were collected from the Northwest Atlantic.
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or similar analytical techniques were employed for PAC detection and quantification.
Main Results:
- PACs were undetectable in cod muscle tissue.
- A limited number of PACs were detected in ovary samples (1 and 6 compounds).
- Liver samples contained 1 to 9 PACs, with C-2 DBT and alkylated phenanthrene-anthracenes being major components. Parental PAH were detected infrequently.
Conclusions:
- Cod from the Northwest Atlantic show varying levels of PAC accumulation, primarily in liver and ovaries, with minimal presence in muscle.
- Dibenzothiophenes and alkylated phenanthrene-anthracenes are significant PAC components in cod liver and ovaries.
- This study provides the first detailed assessment of PAH and PAC contamination in finfish from the Northwest Atlantic, highlighting potential exposure pathways and ecological implications.