Eelpout

As the only viviparous fish in German nearshore waters, it is a bioindicator in nearshore coastal marine ecosystems.

The European eelpout is a groundfish which inhabits coastal areas of the North and Baltic Seas and does not travel far. This makes it a very useful indicator within marine sampling areas. For this reason it was proposed by Sweden in 1991 as a coastal bioindicator for the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (Helsinki Commission). It is also envisaged as an indicator for the Baltic Monitoring Programme and the Joint Monitoring Programme.

Muscle and liver are used as a specimen. Sampling takes place once a year in the early summer.

For more information about the specimen, the sampling and the processing of samples see the Guideline for Sampling and Sample Processing Eelpout (Zoarces viviparus).

Recommended analysis examples

• Lead in eelpout from the North and the Baltic Sea

Target organs/Matrices

• Musculature

  The musculature or muscles are the eatable part of the fish and therefore are directly linked to the human food chain.

  Search data

• Liver

  The liver is the main reloading point of the substances within the body. Therefore the liver is analysed of the eco-toxicological relevant substances.

  Search data

Sampling area

Analytes

• Metals

  Eighty percent of all elements on earth are metals

  Search data

• Nonmetals

  Only eighteen elements in the periodic table

  Search data

• Organometallic compounds

  Organic substances with at least one metall atom

  Search data

• Chlorohydrocarbons

  Group of organic compounds with at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom

  Search data

• DDT and metabolites

  Toxic and persistent organochloropesticide

  Search data

• Hexachlorocyclohexane

  Several isomeric compounds among the group of chlorinated hydrocarbons

  Search data

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds

  Organic compounds which are fully (per-) or partially (poly-) fluorinated

  Search data

• Polycyclic musks

  Class of synthetic fragrances

  Search data

• Stable Isotopes

  Atoms of one element with different weights

  Search data

• Flame Retardants

  Flame retardants reduce the flammability of objects

  Search data

• Siloxanes

  Cyclic methylsiloxanes with persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties in the environment

  Search data

• Supplementary parameters

  Additional information for the interpretation of contamination data

  Search data

Sampling period

Biometric parameters

• Weight

   

  Search data

• Age

   

  Search data

• Gesamtlänge

   

  Search data

Extended information

Links to external information and legislation

• EUNIS biodiversity database - Zoarces viviparous

Literature

• Histologische Untersuchung der Gonaden von Aalmuttern aus Nord- und Ostsee 2008
  Gercken, Jens
  Institut für Angewandte Ökologie Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (2009), FKZ 30102029, 2009
  
• Biologisches Effektmonitoring mit Aalmuttern aus Nord- und Ostsee
  Gercken, Jens
  Institut für Angewandte Ökologie Forschungsgesellschaft mbH (2007), FKZ 30102023, 2007
  
• Eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) in marine environmental monitoring
  Hedman, Jenny E.; Rüdel, Heinz; Gercken, Jens; Bergek, Sara; Strand, Jakob; Quack, Markus; Appelberg, Magnus; Förlin, Lars; Tuvikene, Arvo; Bignert, Anders
  Mar. Pollut. Bull. 62 (2011), 10, 2015-2029, 2011