First evidence of explosives and their degradation products in dab (Limanda limanda L.) from a munition dumpsite in the Baltic Sea. (June 2020) - Koske, Daniel
Abstract: Corrosion and disintegration of munition shells from the World Wars increase the risk that explosives are released into the marine environment, exposing a variety of organisms. Only few studies investigated contamination of fish with explosives in the field under environmental conditions. Here we present a comprehensive study on the contamination status of dab ( Limanda limanda ) from a munition dumpsite and from reference sites in the Baltic Sea. Bile of 236 dab from four different study sites, including a dumpsite for conventional munitions, was investigated and explosive compounds were detected by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Five explosive compounds were identified, including 2, 4, 6-trinitrotoluene, 4-amino-2, 6-dinitrolouene, and hexahydro-1, 3, 5-trinitro-1, 3, 5-triazine. 48% of the samples from the dumpsite contained at least one explosive compound. The results prove that toxic explosive compounds from a dumpsite in the Baltic Sea are accumulated by flatfish and may therefore pose a risk to fish health and human food safety. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Bile samples from 236 dab from 4 different sites in the Baltic Sea were investigated. Explosive compounds in bile fluids were detected by HPLC-MS. 48% of the samples from the munition dumpsite contained explosive compounds. Toxic explosive compounds originating from dumped munitions are taken up by flatfish.