Dietary accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorinated pesticides and mercury by cultivated eels, Anguilla anguilla L.

Abstract. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated pesticides and mercury were analysed in cultivated eels, Anguilla anguilla L., and their food. In one experiment the eels were mainly fed with a low-fat diet. In another experiment cultivated eels were fed a high-fat diet. Both experiments showed that the major part of the organochlorine compounds and mercury present in the diet was retained by the eel. The retention of the organochlorine compounds and mercury was estimated at 50–70% after an exposure period of about 1 year.
Although the mechanisms of accumulation of mercury and organochlorine compounds clearly differ, no differences in retention were found. The remaining mercury, PCBs and pesticides which were not retained possibly pass through the alimentary canal rather than being accumulated first and metabolized or excreted during the feeding period.
Due to these high levels of accumulation monitoring levels of PCBs, chlorinated pesticides and mercury in the diet is essential for protection of the quality of cultivated eels.