Levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC) in breams (Abramis brama) from the river Elbe (a contribution to the Federal Environmental Specimen Bank).

The levels of chlorinated hydrocarbon (CHC) contaminants in muscle and liver tissues of bream (Abramis brama) along the river Elbe were monitored during 1991, 1993 and 1994. Especially fish from the eastern sampling sites (Prossen, Dresden) has been heavily contaminated by HCB, OCS, DDT-metabolites and PCBs. In 1991, the concentrations of OCS, DDE and PCBs decreased significantly by 65, 65 and 51%, respectively, between Dresden and Vockerode and did not change very much from Vockerode downstream to Cumlosen. Elevated HCH levels were found in Aken, Barby and Heinrichsberg. An increasing temporal pattern during this period was found for HCB, OCS and DDE in Prossen.