Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam; Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM), more, partner
Rijksinstituut voor Kust en Zee (RIKZ), more, partner
Wageningen University and Research Centre; Institute for Marine Resources and Ecosystem Studies (IMARES), more, partner
Ministerie van Welzijn, Volksgezondheid en Sport; Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieuhygiëne (RIVM), more, partner
Abstract
The European project MODELKEY is used as a case study for implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), which aims to achieve a good ecological status of European waters in 2016. Cause-effect studies are used in MODELKEY to determine which environmental contaminants are responsible for changes in biodiversity or ecological status. In 2006, full sampling campaigns were organized in four case studies areas, two of which were in Schelde area. Water, biota and sediment were sampled and in all matrices chemicals and biomarkers have been analysed and toxicity was assessed to look for correlations between exposure and physiological and ecological effects. Marine wood chain study was performed to assess distribution of polychlorinated bihenyls, perfluorinated compounds, flame retardants, dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in various environmental compartments and in biota food chain. The lab experiments with sole (Solea vulgaris) early life stages have been prepared to assess causal relationships between contaminants, biomarkers and ecological end-points. One of the tools that were developed was a state-of-the-art analytical method, using gas chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry, for the identification of environmental contaminants. A novel fat removal method for preparation of biota samples was developed to be applied in effect-directed analysis in biota samples.
All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy
