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The presence of persistent organic pollutants in the environment manifests itself most strongly in the marine trophic chain, where the highest link is comprised of seabirds. At the same time, seabirds are excellent indicators of contamination in their habitat. The present study concentrates on toxic substances: polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and chlorinated organic pesticides (OCPs) accumulated in the livers, pectoral muscles and brains of dead gulls collected along the Polish coast of the Baltic Sea in the years 2010–12. The highest toxic equivalence was determined in the livers of Larus argentatus (TEQ (birds TEF) −28.3 pg g −1 ww) and Larus marinus (TEQ (birds TEF) −29.9 pg g −1 ww.). However, the toxic equivalence of muscles was lower and amounted to 3.9 pg g −1 ww. and 7.8 pg g −1 ww. respectively for the two species. The lowest toxic equivalence was found in the brains of birds, where only one, the most toxic, 2,3,7,8 TCDD congener was found (TEQ (birds TEF) 0.87 pg g −1 ww). The highest concentration of chloroorganic pesticides was determined in the brains of the birds (total OCP 167.8 pg g −1 ww.), lower concentrations were found in the livers (total OCP 92.1 pg g −1 ww.) and muscles (total OCP 43.1 pg g −1 ww.). With regard to pesticides, the highest proportion in the total OCP content was constituted by DDT and its isomers (liver 81%, muscles 77% and brain 55%). High concentrations of the studied pollutants in the livers of gulls found dead on the coast of the Southern Baltic could have been effected by levels of contamination in the birds’ last meals, which resulted in a seven-fold increase of the liver’s toxic equivalence and a two-fold increase in OCP concentration in relation to muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• REE and Cd in sardine muscle was higher than in herring. • HREE determine total REE concentration in fish muscle reproductive cells. • REE and THE are subject to intergenerational transport. • As, Cu and Cd in herring muscle increases over past 17 years. Baltic herring and European sardine are pelagic, fish of particular ecological importance, on the one hand control numbers of planktonic organisms, and on the other hand exist as food for predators on higher trophic levels. Moreover, these fish are among the main species caught for human consumption. Rare earth elements (REEs) come mainly from geogenic sources but, due to their use in technology, agriculture and medicine, the importance of anthropogenic sources is growing steadily. Samples used for the study were available on the market. Fresh materials of fish muscle, ova and seminal fluid were mineralized and elements were determined by means of inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The conducted research indicated the presence of REEs in the muscles of the Baltic herring (∑REE = 0.076 ± 0.047 mg/kg) and European sardine (∑REE = 0.191 ± 0.163 mg/kg), with a clear dominance of heavy REEs in both fish species. Trace elements (TE) in the muscles of the tested fish demonstrated a similar system of concentration (Baltic herring: Zn > As > Se > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd; European sardine: Zn > As > Se > Cu > Ni > Cr > Pb > Cd). REEs and TEs in these fish were presence in ova and seminal fluid indicates intergenerational transfer. Changes in the concentrations of some trace elements (As, Cu, Cd) in the muscles of herring indicate increases compared to the historical data. The availability of metals in the aquatic environment may be determined by ongoing climate changes, effected water salinity and warming increased availability of labile forms of trace metals. Decline trends in the condition of pelagic fish need to extend the research in the context of contemporary environmental threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]