Bream

Common Bream, Freshwater Bream; scientific name: Abramis brama
Bream
Photo: UPB-Projektgruppe Trier

Bioindicator in rivers and lakes

The bream is a species of fish which lends itself particularly well as a specimen type for the Environmental Specimen Bank on the grounds of its numbers, widespread presence and substantial biomass availability.

Muscle and liver are used as a specimen. Sampling takes place in the late summer after the spawning season.

Guideline for Sampling and Sample Treatment Bream (Abramis brama)

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.
Liver The liver is the main reloading point of the substances within the body. Thus the liver is suitable for surveying eco-toxicological relevant components.

Sampling area

Saarländischer Verdichtungsraum Important, old-industrialised conurbation in Germany.
Bornhöveder Seengebiet Main watershed between the North- and Baltic Sea.
Rhein Longest river in Germany.
Elbe Fourth largest river area in Central Europe.
Dübener Heide Region in the chemical triangle of Central Germany.
Donau Second largest river in Europe.

Analytes

Metals Eighty percent of all elements on earth are metals
Nonmetals Only eighteen elements in the periodic table
Organometallic compounds Organic substances with at least one metall atom
Chlorohydrocarbons Group of organic compounds with at least one covalently bonded chlorine atom
Triclosan Chlorinated aromatic biocide
Polycyclic musks Class of synthetic fragrances
Alkylphenol compounds Class of non-ionic surfactants and their degradation products
Supplementary parameters Additional information for the interpretation of contamination data

Sampling period

1992 - 2010

Biometric parameters

Age  
Length  
Total weight  
Liver weight  
Musculature weight  

Extended information

Links to external information and legislation

Literature