ACCUMULATION OF CHLORINATED ORGANIC-MATTER IN THE BALTIC SEA FROM 50 YEARS OF USE - A THREAT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

An extensive sampling programme of extractable chlorinated organic matter (EOCl) in inputs and in water and sediments shows that large amounts of chlorinated organic matter have accumulated in the Baltic Sea. The total amount corresponds to over half of the effluents produced by the pulp mill industry since chlorine bleaching was introduced in the early 1940s. Currently a large fraction of EOCl enters the system via atmospheric precipitation and other sources than the pulp mill industry may be important contributors. Still, little is known of the toxic effect of this bioavailable persistent mixture of compounds of which few have been identified. Thus there is an urgent need to develop stronger ecotoxicological methods and concepts, both in science and management.