Effects of pesticides and related organic compounds in the sea
In: Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen. Biologische Anstalt Helgoland: Hamburg. ISSN 0174-3597, more Also appears in:Kinne, O.; Bulnheim, H.-P. (Ed.) (1980). Protection of life in the sea: 14th European Marine Biology Symposium, 23-29 September 1979, Helgoland. European Marine Biology Symposia, 14. Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen, 33(1-4). 772 pp., more |  |
| Abstract | The majority of organic chemicals identified so far in the sea are pesticides and products of technical use; most contain chlorine. Only a limited amount of the actual pollutant load is detectable because few data for "unconventional " pollutants are available. In view of the considerable structural variety of the large number of chemicals produced, there is a need for prediction measurements of bioconcentration and toxic effects. Physico-chemical data may be used for predicting bioconcentration and life-cycle toxicity tests for the estimation of safe levels. The degree of biomagnification via food chains increases with half lives of the pollutants. When comparing pollutant concentrations with toxicological data it becomes apparent that estuaries and coastal areas deserve special concern, whereas pollutant levels of open ocean waters are unlikely to endanger marine life at present. |
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