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Within the National Monitoring of Contaminants in Biota, Stockholm University has analysed chlorinated pesticides and PCBs (CLC), brominated compounds (BFR) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) since the start of the time period (the earliest samples from the end of 1960s). However, from 2021 and 2022 the analyses will instead be performed by the Swedish Food Agency (CLC, BFR) and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (PFAS). Therefore, there is a need for comparisons between the laboratories in order to investigate if conversion factors will be needed for any of the substances. Thus, the aim of this report was to compare concentrations of CLC, BFR and PFAS analysed at different laboratories.Samples from fish (marine and freshwater), blue mussels and guillemot eggs were analysed at the different laboratories. Thereafter concentrations were compared using t-tests and conversion factors were calculated.Results for CLCs and BFRs showed, with the exception of BDE-100 and BDE-154, that differences were small between Stockholm University and Swedish Food Agency.We therefore recommend that no conversions should be used for the CLCs or BFRs, but suggest a re-evaluation of BDE-100 and -154 at a later stage.For most PFASs too many data points were below LOQ for reliable conversion factors to be calculated. Differences were seen between Stockholm University and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences for l-PFOS, b-PFOS, and PFOS (sum of l-PFOS and b-PFOS) when considering all samples. However, the samples were run in two batches at Stockholm University (separated time-wise, but also from two different environments – freshwater and marine). When splitting the data into these two batches, only one showed a significant statistical difference between the labs. Due to the few number of samples, the possible batch effect and the relative small difference between labs (l-PFOS: 23% for all samples combined), it is not recommended to apply conversion factors.In this report, w

The report summarises the monitoring activities within the National Swedish Contaminant Programmefor freshwater biota. Each monitored contaminant has been examined in pike, perch or Arctic char from32 lakes from the north to the south in Sweden.No general trend could be seen for mercury, and all samples were above the EU threshold. Lead wasgenerally decreasing and concentrations were below the target level in all lakes. Cadmiumconcentrations showed no consistent trends over the monitored period, and cadmium concentrationswere below the target level in all lakes. Chromium concentrations are below the limit of quantification(LOQ) in most lakes after 2010. For nickel, arsenic, copper, zink, silver, and aluminium there were noclear temporal trends, with both upward and downward trends. Tin concentrations were below the LOQfor most sampling sites and throughout all years of sampling.In general, downward trends were seen for; PCBs, HCHs, DDT, DDE and PCDD/Fs in all species (with afew exceptions). The chlorinated compounds generally showed a somewhat higher concentration in thesouthern parts of Sweden. Most chlorinated compounds were below the suggested target levels.No general trend was seen during the monitoring period for PBDEs. However during the most recent 10year period, downward trends were seen in pike from Bolmen. The concentration of HBCDD was underLOQ in a majority of the samples.Several of the perfluorinated carboxylic compounds showed a non-linear increase in concentration inarctic char, while no trend was seen for PFOS. In perch, PFOS has decreased since 1980 while upwardtrends were seen for several carboxylic acids from 1980. Higher concentrations of perfluorinatedcompounds can in general be seen in the southern part of Sweden. In all lakes, PFOS is below thetarget level for all species.

The report summarises the monitoring activities within the National Swedish Contaminant Programme inmarine biota.Few trends are found for the biological variables of the biota included in the programme (age, weight,length, and fulton´s condition factor). This is expected, as samples are selectively selected to avoidtrends. However, all variables for Holmöarna in the Bothnian Bay and the fish age at the West Coastsites (Kullen, Fladen and Väderöarna) stands out for herring, cod and perch as having upward trendsover the last 10 years. Since many of the contaminants presented in this report bioaccumulate, this islikely to affect the trends presented below.For the aggregated herring data (on sub-basin scale) on chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, dioxins andfurans, brominated flame retardants and perfluorinated substances (PFAS) a general downward trendfor the last 10 years (2010-2019) is seen for all sub-basins (Southern and Northern Baltic Proper andBothnian Sea and Bay) except the West Coast. On the West Coast, changes are small and often nonsignificant. The contaminant concentrations are in general lowest on the West Coast but theconcentration difference between the West Coast and the other sub-basins has shrunken over the last10 years as the concentrations in the other sub-basins are decreasing towards West Coast levels. Theperfluorinated compound FOSA is an exception to this picture, with 2-4 times higher concentrations onthe West Coast compared to the Baltic Sea. For the metals, no common patterns are seen for theaggregated herring data across the metals or for each specific metal between sub-basins.

The report summarises the monitoring activities within the National Swedish Contaminant Programme for freshwater biota. Each monitored contaminant has been examined in pike, perch or Arctic char from 32 lakes from the north to the south in Sweden. No general trend could be seen for mercury, and all samples were above the EU threshold. Lead was generally decreasing and concentrations were below the target level in all lakes. Cadmium concentrations showed no consistent trends over the monitored period, and cadmium concentrations were below the target level in all lakes. Nickel, arsenic, and copper showed upward trends in 30-50 % of the sampling sites. For zink, silver, and aluminium there were no clear temporal trends. Tin concentrations were below the limit of quantification for most sampling sites and throughout all years of sampling. In general, downward trends were seen for; PCBs, HCHs, DDT, DDE and PCDD/Fs in all species (with a few exceptions). The chlorinated compounds generally showed a somewhat higher concentration in the southern parts of Sweden. Most chlorinated compounds were below the suggested target levels. No general trend was seen during the monitoring period for PBDEs. However during the most recent 10 year period, downward trends were seen in pike from Bolmen. The concentration of HBCDD was under LOQ in a majority of the samples. Several of the perfluorinated carboxylic compounds showed an increase in concentration in arctic char, while no trend was seen for PFOS. In perch, PFOS has decreased since 1980 while upward trends were seen for several carboxylic acids from 1980. Higher concentrations of perfluorinated compounds can in general be seen in the southern part of Sweden. In all lakes, PFOS is below the target level for all species.