PCBs in cod ( Gadus morhua ), flounder ( Platichthys flesus , blue mussel ( Mytilus edulis ) and brown shrimp ( Crangon crangon ) from the Belgian continental shelf: relation to biological parameters and trend analysis

PCB levels in cod, flounder, mussel and shrimp, covering a ten year period, were assessed for temporal trends and their relation to biological parameters. A significant relation was demonstrated between the PCB levels on a wet weight basis and the total lipid content. Normalising on the lipid content reduces the differences in PCB levels between the organisms and between different tissues within the organism. A general downward trend was observed for the PCB levels on the Belgian continental shelf.