Summary report on levels of polychlorinated dibenzofurans/ dibenzo-p-dioxins and non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls in marine organisms and sediments in Norway

Abstract

Selected data on polyshlorinated dibenzofurans/dibenzo-p-dioxins ("dioxins) and non-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments and organisms from Norway and Norwegian Arctic are presented as sum TEQ (toxicity equivalents) from all 2,3,7,8-congeners of PCDF/PCDDs and PCBs 77,126,169 (also given on individual basis), The summary presentation is mainly aimed at management authorities, but is supplemented with references. Data from a couple of heavily dioxin contaminated areas indicate concentration gradients in space and time. Based on observations from reference localities tentative conclusions are drawn as to "high diffuse background levels" of dioxin - TEQ in sediments and selected seafood species from the Skagerrak/North Sea. Data are too few to do the same for planar PCBs.