OTT OTTO ROOTS

Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Chlororganic Pesticides in Algae from the Baltic Sea

Eesti NSV Teaduste Akadeemia toimetised, 1988

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT-related substances and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers ... more Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT-related substances and hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers were analyzed in perch (Perca fluviatilis) from Estonian coastal waters depending of their age, sex, maturity of gonads and fishing ground. The profile (percent in mixture) of polychlorinated biphenyls and chlororganic pesticides concentrations in ng/g lipid in perch from the Baltic Sea (Estonian coastal waters) were examined by Principal Component Analysis. The differences in hydrological features and the lack of information about perch migrations can make the situation more complicated than in freshwater. Alongside of perch`s age, lenght, weight, sex, fat percentage and degree of maturity, we recommend to bring forth the percentage of empty stomach and the content of different food in stomach as additional parameters. Increase in the percentage rate of empty stomachs of Baltic herring and sprat (important food for large perch), in the beginning of 1990s, may turn out to be one of the reasons for the decrease of persistent organic pollutants concentration in food for large perch, compared with the end of 1970s and the beginning of 1980s. For smaller perch, the reason for decrease of persistent organic pollutants concentrations in the beginning of 1990s, the proportion of empty stomachs was considerably higher in 1997 (34.4%) than in 1975 (8,8%). Some high contaminated specimens among the fish (from Pärnu and Matsalu Bays) may also be explained by an input of a PCB mixture with high content of the lower chlorinated congeners, such as the Russian PCB product Sovol from more contaminated parts of the southern part of the Gulf or Riga (Daugavgriva-Latvia) to the Pärnu and Matsalu Bays (Estonia). Of the Baltic perch samples taken from five regions of Estonian coastal waters, within the framework of the Estonian National Monitoring Programme, during the 1998-2001, the persistent organic pollutants content was below the internationally permitted threshold.

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Pcb and Organochlorine Pesticides in Perch () from the Baltic Area

Social Science Research Network, May 1, 2001

PCB, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), the hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH) α- and γ- (lindane), and p,p'-... more PCB, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), the hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH) α- and γ- (lindane), and p,p'-DDT and metabolites were measured in perch () from the V‰inameri Region of Estonia. The concentrations are within the range reported by others for perch from the Baltic watershed, with the exception of elevated levels of p,p'-DDT and metabolites in perch, caught in September 1999, as compared to fish caught in the same area in August 1999. In female perch, the median concentrations of ΣPCB, HCB, α-HCH, γ-HCH, and ΣDDT were 355, 10, 2, 29, and 1018 ng/g lipid in the September perch, and 659, 13, 3, 41, and 390 ng/g lipid in the August perch. The September fish had an unusually low concentration of lipid and a chlorobiphenyl profile different from the August fish. The reasons for the difference are not known. Even the maximum contents of organochlorine compounds in the investigated perch are considerably lower than the norms set by FAO/WHO.

Püsivate orgaaniliste ühendite sisaldus Eesti võis

Eesti Arst, Feb 1, 2003

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Püsivad orgaanilised saasteained on vaikselt varitsev oht tervisele

Eesti Arst, Feb 1, 2009

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Corrigendum to “Concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in soil in the vicinity of a landfill” [Chemosphere 57 (2004) 337–342]

Chemosphere, 2005

Persistent Organic Pollutants Levels in Human Milk and Food

Social Science Research Network, Jul 1, 2002

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New equipment for the collection of water percolating through the soil and bulk materials

Russian Journal of General Chemistry, Dec 1, 2011

A new equipment for the collection of water percolating through the soil and bulk material constr... more A new equipment for the collection of water percolating through the soil and bulk material constructed in 2008 was an essentially improved variant . Constructed equipment/sampler is cheap to construct on the spot, their installation does not damage the soil layer and no vacuum was necessary for taking of water samples. From the beginning of 1994 our so called, "old equipment" [2, 3] is still in operation in the international integrated monitoring stations of the Estonian national programme of environmental monitoring. The new one can be used for the collection of samples of water percolating through the soil as well as heaps of bulk materials (such as grain, fuels, construction materials) of all kinds of corner. They are necessary for monitoring the condition of natural soil, as well as for the research of the changes in the physical state of soil during construction activities and redesign of relief related to the establishment of ditches, ponds, artificial hills and other objects.

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Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in Baltic herring and sprat

by OTT OTTO ROOTS and Robert Aps

Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, 1993

Baltic Sea Action Plan process: co-production of science and policy

by Robert Aps and OTT OTTO ROOTS

Management of Natural Resources, Sustainable Development and Ecological Hazards II, 2009

Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) works as an environmental policy maker f... more Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) works as an environmental policy maker for the Baltic Sea area by developing common environmental objectives and actions. HELCOM Ministerial Meeting held in November 2007 in Krakow (Poland), adopted an ambitious Baltic Sea Action Plan to substantially reduce pollution to the Baltic Sea and restore its good ecological status by 2021. According to the hazardous substances segment of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan the overall goal is to achieve a Baltic Sea with life undisturbed by hazardous substances. The goal is described by four ecological objectives: 1) concentrations of hazardous substances close to natural levels, 2) all fish safe to eat, 3) healthy wildlife, and 4) radioactivity at pre-Chernobyl level. In order to make the ecological objectives operational, the indicators with targets, reflecting good ecological and environmental status of the Baltic marine environment, have been agreed. The history of HELCOM activities demonstrates that the nominally scientific assessments of the Baltic environmental risks have helped to underpin the legitimacy of claims about the need for new Baltic regional political cooperation. At the same time, the Baltic regional political cooperation has proved necessary to support the legitimacy and credibility of scientific assessments of the Baltic environmental risks.

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Monitoring of oil products and hazardous substances in Estonian surface water bodies; 7586

by Robert Aps and OTT OTTO ROOTS

Chemistry, 2007

Abstract. Compared to the old member states of the European Union little attention has been pai... more

Hazardous substances in the water, biota and sediments of the North Estonian coastal sea

Ecology and the Environment, Apr 15, 2010

The paper gives an overview of Estonian experiences with hazardous substances monitoring, as well... more The paper gives an overview of Estonian experiences with hazardous substances monitoring, as well as some recent results on this kind of monitoring in the aquatic environment, biota and sediments of the heavily industrialized North Estonia. Owing to its specific local conditions, the present list of priority hazardous substances of Estonia includes 1-and 2-basic phenols, heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn) and persistent organic pollutants (HCH, HCB, PCB, DDT, PCDD, PCDF, DL-PCB). The concentrations of hazardous substances in the sea and surface waters are currently low, but elevated concentrations may appear in bottom sediments of river estuaries and in fat tissues of fish. During recent decades the state of the North Estonian environment regarding the hazardous substances has continuously improved due to a decreased pollution load, ban of certain compounds, self-purification processes and sinks.

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Levels of PCDD/Fs and dioxin like" PCBs in the perch from the North-Eastern part of the Baltic Sea. ""&quot

by leili järv and OTT OTTO ROOTS

Did natural changes save the grey seal of the Baltic Sea? Hypothesis or reality

Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, Mar 1, 1999

... Sea Vainameri Sea Vainameri Sea Vilsandi National Park Vilsandi National Park Vainameri ... T... more

Bioaccumulation of toxic chlororganic compounds and their isomers into the organism of Baltic grey seal

Chemosphere, Sep 1, 1997

A comparison of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) contents of biota in different areas of the Balti... more A comparison of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyls) contents of biota in different areas of the Baltic Sea suggests the northern part of the Gulf of Riga and Vainameri Sea (Estonian coastal water) as reference area for the Baltic Sea. The concentrations for two most important PCB isomers IUPAC 138 and 153 in the blubber of 2-6 year old grey seals (IIalichoetus grypus) varied from 2,3-4,1 mg/kg (extractable fat) and from 2,9-$2 mg/kg (extractable fat) respectively.

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Principal Component Analysis of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Seals

This report is a part of studies on toxic substances in the Baltic Sea. The study on polychlorina... more This report is a part of studies on toxic substances in the Baltic Sea. The study on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the Baltic grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) was carried out in the Eastern Baltic. According to the survey in the Estonian coastal waters during the annual molt period in May and June, the size of the grey seal stock is estimated to be of 1500-2000 individuals. This paper discusses reasons for the increase of the grey seal stock in the Baltic Sea. Data on the concentrations of PCB in the air, water and in the food chain of a grey seal are summarised. The impact of salinity and concentration of oxygen of the Baltic Sea on grey seal's food chain are pointed out as well. By our data, it is obvious that the PCB profi les in the muscle and in the kidney are different from those in the blubber.

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Baltic Sea Action Plan process: co-production of science and policy

Ecology and the Environment, Nov 17, 2009

Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) works as an environmental policy maker f... more Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) works as an environmental policy maker for the Baltic Sea area by developing common environmental objectives and actions. HELCOM Ministerial Meeting held in November 2007 in Krakow (Poland), adopted an ambitious Baltic Sea Action Plan to substantially reduce pollution to the Baltic Sea and restore its good ecological status by 2021. According to the hazardous substances segment of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan the overall goal is to achieve a Baltic Sea with life undisturbed by hazardous substances. The goal is described by four ecological objectives: 1) concentrations of hazardous substances close to natural levels, 2) all fish safe to eat, 3) healthy wildlife, and 4) radioactivity at pre-Chernobyl level. In order to make the ecological objectives operational, the indicators with targets, reflecting good ecological and environmental status of the Baltic marine environment, have been agreed. The history of HELCOM activities demonstrates that the nominally scientific assessments of the Baltic environmental risks have helped to underpin the legitimacy of claims about the need for new Baltic regional political cooperation. At the same time, the Baltic regional political cooperation has proved necessary to support the legitimacy and credibility of scientific assessments of the Baltic environmental risks.

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Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in Baltic herring and sprat

Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, Feb 1, 1993

This report is a part of studies on toxic substances in the Baltic fish.A study of persistent chl... more This report is a part of studies on toxic substances in the Baltic fish.A study of persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons in the Baltic herring and sprat muscle tissue was carried out in the Eastern Baltic in 1975–1977, 1986 and 1991.In 1991 organochlorine compounds (such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), DDT and its metabolites DDE and DDD, hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCH), hexachlorobenze (HCB) and

Letter to the editor re Shaw et al. (2009)

Science of The Total Environment, Aug 1, 2010

Reply to the Letter to the Editor by Joanna Szlinder-Richert [Chemosphere 80 (2010) 191–192] on the discussion of the paper ‘‘Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in selected fish species from the southern Baltic Sea” by Joanna Szlinder-Richert, Iwona Barska, Zygmunt Usydus, Roman Grabic [Chemo...

Chemosphere, Aug 1, 2010

Chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans patterns in the baltic herring and sprat

The concentration of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in many fish from the Baltic... more The concentration of chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in many fish from the Baltic requires monitoring, since it approaches or exceeds the European Union threshold limit value of 4 pg TEQ/g wet weight of fish for human consumption. The concentrations, expressed in TEQs, are important for toxicology and regulations, but hide the concentrations of the individual congeners, which are important for other environmental sciences, source allocation, and for the detection of measurement errors. This report evaluates the results of a survey reported earlier only in the terms of the TEQ concentrations. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the dimensions of the data (17 = 7 chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and 10 chlorinated dibenzofuran congeners) to three principal components. This facilitated the interpretation of the congener profiles. Slopes of the congener concentrations as a function of age of the fish were estimated by least squares regression. The results were compared with a large set of data for lake trout from Lake Ontario. The congener profiles of Baltic herring are less scattered than those of sprat. The profiles of herring from the central Baltic differ from those of herring from the Gulf of Riga and both appear to be affected relatively minimally by the age of the fish. The congener profiles of herring from the western Gulf of Finland are similar to those from the central Baltic, those from middle Gulf of Finland are similar to those from the Gulf of Riga. Both seem to be more affected by age of the fish than the profiles of the first two groups. The concentrations of several pentachloro- and hexachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans increase with the age of the fish PCA is a good technique for the evaluation of the congener profiles. The resulting loading and score plots provide a good graphic summary of the multidimensional data. Additional analyses are needed to confirm the observed profile patterns. A comparison with the results of a long-term monitoring from another area shows that the age of the fish is a more important factor than the year of capture. The surveys should continue for a number of years and the results should be presented and evaluated both in terms of the TEQs as well as in terms of weight concentrations. Since the concentrations do not appear to change very much from year to year, it would be better to carry out surveys only every 3-4 years and, instead, stratify the sampling according to age and gender of the fish, and to analyze replicate extracts by replicate measurements. The inclusion of unmarked replicate samples would be a good quality assurance measure. It would be desirable to analyze additional parts of the food chain in order to understand the fate of the compounds in the ecosystem.

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