New and old contaminants in the River Meuse catchment

Transcription

1 3rd INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC MEUSE SYMPOSIUM THE MEUSE DISTRICT : CHALLENGES FOR TOMORROW LIEGE, April 22 23, 21 New and old contaminants in the River Meuse catchment INBO, Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Groenendaal claude.belpaire@inbo.be 1

2 New and old contaminants in the River Meuse catchment Caroline Geeraerts 1, Jean-François Focant 2, Adrian Covaci 3, Lieven Bervoets 3, Koen Parmentier 4, Ludwig De Temmerman 5 & Claude Belpaire 1 1 Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Groenendaal 2 CART Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, University of Liège 3 Laboratory for Ecophysiology, Biochemistry and Toxicology, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp 4 Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO Fisheries), Oostende 5 Coda, Tervuren

3 Overview Introduction Eel as a bio-indicator The Flemish Eel Pollutant Network Status and trends Effects in eels Risks for human consumption Conclusion

4 Introduction Over 3 chemicals are in use in Europe Many pose a threat to aquatic life Only for a small number the potential impact have been assessed (PCBs, OCPs and heavy metals) A lot of new chemical substances (dioxins, PFOS, BFR, VOC, etc.) Persistent organic pollutants Regulated under international agreements to reduce or eliminate their use and release into the environment e.g. PCBs and DDTs are banned during 197s but they can still be traced in the various compartments of our environment, their presence is a reason of concern

5 Introduction The Water Framework Directive MONITOR MEASURE Ecological Status Chemical Status ACT MANAGE REGULATE PROTECT AQUATIC LIFE HOW - WHAT - WHERE WHEN?

6 % % > > Detection Limit Introduction Where to measure? PCB N Flanders, Nete bassin 1 Water Sediment Eel Belpaire et al., 28, ICES J. Mar. Sci

7 % > Detection Limit % > Detection Limit % > Detection Limit % > Detection Limit % > Detection Limit % > Detection Limit N PCB N HCB Water Sediment Eel N PCB Water Sediment Eel N p,p -DDT 77 Detectability of chemicals in water, sediment and eel Water Sediment Eel 1 Water Sediment Eel 8 N PCB N dieldrin Water Sediment Eel Water Sediment Eel

8 Eel as a bio-indicator A chemical bioindicator indicates the status or effects of (specific) chemicals in an ecosystem. Why is the eel: a sensitive chemical indicator?

9 Sum PCBs (ng/g BW) Eel as a bio-indicator Sedentary behaviour (yellow eel) Wide geographical distribution Occurrence eurytopic all WFD Water body types 1 No seasonal changes due to annual reproduction cycle 9 8 A high bioaccumulation capacity 7 Capable to bioaccumulate the range of chemicals needed 6 5 Common procedure in place in different countries 4 Robust species 3 Analytic advantages : Size - Long living - High fat content ,5 Macrophytes Invertebrates Roach Predator fish Eel Increasing concentration in Sum PCBs over various trophic levels compared to values measured in eel. Data from Lake Weerde in spring 21 (from Weltens et al., 22). Lelek (1987) Belpaire and Goemans, 27, ICES J.Mar. Sci.

10 The Flemish Eel Pollutant Monitoring Network Flanders Eel Pollution Monitoring Network Status and trends of contaminants

11 The Flemish Eel Pollutant Monitoring Network 16-year old network: a dense monitoring network of > 37 sampling sites standardisation of eels: 3-5 cm 1 eels/location > 3 eels were analysed individually includes polder waters, canals, closed water bodies and rivers Bruges polders Ghent canals Lower Scheldt Meuse Nete Meuse Yser Leie Demer Upper Scheldt Dender Dijle Zenne

12 Relative frequency Ref Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 1% value Mercury 4 < < < Cadmium 2 < < < % Lead 1 < < < Cupper 2.25 < < < 4 4 8% Zinc 2 14 < < < Nickel 14 < < < % Chrome 96 < < < Arsenic 41 < < < Selenium 25 < < < % PCB < < < PCB 31.1 < < < % PCB < < < 4 4 PCB 52 1 < < < % PCB < < < 4 4 PCB < < < % PCB < < < PCB < < < PCB < < < % PCB < < < PCB < < < % Sum PCBs 29 < < < Sum PCBs 1 24 < < < % α-hch.5 < < <.8.8 Sum PCB (N=351) Strongly deviating Deviating Slightly deviating Not deviating γ-hch 1.3 < < < Dieldrin 1.1 < < < HCB.5 < < < p.p -DDD 2.5 < < < 4 4

13 Status and trends in Flanders PCBs in eel in Flanders (22-25)

14 Bruges Polders Demer Dender Dijle and Zenne Ghent canals Leie Lower Scheldt Meuse Nete Upper Scheldt Yser Average concentration of the PCB sum (ng/g fresh weight) Status and trends in Flanders Spatial distribution of the average eel muscle tissue concentration of ΣPCB over the different river basins in Flanders ( ). Exceeding of the Belgian limit for human consumption in 8% of the sampling sites 75 ng g -1 fresh weight

15 IJZER LEIE CB 28 CB 31 CB 52 CB 11 CB 15 CB 118 CB 138 CB 153 CB 156 CB 18 HCHA HCHG DIELDR HCB ppddd ppddt ppdde TNONA 25 2 CB 28 CB 31 CB 52 CB 11 CB 15 CB 118 CB 138 CB 153 CB 156 CB 18 HCHA HCHG DIELDR HCB ppddd ppddt ppdde TNONA 15 1 SCHELDE 15 1 DENDER CB 28 CB 31 CB 52 CB 11 CB 15 CB 118 CB 138 CB 153 CB 156 CB 18 HCHA HCHG DIELDR HCB ppddd ppddt ppdde TNONA 25 CB 28 CB 31 CB 52 CB 11 CB 15 CB 118 CB 138 CB 153 CB 156 CB 18 HCHA HCHG DIELDR HCB ppddd ppddt ppdde TNONA DEMER 15 1 GROTE NETE 5 5 CB 28 CB 31 CB 52 CB 11 CB 15 CB 118 CB 138 CB 153 CB 156 CB 18 HCHA HCHG DIELDR HCB ppddd ppddt ppdde TNONA CB 28 CB 31 CB 52 CB 11 CB 15 CB 118 CB 138 CB 153 CB 156 CB 18 HCHA HCHG DIELDR HCB ppddd ppddt ppdde TNONA PCB MAAS 2 15 Eel pollution fingerprints in 7 rivers. 1 5 CB 28 CB 31 CB 52 CB 11 CB 15 CB 118 CB 138 CB 153 CB 156 CB 18 HCHA HCHG DIELDR HCB ppddd ppddt ppdde TNONA Belpaire et al, 28, J. Mar. Sci.

16 MA1 MA2 MA2A MA2B MA3 MA3A MA3B MA3C MA3D MA3E MA4 Average concentration of the PCB sum (ng/g fresh weight) Status and trends in Flanders Spatial distribution of the average eel muscle tissue concentration of ΣPCB over the sampling sites in the River Meuse ( ). Exceeding of the Belgian limit for human consumption in 8% of the sampling sites 75 ng g -1 fresh weight

17 Average concentration of the PCB sum (ng/g fresh weight) Status and trends in Flanders Temporal trend of the average eel muscle tissue concentration of ΣPCB in the River Meuse (2-28). Exceeding of the Belgian limit for human consumption in 8% of the sampling sites 75 ng g -1 fresh weight

18 Status and trends in the Netherlands De Boer et al., 21, Environ. Pollut.

19 Status and trends in Flanders Origin of PCB contamination. Mixture of Aroclor 126 and % 8% 6% 4% 2% % Eel A116 A1242 A1248 A1254 A126 PCB 153 PCB 138 PCB 18 PCB 187 PCB 149 PCB 118 PCB 11 PCB 11 PCB 52 PCB 99 PCB 17 PCB 95 PCB 177 PCB 183 PCB 15 PCB 128 PCB 151 PCB 199 PCB 87 PCB 28 PCB 194 PCB 74 PCB 156 PCB 44 PCB 49 PCB 31 PCB 195 PCB 26 PCB 18 PCB 29 Belpaire et al., in prep

20 Bruges Polders Demer Dender Dijle and Zenne Ghent canals Leie Lower Scheldt Meuse Nete Upper Scheldt Yser Average concentration of the DDT sum (ng/g fresh weight) Status and trends in Flanders Spatial distribution of the average eel muscle tissue concentration of ΣDDT over the different river basins in Flanders ( ).

21 Average concentration of the DDT sum (ng/g fresh weight) Status and trends in Flanders Temporal trend of the average eel muscle tissue concentration of ΣDDT in the River Meuse (2-28).

22 Bruges Polders Demer Dender Dijle and Zenne Ghent canals Leie Lower Scheldt Meuse Nete Upper Scheldt Yser Average concentration of the PBDE sum (ng/g fresh weight) Status and trends in Flanders Spatial distribution of the average eel muscle tissue concentration of brominated flame retardants over different sampling sites in Belgium (2-28).

23 Bruges.Polders Demer Dender Dijle.and.Zenne Ghent.canals Leie Lower.Scheldt Meuse Nete Upper.Scheldt Yser Distribution of BDE cogeners in the river basins Status and trends in Flanders Distribution of the average eel muscle tissue concentration of brominated flame retardants congeners over the different river basins in Flanders ( ). BDE 153 BDE 154 BDE 183 BDE 29 BDE 28 BDE 47 BDE 49 BDE 66 BDE 85 BDE 99

24 Bruges Polders Demer Dender Dijle and Zenne Ghent canals Leie Lower Scheldt Meuse Nete Yser Average concentration of the DLPCB sum (ng/g fresh weight) Status and trends in Flanders Spatial distribution of the average eel muscle tissue concentration of DL-PCB sum over different sampling sites in Belgium (2-28). Exceeding of the total TEQ-standard 12 pg g -1 wet weight

25 Bruges Polders Demer Dender Dijle and Zenne Ghent canals Leie Lower Scheldt Meuse Nete Yser Average concentration of the PCDD/Fs sum (ng/g fresh weight) Status and trends in Flanders Spatial distribution of the average eel muscle tissue concentration of sum PCDD/Fs over different sampling sites in Belgium (2-28).

26 Effects on eels 15 eels died during the Sandoz spill (1986) Deutche Presse Agentur

27 Total year catch (kg) Maximal daycatch (kg) Effects on eels The European eel stock in decline 946 kg 1 Trend in glass eel recruitment in Belgium (River IJzer) 1 9 Total year catch 9 8 Maximal daycatch g Belpaire et al. 26

28 Muscle lipid content (% w.w.) Muscle lipid content (% w.w.) Condition factor Decrease of fat stores in eel in Belgium and The Netherlands n = 59 n = 37 n = 83 Flanders: Decrease in fat levels of 7.7% over 13 years (94-98 : 2.% 4-6 : 12.3%) Stations for lipid analysis in eel in Flanders and The Netherlands Decrease in condition n = 65 n = 71 n = 112 n = 99 n = 147 n = 66 a a a b b c Decreasing lipid energy insufficient energy for c The Netherlands: Decrease in fat levels of 7.5% over 15 years (82-86 : 2.9% 2-4 : 13.1%) migration and reproduction Belpaire et al., 29, Ecol. Freshw. Fish

29 Fat content (% w.w.) Effects on lipid levels in eels Trends in lipid levels in muscle tissue from yellow eels of the Meuse compared with the Roer, the Twentecanal and the IJsselmeer Ysselmeer, Medemblik Meuse, Eijsden Roer, Vlodrop Twentekanaal, Hengelo Year Belpaire et al., 29

30 Exposure to pollution specifically some PCBs and DDT Decreased fat stores (and decreased condition) Remobilisation of toxic compounds during migration Insufficient energy for migration and reproduction Toxic effect on reproduction and larval development Stock decline Photo INBO/Rollin Verlinden - Vilda

31 Percentage of value Muscle lipid content (% w.w.) Effects on lipid levels in eels Trend in glass eel recruitment and trend in muscle lipids. 1, 25, y = -,121x ,956x R 2 =,867 2, 1, 15, 1, 1, Glass eel recruitment Muscle lipid content 5, 1, ,

32 Human consumption risk Eel is very popular, especially in Flanders and The Netherlands.

33 Human consumption risk PCB levels are exceeding national consumption limits in 75-8% of the sites. In some cases limit is exceeded by a factor 1x. Several reports have documented the risks of eating wild eel. - Bilau et al., 27 - Maes et al., 25 - Roosens et al., 28 - Roosens et al., 21 resulting in a strong advise not to eat eels. Especially local eel anglers are at risk. One example: the case of the Oude Maas in Stokkem

34 Sum 7 PCBs (ng/g body weight) Human consumption risk Sum 7 PCBs Oude Maas Stokkem ng/g body weight PCB limit Site

35 Human consumption risk The mean dietary daily intake of PCBs in the Belgium human population = 54 ng/day (Voorspoels et al., 28) A fisherman at Oude Maas Stokkem consuming regularly his own catch (assuming a consumption of consuming 3 g eel week) has a daily intake of ng Sum 3PCBs/day, which is 973 times the daily intake in the average population. This intake exceeds the acceptable daily intakes (ADI) proposed by WHO (23) with a factor 375. Recommendations to fishermen to avoid consumption of their own catch are not effective: a 28 inquiry among 1 recreational fishermen indicated that annually 33.6 tons of eels are extracted from Flemish waters for own consumption (Vlietinck, 21).

36 Conclusions

37 Conclusions Lipophilic contaminants are omnipresent in aquatic biota from the Meuse, multiple evidence of detrimental effects have been demonstrated e.g. in the eel. PCB levels are far above human consumption standards. Dioxin like PCB concentrations are generally higher than the total TEQ-standard allowed in eels. Other contaminants (BFRs, VOCs, ) are less prominent in River Meuse, but are all traceable in the eel. Some pollutants were evenly spread while others clearly peaked in selected river basins, but overall, the pollution load in individual eels over a small catchment is highly determined by the location of the sampling site. An important issue for the fish stock in the River Meuse is the presence of PCBs which are persistent and have endocrine disrupting effects. In Belgium PCB-concentrations are the highest in the Meuse and Kempische canals fed with water from the Meuse. Their decrease tends to be slower than in other basins.

38 Conclusions There is an increasing awareness that eel quality might be an essential element in the decline of the eel since pollution by bioaccumulating chemical substances may have a large impact on the population and specifically on its migration and reproduction success. The levels of contaminants in our aquatic ecosystems need to decrease drastically. Eels from The Meuse are considerably leaner than from other basins, questioning their reproductive potential. This must be considered in the Eel Management Plans.

39 Conclusions Intake of PCBs (and probably other contaminants) is at a level of high concern, and fishermen s body burden might be quite higher and reach levels of toxicological relevance. It should be advised to maintain the public health measure of preventing fishermen from consuming their self-caught fish. The monitoring strategy for chemicals in our water bodies should be reviewed. There is a need for a harmonised approach within the Water Framework Directive to monitor the presence of hazardous substances through aquatic biota/sediments/water. There are many challenges for analysing/monitoring new chemicals. Many WFD chemicals are easy to monitor through aquatic biota, the European eel is suggested as an efficient sentinel species.

40 Thanks for you attention! Photo R. Verlinde