ORGANOCHLORINES AND HEAVY-METALS IN BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES AND FISH FROM THE BACK BARRIER OF SPIEKEROOG

Concentrations of organochlorines (PCB, DDT, HCH, HCB, musk xylene, br omocyclen, octachlorostyrene; dry and fat, weight basis) and heavy met als (Hg, Pb, Cd; dry weight basis) were determined in Cerastoderma edu le, Mytilus edulis, Mya arenaria, Hydrobia ulvae, Nereis diversicolor, Arenicola marina, Lanice conchilega, Carcinus maenas, Crangon crangon , Zoarces viviparus, Pleuronectes platessa, Clupea harengus and Ammody tes lancea. Maximum concentrations of Sigma-PCB, Sigma-DDT and Hg were found in the fish species. The concentrations on dry weight basis wer e positively correlated with the fat content. On fat weight basis the concentrations of Sigma-PCB and Sigma-DDT were very similar in all spe cies, also the relative contribution of each individual PCB congener. Maximum concentrations of Sigma-HCH, HCB and Cd were found in Lanice c onchilega. Bromocyclen was only detected in 6% of the analysed samples . The concentrations of musk xylene and octachlorostyrene were similar in all species. Maximum concentrations of Pb were found in Mya arenar ia. The accumulation processes of the different environmental chemical s and implications for monitoring are discussed.