The Baltic Proper

Metal concentrations in biota; Concentration of other organic contaminants in biota

The Contaminant Programme in marine biota constitutes an integrated part of the national monitoring activities in the marine environment as well as the international programmes within ICES, OSPARCOM and HELCOM. The programme is financed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The perch males become sexually mature between 2-4 years and the females between 3-6 years. The spawning takes place during the period April - June when the water temperature reaches about 7-8 degrees. Perch muscle tissue is lean and contains only about 0.8% fat. Integrated monitoring with fish physiology and population development is running on perch in co-operation with the Swedish National Board of Fisheries. Perch is also used as an indicator species for contaminant monitoring within the national monitoring programme of contaminants in freshwater biota. Perch muscle tissue samples from two coastal sites, Holmoarna and Kvadofjarden in the Baltic, are analysed for organochlorines and mercury. 1995 analyses of lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, copper and zinc in perch liver were added to the programme. The programme is financed by the Swedish National Environmental Protection Agency and is performed in cooperation with the Museum of Natural Art. The University perform biochemical and physiological studies on perch and eelpout and samples from perch and eelpout are used for the Museums Monitoring Programme. The results are displayed yearly in the reports from the marine centres in Umea, Stockholm and Gothenburg. See also Swedish National Integrated Fish Monitoring of Eelpout, Viviparous Blenny (1994-).

Anon (2000) Comments Concerning the National Swedish Contaminant Monitoring Programme in Marine Biota. Contaminant Research Group at the Swedish Museum of Natural History., Compiled by Anders Bignert

Geological Survey of Sweden
Villavägen 18
Uppsala

SE-751 28
Sweden