Heavy metals in various Belgian benthic invertebrates

Context of the study

In the Belgian coastal waters comes most of the contamination from disposals from the harbors of Ostend and Zeebrugge. Many species (flatfish, mussels,...) are studied continuously as part of monitoring programs. In addition to this the bentic communities are monitored as well.

Content of the study

This study analyzed heavy metal contents in bentic invertebrates between 1981 and 1996. The animals were caught at 10 locations in the Belgian part of the North Sea. The study aimed to detect trends in the concentrations of mercury Hg, cadmium Cd, lead Pb, copper Cu, zinc Zn and chrome Cr in the bentic organisms.

Main results of the study