AC contaminants biota

Introduction

This help file describes the criteria used to assess the environmental and human health status of contaminants in biota.

The assessment criteria are sometimes expressed on a different basis to the assessment. In such cases, the criteria are converted to the basis of the assessment using typical species-tissue lipid and dry weights calculated from the ICES database. An example showing how concentrations are converted between bases is given in the FAQ help file.

Metals

Environment

Two assessment criteria are used to assess the environmental status of metal concentrations: the

Background Assessment Concentration (BAC)
Quality Standard secondary poisoning (QS_sp)

BACs were developed within the Oslo and Paris Commission framework with scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Mean concentrations significantly below the BAC are said to be near background.

EU technical guidance document 27 describes the methods used to derive environmental quality standards (EQSs), including human health and secondary poisoning standards. Guidance document 32 describes the application of these EQSs and summarises the biota quality standards derived for the two different protection goals. Further details of the QS_sp for mercury can be found in the mercury data sheet. Concentrations below the QS_sp should not harm marine organisms.

BACs and QS_sps are available for the following metals

	BAC				QS_sp
	mussels	oysters	fish muscle	fish liver	whole fish
Cadmium	960	3000	26	26
Copper	6000	6000
Lead	1300	1300	26	26
Mercury	90	180	35		20
Zinc	63000	63000

Notes:

BAC units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) dw for mussels and oysters and \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww for fish
QS_sp units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww
the QS_sp is applied to fish muscle, fish liver and shellfish without any tissue conversion or trophic adjustment
the BACs for cadmium and lead in fish were developed using liver concentrations from species with a ‘high’ liver lipid content; they are therefore only applied to muscle or liver concentrations where the typical species-tissue lipid weight is \(\ge\) 3%
the BACs for mercury in oysters and fish muscle are higher than the QS_sp; therefore, mercury concentrations in oysters and fish muscle are only assessed against the QS_sp
mercury concentrations in mussels are assessed against both the BAC and the QS_sp, since the BAC is less than the QS_sp when they are compared on the same basis (either dry weight or wet weight)
metal concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared directly to the BAC and QS_sp
metal concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared directly to the BAC and to the QS_sp converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry weights

Human health

The Maximum Permissible Concentration (MPC) is used to assess the human health status of metal concentrations. The MPC is the maximum permissible concentration in food for the protection of public health. MPCs are available for the following metals

	MPC
	fish muscle	bivalves	crustaceans
Cadmium	50	1000	500
Lead	300	1500	500
Mercury	500	500	500

Notes:

MPC units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww
cadmium and lead are usually monitored in fish liver for which no MPC exists; concentrations in fish liver are naturally higher than in fish muscle, so the MPCs for fish muscle are not used; instead the MPCs for bivalves are used as a proxy
metal concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared directly to the MPC
metal concentrations in bivalves are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the MPC converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry weights

Organotins

Environment

Two assessment criteria are used to assess the environmental status of organotin concentrations: the

Background Assessment Concentration (BAC)
Environmental Assessment Criteria (EAC)

The assessment criteria were developed within the Oslo and Paris Commission framework with scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Mean concentrations significantly below the BAC are said to be near background. Concentrations below the EAC should not cause any chronic effects on marine organisms.

BACs and EACs are available for the following organotins

	mussels and oysters
	BAC	EAC
TBSN+	5.0	12.0

Notes:

units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) dw
the BACs and EACs for mussels and oysters have also been applied to other bivalves and gastropods
organotin concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared directly to the BAC and EAC

Human health

The Quality Standard human health (QS_hh) of 15.2 \(\mu\)g/kg ww ‘seafood’ is used to assess the human health status of TBSN+ concentrations in fish muscle, fish liver and shellfish.

TBSN+ concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared directly to the QS_hh

TBSN+ concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the QS_hh converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry weights

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Environment

Two assessment criteria are used to assess the environmental status of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations: the

Background Assessment Concentration (BAC)
Environmental Assessment Criteria (EAC)

The assessment criteria were developed within the Oslo and Paris Commission framework with scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Mean concentrations significantly below the BAC are said to be near background. Concentrations below the EAC should not cause any chronic effects on marine organisms.

BACs and EACs are available for the following PAHs

	BAC	EAC
	mussels and oysters	bivalves
Naphthalene		340
Phenanthrene	11.0	1700
Anthracene		290
Fluoranthene	12.2	110
Pyrene	9.0	100
Benz[a]anthracene	2.5	80
Chrysene (Triphenylene)	8.1
Benzo[a]pyrene	1.4	600
Benzo[ghi]perylene	2.5	110
Indeno[123-cd]pyrene	2.4

Notes:

units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) dw
the BACs for mussels and oysters have also been applied to other bivalves
PAH concentrations in bivalves are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared directly to the BAC and EAC

Human health

The Quality Standard human health (QS_hh) is used to assess the human health status of PAH concentrations.

EU technical guidance document 27 describes the methods used to derive environmental quality standards (EQSs), including human health and secondary poisoning standards. Guidance document 32 describes the application of these EQSs and summarises the biota quality standards derived for the two different protection goals.

There is a QS_hh available for fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene

	QS_hh
	crustaceans and molluscs
Fluoranthene	30
Benzo[a]pyrene	5

Notes:

units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww
PAH concentrations in crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared directly to the QS_hh
PAH concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the QS_hh converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry weights

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers

Environment

Two assessment criteria are used to assess the environmental status of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations: the

Background Assessment Concentration (BAC)
Federal Environmental Quality Guideline (FEQG)

BACs were developed within the Oslo and Paris Commission framework with scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Mean concentrations significantly below the BAC are said to be near background.

FEQGs were developed under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Concentrations below the FEQG should not cause any chronic effects on marine organisms. For use in the CEMP assessment, the FEQGs have been converted to a lipid weight basis by multiplying the original values by 20, assuming that they were derived from fish with a lipid content of 5%.

OSPAR background documents give further information on BACs and FEQGs for PBDEs in fish and shellfish.

BACs and FEQGs are available for the following PBDEs

	BAC	FEQG
	fish and shellfish
BDE28	0.065	2400
BDE47	0.065	880
BDE66	0.065
BDE85	0.065
BDE99	0.065	20
BD100	0.065	20
BD126	0.065
BD153	0.065	80
BD154	0.065	80
BD183	0.065
BD209	0.065

Notes:

units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) lw
PBDE concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a lipid weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is \(\ge\) 3%; they are then compared directly to the BAC and the FEQG
PBDE concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is < 3%; they are then compared to the BAC and FEQG converted to a wet weight basis using typical species-tissue lipid weights
PBDE concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the BAC and FEQG converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry and lipid weights

Human health

The Quality Standard human health (QS_hh) of 0.0085 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww is used to assess the human health status of SBDE6 concentrations, where SBDE6 is the sum of PBDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, 153 and 154.

EU technical guidance document 27 describes the methods used to derive environmental quality standards (EQSs), including human health and secondary poisoning standards. Guidance document 32 describes the application of these EQSs and summarises the biota quality standards derived for the two different protection goals. Further details of the QS_hh for SBDE6 can be found in the polybrominated diphenyl ether data sheet.

SBDE6 concentrations in fish muscle and crustaceans with a typical species-tissue lipid weight of < 3% are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared directly to the QS_hh

SBDE6 concentrations in fish muscle and crustaceans with a typical species-tissue lipid weight of \(\ge\) 3% are assessed on a lipid weight basis and are compared to the QS_hh converted to a lipid weight basis using typical species-tissue lipid weights

SBDE6 concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the QS_hh converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry weights

For use with fish liver concentrations, the QS_hh is first converted to a lipid weight basis using the typical species-muscle lipid weight. For example, the typical lipid weight in cod muscle is 0.34%, so the QS_hh used for cod liver concentrations is 0.0085 \(\times\) 100 / 0.34 = 2.5 ug/kg lw.

SBDE6 concentrations in fish liver with a typical species-liver lipid weight of \(\ge\) 3% are assessed on a lipid weight basis and are compared directly to the QS_hh

SBDE6 concentrations in fish liver with a typical species-liver lipid weight of < 3% are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared to the QS_hh converted to a wet weight basis using typical species-liver lipid weights; this value will typically be different from the original 0.0085 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww because the lipid concent in muscle is used to convert the QS~hh for fish muscle to a lipid weight equivalent and the lipid content in liver is then used to back-convert it to a wet weight equivalent appropriate for fish liver concentrations

Organobromines (other)

Environment

The Quality Standard secondary poisoning (QS_sp) of 167 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww whole fish is used to assess the environmental status of HBCD concentrations.

EU technical guidance document 27 describes the methods used to derive environmental quality standards (EQSs), including human health and secondary poisoning standards. Guidance document 32 describes the application of these EQSs, and summarises the biota quality standards derived for the two different protection goals. Further details of the QS_sp for HBCD can be found in the HBCD data sheet. Concentrations below the QS_sp should not harm marine organisms.

The QS_sp is defined for whole fish and is applied to fish muscle, fish liver and shellfish by first converting it to a lipid weight basis, assuming that the whole fish is based on a lipid content of 5%. This gives a QS_sp of 167 \(\times\) 100 / 5 = 3340 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) lw.

HBCD concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a lipid weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is \(\ge\) 3%; they are then compared directly to the QS~sp

HBCD concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is < 3%; they are then compared to the QS_sp converted to a wet weight basis using typical species-tissue lipid weights

HBCD concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the QS_sp converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry and lipid weights

Human health

There are no human health assessment criteria available.

Organofluorines

Environment

The Quality Standard secondary poisoning (QS_sp) of 33 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww whole fish is used to assess the environmental status of PFOS concentrations.

EU technical guidance document 27 describes the methods used to derive environmental quality standards (EQSs), including human health and secondary poisoning standards. Guidance document 32 describes the application of these EQSs and summarises the biota quality standards derived for the two different protection goals. Further details of the QS_sp for PFOS can be found in the PFOS data sheet. Concentrations below the QS_sp should not harm marine organisms.

PFOS concentrations in fish muscle are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared directly to the QS_sp, given that fish muscle is a large proportion of the total body weight

PFOS concentrations in fish liver are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared to the QS_sp multiplied by 5, the lowest of the range of conversion factors for whole fish to liver in Faxneld et al. (2014)

PFOS concentrations in crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared directly to the QS_sp (without any tissue conversion or trophic adjustment)

PFOS concentrations in shellfish are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the QS_sp converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry and lipid weights (without any tissue conversion or trophic adjustment)

Human Health

The Quality Standard human health (QS_hh) of 9.1 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww is used to assess the human health status of PFOS concentrations.

PFOS concentrations in fish muscle and crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared directly to the QS_hh

PFOS concentrations in fish liver are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared to the QS_hh multiplied by 5, the lowest of the range of conversion factors from whole fish to liver in Faxneld et al. (2014)

PFOS concentrations in shellfish are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the QS_hh converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry and lipid weights

Polychlorinated biphenyls

Environment

Two assessment criteria are used to assess the environmental status of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations: the

Background Assessment Concentration (BAC)
Environmental Assessment Criteria (EAC)

The assessment criteria were developed within the Oslo and Paris Commission framework with scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Mean concentrations significantly below the BAC are said to be near background. Concentrations below the EAC should not cause any chronic effects on marine organisms.

BACs and EACs are available for the following PCBs

	BAC		EAC
	mussels and oysters	fish	fish and shellfish
CB28	0.75	0.10	67
CB52	0.75	0.08	108
CB101	0.70	0.08	121
CB105	0.75	0.08
CB118	0.60	0.10	25
CB138	0.60	0.09	317
CB153	0.60	0.10	1585
CB156	0.60	0.08
CB180	0.60	0.11	469

Notes:

BAC units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) dw for mussels and oysters and \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww for fish
EAC units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) lw
the BACs for mussels and oysters have also been applied to other bivalves
the BACs for fish were developed using liver concentrations from species with a ‘high’ liver lipid content; they are therefore only applied to muscle or liver concentrations where the typical species-tissue lipid weight is \(\ge\) 3%
the EACs are based on partitioning theory and are sometimes known as EAC\(^{\text{passive}}\)
PCB concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a lipid weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is \(\ge\) 3%; they are then compared directly to the EAC and to the BAC converted to a lipid weight basis using the typical species-tissue lipid weight
PCB concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is < 3%; they are then compared to the EAC converted to a wet weight basis using the typical species-tissue lipid weight
PCB concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared directly to the BAC (bivalves only) and to the EAC converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry and lipid weights

Human health

The Maximum Permissible Concentration (MPC) is used to assess the human health status of SCB6 concentrations, where SCB6 is the sum of PCBs 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180. The MPC is the maximum permissible concentration in food for the protection of public health.

The MPC for SCB6 is 75 and 200 μg/kg ww for fish muscle and fish liver respectively. The MPC for fish muscle is also applied to SCB6 concentrations in shellfish.

SCB6 concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a lipid weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is \(\ge\) 3%; they are then compared to the MPC converted to a lipid weight basis using the typical species-tissue lipid weight

SCB6 concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is < 3%; they are then compared directly to the MPC

SCB6 concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the fish muscle MPC converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry weights

Dioxins

Environment

The Quality Standard secondary poisoning (QS_sp) of 0.0012 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww TEQ whole fish is used to assess the environmental status of WHO-TEQ (DFP) concentrations. (DFP stands for dioxins, furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls.)

EU technical guidance document 27 describes the methods used to derive environmental quality standards (EQSs), including human health and secondary poisoning standards. Guidance document 32 describes the application of these EQSs and summarises the biota quality standards derived for the two different protection goals. Further details of the QS_sp for WHO-TEQ (DFP) can be found in the corresponding data sheet. Concentrations below the QS_sp should not harm marine organisms.

The QS_sp is defined for whole fish and is applied to fish muscle, fish liver and shellfish by first converting it to a lipid weight basis, assuming that the whole fish is based on a lipid content of 5%. This gives a QS_sp of 0.0012 \(\times\) 100 / 5 = 0.024 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) lw TEQ.

WHO-TEQ (DFP) concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a lipid weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is \(\ge\) 3%; they are then compared directly to the QS~sp

WHO-TEQ (DFP) concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is < 3%; they are then compared to the QS_sp converted to a wet weight basis using typical species-tissue lipid weights

WHO-TEQ (DFP) concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the QS_sp converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry and lipid weights

Human health

The Quality Standard human health (QS_hh) is used to assess the human health status of WHO-TEQ (DFP) concentrations.

The QS_hh for WHO-TEQ (DFP) is 0.0065 and 0.02 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww TEQ for fish muscle and fish liver respectively. The QS_hh for fish muscle is also applied to WHO-TEQ (DFP) concentrations in shellfish.

The QS_hh was developed for use with the WHO-TEQ (hh) which has different toxicity factors to the WHO-TEQ (DFP).

WHO-TEQ (DFP) concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a lipid weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is \(\ge\) 3%; they are then compared to the QS_hh converted to a lipid weight basis using the typical species-tissue lipid weight

WHO-TEQ (DFP) concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is < 3%; they are then compared directly to the QS_hh

WHO-TEQ (DFP) concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the fish muscle QS_hh converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry weights

Organochlorines (other)

Environment

Three assessment criteria are used to assess the environmental status of other organochlorine concentrations: the

Background Assessment Concentration (BAC)
Environmental Assessment Criteria (EAC)
Quality Standard secondary poisoning (QS_sp)

BACs and EACs were developed within the Oslo and Paris Commission framework with scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.

EU technical guidance document 27 describes the methods used to derive environmental quality standards (EQSs), including human health and secondary poisoning standards. Guidance document 32 describes the application of these EQSs and summarises the biota quality standards derived for the two different protection goals. Further details of the QS_sp for hexachlorobenzene can be found in the hexachlorobenzene data sheet.

Mean concentrations significantly below the BAC are said to be near background. Concentrations below the EAC or QS_sp should not cause any chronic effects on marine organisms.

BACs, EACs and QS_sps are available for the following organochlorines

	mussels and oysters			fish
	BAC	EAC	QS_sp	BAC	EAC	QS_sp
DDE (p,p’)	0.63			0.10
Hexachlorobenzene	0.63			0.09		16.7
\(\alpha\)-HCH	0.64
\(\gamma\)-HCH	0.97	0.29			1.1

Notes:

BAC units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) dw for mussels and oysters and \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww for fish
EAC units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww
QS_sp units are \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww
the BACs for mussels and oysters have also been applied to other bivalves
the BACs for fish were developed using liver concentrations with a ‘high’ liver lipid content; they are therefore only applied to muscle or liver concentrations where the typical species-tissue lipid weight is \(\ge\) 3%
The EAC (for fish) and the QS_sp are defined for whole fish and are applied to fish muscle and fish liver (EAC) or to fish muscle, fish liver and shellfish (QS_sp) by first converting them to a lipid weight basis, assuming that the whole fish is based on a lipid content of 5%. This gives an EAC of 1.1 \(\times\) 100 / 5 = 22 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) lw and a QS_sp of 16.7 \(\times\) 100 / 5 = 334 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) lw.
Organochlorine concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a lipid weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is \(\ge\) 3%; they are then compared directly to the EAC or QS_sp and to the BAC converted to a lipid weight basis using the typical species-tissue lipid weight
Organochlorine concentrations in fish and crustaceans are assessed on a wet weight basis if the typical species-tissue lipid weight is < 3%; they are then compared to the EAC or QS_sp converted to a wet weight basis using the typical species-tissue lipid weight
Organochlorine concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared directly to the BAC (bivalves only) and to the EAC or QS_sp converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry weights

Human health

The Quality Standard human health (QS_hh) is used to assess the human health status of organochlorine concentrations in fish muscle, fish liver and shellfish. There is a QS_hh of 61 \(\mu\)g/kg ww ‘seafood’ for \(\gamma\)-HCH and of 10 \(\mu\)g/kg ww ‘seafood’ for hexachlorobenzene.

Organochlorine concentrations in fish muscle and crustaceans with a typical species-tissue lipid weight of < 3% are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared directly to the QS_hh

Organochlorine concentrations in fish muscle and crustaceans with a typical species-tissue lipid weight of \(\ge\) 3% are assessed on a lipid weight basis and are compared to the QS_hh converted to a lipid weight basis using typical species-tissue lipid weights

Organochlorine concentrations in bivalves and gastropods are assessed on a dry weight basis and are compared to the QS_hh converted to a dry weight basis using typical species-tissue dry weights

For use with fish liver concentrations, the QS_hh is first converted to a lipid weight basis using the typical species-muscle lipid weight. For example, the typical lipid weight in cod muscle is 0.34%, so the QS_hh used for \(\gamma\)-HCH concentrations in cod liver is 61 \(\times\) 100 / 0.34 = 17941 ug/kg lw.

Organochlorine concentrations in fish liver with a typical species-liver lipid weight of \(\ge\) 3% are assessed on a lipid weight basis and are compared directly to the QS_hh

Organochlorine concentrations in fish liver with a typical species-liver lipid weight of < 3% are assessed on a wet weight basis and are compared to the QS_hh converted to a wet weight basis using typical species-liver lipid weights; this value will typically be different from the original 61 or 10 \(\mu\)g kg\(^{-1}\) ww because the lipid concent in muscle is used to convert the QS~hh for fish muscle to a lipid weight equivalent and the lipid content in liver is then used to back-convert it to a wet weight equivalent appropriate for fish liver concentrations