This study presents a step-by-step statistical analysis for tracing dioxins sources that have contributed to levels in Baltic herring during the last decades. The study is based on the concentrations of the 17 toxic (2,3,7,8-substituted) dioxin congeners in herring and sediment from the Baltic Sea, and it evaluates how the impacts of the sources may have changed during the studied periods, i.e. 1990–2009 in the Bothnian Bay, 1979–2009 in the Bothnian Sea and 1988–2009 in the Baltic Proper. The modelling technique used (PMF) extracted three dioxin patterns in herring that could be used to obtain source patterns after applying transformation factors. The transformed patterns were compared to real dioxin source patterns available through previous measurement and modelling studies. The identified sources included tetrachlorophenol (TCP), pentachlorophenol/atmospheric background (PCP/AB) and emissions from thermal activities.

The results indicate that the thermal source type has been the major contributor of dioxins to Baltic herring during the pre-and post-2000 periods (72% and 59%, respectively). Its impact appears, however, to have declined by 19% in the Bothnian Bay, by 67% in the Bothnian Sea, and by 48% in the Baltic Proper (TEQ-basis). On the other hand, the relative importance of TCP and PCP/AB appear to have increased over time, from 1.4% and 1.5% to 19% and 6.6% in the Bothnian Bay, from 3.3% and 7.2% to 12% and 10% in the Bothnian Sea, and from 8.9% and <1% to 33% and 13% in the Baltic Proper. Comparisons using absolute values (pg TEQ g-1 lipid weight) indicate an increase of the TCP source by five times in the Bothnian Bay from the pre-2000 to the post-2000 period, a slight increase in the Bothnian Sea, and more than a doubling of the levels in the Baltic Proper. The agreement between the trends in the three sub-basins is a good indication for an increased impact of the TCP source during recent years (post-2000). Corresponding analysis for the PCP/AB source type, indicate slightly decreased TEQ levels from the PCP/AB source type in the Bothnian Sea (by ~50%), more than twice as high in the Bothnian Bay, and more than triplicated in the Baltic Proper. While the declining trends of the thermal source type encourages continuing management efforts for air emissions, the apparent increase of TCP and PCP/AB call for more attention to such sources in the Baltic Sea. As the use of technical products containing TCP and PCP have been banned/restricted since the 1970s and 1980s, more focus on contaminated sites may be required in the mitigation actions of such sources.

Sammanfattning

Mål med stormusselprojektet

Huvudmålet med detta projekt är att ta fram förslag

på lämpliga undersökningstyper för övervakning

av målarmusslor och dammusslor. Ett delmål

är att utröna i vilka sötvattensmiljöer de tre arterna

av dammusslor respektive de tre arterna av

målarmusslor förekommer. Arbetet har också gett

mycket värdefull kunskap om stormusslornas förekomst

och status i de undersökta länen.

Undersökta arter

Undersökningarna har koncentrerats till lokaler

med de nationellt rödlistade arterna tjockskalig

målarmussla,

Unio crassus [starkt hotad (EN),

även upptagen i Natura 2000

] samt flat dammmussla

Pseudanodonta complanata

[missgynnad

(NT)

]. Flodpärlmusslan [sårbar (VU), samt Natura

2000 art

] är idag den mest kända av de totalt

åtta i Sverige förekommande större arterna av

sötvattensmusslor. Flodpärlmusslan är nationellt

sett väl undersökt och ägnades därför mindre intresse

i detta arbete. De övriga sju omfattar:

Unio

(målarmusslor, tre arter),

Anodonta/Pseudanodonta

(dammusslor, tre arter) och

Dreissena polymorpha

(vandrarmussla). De arter som undersökts

listas i Tabell 1 nedan.

Tabell 1. Undersökta arter i stormusselprojektet.

Vetenskapligt namn Svenskt namn

Margaritifera margaritifera

Flodpärlmussla

Unio pictorum

Allmän målarmussla

Unio tumidus

Spetsig målarmussla

Unio crassus

Tjockskalig målarmussla

Anodonta anatina

Allmän dammussla

Anodonta cygnea

Stor dammussla

Pseudanodonta complanata

Flat dammussla

Undersökningarnas omfattning

Undersökningarna har genomförts i fem län (Södermanland,

Östergötland, Kalmar, Jönköping

och Skåne). Totalt har 56 lokaler i vattendrag

samt 32 lokaler i sjöar undersökts. Fältarbetet har

utförts av Jakob Bergengren med assistans av personal

från länsstyrelserna i de berörda länen. Planeringen

av arbetet och analysen av materialet har

utförts i samarbete med Stefan Lundberg från

Naturhistoriska riksmuseet i Stockholm och Ted

von Proschwitz vid Naturhistoriska museet i Göteborg.

Utveckling av metodik och

framtagande av ny

undersökningstyp

Vid metodutvecklingen har undersökningar av lokaler

med tjockskalig målarmussla (

U. crassus)

och flat dammussla (

P. complanata) prioriterats,

men även lokaler med de andra musselarterna har

undersökts. Nedan beskrivs föreslagna undersökningsmetoder

i sjöar respektive vattendrag.

Metodik i sjöar

Att undersöka ett musselbestånd i en sjö är svårare

än att arbeta på en avgränsad sträcka i ett vattendrag.

Att skaffa sig en total uppfattning om ett

musselbestånd, inte sällan med förekomst av flera

arter, i en sjö är arbetsmässigt tidskrävande. Den

ofta skiftande karaktären när det gäller bottensubstrat,

bottenvegetation och djupförhållanden gör

det omöjligt att undersöka en hel sjö.

Följande metoder föreslås att användas i sjöar:

􀀀

Undersökning med vattenkikare i sjöars

in- och utlopp.

Dessa är lätta att avgränsa

och undersöks och övervakas i ett första skede

då de ofta hyser flest arter. Kvalitativ och

kvantitativ övervakning.

􀀀

Linjetaxering används om förhållandena

medger (siktdjup, bottenförhållanden mm).

Denna metod medger övervakning av en avgränsad,

subjektivt vald, sträcka. Kvalitativ

och kvantitativ övervakning. Särskilda ansträngningar

skall alltid göras för att finna

ju

S

t o r m u s s e l p r o j e k t e t 2 0 0 1 , D e l 1

12

venila musslor, då dessa indikerar att populationen

reproducerar sig.

􀀀

Luttnerräfsa används om förhållandena är

så svåra att ingen av ovanstående metoder

fungerar. Inventering med Luttnerräfsa ger

enbart en kvalitativ uppfattning om musselfaunan.

Metodik i vattendrag

Att undersöka ett musselbestånd i ett vattendrag

är ofta, men inte alltid, lättare än undersökningar i

en sjö. Följande metoder föreslås att användas vid

undersökningar av stormusslor i vattendrag:

􀀀

Undersökning med vattenkikare. Om vattendraget

är relativt grunt, vadbart och siktförhållandena

goda, är det ofta möjligt att använda

en något modifierad variant av den befintliga

metodiken för undersökning av flodpärlmussla.

De förekommande arterna räknas

separat för att en populationsuppskattning för

respektive art ska kunna göras. Vid användande

av flodpärlmusselmetodiken skall 15

lokaler avgränsas och noggrant undersökas.

Särskilda ansträngningar skall alltid göras för

att finna juvenila musslor, då dessa indikerar

att populationen reproducerar sig.

􀀀

Fridykning. Om vattendraget innehåller

sträckor som är svåra att undersöka (stort

vattendjup, dåliga siktförhållanden, höga

strandbrinkar etc.), är undersökning med

vattenkikare inte möjligt. I dessa fall rekommenderas

fridykning. Denna metod är kvalitativ

och semikvantitativ. En fördel med fridykning

är att sökandet efter juvenila musslor

blir effektivare.

􀀀

Luttnerräfsa. Används då förhållandena är

sådana att ingen av de båda ovanstående

metoderna kan användas (obefintligt siktdjup,

låg vattentemperatur). Metoden ger enbart en

kvalitativ bild av musselfaunan.

Stormusslornas habitatval

I Stormusselprojektet har musslornas val av habitat

undersökts genom att typ av bottensubstrat

samt vattendjup noterats för varje lokal under inventeringen.

Undersökningarna har utförts på en

avgränsad sträcka (en lokal) i ett vattendrag eller

inom ett bestämt område (en lokal) i en sjö.

Bottensubstrat – Vattendrag

Stormusslornas val av bottensubstrat i vattendragen

kan sammanfattas i följande punkter:

􀀀

Mjäla/ler dominerar som det mest prefererade

substratet för samtliga arter.

􀀀

De subdominerande substraten består till stor

del av grövre material huvudsakligen grus.

􀀀

Det substrat som uppvisar högst frekvens på

lokalerna är grus/fin sten/grov sten. Detta är

logiskt då dessa fraktioner är de mest förekommande

i vattendrag överlag.

Bottensubstrat – Sjöar

Arternas val av bottensubstrat i sjöar kan sammanfattas

i följande punkter

􀀀

Mjäla/ler dominerar, liksom i vattendragen,

som det mest prefererade substratet. Detta

gäller samtliga arter utom den allmänna

dammusslan (

A. anatina). Denna tycks föredra

sand som bottensubstrat.

􀀀

De subdominerande substraten består till

största delen av fraktioner med sand och fin

sten.

􀀀

Det bottensubstrat som uppvisar högst frekvens

på lokalerna är findetritus. Detta är logiskt

eftersom findetritus är det dominerande

substratet i sjöar med kraftig sedimentation.

Djupintervall – Vattendrag

Arternas förekomst i olika djupintervall i undersökta

vattendrag kan sammanfatts i följande

punkter:

􀀀

Medeldjupet som arterna återfanns på varierade

i liten utsträckning, både mellan de olika

arterna samt mellan de olika vattendragen.

􀀀

Den tjockskaliga målarmusslan (U. crassus)

finns på de grundare (strömmande) partierna i

de undersökta vattendragen. Medeldjupet för

arten var 0,55 m.

􀀀

Den stora dammusslan (A. cygnea) finns oftare

på djupare (lugnflytande) partier och förekommer

på ett medeldjup av 0,75 m.

􀀀

Övriga arter har förekomster i djupintervallet

0,55 - 0,75 m.

Anmärkning: i vattendragen undersöktes stormusslornas

utbredning ner till ca 3 meters djup.

Djupintervall – Sjöar

Arternas förekomst i olika djupintervall i undersökta

sjöar kan sammanfatts i följande punkter

:

􀀀

Medeldjupet som arterna återfanns på varierade

i större utsträckning i sjöarna än i vattendragen.

􀀀

De två arter av målarmusslor (U. pictorum

och

U. tumidus) som förekom i sjöarna fanns

S t o r m u s s e l p r o j e k t e t 2 0 0 1 , D e l 1

13

på större djup än de tre undersökta dammusselarterna.

􀀀

Den allmänna målarmusslan (U. pictorum)

förekom på störst djup (medeldjup 1,5 m)

medan den stora dammusslan (

A. cygnea)

fanns på ett medeldjup som enbart var 0,55

m. Här bör dock beaktas att endast sex respektive

åtta lokaler ligger till grund för detta

påstående.

Anmärkning: i sjöarna undersöktes stormusslornas

utbredning ner till ca 4 meters djup.

Stormusslornas utbredning och

förekomst skiftar

Stormusselfynd – totalt sett

Den allmänna dammusslan (

A. anatina) visade sig

vara den vanligaste arten och hittades på flest lokaler

(Tabell 2). Flodpärlmusslan (

M. margaritifera),

som ej var prioriterad i detta projekt då den

tidigare varit föremål för många undersökningar,

hittades endast på fem lokaler (Tabell 2).

Tabell 2. Stormussellokaler i respektive län (D = Södermanland, E = Östergötland, , H = Kalmar, F = Jönköping, M = Skåne).

Fynd Län

Vetenskapligt namn Svenskt namn Samtliga fyndlokaler D E H F M

M. margaritifera

Flodpärlmussla 5 0 1 0 1 3

U. pictorum

Allmän målarmussla 13 2 3 2 0 6

U. tumidus

Spetsig målarmussla 40 6 12 9 4 9

U. crassus

Tjockskalig målarmussla 24 6 3 5 1 9

A. anatina

Allmän dammussla 52 3 11 9 16 13

A. cygnea

Stor dammussla 21 2 5 4 6 4

P. complanata

Flat dammussla 10 4 3 1 0 2

Totalt antal undersökta lokaler:

88 9 15 16 25 23

Sjö eller vattendrag?

Det är svårt att jämföra antalet fynd från de olika

länen med varandra då antalet undersökta sjöar

och vattendrag varierar både inom och mellan länen.

Vid undersökningen kunde de olika arternas

förekomst i sjöarna och vattendragen visas generellt.

Utifrån hela inventeringsunderlaget kan följande

slutsatser dras (Tabell 3):

􀀀

Tjockskalig målarmussla (U. crassus) (och

flodpärlmussla) påträffades enbart i vattendrag.

􀀀

Stor dammussla (A. cygnea) förekommer

främst i sjöar. Arten påträffades enbart i 8

vattendrag.

􀀀

Flat dammussla (P. complanata) förekommer

främst i vattendrag. Den påträffades endast i

2 sjöar.

􀀀

Spetsig målarmussla (U. tumidus), allmän

målarmussla (

U. pictorum) och allmän dammussla

(

A. anatina) förekommer lika ofta i

sjöar som i vattendrag.

Tabell 3. Förekomst av arterna i sjöar och vattendrag i hela materialet i absolut och relativ (

%) frekvens.

Sjö eller Vattendrag (antal) Antal %

Vetenskapligt namn Svenskt namn Lokaler Sjöar Vattendrag Sjöar Vattendrag

M. margaritifera

Flodpärlmussla 5 0 5 0 100

U. pictorum

Allmän målarmussla 13 6 7 46 54

U. tumidus

Spetsig målarmussla 40 21 19 52 48

U. crassus

Tjockskalig målarmussla 24 0 24 0 100

A. anatina

Allmän dammussla 52 24 28 46 54

A. cygnea

Stor dammussla 21 13 8 62 38

P. complanata

Flat dammussla 10 2 8 20 80

S t o r m u s s e l p r o j e k t e t 2 0 0 1 , D e l 1

14

Studerar man materialet länsvis visar sig följande

intressanta resultat:

􀀀

Den spetsiga målarmusslan (U. tumidus) dominerade

i sjöarna i Skåne och Östergötlands

län.

􀀀

Den allmänna målarmusslan (U. pictorum)

förekom främst i vattendrag i Södermanlands

län men även i sjöar i Skåne län.

􀀀

Den tjockskaliga målarmusslan (U. crassus)

förekom enbart i vattendrag. De flesta förekomsterna

konstaterades i Skåne och Södermanland.

􀀀

Den allmänna dammusslan (A. anatina) förekom

i alla typer av undersökta vattenmiljöer

men i Jönköpings län dominerade förekomster

i sjöar.

􀀀

Den stora dammusslan (A. cygnea) förekom i

både sjöar och vattendrag. I Kalmar län dominerade

den dock i vattendragen.

􀀀

Den flata dammusslan (P. complanta) påträffades

framför allt i vattendrag. De flesta förekomsterna

konstaterades i Södermanlands

län. I Jönköpings län hittades inga exemplar

av arten över huvudtaget.

Mycket värdefull kunskap inför

framtiden

En mycket värdefull del i projektet är den kunskap

som samlats in om stormusselarterna. Kunskapen

om arternas utbredning och habitatval har

ökat väsentligt. I stort sett allt undersökningsmaterial

är nytt. Den inhämtade kunskapen om arterna

och en ny operativ övervakningsmetod kommer

i framtiden att vara viktig t.ex. vid rapportering

till EU gällande bevarandestatus för den

tjockskaliga målarmusslan. De nya kunskaperna

bör även leda till att naturvårdsåtgärder kan utformas

effektivare i arternas habitat.

Polyklorerade dibenso-p-dioxiner (PCDDs), dibensofuraner (PCDFs) och dioxinliknande

polylorerade bifenyler (DL-PCBs) har analyserats i mjölk från Stockholmsmödrar under tiden

1972 till 2011. Halterna redovisas som toxiska ekvivalenter och resultaten visar på en

kontinuerlig årlig nedgång med 6-7%. Halterna är nu ungefär 1/10 av halterna 1972.

Projekten, såsom det först formulerades, avsåg insamling av mjölkprover från mödrar boende i Stockholm, Göteborg, Lund respektive Umeå. Redan första året visade det sig svårt att få in prover från samtliga platser varför provinsamlingen 2008 -2010 koncentrerades till Göteborg och Stockholm. Prover från dessa städer har levererats till Naturhistoriska riksmuseet för dokumentering, preparering och lagring. Såväl individuella prover som poolade sådana har analyserats med avsikt att särskilt studera prover från Göteborg på individuell basis. Proverna för 2008 inkluderade 10 individuella prover och fyra homogenat och för prover från 2009/2010, 19 individuella prover samt två homogenat. De kemiska ämnen som analyserades tillhör följande klasser av miljöföroreningar: organiska klorpesticider, polyklorerade bifenyler (PCB) samt polybromerade difenyletrar (PBDE). Antalet enskilda analyter har i första hand avgjorts av ämnenas förekomst i proverna, men de som rapporteras är ett drygt 20-tal ämnen (se nedan).

Den i särklass viktigaste miljöföroreningen bland de som här studeras är 4,4’-DDE. Den förekommer i halter mellan 20 och 130 ng/g fett, 2008-2010 i Göteborg medan halten i homogenat från 2007 låg på ca. 185 ng/g fett. I Stockholmsmödrarnas mjölk från 2008 låg halten på 70-80 ng/g fett men 2009/2010 var halten uppe i ca. 150 ng/g fett. De senare värdena ligger i paritet med observerade halter 2003, 2004 och 2007. Variationen är sådan att det inte ter sig finnas någon trend i haltutvecklingen mellan åren. Inte heller någon geografisk trend tycks förekomma, men fördjupade analyser av dessa data krävs för att säkerställa de statistiska observationerna. Övriga klororganiska bekämpningsmedel, inkl. hexaklorbensen (HCB) förekommer i halter som är <10% av 4,4’-DDE. De dominerande PCB-kongenerna är CB-138, -153 och -180 men dessa förekommer i halter som är lägre än 50% av det som 4,4’-DDE förekommer i. Flertalet PCB-kongener förekommer i sub-10 ng/g fett-halter i modersmjölken oavsett ursprungsstad (Göteborg eller Stockholm).

ΣPCB-halten ligger i nivå med koncentrationen av 4,4’-DDE. Koncentrationerna av polybromerade difenyletrar (PBDE) är låga. De enskilda PBDE-kongenerna har mestadels halter på under 1 ng/g fett. BDE-209 förekommer mycket sällan i kvantifierbar halt i modersmjölken. Av lägre bromerade difenyletrar dominerar fortfarande BDE-47.

Utanför kontraktet tillförs här också data för halter och trender av polyfluorerade kemikalier i modersmjölk från Stockholm 1972 till 2008. De ämnen som analyserats i modersmjölken är perfluorooktansulfonat (PFOS), perfluorohexansulfonat (PFHS) samt perfluorooktansyra (PFOA). Resultaten redovisar entydigt ämnenas uppåtgående trend fram till omkring 2000 varefter koncentrationerna faller.

Chlorinated paraffins (CP) constitute a large group of polychlorinated alkanes of different carbon chain lengths and different degrees of chlorination; short chain C10 - C13, SCCP), medium (C14 - C17, MCCP) and long carbon chain (≥C18, LCCP). CP is produced in very large volumes for use as additives (such as plasticisers and flame retardants) in products, materials and goods. They are global environmental pollutants that occur in abiotic environments, animals and humans. The hypothesis for the present study is that CP shows a different degree of accumulation in blood (serum or plasma) compared to breast milk. Therefore, paired samples from 25 women who donated blood and breast milk were analysed for all the CP classes in these matrices and the levels were compared with the concentrations of a PCB marker, CB-153, and with 4,4'-DDE. The results show significant differences, on fat weight basis, of SCCP and MCCP in serum with 22- and 6.2-times higher concentrations than those measured in breast milk. Data also showed elevated levels of both vSCCPs (very short CPs) and LCCPs in serum compared to breast milk, but the difference in these two cases is not significantly different. The median levels of SCCP, MCCP and LCCP in serum and breast milk respectively are: 790, 520 and 16 ng/g fat and 36, 63 and 6,0 ng/g fat, respectively. 4,4'-DDE and CB-153 are comparable in the two matrices are at 17 and 12 ng/g fat, respectively. SCCP is classified as a POP in the Stockholm Convention but not MCCP despite high levels in serum. CP is, regardless of carbon chain length, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances that must be regulated to ensure the health of children and adults.

Under år 2004 insamlades och analyserades strömming från ett 30- tal lokaler, framför allt ifrån Bottenhavet men också från Bottenhavet och norra egentliga Östersjön.

Huvudsyftet var att studera tillståndet med hänsyn till rådande gränsvärde (4 pg TCDD- ekvivaltenter/g färskvikt) samt att utröna huruvida det förekommer geografiska skillnader inom studieområdet

Choosing an appropriate sampling strategy for environmental monitoring or storingsamples in Environmental Specimen Banks for future analyses includes the importantdecision of using individual or pooled samples. A number of advantages usingindividual samples for temporal trend studies can be identified e.g. that informationabout sample variance is important in it self and changes in variance is often the firstsign of a change in contaminant burden, freedom of choosing an appropriate centralmeasure (for right skewed distributions i.e. geometric mean values or medians)whereas pooled samples will represent arithmetic means. Furthermore, individualsampling enables adjustments for confounding factors (e.g. fat content, age, size) anddetection of extreme values. However, resources may be saved by using pooledsamples, if the sample variance is dominated by small-scale differences in time orspace or by genetic and/or physiological differences among individual biologicalsamples rather than of instrumental errors at the chemical analyses. The statisticalpower at temporal or spatial studies is determined by the random/unexplained samplevariation. The relation between the instrumental error and other sources of variation aswell as the relation between the cost for chemical analysis and collection andpreparation of samples will determine the number of individual samples in each pooland the number of pools that should be analysed to achieve high cost efficiency.Various scenarios of different number of individual samples, different number ofpooled samples containing various number of individual specimens, different relationbetween instrumental error and other sources of sample variance have been comparedby simulating random sampling from computer generated populations using realisticmeasures of variation from ongoing monitoring activities. The results may giveguidance to the selection of a cost efficient sampling strategy

This report gives a summary of the monitoring activities within the national Swedishcontaminant programme in marine biota. It is the result from the joint efforts of: theInstitute of Applied Environmental Research at Stockholm University (analyses oforganochlorines), the Centre for Environmental Monitoring at the University of Agriculture(analyses of heavy metals) and the Contaminant Research Group at the Swedish Museumof Natural History (co-ordination, sample collection administration, sample preparation,recording of biological variables, minor additional analyses of organochlorines, storage offrozen biological tissues in the Environmental Specimen Bank for retrospective studies,data preparation and statistical evaluation). The monitoring programme is financiated bythe Environmental Protection Agency in Sweden.The data of concern in this report represent the bioavailable part of the investigatedcontaminants i.e. the part that has virtually passed through the biological membranes andmay cause biological effects. The objectives of the monitoring program in marine biotacould be summarised as follows:• to estimate the levels and the normal variation of various contaminants in marine biotafrom several representative sites, uninfluenced by local sources, along the Swedish coasts.The goal is to describe the general contaminant status and to serve as reference values forregional and local monitoring programmes• to monitor long term time trends and to estimate the rate of found changes.quantified objective: to detect an annual change of 10% within a time period of 10 years with a power of 80%at a significance level of 5%.• to estimate the response in marine biota of measures taken to reduce the discharges ofvarious contaminantsquantified objective: to detect a 50% decrease within a time period of 10 years with a power of 80% at asignificance level of 5%.• to detect incidents of regional influence or widespread incidents of ‘Chernobyl’-character and to act as watchdog monitoring to detect renewed usage of bannedcontaminants.quantified objective: to detect an increase of 200% a single year with a power of 80% at a significance levelof 5%.• to indicate large scale spatial differencesquantified objective: to detect differences of a factor 2 between sites with a power of 80% at a significancelevel of 5%.• to explore the development and regional differences of the composition and pattern ofe.g. PCB’s, HCH’s and DDT’s as well as the ratios between various contaminants.• the time series are also relevant for human consumption since important commercial fishspecies like herring and cod are sampled. A co-operation with the Swedish FoodAdministration is established. Sampling is also co-ordinated with SSI (Swedish RadiationProtection Authority) for analysing radionuclides in fish and blue mussels (HELCOM,1992).• all analysed, and a large number of additional specimens, of the annually systematicallycollected material are stored frozen in the Environmental Specimen Bank.. This invaluable4material enables future retrospective studies of contaminants impossible to analyse today aswell as control analyses of suspected analytical errors.• although the programme is focused on contaminant concentration in biota, also thedevelopment of biological variables like e.g. condition factor, liver somatic index (LSI) andfat content are monitored at all sites. At some few sites, integrated monitoring with fishphysiology and population are running in co-operation with the Swedish Fishery Board.• experiences from the national program with several time series of over 20 years can beused in the design of regional and local monitoring programmes.• the perfectly unique material of high quality, long time series is further used to explorerelationships among biological variables and contaminants concentrations in varioustissues; the effects of changes in sampling strategy, the estimates of variance componentsand the influence on the concept of power etc.• the accessibility of high quality data collected and analysed in a consistent manner is anindispensable prerequisite to evaluate the validity of hypothesis and models concerning thefate and distribution of various contaminants. It could furthermore be used as input of ‘real’data in the ongoing model building activities concerning marine ecosystems in general andin the Baltic and North Sea environment in particular.• the contaminant programme in marine biota constitute an integrated part of the nationalmonitoring activities in the marine environment as well as of the international programmeswithin ICES, OSPARCOM and HELCOM.The present report displays the timeseries of analysed contaminants in biota andsummarises the results from the statistical treatment. It does not in general give thebackground or explanations to significant changes found in the timeseries. Increasingconcentrations thus, urge for intensified studies.Short comments are given for temporal trends as well as for spatial variation and, for somecontaminants, differences in geometric mean concentration between various species caughtat the same site. Sometimes notes of seasonal variation and differences in concentrationbetween tissues in the same species are given. This information could say something aboutthe relative appropriateness of the sampled matrix and be of help in designing monitoringprogrammes. In the temporal trend part, an extract of the relevant findings is summarised inthe 'conclusion'-paragraph. It should be stressed though, that geographical differences maynot reflect antropogenic influence but may be due to factors like productivity, temperature,salinity etc.The report is continuously updated. The date of the latest update is reported at thebeginning of each chapter. The creation date of each figure is written in the lower leftcorner.

A short summary of the results up to year 2002/03 is given below. Graphical presentations,

tables and details are given in the following chapters. A summary of the estimated

concentrations up to 2002/03 is given in table 23.3.

•

The condition of herring in the Baltic is decreasing in almost all autumn time series. At

the same time fat content is decreasing in herring from Harufjärden, Landsort and

Utlängan (autumn and spring).

•

Lead concentrations in herring, cod and perch livers are decreasing in almost all time

series from both the Swedish west coast and the Baltic.

•

The increasing trends of cadmium concentrations in herring liver from the Baltic Proper

and from the Bothnian Sea reported for the period 1980 to 1997 seems to have

stopped.

In herring from Ängskärsklubb a significant decrease can be seen for the last ten years,

and in the time series from Landsort there is also indications of this decrease.

•

Cadmium concentrations in blue mussels from the Baltic Proper are about 5 times

higher

than the suggested background levels for the North Sea and 3 times higher than

the mussel samples from Fladen and Väderöarna.

•

HCH’s are decreasing at almost all sites with a time serie long enough to permit a

statistical trend analysis.

•

HCB is decreasing in herring, cod and guillemot from the Baltic Proper and also in

herring and cod at the Swedish westcoast. However, some relatively

high

concentrations

have been detected in the last years, and it looks like the decrease is

levelling out.

•

TCDD-equivalents have not decreased in herring at Harufjärden, Karlskrona and

Fladen during the investigated timeperiod 1990-1999. There is a significant decrease of

these substances in guillemot eggs from St Karlsö between 1970 and the middle of the

80-ies after that, the decrease has levelled out.

The report deals with temporal trends of measured concentrations of representative congeners

of dioxin-like PCBs, dioxins (PCDDs) and furans (PCDFs) (here together called dioxins) in

biological samples from the Swedish marine and freshwater environment together with human

milk and food.

Dioxins are well-known for causing cancer, severe reproductive and developmental problems,

damage the immune system and for interfering with hormonal systems. Dioxin exposure has

further been suggested to induce birth defects, reduced sperm counts, diabetes, learning

disabilities, immune system suppression, lung problems, skin disorders, lowered testosterone

levels and more.

The data originates from national monitoring programs on contaminants financed by the

Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and accomplished by the Swedish Food

Agency (SFA), the Swedish Museum of Natural History (SMNH) and Stockholm University

(SU). Temporal trends of the abovementioned chemicals have been studied, also, the trends

have been extrapolated in an attempt to forecast the situation during the coming 20 years.

The present report focus on temporal trends and longer time series (often more than 2

decades). Compilations that covers also shorter time-series, relations between various

biological samples and geographical distribution can be found elsewhere. A thorough study

describing the dioxin situation in the Baltic was carried out by the Swedish EPA 2013

(Wiberg et al., 2013).

The environmental toxicants examined in this report can be classified into five groups –

heavy metals, chlorinated compounds, brominated flame retardants, polyaromatic

hydrocarbons and perfluorinated compounds. Each of these contaminants has been

examined from various sites for up to six different fish species, in blue mussels, and in

guillemot eggs, for varying lengths of time. The following summary examines overall

trends, spatial and temporal, for the five groups.

Condition and Fat Content

Condition and fat content in different species tended to follow the same pattern at the same

sites, with a few exceptions. Most of the fish species generally displayed a decreasing trend

in both condition and fat content at most sites examined. Exceptions to this were increases

in fat content seen in herring (the last ten years) and cod at Fladen; an increase in condition

for herring at Ängskärsklubb in spring; and in perch, a decrease in fat content at

Kvädöfjärden but no trend in condition for the same site.

Heavy Metals

Due to a change in methods for metal analysis (not Hg) in 2004, values between 2003 and

2007 should be interpreted with care. From 2009 metals are analyzed at ITM, Stockholm

university.

The longer time series in guillemot egg and spring-caught herring from the southern

Bothnian Sea and southern Baltic Proper show significant decreases of mercury. The

herring site in the southern Bothnain Sea indicates a local Hg-source. The rest of the time

series show varying concentrations over the study period, and even increasing trends in e.g.

cod muscle and blue mussels, but the concentrations are fairly low compared to measured

concentrations in perch from fresh water and coastal sites. However, in most cases, these

concentrations are above the newly suggested EU-target level of 20 ng/g wet weight.

Lead is generally decreasing over the study period (in time series of sufficient length),

supposedly due to the elimination of lead in gasoline. Elevated lead concentrations between

2003 and 2007 (e.g. Harufjärden) should be viewed with caution (see above regarding

change in analysis methods).

Cadmium concentrations show varying non-linear trends over the monitored period. It is

worth noting that despite several measures taken to reduce discharges of cadmium,

generally the most recent concentrations are similar to concentrations measured 30 years

ago in the longer time series.

The reported nickel concentrations show no consistent decreasing trends. Some series begin

with two elevated values that exert a strong leverage effect on the regression line and may

give a false impression of decreasing trends. Chromium generally shows decreasing trends,

possibly explained by a shift in analytical method. The essential trace metals, copper and

zinc, show no consistent trends during the monitored period.

The report summarises the monitoring activities within the National Swedish Contaminant Programme in marine biota.

Time series of analysed contaminants (heavy metals, organochlorines, brominated flame retardants, perfluorinated substances and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in biota are presented together with summaries of the results from the statistical analyses. The data represent the bioavailable portion of the investigated contaminants i.e. the portion that has effectively passed through biological membranes and may cause toxic effects. The report does not in general give background or explanations to significant changes found in the time series. Thus, increasing concentrations highlight the need for intensified studies.

- There was no general trend in heavy metal concentrations except for lead that is generally decreasing over the study period (in time series of sufficient length), supposedly due to the elimination of lead in gasoline.

- Generally, decreasing concentrations were observed for organochlorines (DDT’s, PCB’s, HCH’s, HCB), also including TCDD-equivalents over the whole study period, but not during the last decades. The chlorinated compounds generally show higher concentrations in the Bothnian Sea and/or Baltic Proper when compared to the Bothnian Bay and the Swedish west coast.

- Increasing trends of brominated flame retardants in guillemot eggs from late 1960s until early 1990s for polybrominated diphenyl ethers such as BDE-47, -99 and -100 and until mid-2000s for HBCDD, but with decreasing concentrations during the more recent time period. The PBDEs and HBCDD show higher concentrations in the Baltic Sea compared to the Swedish west coast.

- A consistently increasing concentration of PFOS in guillemot eggs has been observed throughout the whole time period, however, during the most recent ten years a change of direction is seen.

The report summarises the monitoring activities within the National Swedish Contaminant Programme in marine biota. Time series of analysed contaminants (heavy metals, organochlorines, brominated flame retardants, perfluorinated substances and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in biota are presented together with summaries of the results from the statistical analyses. The data represent the bioavailable portion of the investigated contaminants i.e. the portion that has effectively passed through biological membranes and may cause toxic effects. The report does not in general give background or explanations to significant changes found in the time series. Thus, increasing concentrations highlight the need for intensified studies. - There was no general trend in heavy metal concentrations except for lead that is generally decreasing over the study period (in time series of sufficient length), supposedly due to the elimination of lead in gasoline. - Generally, decreasing concentrations were observed for organochlorines (DDT’s, PCB’s, HCH’s, HCB), also including TCDD-equivalents over the whole study period, but not during the last decades. The chlorinated compounds generally show higher concentrations in the Bothnian Sea and/or Baltic Proper when compared to the Bothnian Bay and the Swedish west coast. - Increasing trends of brominated flame retardants in guillemot eggs from late 1960s until early 1990s for polybrominated diphenyl ethers such as BDE-47, -99 and -100 and until mid-2000s for HBCDD, but with decreasing concentrations during the more recent time period. The PBDEs and HBCDD show higher concentrations in the Baltic Sea compared to the Swedish west coast. - A consistently increasing concentration of PFOS in guillemot eggs has been observed throughout the whole time period, however, during the most recent ten years a change of direction is seen.

The environmental toxicants examined in this report can be classified into five groups –

heavy metals, chlorinated compounds, brominated flame retardants, polyaromatic

hydrocarbons and perfluorinated compounds. Each of these contaminants has been

examined from various sites for up to six different fish species, in blue mussels, and in

guillemot eggs, for varying lengths of time. The following summary examines overall

trends, spatial and temporal, for the five groups.

Condition and Fat Content

Condition and fat content in different species tended to follow the same pattern at the same

sites, with a few exceptions. Most of the fish species generally displayed a decreasing trend

in both condition and fat content at most sites examined. Exceptions to this were increases

in fat content and condition factor seen in cod liver at both sites; an increase in condition

for herring at Ängskärsklubb in spring; and in perch and eelpout, a decrease in fat content at

Kvädöfjärden (perch) and Väderöarna (eelpout) but no trend in condition for the same site.

Heavy Metals

Due to a change in methods for metal analysis (not Hg) in 2004, values between 2003 and

2007 should be interpreted with care. From 2009 metals are analyzed at ITM, Stockholm

University.

The longer time series in guillemot egg and spring-caught herring from the southern

Bothnian Sea and southern Baltic Proper show significant decreases of mercury. The

herring site in the southern Bothnain Sea indicates a local Hg-source. The rest of the time

series show varying concentrations over the study period, and even increasing trends in e.g.

cod muscle and eelpout muscle from Väderöarna, but the concentrations are fairly low

compared to measured concentrations in perch from fresh water and coastal sites. However,

in most cases, these concentrations are above the newly suggested EU-target level of 20

ng/g wet weight.

Lead is generally decreasing over the study period (in time series of sufficient length),

supposedly due to the elimination of lead in gasoline. Elevated lead concentrations

between 2003 and 2007 (e.g. Harufjärden) should be viewed with caution (see above

regarding change in analysis methods).

Cadmium concentrations show varying non-linear trends over the monitored period. It is

worth noting that despite several measures taken to reduce discharges of cadmium,

generally the most recent concentrations are similar to concentrations measured 30 years

ago in the longer time series.

The reported nickel concentrations show no consistent decreasing trends. Some series begin

with two elevated values that exert a strong leverage effect on the regression line and may

give a false impression of decreasing trends. Chromium generally shows decreasing trends,

possibly explained by a shift in analytical method. The essential trace metals, copper and

zinc, show no consistent trends during the monitored period.

The environmental toxicants examined in this report can be classified into five groups – heavy metals, chlorinated compounds, brominated flame retardants, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and perfluorinated compounds. Each of these contaminants have been examined from various sites for up to six different fish species, in blue mussels, and in guillemot eggs, for varying lengths of time. The following summary examines overall trends, spatial and temporal, for the five groups.

Condition and Fat Content

Condition and fat content in different species tended to follow the same pattern at the same sites, with a few exceptions. Most of the fish species generally displayed a decreasing trend in both condition and fat content at most sites examined. Exceptions to this were increases in condition factor seen in cod liver at Fladen, perch muscle at Kvädöfjärden, and for herring at Ängskärsklubb in spring. Also, an increase in fat content was seen during the most recent ten years for herring at Ängskärsklubb in spring. There were also some sites where no log linear trends were seen.

Heavy Metals

Due to a change in methods for metal analysis (not mercury) in 2004, values between 2003 and 2007 should be interpreted with care. From 2009 metals are analyzed at ACES, Stockholm University.

Generally, higher mercury concentrations are found in the Bothnian Bay, but also from one station in the Northern parts of Baltic Proper, compared to other parts of the Swedish coastline. The time series show varying concentrations over the study period. The longer time series in guillemot egg and spring-caught herring from the southern Bothnian Sea and southern Baltic Proper show significant decreases of mercury. On the other hand, increasing concentrations are seen in e.g., cod muscle, but the concentrations are fairly low compared to measured concentrations in perch from fresh water and coastal sites. In most cases, the mercury concentrations are above the EQSbiota of 20 ng/g wet weight.

Lead is generally decreasing over the study period (in time series of sufficient length), supposedly due to the elimination of lead in gasoline. The highest concentrations are seen in the southern part of the Baltic Sea. Elevated lead concentrations between 2003 and 2007 (e.g. Harufjärden) should be viewed with caution (see above regarding change in analysis methods). Lead concentrations are below the suggested target level at all stations.

Cadmium concentrations show varying non-linear trends over the monitored period. It is worth noting that despite several measures taken to reduce discharges of cadmium, generally the most recent concentrations are similar to concentrations measured 30 years

ago in the longer time series. Cadmium concentrations in herring and perch are all below the suggested target level of 160 μg/kg wet weight.

The reported nickel concentrations show no consistent decreasing trends. Some series begin with two elevated values that exert a strong leverage effect on the regression line and may give a false impression of decreasing trends. Chromium generally shows decreasing concentrations, possibly explained by a shift in analytical method. The essential trace metals, copper and zinc, show no consistent trends during the monitored period.

Generally higher concentrations of arsenic and silver are found along the west coast compared to other parts of the Sweadish coast line. However for silver a few stations in the Bothnian Sea and Bothnian Bay show comparable concentrations to the west coast stations.

Chlorinated Compounds

Generally, a decreasing concentrations were observed for all compounds (DDT’s, PCB’s, HCH’s, HCB) in all species examined, with a few exceptions, such as no change in TCDD-equivalents being seen in herring muscle (except at Änskärsklubb where very high concentrations at the beginning of the sampling period were seen and also at the west coast station Fladen). The longer time-series in guillemot also show a marked decrease in TCDD-equivalents from the start in the late 1960s until about 1985 from where no change occurred for many years, however, during the most recent ten years a decrease in the concentration is seen. Concentrations of DDE and CB-118 are for some species and sites still above their respective target levels.

The chlorinated compounds generally show higher concentrations in the Bothnian Sea and/or Baltic Proper when compared to the Bothnian Bay and the Swedish west coast.

Brominated Flame Retardants

Elevated levels of HBCDD are seen in sites from the Baltic Proper, while the investigated PBDEs show higher concentrations in the Bothnian Bay. In addition, lower concentrations of all investigated PBDEs and HBCDD are seen on the Swedish west coast compared to the east coast. Temporally, significant increases in BDE-47, -99 and -100 have been seen in guillemot eggs since the late 1960s until the early 1990s, where concentrations then began to show decreases. Also, the concentration of HBCDD in guillemot eggs shows a decrease during the most recent ten years. For fish and blue mussels, BDE-47, -99, and -153 decreased at some sites and showed no trend at other sites. The concentration of HBCDD in fish and blue mussels showed inconsistent trends. The concentration of HBCDD is below the EQSbiota of 167 μg/kg wet weight for all fish species from all areas, while the concentration of BDE-47 alone is above the EQSbiota for sumPBDE of 0.0085 ng/g wet weight.

PAHs

Only blue mussels have been examined for spatial differences in PAH concentrations. Concentration of ΣPAH was found to be higher from Kvädöfjärden in the Baltic Proper compared to stations at the West coast, but individual PAHs showed varying spatial patterns. Over time, acenaphthalene was rarely found above the detection limit. Significant decreasing trends were observed for ΣPAH, chrysene, fluoranthene and pyrene at Fjällbacka; for naphthalene at Kvädöfjärden; and for pyrene at Fladen.

All time series where concentrations of various PAHs were compared with the target value based on OSPAR Ecological Assessment Criteria, or EC Environmental Quality Standards were below the target value.

PFASs

PFHxS and PFOS show a similar spatial pattern, but PFOS concentrations were approximately 25 times higher than PFHxS levels. The distribution of PFOS is quite homogenous along the Swedish coast but with somewhat higher concentrations in the Baltic Proper. PFOS concentrations in guillemot eggs are about 100-200 times higher than in herring liver. An overall increasing concentration of PFOS in guillemot eggs has been observed throughout the whole time period, however, during the most recent ten years, a change of direction is detected. The longer herring time series from Harufjärden, Landsort, and Utlängan show increasing concentrations for PFOS and most carboxylates. For FOSA, on the other hand, decreasing concentrations are seen during the most recent ten years.

Organotin compounds

The majority of the analysed tinorganic compounds showed concentrations below LOQ. However TBT and DPhT showed concentrations above LOQ at all stations with highest reported concentrations in fish from Örefjärden in the northern part of Bothnian Sea.

Säsongsvariation och geografisk variation i koncentrationer av dioxiner,

dibensofuraner och dioxinlika PCB:er ,i strömming från Bottenhavet

This report gives a summary of the monitoring activities within the national Swedish contaminant programme in marine biota. It is the result from the joint efforts of: the Department of Applied Environmental Science at Stockholm University (analyses of organochlorines), the Department of Environmental Assessment at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (analyses of heavy metals), Department of Chemistry at Umeå University (analyses of PCDD/PCDF) and the Department of Contaminant Research at the Swedish Museum of Natural History (co-ordination, sample collection administration, sample preparation, recording of biological variables, storage of frozen biological tissues in the Environmental Specimen Bank for retrospective studies, data preparation and statistical evaluation). The monitoring programme is financiated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Sweden. The data of concern in this report represent the bioavailable part of the investigated contaminants i.e. the part that has virtually passed through the biological membranes and may cause toxic effects. The objectives of the monitoring program in marine biota could be summarised as follows:  to estimate the levels and the normal variation of various contaminants in marine biota from several representative sites, uninfluenced by local sources, along the Swedish coasts. The goal is to describe the general contaminant load and to supply reference values for regional and local monitoring programmes  to monitor long term time trends and to estimate the rate of found changes. quantified objective: to detect an annual change of 10% within a time period of 10 years with a power of 80% at a significance level of 5%.  to estimate the response in marine biota of measures taken to reduce the discharges of various contaminants quantified objective: to detect a 50% decrease within a time period of 10 years with a power of 80% at a significance level of 5%.  to detect incidents of regional influence or widespread incidents of ‘Chernobyl’-character and to act as watchdog monitoring to detect renewed usage of banned contaminants. quantified objective: to detect an increase of 200% a single year with a power of 80% at a significance level of 5%.  to indicate large scale spatial differences quantified objective: to detect differences of a factor 2 between sites with a power of 80% at a significance level of 5%.  to explore the development and regional differences of the composition and pattern of e.g. PCB’s, HCH’s, DDT’s, PCDD/F, PBDE/HBCD, PAH’s and PFC’s as well as the ratios between various contaminants.  the time series are also relevant for human consumption since important commercial fish species like herring and cod are sampled. A co-operation with the Swedish Food Administration is established. Sampling is also co-ordinated with SSI (Swedish Radiation Protection Authority) for analysing radionuclides in fish and blue mussels (HELCOM,1992).  all analysed, and a large number of additional specimens, of the annually systematically collected material are stored frozen in the Environmental Specimen Bank. This invaluable material enables future retrospective studies of contaminants impossible to analyse today as well as control analyses of suspected analytical errors.  although the programme is focused on contaminant concentration in biota, also the development of biological variables like e.g. condition factor (CF), liver somatic index (LSI) and fat content are monitored at all sites. At a few sites, integrated monitoring with fish physiology and population are running in co-operation with the University of Gothenburg and the Swedish Board of Fisheries.  experiences from the national programme with several time series of over 30 years can be used in the design of regional and local monitoring programmes.  the perfectly unique material of high quality and long time series is further used to explore relationships among biological variables and contaminant concentrations in various tissues; the effects of changes in sampling strategy, the estimates of variance components and the influence on the concept of power etc.  the accessibility of high quality data collected and analysed in a consistent manner is an indispensable prerequisite to evaluate the validity of hypothesis and models concerning the fate and distribution of various contaminants. It could furthermore be used as input of ‘real’ data in the ongoing model building activities concerning marine ecosystems in general and in the Baltic and North Sea environment in particular.  the contaminant programme in marine biota constitute an integrated part of the national monitoring activities in the marine environment as well as of the international programmes within ICES, OSPARCOM, HELCOM and EU. The present report displays the timeseries of analysed contaminants in biota and summarises the results from the statistical treatment. It does not in general give the background or explanations to significant changes found in the timeseries. Increasing concentrations thus, urge for intensified studies. Short comments are given for temporal trends as well as for spatial variation and, for some contaminants, differences in geometric mean concentration between various species caught at the same site. Sometimes notes of seasonal variation and differences in concentration between tissues in the same species are given. This information could say something about the relative appropriateness of the sampled matrix and be of help in designing monitoring programmes. In the temporal trend part, an extract of the relevant findings is summarised in the 'conclusion'-paragraph. It should be stressed though, that geographical differences may not reflect antropogenic influence but may be due to factors like productivity, temperature, salinity etc. The report is continuously updated. The date of the latest update is reported at the beginning of each chapter. The creation date of each figure is written in the lower left corner.

This report gives a summary of the monitoring activities within the national Swedish contaminant programme in marine biota. It is the result from the joint efforts of: the Department of Applied Environmental Science at Stockholm University (analyses of organochlorines), the Department of Environmental Assessment at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (analyses of heavy metals), Department of Chemistry at Umeå University (analyses of PCDD/PCDF) and the Department of Contaminant Research at the Swedish Museum of Natural History (co-ordination, sample collection administration, sample preparation, recording of biological variables, storage of frozen biological tissues in the Environmental Specimen Bank for retrospective studies, data preparation and statistical evaluation). The monitoring programme is financiated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Sweden.The data of concern in this report represent the bioavailable part of the investigated contaminants i.e. the part that has virtually passed through the biological membranes and may cause toxic effects. The objectives of the monitoring program in marine biota could be summarised as follows:• to estimate the levels and the normal variation of various contaminants in marine biota from several representative sites, uninfluenced by local sources, along the Swedish coasts. The goal is to describe the general contaminant load and to supply reference values for regional and local monitoring programmes• to monitor long term time trends and to estimate the rate of found changes.quantified objective: to detect an annual change of 10% within a time period of 10 years with a power of 80% at a significance level of 5%.• to estimate the response in marine biota of measures taken to reduce the discharges of various contaminantsquantified objective: to detect a 50% decrease within a time period of 10 years with a power of 80% at a significance level of 5%.• to detect incidents of regional influence or widespread incidents of ‘Chernobyl’- character and to act as watchdog monitoring to detect renewed usage of banned contaminants.quantified objective: to detect an increase of 200% a single year with a power of 80% at a significance level of 5%.• to indicate large scale spatial differencesquantified objective: to detect differences of a factor 2 between sites with a power of 80% at a significance level of 5%.• to explore the development and regional differences of the composition and pattern of e.g. PCB’s, HCH’s and DDT’s as well as the ratios between various contaminants.• the time series are also relevant for human consumption since important commercial fish species like herring and cod are sampled. A co-operation with the Swedish Food Administration is established. Sampling is also co-ordinated with SSI (Swedish Radiation Protection Authority) for analysing radionuclides in fish and blue mussels (HELCOM, 1992).• all analysed, and a large number of additional specimens, of the annually systematically collected material are stored frozen in the Environmental Specimen Bank.. This invaluable4material enables future retrospective studies of contaminants impossible to analyse today as well as control analyses of suspected analytical errors.• although the programme is focused on contaminant concentration in biota, also the development of biological variables like e.g. condition factor (CF), liver somatic index (LSI) and fat content are monitored at all sites. At a few sites, integrated monitoring with fish physiology and population are running in co-operation with the University of Gothenburg and the Swedish Board of Fisheries.• experiences from the national programme with several time series of over 25 years can be used in the design of regional and local monitoring programmes.• the perfectly unique material of high quality and long time series is further used to explore relationships among biological variables and contaminant concentrations in various tissues; the effects of changes in sampling strategy, the estimates of variance components and the influence on the concept of power etc.• the accessibility of high quality data collected and analysed in a consistent manner is an indispensable prerequisite to evaluate the validity of hypothesis and models concerning the fate and distribution of various contaminants. It could furthermore be used as input of ‘real’ data in the ongoing model building activities concerning marine ecosystems in general and in the Baltic and North Sea environment in particular.• the contaminant programme in marine biota constitute an integrated part of the national monitoring activities in the marine environment as well as of the international programmes within ICES, OSPARCOM and HELCOM.The present report displays the timeseries of analysed contaminants in biota and summarises the results from the statistical treatment. It does not in general give the background or explanations to significant changes found in the timeseries. Increasing concentrations thus, urge for intensified studies.Short comments are given for temporal trends as well as for spatial variation and, for some contaminants, differences in geometric mean concentration between various species caught at the same site. Sometimes notes of seasonal variation and differences in concentration between tissues in the same species are given. This information could say something about the relative appropriateness of the sampled matrix and be of help in designing monitoring programmes. In the temporal trend part, an extract of the relevant findings is summarised in the 'conclusion'-paragraph. It should be stressed though, that geographical differences may not reflect antropogenic influence but may be due to factors like productivity, temperature, salinity etc.The report is continuously updated. The date of the latest update is reported at the beginning of each chapter. The creation date of each figure is written in the lower left corner.

English summary: Heavy metals in perch from Lagnö och

Askö in the Stockholm archipelago, 2007–2010

The Environmental Analysis Section of the Stockholm County

Administrative Board commissioned the Swedish Museum of Natural

History to analyze heavy metals in perch (Perca fluviatilis) from two

relatively undisturbed and unaffected areas of the Stockholm archipelago:

Lagnö and Askö. The metals analyzed were: arsenic, cadmium, chromium,

copper, nickel, lead, zinc, tin, silver, and mercury.

Concentrations of heavy metals were analyzed in fish caught during the

years 2007–2010 within the regional environmental monitoring program:

“Integrated monitoring of coastal fish, coastal fish stocks at Askö-Fifång

and Lagnö”. Sampling at Askö was carried out in cooperation with the

Södermanland County Administrative Board. The concentrations of heavy

metals in perch from Lagnö and Askö were compared with those in perch

from the two closest national reference sites: Holmöarna in Västerbotten

County and Kvädöfjärden in southern Östergötland County.

We chose to study perch, because they are relatively stationary compared

with many other fish species. The concentrations of metals in perch are

therefore relatively specific for these areas. Perch are also used within the

national program for monitoring of environmental contaminants.

Fish were collected and analyzed according to the routines for the national

environmental monitoring program and standardized methods for

monitoring metals and organic contaminants in fish. The analyses were

carried out on pooled samples that were composed of 15 perch per sampling

station and year. All metals were analyzed from samples of perch liver,

except for mercury, which was analyzed from samples of muscle.

The results of this study show that the observation period (2007–2010) was

too short to detect statistically significant trends in concentrations of the

target metals. We plan to carry out further analyses of heavy metals in perch

from Lagnö and Askö within a few years.

Our study does show that concentrations of most heavy metals in perch

from Lagnö and Askö are similar to those in perch from the two national

reference sites. The results also show, for those metals that have existing

assessment criteria/Environmental Quality Standards, that found

concentrations lie far below these assessment criteria/Environmental Quality

Standards. This is positive news.

11

The exception is mercury. At both Lagnö and Askö, the concentration levels

lie over the limit for good chemical status for mercury. The concentration

levels, however, lie well below the permissible limit for the commercial sale

of perch as food, but fluctuate at the same time both above and below the

permissible level for foodstuffs for children at both Lagnö and Askö.

The pattern is similar at the national reference sites, where mercury

concentrations in perch lie above the limits for good chemical status, but

below the permissible limit for the commercial sale of perch as food.

From a health perspective, it is favorable that mercury levels are low in

perch from Lagnö and Askö. However, it is important to consider the

recommendations of the Swedish National Food Agency, that women who

plan on having children in the near future, who are pregnant, or who are

breastfeeding, should not eat fish that may contain mercury more than 2-3

times per year. This advice also applies to infants. It is thought that this

level of intake of fish is without risk to the foetus/infant.

De tidsserier som omfattas av det svenska nationella programmet förövervakning av miljögifter i biologiska prov är av god kvalitet av höginternationell klass.ôﾀﾂﾾ Stationsnätet är glest även med internationella mått och skulle behöva förtätas,speciellt med tanke på kraven i EU’s vattendirektiv. I synnerhet bordeövervakningen i Bottenhavet förtätas men även de sydligaste delarna avegentliga Östersjön.ôﾀﾂﾾ Nya utsjölokaler skulle förbättra möjligheterna att avgöra grad av påverkanfrån kustregionen respektive andra länder.ôﾀﾂﾾ Förbättrad samordning internationellt mellan regionala program ochexempelvis Livsmedelsverket, Fiskeriverket och skulle kunna förtäta detgeografiska stationsnätet.

This report gives a summary of the monitoring activities within the national Swedishcontaminant programme in marine biota. It is the result from the joint efforts of: theInstitute of Applied Environmental Research at Stockholm University (analyses oforganochlorines), the Centre for Environmental Monitoring at the University of Agriculture(analyses of heavy metals) and the Contaminant Research Group at the Swedish Museumof Natural History (co-ordination, sample collection administration, sample preparation,recording of biological variables, minor additional analyses of organochlorines, storage offrozen biological tissues in the Environmental Specimen Bank for retrospective studies,data preparation and statistical evaluation). The monitoring programme is financiated by theEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Sweden.The data of concern in this report represent the bioavailable part of the investigatedcontaminants i.e. the part that has virtually passed through the biological membranes andmay cause biological effects. The objectives of the monitoring program in marine biotacould be summarised as follows:• to estimate the levels and the normal variation of various contaminants in marine biotafrom several representative sites, uninfluenced by local sources, along the Swedish coasts.The goal is to describe the general contaminant status and to supply reference values forregional and local monitoring programmes• to monitor long term time trends and to estimate the rate of found changes.quantified objective: to detect an annual change of 10% within a time period of 10 years with a power of 80%at a significance level of 5%.• to estimate the response in marine biota of measures taken to reduce the discharges ofvarious contaminantsquantified objective: to detect a 50% decrease within a time period of 10 years with a power of 80% at asignificance level of 5%.• to detect incidents of regional influence or widespread incidents of ‘Chernobyl’-character and to act as watchdog monitoring to detect renewed usage of bannedcontaminants.quantified objective: to detect an increase of 200% a single year with a power of 80% at a significance level of5%.• to indicate large scale spatial differencesquantified objective: to detect differences of a factor 2 between sites with a power of 80% at a significancelevel of 5%.• to explore the development and regional differences of the composition and pattern ofe.g. PCB’s, HCH’s and DDT’s as well as the ratios between various contaminants.• the time series are also relevant for human consumption since important commercial fishspecies like herring and cod are sampled. A co-operation with the Swedish FoodAdministration is established. Sampling is also co-ordinated with SSI (Swedish RadiationProtection Authority) for analysing radionuclides in fish and blue mussels (HELCOM,1992).• all analysed, and a large number of additional specimens, of the annually systematicallycollected material are stored frozen in the Environmental Specimen Bank.. This invaluable5material enables future retrospective studies of contaminants impossible to analyse today aswell as control analyses of suspected analytical errors.• although the programme is focused on contaminant concentration in biota, also thedevelopment of biological variables like e.g. condition factor (CF), liver somatic index(LSI) and fat content are monitored at all sites. At a few sites, integrated monitoring withfish physiology and population are running in co-operation with the University ofGothenburg and the Swedish Fishery Board.• experiences from the national program with several time series of over 25 years can beused in the design of regional and local monitoring programmes.• the perfectly unique material of high qualityand long time series is further used to explorerelationships among biological variables and contaminants concentrations in varioustissues; the effects of changes in sampling strategy, the estimates of variance componentsand the influence on the concept of power etc.• the accessibility of high quality data collected and analysed in a consistent manner is anindispensable prerequisite to evaluate the validity of hypothesis and models concerning thefate and distribution of various contaminants. It could furthermore be used as input of ‘real’data in the ongoing model building activities concerning marine ecosystems in general andin the Baltic and North Sea environment in particular.• the contaminant programme in marine biota constitute an integrated part of the nationalmonitoring activities in the marine environment as well as of the international programmeswithin ICES, OSPARCOM and HELCOM.The present report displays the timeseries of analysed contaminants in biota andsummarises the results from the statistical treatment. It does not in general give thebackground or explanations to significant changes found in the timeseries. Increasingconcentrations thus, urge for intensified studies.Short comments are given for temporal trends as well as for spatial variation and, for somecontaminants, differences in geometric mean concentration between various species caughtat the same site. Sometimes notes of seasonal variation and differences in concentrationbetween tissues in the same species are given. This information could say something aboutthe relative appropriateness of the sampled matrix and be of help in designing monitoringprogrammes. In the temporal trend part, an extract of the relevant findings is summarised inthe 'conclusion'-paragraph. It should be stressed though, that geographical differences maynot reflect antropogenic influence but may be due to factors like productivity, temperature,salinity etc.The report is continuously updated. The date of the latest update is reported at the beginningof each chapter. The creation date of each figure is written in the lower left corner.

The present study has been carried out on mandate of and in cooperation with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) according to Agreement 222 0744. By use of liver and muscle of starling as a matrix representing parts of the terrestrial environment, the study will focus on accumulation, profiles and concentrations of some pesticides used in semi-agricultural areas of Sweden as well as the accumulated levels of some metals and ground elements. Flame retardants are materials added or applied to a product to increase its fire resistance. This study focuses on accumulated levels of PBDEs and HBCD. Five phenolic substances were analysed in muscle of starling; 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), nonylphenol, triclosan, bisphenol A and pentachlorphenol (PCP). Finally we screened the great group of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).

The long-term monitoring of persistent and bio-accumulating chemicals in the Swedishenvironment is part of the Swedish National Environmental Monitoring Programme. It is based on chemical analyses of tissues and organs from species collected in selected referenceareas of the Swedish mainland, lakes and coastal areas (Odsjö & Olsson 1979a,b, Bernes1985). As part of the terrestrial contaminant monitoring programme, specimens of muscle,liver and kidney of moose (Alces alces) have been collected since 1980 from Grimsö, areference area in the monitoring programme and a coherent hunting district in the Örebrocounty (T) in south-central Sweden. In 1996, the monitoring was extended by collection andchemical analysis of organs of moose from six further counties and districts in Sweden. Thesedistricts are situated in the Norrbotten county (BD), Jämtland county (Z), Västmanland county(U), Älvsborg county (P), Jönköping county (F) and Kronoberg county (G) (Figure 1).Moose, with a diet dominated by twigs and leaves of trees and shrubs (Cederlund et al. 1980),was chosen in the monitoring programme as a representative of biota in the Swedish forestareas. Since the moose is distributed almost all over the country, it was considered as an idealmaterial also for studies of spatial distribution of environmental pollution and bio-accumulation,which is the reason for the extended collection of samples in 1996 onwards.This report presents levels and time trends of Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Vand Zn in liver and kidney and Hg and Se in liver and muscle from the period 1996-2000. For Grimsö data from an extended period, 1980-2000 is presented.

The long-term monitoring of bio-accumulating contaminants in biota from terrestrial environments in Sweden as part of the Swedish National Environmental Monitoring Programme is based on analysis of organs and tissues of different animal species collected in certain pristine areas of the Swedish mainland (Odsjö and Olsson 1979 a,b). In the mountainous area of north-western Sweden, reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) is chosen as a representative indicator for the fauna living in that part of the country. Samples of reindeer have continuously been collected in three districts since the early 1980s. Later, the Declaration on the Protection of the Arctic environment established an Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) to monitor levels and assess effects of anthropogenic pollutants in components of the Arctic environment. The Programme recommends that collection of baseline data for heavy metals and radionuclides in caribou/reindeer should be mandatory for participating states due to the importance of that species in the diets of northern native people (AMAP 1993). The current material of reindeer from northern and central Lapland partly satisfies the Swedish association in the AMAP programme.The herbivorous reindeer spend the summer time in the westernmost part of the high mountain areas. Summer diets include grasses, sedges, twigs, leaves and mushrooms. During autumn they migrate eastwards to winter grounds in the central coniferous forest areas of the country, where they primarily feed on lichens, which are noted for their ability to accumulate nutrients and contaminants from the air. Winter diets also include sedges and twigs.The actual material of reindeer have earlier been utilised for analyses of e.g. radiocesium in a study of effects of the fallout of Cs-132 from the Chernobyl accident in 1986 (Forberg et al. 1992) and for studies of time trends of levels of HCHs and HCB (Odsjö et al. 1998).

The long-term monitoring of bio-accumulating contaminants in biota from terrestrial environments in Sweden as part of the Swedish National Environmental Monitoring Programme is based on analysis of organs and tissues of different animal species collected in certain pristine areas of the Swedish mainland (Odsjö and Olsson 1979 a,b). In the mountainous area of north-western Sweden, reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) is chosen as a representative indicator for the fauna living in that part of the country. Samples of reindeer have continuously been collected in three districts since the early 1980s. Later, the Declaration on the Protection of the Arctic environment established an Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) to monitor levels and assess effects of anthropogenic pollutants in components of the Arctic environment. The Programme recommends that collection of baseline data for heavy metals and radionuclides in caribou/reindeer should be mandatory for participating states due to the importance of that species in the diets of northern native people (AMAP 1993). The current material of reindeer from northern and central Lapland partly satisfies the Swedish participation in the AMAP programme.The herbivorous reindeer spend the summer time in the westernmost part of the high mountain areas. Summer diets include grasses, sedges, twigs, leaves and mushrooms. During autumn they migrate eastwards to winter grounds in the central coniferous forest areas of the country, where they primarily feed on lichens, which are noted for their ability to accumulate nutrients and contaminants from the air. Winter diets also include sedges and twigs.The actual material of reindeer have earlier been utilised for analyses of e.g. radiocesium in a study of effects of the fallout of Cs-132 from the Chernobyl accident in 1986 (Forberg et al. 1992) and for studies of time trends of levels of HCHs and HCB (Odsjö et al. 1998).

FÖRTECKNING ÖVER SÄRSKILT SKYDDSVÄRDA MYRAR I GÄVLEBORGE LÄN.

HEDESUNDA LANDSKOMMUN

1. Jordbärsmyren ……………sid 1 VALBO LANDSKOMMUN.
2. Molnviksmuren (inkl. Rock mur…sid 4
3. Myrar vid Trösken ………………sid 6 HAMRÅNGE LANDSKOMMUN.
4. Axmar högmosse……………sid 7 NORRALA_ENÅNGERS LANDSKOMMUNER.
5. Myr vid SKåssan ………………...sid9ALFTA LANDSKOMMUN.
6. Stormyren SV om Grannäsen …sid10 LOS LANDSKOMMUN.
7. Stormyren och LÅNGTJÄRNSMYREN. .sid 11RAMSJÖ LANDSKOMMUN.
8. Kallmyran……………sid 12 HARMÅNGER -GNARPS LANDSKOMMUN.
9. MYRAR vid Hårtefjärden………sid 13.

Monitoring of metal concentrations in fish is commonly conducted using samples of fish liver or muscle. This becomes problematic when these values are used for environmental status evaluations regarding chemical pollution, as many of the thresholds evaluating environmental status are designed to evaluate concentrations in whole-fish.

In this study, concentrations of cadmium, lead, and mercury in herring and perch are compared between liver, muscle, and whole-fish. The aim is to create conversion factors that can be used to convert metal concentrations between tissues and organs.

Mercury and cadmium were detected in all analyzed organs and tissues, whereas lead concentrations were below the level of quantification for most muscle and liver samples. In general, there was a strong relationship between liver and muscle concentrations and concentrations in whole-fish, indicating that creation of conversion factors between tissues and organs is suitable.

The resulting conversion factor between whole-fish and liver concentrations for cadmium was 0.1 and 0.16 for herring and perch, respectively. The conversion factor between whole-fish and liver concentrations for mercury was 0.52 and 1.66 for herring and perch, respectively, while for whole-fish and muscle concentrations for mercury, the conversion factor was 0.86 and 0.74 for herring and perch. As there was no significant relationship between liver and whole-fish concentrations for lead, a conversion is not appropriate. Conversion factors levels differed significantly between herring and perch, indicating that species-specific conversion factors are necessary.

At the Swedish Museum of Natural History, necropsies of 120 grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), 46 harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and 35 ringed seals (Pusa hispida baltica) were performed during 2013/2014 on seals found dead in fishing gear or found dead on beaches along the Baltic coast. Additionally, organs from 73 grey seals and whole carcasses from seven ringed seal from the seal hunt were dissected/necropsied. Investigated harbor seals from the Swedish west coast will be reported separately.

The temporal trends of age- and sex distribution, intestinal ulcers, intestinal acanthocephalan parasites, mean blubber thickness and reproduction are presented. During the 1990s the prevalence of intestinal ulcers increased in grey seals. In the 2000s the prevalence of intestinal ulcer decreased. In the Gulf of Bothnia the prevalence of intestinal ulcer and intestinal acanthocephalan parasites in grey seals are higher than in the Baltic proper. However, the temporal trend of the intestinal ulcers did not correlate with that of the parasites. Ringed seals from the Gulf of Bothnia do not show as much acanthocephalan parasites as grey seals from the same area. During the 1970s-and 80s uterine occlusions were observed in ringed seals and grey seals, 3

making them sterile. The proportion of pregnant female grey seals has increased since the 1990s and cases of uterine occlusions in grey seals have not been observed after 1993. The blubber thickness in grey seals decreased in the beginning of 2000 and is still somewhat thin. In all three seal species, but especially in grey seals, dermal erosions, depigmentation of the eyelids and focal alopecia have been recorded since 2011. Depigmentation of the eyelids has also been observed in photos from 2005. In 2013/2014 these changes are still observed and the cause of these skin lesions is unknown. The prevalence of the liver parasite Pseudamphistomum truncatum increased significant in grey seal in 2008 and was shown to cause severe cholangiohepatitis in some cases. In a Finnish study the parasite in grey seals were in some cases positive for Brucella sp. The parasite and Brucella are zoonotic infections

Since the 1970s, grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and ringed seals (Phoca hispida) have been collected and necropsied at the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Mostly have grey seals been examined. The effect of hunting during 19th century and reproductive failure during the latter half of the century decreased Baltic seal populations. In the 1970s and 1980s, pathological changes found mostly in grey seals was called the Baltic Seal Disease Complex and was thought to be related to high levels of PCB and DDT. Since then several pathological changes have decreased in prevalence as well as levels of PCB and DDT. Since then in grey seals, the prevalence of intestinal ulcers has increased and then decreased, blubber thickness has decreased and the prevalence of a zoonotic biliary trematode infection increased.

In 2015, whole bodies and samples from 137 grey seals, 44 harbour seals and 27 ringed seals were examined at the museum. The public reported 196 seals found dead along the Swedish coast. At present, the Baltic grey seal population increases with 8% each year and 85% of the examined females 6-24 years old were pregnant during the pregnant period (August-February) in 2015. The harbour seal populations presently increase with 7-9 % per year, although the numbers of examined harbour seals are much lower than the number of grey seals, the proportion of examined pregnant harbour seals in corresponding age group was only 57%. The ringed seal population in the Gulf of Bothnia presently increase with 4,5% per year. One 4

mature female examined from the period of pregnancy was pregnant. Of the examined 27 ringed seals, 20 of them were younger than 4 years. Two two-year old females showed malformations as diaphragmatic hiatus in one of them and the other female lacked one of the uterine horns.

In conclusion, the health situation for examined Baltic grey seals is better and the increase in the population during the last 15 years is stable. The number of examined harbour seals and ringed seals is small for presenting trends but harbour seals showed a tendency to low pregnancy rate that needs further studies. The populations of harbour seals on the Swedish west coast were affected by epidemics in 1988, 2002 and 2014 and the development rate of these populations have decreased since 2002. The development of the harbour seal population on the Swedish east coast has a steady increase since the 1970s. The population of ringed seals has a low increase in the Gulf of Bothnia

Naturvårdsverket beslutade 2007-04-11 och 2007-09-21 (Dnr 412-162-07 Nv och 412-6125-07 Nf) att avlysningsjakt efter gråsäl skulle bedrivas för sjunde året i följd under perioden 16 april – 31 december 2007. Jakten inkluderade åtta län (se Tabell 1) utmed Östersjö-, Bottenhavs- och Bottenvikskusten. Under perioden 16/4-31/5 fick högst hälften av respektive läns kvot av sälar fällas. Tillstånd fördelades för jakt på totalt 210 sälar varav Fiskeriverket givits tillstånd att fälla 20 gråsälar i X- och Y-län. Kvoterna fördelades per län enligt en av länsstyrelserna utarbetad modell, som bl.a. bygger på förekomst av gråsäl och faktorer som antal fiskare, fiskets inriktning, fångstvärde, sälskadornas värde samt sälskadornas varaktighet. Naturvårdsverket beslutade även, liksom tidigare år, att fällda sälar skulle få behållas på villkor att prover och ifyllda uppgifter om de fällda sälarna i en s.k. jaktrapport skickades till Naturhistoriska riksmuseet (NRM), Enheten för Miljögiftsforskning. Nedan redovisas resultat från sammanställningar baserade på patologiska under-sökningar, åldersbestämning och uppgifter från jägare samt kustbevakningen. Vissa jämförelser görs även med inskickat material från gråsälsjakten åren 2002-2006 samt med undersökta drunknade/funna döda gråsälar. Undersökningarna har finansierats av Naturvårdsverkets enheter för Viltförvaltning respektive Miljöövervakning.

Naturvårdsverket beslutade 2010-04-12 (Dnr 412-2229-10 Nv ) att skyddsjakt efter gråsäl skulle bedrivas för tionde året i följd. Jakten pågick under perioden 16 april – 31 december och inkluderade nio län (se Tabell 1) utmed Östersjö-, Bottenhavs- och Bottenvikskusten. Under perioden 16/4-30/6 fick högst hälften av respektive läns kvot av sälar fällas. Svenska tillstånd för skyddsjakt omfattade totalt 230 sälar. Kvoterna fördelades per län enligt en av länsstyrelserna utarbetad modell, som bl.a. bygger på förekomst av gråsäl och faktorer som antal fiskare, fiskets inriktning, fångstvärde, sälskadornas värde samt sälskadornas varaktighet. Fälld säl rapporteras av jägaren till kustbevakningen som löpande sammanställer resultaten per län och skickar dessa vidare via e-post enligt sändlista. Naturvårdsverket beslutade även, liksom tidigare år, att fällda sälar skulle få behållas på villkor att prover och ifyllda uppgifter om de fällda sälarna i en s.k. jaktrapport skickades till Naturhistoriska riksmuseet (NRM), Enheten för Miljögiftsforskning.

Naturvårdsverket beslutade 2003-04-04 att avlysningsjakt efter gråsäl skulle bedrivas för tredje året i följd. År 2003 års jakt inkluderade åtta län (se Tabell 1) utmed Östersjö-, Bottenhavs- och Bottenvikskusten under perioden 16 april – 31 december. Under perioden den 16/4-31/5 fick högst hälften av respektive läns kvot av sälar fällas. Enligt beslutet fördelades tillstånd för jakt på totalt 170 sälar. Kvoterna fördelades per län enligt en av länsstyrelserna utarbetad modell, som bl.a. bygger på faktorer som antal fiskare, fiskets inriktning, fångstvärde, sälskadornas värde och sälskadornas varaktighet. Naturvårdsverket beslutade även, liksom tidigare år, att fällda sälar skulle få behållas på villkor att prover och ifyllda uppgifter om de fällda sälarna i en s.k. jaktrapport skickades till Naturhistoriska riksmuseet (NRM), Gruppen för Miljögiftsforskning. Nedan redovisas resultat från sammanställningar baserade på patologiska undersökningar, åldersbestämning och uppgifter från jägare samt kustbevakningen. Vissa jämförelser görs även med inskickat materialet från gråsälsjakten år 2002 (Bäcklin, 2003a) och undersökta drunknade eller funna döda gråsälar inskickade till NRM för Naturvårdsverkets nationella övervakningsprogram för toppkonsumenter. Undersökningarna har finansierats av Naturvårdsverkets enheter för Viltförvaltning respektive Miljöövervakning.

Naturvårdsverket beslutade 2010-04-28 (Dnr 412-2583-10 Nv ) att skyddsjakt efter knubbsäl skulle bedrivas för andra året i följd. Jakten pågick under perioderna 1/5-31/5 och 1/8-31/12 och inkluderade Västra Götaland och Hallands län (se Tabell 1). Svenska tillstånd för skyddsjakt omfattade totalt 90 knubbsälar. Kvoterna fördelades per län enligt en modell, som bl.a. bygger på förekomst av knubbsäl och faktorer som antal fiskare, fiskets inriktning, fångstvärde, sälskadornas värde samt sälskadornas varaktighet.

Fälld säl rapporteras av jägaren till kustbevakningen som löpande sammanställer resultaten per län och skickar dessa vidare via e-post enligt sändlista. Naturvårdsverket beslutade även att fällda sälar skulle få behållas på villkor att prover och ifyllda uppgifter om de fällda sälarna i en s.k. jaktrapport skickades till Naturhistoriska riksmuseet (NRM), Enheten för Miljögiftsforskning.

Nedan redovisas resultat från sammanställningar baserade på patologiska under-sökningar, åldersbestämning och uppgifter från jägare samt kustbevakningen.

Undersökningarna har finansierats av Naturvårdsverkets enheter för Viltförvaltning respektive Miljöövervakning.

Material och metoder

I samband med jakten paketerar jägaren inre organ, underkäke, en bit späck med hud samt i förekommande fall penisben i plastpåsar tillsammans med jaktrapporten. Påsen fryses och skickas till utsett uppsamlingsställe eller direkt till NRM. På NRM har påsarna tinats och innehållet undersökts makroskopiskt. Vikt bestäms på hjärta, lever, binjurar och gonader. Provtagning för bakteriologisk eller parasitologisk undersökning utförs vid misstanke om infektion. Dessa undersökningar utförs i förekommande fall av Statens Veterinärmedicinska Anstalt (SVA) i Uppsala. Underkäkar kokas och tänder tas ut för snittning och åldersbestämning. För kvalitetssäkrad åldersbestämning har en oberoende avläsning gjorts vid minst två tillfällen per säl. Mag- och tarminnehåll har tillvaratagits för dietstudier. För framtida analyser har vävnadsprover och ben tagits till miljöprovbanken.

Mikroskopisk undersökning av vävnader har ej utförts eftersom materialet ofta varit kadaveröst förändrat samt fryst. Frysning av vävnaden medför vissa skador på cellnivå. I den följande redovisningen varierar antal undersökta sälar, beroende på att organ saknats i vissa påsar och/eller att jaktrapporter varit ofullständigt ifyllda.

Graden av sjukliga förändringar i organen har bedömts i fyra steg från -

utan synlig sjuklig förändring, lindrig, måttlig, till - kraftig förändring. 3

För bedömning och förekomst av tarmsår, som förekommer hos gråsäl i Östersjön (Bergman, 1999), har bakre delen av

ileum samt caecum och colon (tunntarmen nära blindtarmen, blindtarmen och grovtarmen) från varje säl samlats för jämförande bedömning vid samma tillfälle.

Späcktjockleken (hullet) baseras på av jägaren ifylld uppgift i jaktrapporten. Som

gott hull räknades en späcktjocklek överstigande 35 mm, medelgott hull 26-35 mm och mindre gott hull understigande 26 mm.

Knubbsälshonor har räknats som könsmogna när en gulkropp (

corpus luteum) har observerats i äggstockarna.

Resultaten från två olika metoder för åldersbestämning av fisk mha otoliter respektive fjäll

överensstämmer väl. I 84 % av fallen skiljer sig den uppskattade åldern mellan de två

metoderna inte mer än ett år. Skillnaderna i åldersbestämningen mellan de två metoderna blir

tydligare då fiskens ålder överstiger sex år. Ju äldre fisk desto lägre ålder skattas från

bedömning av fjäll. En slutsats som dras från den här studien är att fördelarna med

åldersbestämning från fjäll överväger eventuella problem som uppmärksammats vid

bestämning av ålder på äldre individer.

The report summarises the monitoring activities within the National Swedish Contaminant Programme in marine biota. In this report, we present time series and maps of most contaminants in various species but we only comment results that shows large differences compared to the previous year. Results show that herring from Holmöarna had elevated concentrations during the last two years of the time series for approximately half of the analysed metals, most chlorinated pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The last two years’ Herring is on average one year older than the previous years’, heavier and the last years’ fat percentage is ca. 2 % higher compared to the year before. These differences in biological variables may have had an influence on the elevated contaminant concentrations. Also, herring from Väderöarna shows increasing concentrations for several chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, dioxins, and BFRs during the ten most recent years. A reason for this might be that the included fish were older during the seven most recent years, although their size was similar or smaller than previous years. Additionally, the fat percentage of the tissue has also decreased over time and might influence the results.

This year’s report is also the first to show PFAS concentrations in Cod, Perch and Eelpout where Perch has the highest concentrations of most PFASs within the Baltic Proper sampling sites.

This report is also the first report within the Swedish National Monitoring Programme of Contaminants in marine biota presenting environmental contaminant data in eggs of Common tern and Eurasian oystercatcher. In general, many of the compounds could be detected in Common tern and Eurasian oystercatcher.

Concentrations of several of the contaminants are similar in the two species, but there are exceptions among each contaminant class and even opposing time trends for some contaminants. There are clear differences in contaminant concentrations between species for PCDD/Fs and BFRs; for most PCDD/Fs, concentrations are higher in Eurasian oystercatcher compared to Common tern, while for the BFRs concentrations are higher in Common tern, with the exception of HBCDD.

In this report, fish from potentially polluted sites along the coast of Sweden were analysed for several contaminants and when possible also compared with concentrations in fish from

reference sites used within the national monitoring programme for contaminants in marine

biota. However, it is important to have in mind that for the polluted sites, sampling has only

been carried one single year and only two pooled samples were analysed from each site,

which could have effects on the representativeness and the uncertainty of the results.

Generally, perch and herring from Lilla Värtan had the highest concentrations of mercury,

lead, nickel, silver, CB-153 and CB-118, DDE, dioxins, brominated flame retardants,

perfluorinated chemicals, chlorinated paraffins and organotin compounds compared to the

other polluted sites. Among the stations where eelpout and cod were sampled, Rivöfjord had

highest concentration of several contaminants. The contaminants include mercury, lead,

chromium, CB-153 and CB-118, dioxins, brominated flame retardants, perfluorinated

chemicals, chlorinated paraffins and organotin compounds. It is not very surprising that these two areas show the highest concentrations of several of the investigated contaminants in fish.

Lilla Värtan is situated in Stockholm and hence is affected by the big city, in addition, heavy

boat traffic of different kinds are taking place in this water along with several other harmful

environmental activities in this area. SCCP showed the highest concentrations in herring from

Lilla Värtan, while perch on the contrary had the lowest concentration of SCCP among all of

the perch sites. This is however difficult to explain. Rivö fjord is situated just outside

Gothenburg city and is thus affected by activities in the city. Also, the main part of

Gothenburg’s harbor activities takes place close by Rivö fjord. Moreover, Ryaverken, which

is a sewage treatment plant, and two refineries are also affecting the water. Thus, the two

largest cities in Sweden contribute with a cocktail of contaminants to its surrounding waters.

In addition, fish from Skelleftebukten, herring and/or perch, had elevated concentrations of

lead, cadmium, nickel, copper, HCB and BDE-47 and -154. The elevated concentrations of

different metals in this area could be caused by Rönnskärsverken, which releases metals. In

addition, there are several industries and mining practices in the area that could have

contributed with high metal levels. Furthermore, dismantlement activities might contribute

with the high levels of brominated flame retardants found in this area.

Kungsbackafjorden, on the Swedish west coast, had high concentrations of cadmium and

copper in cod and high concentrations of perfluorinated chemicals in both eelpout and cod.

There is a sewage treatment plant in the area, which might be one explanation for elevated

concentrations of perfluorinated chemicals.

Most of the other selected polluted sites for this study had none or just a few contaminants

that differed from the reference sites in the vicinity. Thus it seems that these sites might not be as burdened by local sources of the investigated substances as has been assumed. On the other hand, when comparing the concentrations with their target values, a few of the contaminants at these sites were above the target values, this included mercury, CB-118, PBDEs and TBT.

However, the concentrations were not significantly different from reference values, which

indicates a more widespread problem concerning these contaminants.

When comparing contaminant concentrations with their respective target value, mercury

concentrations exceeded the target value for all species at all sites except for herring from

Örnsköldsviksfjärden. Lead was below the target value at all sites and cadmium was also

below at all sites except for perch from Skelleftebukten, which exceeded the target value.

4 CB-153 was in general below the target value, but cod from Rivö fjord and perch from Lilla

Värtan exceeded it. In contrast, most polluted sites were above the target value for CB-118

with a few exceptions. Concentrations of DDE were generally below the target value,

however perch and herring from Lilla Värtan exceeded it and concentrations of DDE in cod

liver were also above, while the concentration in cod muscle were below target value. HCHs,

HCB, dioxins, PFOS and HBCDD were below target values for all species at all sites. PBDEs

on the other hand exceed the target value for all species at all sites. Concentrations of the

priority substances, DEHP (Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate), HCBD (Hexachlorobutadiene), and

PeCB (Pentachlorobenzene) were below the target values, these compounds were even below LOQ at most sites. SCCP (short-chained chlorinated paraffins) were well below the target level for all species at all sites. TBT on the other hand, were in perch above the target value at all sites except at Inre Slätbaken and Skelleftebukten. Yttre fjärden and Lilla Värtan had the highest concentrations of TBT and here the target value was also exceeded in herring. Eelpout and cod had concentrations of TBT below the target value.

In conclusion, Lilla Värtan seems to be the site with the highest concentrations of several

contaminants and also where several of these exceed the target values. Rivö fjord and

Skelleftebukten also had higher concentrations of several contaminants compared to the other polluted sites.

The report summarises the monitoring activities within the National Swedish Contaminant Programme in marine biota.

Few trends are found for the biological variables of the biota included in the programme (age, weight, length, and fulton´s condition factor). This is expected, as samples are selectively selected to avoid trends. However, all variables for Holmöarna in the Bothnian Bay and the fish age at the West Coast sites (Kullen, Fladen and Väderöarna) stands out for herring, cod and perch as having upward trends over the last 10 years. Since many of the contaminants presented in this report bioaccumulate, this is likely to affect the trends presented below.

For the aggregated herring data (on sub-basin scale) on chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, dioxins and furans, brominated flame retardants and perfluorinated substances (PFAS) a general downward trend for the last 10 years (2009-2018) is seen for all sub-basins (Southern and Northern Baltic Proper and Bothnian Sea and Bay) except the West Coast. On the West Coast, changes are small and often non-significant. The contaminant concentrations are in general lowest on the West Coast but the concentration difference between the West Coast and the other sub-basins has shrunken over the last 10 years as the concentrations in the other sub-basins are decreasing towards West Coast levels. The perfluorinated compound FOSA is an exception to this picture, with 2-4 times higher concentrations on the West Coast compared to the Baltic Sea. For the metals, no common patterns are seen for the aggregated herring data across the metals or for each specific metal between sub-basins.

Generellt sett ligger värdena analyserade av de olika laboratorierna på liknande nivåer. De

ämnen som utmärker sig genom att ha sämst överensstämmande resultat är Ni och Cr. Det

skulle kunna förklaras av att dessa två ämnen förekommer i låga halter i miljön och därför är

svåra att analysera. Resultaten för dessa ämnen är systematiskt lägre från ITM jämfört med

SLU. Resultaten för Ni och Cr stämmer bättre överens i det materialet som analyserats av

båda laboratorierna åren 1999-2000. Denna skillnad beror sannolikt på att ITM sedan dess

förändrat analysmetoden för dessa två ämnen.

Korrelationer mellan resultaten från ITM jämfört med SLU har varit svårare att visa för

blåmussla, abborre och sillgrissla inom den här studien. Förklaringsgraden (r

2) är generellt

sett lägre än för strömming och torsk. Det kan bro på att dessa matriser kommer från endast

en lokal vilket innebär att det är få individer som ingår i regressionsanalysen samt att

koncentrationsspannet blir mindre vilket gör det svårare att få signifikanta resultat. För

abborre och mussla är det heller inte samma individer som har analyserats av de olika

laboratorierna utan det är medelvärden från samma fångsttillfälle som har jämförts, vilket

skulle kunna leda till en sämre överensstämmelse mellan analysresultaten. Det syns dock

ingen tydlig skillnad i överensstämmelse mellan laboratorierna då man jämför strömming från

Landsort där det inte är samma individer som analyserats mot de övriga tre strömmingslokalerna

där samma individer analyserats.

I och med att ITM har tagit över analys av metaller inom det marina övervakningsprogrammet

från SLU är det viktigt att dessa resultat kan anses jämförbara i tidsserieanalyserna. Den

temporala utvecklingen av koncentrationer av metaller i den svenska marina miljön ska kunna

beskrivas utan att påverkas för mycket av analysskillnader mellan laboratorierna. För att

minimera denna påverkan har resultaten från de linjära regressionsanalyserna samt t-test för

kvoter mellan de två laboratorierna applicerats på tidsserieanalyserna för att undersöka vilken

justering av resultat som ger bäst resultat. I fallet för Cd i strömming ger en korrigering för ett

signifikant resultat från regressionsanalysen en förbättring (minskning) av

variationskoefficienten, från 43% till 38%, 50% till 41%, 35% till 32%, 32% till 29% för

respektive lokal (Fig. 1 och 2). Korrigering med kvoten mellan SLU och ITM, signifikant

skild från 1, ger en liten förbättring av variationskoefficienten, (SD(lr)), för Landsort och

Utlängan från 35% till 34%, 32% till 31% för respektive lokal (Fig. 1 och 3).

Utifrån tester med att applicera de olika resultatjusteringarna på tidsseriedata visar det sig att

det bästa alternativet är att räkna om resultaten från SLU med resultaten från signifikanta

regressionsanalyser. Vid icke-signifikanta resultat för regressionsanaslysen ger en korrigering

för kvoten; om den är signifikant skild från 1, i de flesta fall bättre resultat i tidsserieanalysen,

än om ingen korrigering görs. I de fall där inga tillförlitliga resultat erhållits lämnas data

ojusterade. För justering av tånglake som ej ingått i jämförelsen används resultat där alla

fiskarter behandlats tillsammans i analyserna

Föreliggande rapport är resultatet av ett uppdrag från Naturvårdsverket (Överenskommelse 221 0730) som syftar till att ta fram en aktuell bild av förekomsten av ett antal pesticider eller ofullständigt kända föroreningar i svensk terrestrisk natur där alltså osäkerhet om ämnenas spridning och ackumulation i landlevande organismvärlden råder. Som matris i detta fall har vävnader och organ av älg och ren från mellersta respektive norra Sverige valts. Matriserna finns tillgängliga i Miljöprovbanken vid Naturhistoriska riksmuseet Valet av ämnen har vägletts av tidigare resultat från övervakningen av föroreningar i svensk natur samt av resultat från screeningundersökningar av ofullständigt kända ämnen som tagits fram i Naturvårdsvekets regi. Listan över analyserade ämnen innehåller enskilda substanser samt närbesläktade substanser tillhörande bl. a. följande grupper: klorbensen, HCBD, oktaklorstyren, PCB, DDT, klordan, HCH, PBDE, dioxiner, furaner, endosulfan, heptaklor, pentaklorfenol och PAH. Från Grimsö i Västmanland har vävnadsprover av årskalvar av älg insamlats till Miljöprovbanken och använts för analys av innehåll av miljögifter i denna studie. Med några få undantag är de provtagna individerna av hankön. Skillnader i halter av kadmium mellan könen har i tidigare studier visat sig icke existera. De utvalda proven av älg representerar perioden 1986-2005. Ett homogenat av muskel har beretts per år under perioden baserat på 10 g av tio individer per år. På samma sätt har prover av ren från sommarbetet S Abisko årligen insamlats i Rensjön NV Kiruna i samband med första höstslakten i mitten av september. Vävnadsprover har tagits av handjur av en ålder mellan 2 och 4 år, mestadels av 3-åriga djur. 1998 uppsköts den ordinarie slakten från första halvan av september till första halvan av november, vilket bör uppmärksammas vid tolkningen av analysresultaten. På samma sätt sköts slakten 2004 fram till mitten av december. Det förhållandet att renen förflyttas avsevärda sträckor under höstvandringen, från sommarbetet i de västra delarna av fjällkedjan till det mellansvenska skogslandet under vintern medför en ändring av föda, vilket kan inverka på exponering och bioackumulation av de studerade substanserna. Ju längre avvikelse från normal slakttid desto längre exponering via lavar som är stapelföda i skogslandet under vintern och som innehåller högre koncentrationer av många ackumulerade ämnen. För den aktuella studien valdes hanrenar av tre års ålder härrörande från Gabna, Lævas and Girjas samebyar vilka bildar ett sammanhängande område i norra Lappland. Provserien omfattar perioden 1987-2006. Ett homogenat per år bereddes baserat på 12 g muskel från tio individer per år. Många av de analyserade ämnena förekommer i koncentrationer under detektionsnivån (LOD) under alla eller de flesta av de undersökta åren (Tabell 2). Halterna funna i älg och ren är i många fall lägre än de nivåer som observerats i fisk från såväl limniska som marina områden. Som exempel har PBDE och HBCD inte ens detekterats i vare sig älg eller ren men finns närvarande i både insjöfisk och havsfisk (Bignert et al 2008). Penta- och hexaklorbensen, oktaklorstyren, polyklorerade bifenyler, - och -hexaklor-cyklohexan och polycykliska aromatiska kolväten förekommer samtliga i halter över LOD under samtliga eller större delen av åren under den undersökta perioden. Koncentrationerna av dessa ämnen har sjunkit med undantag för PAH där koncentrationerna är ungefär desamma under hela perioden. Den genomsnittliga årliga nedgången ligger mellan 3% och 10% med undantag för -HCH som visar den mest uttalade minskningen med 22% i älg och 17% i ren. Dessa resultat är samstämmiga med vad som observerats i biota från insjöar och marina områden i Sverige (Bignert et al. 2008, Bignert 2001). De sjunkande halterna i landanknuten biota under de gångna 20 åren är sannolikt orsakade av regleringar och ansträngningar för att minimera utsläpp av kända persistenta, bioackumulerande och toxiska ämnen till miljön. Ämnen hörande till PAHerna är huvudsakligen oavsiktligt spridda genom ofullständig förbränning av organiska ämnen. Källorna är många och varierande och till följd därav svåra att åtgärda med förbättringar. Detta är troligtvis förklaringen till avsaknaden av nedgående tendens för PAHer. Koncentrationerna av PFCs i både älg och ren var i allmänhet låga. Samtliga analyserade prover hade koncentrationer under LOQ. Närvaro av PFOSA, PFOS och PFOA kunde emellertid detekteras vissa år men inte i nivåer tillräckligt höga för att kvantifieras

Dunca, E. & Boalt, E. 2011. Rapport Nr 6/2011: Shell length and age relationship in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) from Baltic Sea.

Blue mussels from five Baltic Sea locations (Landskrona, Kullen, Abbekås, Dragviksfjärden och Högby fyr) were age determined employing a special method developed at the Swedish museum of Natural History in Stockholm during late 90s. This method was compared with the most common method of age determination by counting the annual rings on the shell surface of the bivalves.

The shell length of the five populations bivalves in this study was then expressed as a function of their age in growth diagrams. Shell size varies between the mussel populations as well as the age distribution. In order to estimate the age of the mussels by their shell length growth curves were constructed for each population. The growth curves were calculated using several formulas but the most reliable was the von Bertanlanffy growth equation.

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires member states to implement a strategy to meet the environmental quality standards (EQS) set by the WFD for a number of priority substances. Since the EQSs listed in the WFD are derived to protect the most sensitive species in the ecosystem, often top predators or humans, it has been decided that for certain priority substances the quality standards should be compared to a monitoring species with a trophic position (TP) similar to the diet of the most sensitive species. To enable such adjustment require both knowledge about the monitoring species TP in the food web as well as the relationship between contaminant concentration and trophic position. In this study, we focus on finding a suitable method for TP estimates of perch in Swedish lakes by evaluating both traditional stable isotope analysis in bulk samples (BSIA) using different baseline matrices and the more recent development of compound-specific stable isotope analysis in amino acids (CSIA-AA). For this, three representative monitoring lakes were selected in which perch together with potential baseline matrices (bivalves, gastropods and sediment) were sampled. We applied triple-isotope analyses, δ15N, δ13C and δ34S, of bulk material of all sampled matrices, and in addition δ15N in perch using CSIA-AA. Results showed that TP estimates derived from CSIA-AA were significantly (p<0.001) lower compared to all the BSIA-derived methods and further that the BSIA-derived TP estimates using gastropods as a baseline were significantly higher (p<0.001) than all other TP estimates. Since no statistical differences could be detected between TP estimates based on bivalves, sediment or a ‘mixture’ baseline these were assumed to produce similar results and therefore all valid baseline matrices for TP estimates of perch in these three lakes. In the present study we also attempted to adjust mercury contaminant data to a specific TP of 3.5 according to the WFD. The adjustment resulted in significantly different concentration for one of the two tested lakes but did not influence the chemical status classification as all lakes were well above the threshold for mercury in freshwater lakes.

Within the Swedish National Monitoring Programme for Contaminants in marine biota, a selection of the wide array of contaminants that can be found in the environment is analysed. Analysing the samples for all possible contaminants would hardly be feasible, however, screening for different substance groups is a way to investigate if and where new substances arise and may pose a threat to wildlife and humans. In this report, data from a spatial screening study is presented, which aimed to densify the ongoing Swedish National Monitoring Programme for Contaminants in marine biota with regard to pharmaceuticals, phthalates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The study includes 16 sampling sites along the Swedish coast, from where two different species of bivalves, Limecola balthica and Mytilus edulis, were collected. All applied sampling material in this screening study originates from the Swedish Environmental Specimen Bank of the Swedish Museum of Natural History. The screening included a total of 100 pharmaceuticals, out of which 17 were detected and quantified in at least one sampling site. Risperidone was the pharmaceutical detected at most sites (10 of 13). The only detected phthalate was di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), which was found in the samples from 3 of 13 sampling sites. Among the PAHs, Benzo(a)pyrene was the substance quantified at most sites (14 out of 16). No geographical patterns could be identified for the detected contaminants, besides for the PAHs. However, this pattern could also be due to a difference in species rather than due to location. PAHs could be detected in the Bothnian Sea and the Sea of Åland, where to date no mussel sampling sites exist within the Swedish National Monitoring Programme for Contaminants in marine biota. The Baltic clam might be a good additional monitoring species besides the Blue mussel, due to their difference in feeding strategy and the potential higher PAH uptake from contaminated sediments rather than the water phase.

The purpose of this report is to present a review and an evaluation of thestrategy of integrated fish monitoring included in the Swedish national marinemonitoring programme. As a background to the review an assessment is madeof some of the long-term changes observed in monitoring.The project is financed by the Environment Protection Agency (Contract no.212 0326) and the Faculty of Science, Göteborg University. The project leader isProf. Åke Larsson. Dr Olof Sandström, Skärgårdsutveckling SKUTAB AB, is contractedas external reviewer of the programme. Subproject leaders and participantsin the programme have contributed with results and comments on thepaper.

Concentrations of Hg in Swedish marine systems are generally lower than in fresh water

systems, but still often exceed environmental target levels. As top predators in many

marine food webs, seals are exposed to heavy metals, like Hg and Cd, which are known

to biomagnify with increasing trophic level in the food web. Therefore, studies of Hg

concentrations over time are preferably conducted in relation to seal diet during the

same period. By analysis of naturally occurring stable nitrogen and carbon isotopes it is

possible to determine on which trophic level a certain organism is located and where it

feeds. The aim of the present study was to try to establish background concentrations of

Hg and some other metals in Swedish marine waters by analyses of seal bones from the

1840s and forward. Stable isotopes were analyzed in order to discover possible

correlations between metal concentrations and trophic level, and changes over time in

dietary intake of metals.

No significant change in metal concentrations was seen over time, except for a

significant decrease in Zn concentrations in Baltic Grey seal. A significant difference in

δ

15N and δ13C values between species and between Baltic and Skagerrak areas was

discovered. No significant correlation between δ

15N or δ13C values and metals was

found, however, the seal with the highest δ

15N value (Harbor seal) also had the highest

Hg concentration. Even though the δ

15N values suggested an increase over time the

increase was not statistically significant. No statistically significant change over time was

found in δ

13C values.

It is important to keep in mind that this study was based on 44 individual seals spread

over 126 years. Data on sex and age was lacking for almost half of the seals, which made

statistical analysis on these parameters difficult to perform. Even though no obvious

trends or differences in metal concentrations between areas and species were seen, the

results from this study can serve as a base for further studies and provide valuable

information for interpreting the actual contamination load in Swedish marine systems.

Hg is known to affect productivity, reproduction and survival of coastal and marine animals and when deposited in aquatic ecosystems the metal can be bioaccumulated in the food web. Se is a naturally occurring essential nonmetal that is present in all cells. It has many important functions in the cell and it also stimulates the immune system. The relationship between Hg and Se has been subject to numerous studies and the majority point to a negative relationship between the two elements, showing mitigating effects of Se on Hg toxicity. However, some studies have shown no relationship between Hg and Se concentrations and others demonstrate a positive relationship between the two. Generally a large excess of Se in relation to Hg has been observed in fish. The tissue concentrations of and the relationship between Hg and Se are suggested to be dependent on a number of factors, such as the relative concentrations of the elements and their bioavailabilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal trends and the relationship between Hg and Se concentrations in herring muscle at three different locations along the Swedish east coast. Further, the aim was to give recommendations to whether Se concentrations in fish in Swedish waters should be included in the SCMPMB.

Concentrations of Hg in herring muscle were generally higher than concentrations of Se. The highest Hg concentrations were found in herring muscle from Ängskärsklubb, while Landsort had the highest Se concentrations. Se concentrations in herring muscle were decreasing at Utlängan and Ängskärsklubb.

The results from this study indicate a complex relationship between Hg and Se concentrations in herring muscle, depending on the magnitude of the Hg concentration. At Hg concentrations below 40 ng/g, a negative correlation between Hg and Se was seen, while at concentrations of Hg above 40 ng/g w.w the correlation to Se was positive. The conclusion of this study is that concentrations of Se in herring from Swedish waters should be included in the SCMPMB.