| PCB levels in sediments (bulk and fraction <63µm), suspended matter and zooplankton from the Belgian continental shelf of the North Sea and the Scheldt estuary were educated in relation to their organic carbon content, their lipid content and, for sediments, their particle size distribution. PCB accumulation mechanisms are discussed, considering the importance of direct contamination (absorption onto the cell surfaces, absorption through the cell walls and partitioning into the cell lipids) for suspended matter and sediments, and of indirect contamination through the food for zooplankton. Geographical and seasonal variations are described. |
