Chlorinated pesticides and PCB content in thermal aquaculture of sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii).
One hundred sturgeon (Acipenser naccarii) with an initial weight of about 80 g each were fed on wet pellets (3% of live weight) for about 2 years and bred in part of the cooling water of a thermoelectric power station. Every 3 months five fish were sacrified and muscle samples were collected. Pesticide and PCB concentrations were measured by high resolution gas chromatography coupled with high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in the multiple ion detection mode. The mean levels of PCBs and DDT metabolites after 24 months of breeding were 28.4 +/- 2.1 micrograms/kg d.w. respectively. Values were negligible compared with those observed in other fish species living in the River Po. Furthermore, a remarkable growth of fishes was observed owing to the use of cooling water.