G. Goemans

Publications (9)9.67 Total impact

• Source

  Available from: Claude Belpaire

  Article: Decreasing eel stocks: survival of the fattest?

  C. G. J. Belpaire, G. Goemans, C. Geeraerts, P. Quataert, K. Parmentier, P. Hagel, J. De Boer
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  ABSTRACT: Abstract –  Since the 1980s, the European eel Anguilla anguilla stock is in steep decline. Lipid reserves are essential to cover energetic requirements for silver eel migration and reproduction. Two large and independent data sets from Belgium and The Netherlands show an average one-third decrease in fat contents of yellow eels over the past 15 years. Also Le Cren’s relative condition factor decreased. On the basis of the somatic energy reserves, reproductive potential of eels from various latitudes over Europe was estimated, assuming fat levels in yellow eel are indicative of those in silver eels. Only large individuals, females as well as males, with high lipid content seem to be able to contribute to the spawning stock. The decrease in fat content in yellow eels may be a key element in the stock decline and raises serious concerns about the chances of the stock to recover.
  Ecology of Fresh Water Fish 05/2009; 18(2):197 - 214. · 1.57 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Claude Belpaire

  Article: Probabilistic approach to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) exposure through eel consumption in recreational fishermen vs. the general population.

  M Bilau, I Sioen, C Matthys, A De Vocht, G Goemans, C Belpaire, J L Willems, S De Henauw
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  ABSTRACT: Concentrations of the sum of the seven indicator PCBs (Sigma7 iPCBs) measured in non-commercial European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) in Flanders are high: in 80% of all sampled localities, the Belgian PCB standard for fish was exceeded. The objective of this study was to assess the intake of the Sigma7 iPCBs through consumption of eel by recreational fishermen and to compare it to the intake of a background population. The median estimated intake for recreational fishermen varied between 18.4 and 237.6 ng iPCBs kg(-1) bw day(-1), depending on the consumption scenario, while the estimated intake of the background population (consumers only) was 4.3 ng iPCBs kg(-1) bw day(-1). Since the levels of intake via eel for two intake scenarios were, respectively, 50 and 25 times higher than the intake of the background population, the body burden (BB) might be proportionally higher and reach levels of toxicological relevance. The intake of the seven iPCBs via consumption of self-caught eel in Flanders is at a level to cause serious concern. The Flemish catch-and-release obligation for eel, established in 2002, should be maintained and supervised (more) carefully.
  Food Additives and Contaminants 01/2008; 24(12):1386-93. · 2.13 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Claude Belpaire

  Article: The catadromous European eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) as a model for freshwater evolutionary ecotoxicology: relationship between heavy metal bioaccumulation, condition and genetic variability.

  G E Maes, J A M Raeymaekers, C Pampoulie, A Seynaeve, G Goemans, C Belpaire, F A M Volckaert
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  ABSTRACT: Understanding the effects of pollutants on the genome is of crucial importance to preserve the evolutionary potential of endangered natural populations. The highly vagile European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) has suffered a dramatic decline in recruitment since two decades, urging for a better understanding of the genetic impact of pollution. Its catadromous life history constitutes a model to assess local selection of pollutants on condition and genetic variability, as juveniles recruit in European rivers without appreciable pollution load or interfering genetic background. Because of its high fat content and local benthic feeding behaviour, the feeding stage is considered extremely prone to the bioaccumulation of pollutants. We studied the relationship between heavy metal bioaccumulation, fitness (condition) and genetic variability in the European eel. The muscle tissues of 78 sub-adult eels, originating from three Belgian river basins (Scheldt, Meuse and Yser), were examined for nine heavy metal pollutants (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, As and Se), while in total 123 individuals were genotyped at 12 allozyme and 8 microsatellite loci. A significant negative correlation between heavy metal pollution load and condition was observed, suggesting an impact of pollution on the health of sub-adult eels. In general, we observed a reduced genetic variability in strongly polluted eels, as well as a negative correlation between level of bioaccumulation and allozymatic multi-locus heterozygosity (MLH). Microsatellite genetic variability did not show any pollution related differences, suggesting a differential response at metabolic enzymes and possibly direct overdominance of heterozygous individuals.
  Aquatic Toxicology 07/2005; 73(1):99-114. · 3.76 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Claude Belpaire

  Article: Spatio-temporal dynamics of the parasitic nematode Anguillicola crassus in Flanders, Belgium.

  V Audenaert, T Huyse, G Goemans, C Belpaire, F A M Volckaert
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  ABSTRACT: Despite Egusa's earlier warning of the damage that the parasitic nematode Anguillicola crassus could inflict on the European eel Anguilla anguilla, its introduction in Europe was a fact in the early 1980s. Based on an elaborate dataset on Anguillicola crassus infection of 11 river catchments, this paper presents the results of a detailed study on the dispersal of the parasite in Flanders, Belgium, and the host-parasite relationship. In addition, data from 1986 and 1997 are used for comparative purposes, providing a perspective on the temporal infection pattern over 15 yr. The presence of A. crassus in Flanders was first discovered in 1985; 2 yr later a survey revealed a prevalence of 34.1% and a mean infection intensity of 5.5, based on adult nematodes only, and 10 yr later the parasite was present at all 11 sites sampled. Prevalence had increased to 62.5 % but the mean infection intensity had decreased to 3.9 adults per infected eel. Finally, in the year 2000, a third study revealed that A. crassus was present in 139 of 140 investigated sites; a further increase in prevalence to 68.7% and a decrease in mean infection intensity to 3.4 adults per infected eel was observed. When all larval stages were taken into account, mean prevalence amounted to 88.1% and mean intensity to 5.5 adults. The high infection level in Flanders is thought to be the result of restocking with glass eel and yellow eel, both of which are susceptible to A. crassus. The general infection parameters were similar in all 11 river catchments. It is possible that in Flanders both prevalence and mean infection intensity are stabilizing due to density-dependent regulation of the parasite infrapopulation. Fibrotic swimbladder walls were observed, mainly in large eels, and 20% of the total number of nematodes consisted of encapsulated larvae in the surveys of 1997 and 2000; 8 cases of swimbladder regeneration were observed.
  Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 11/2003; 56(3):223-33. · 2.20 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Gregory E Maes

  Article: The catadromous European eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) as a model for freshwater evolutionary ecotoxicology: Relationship between heavy metal bioaccumulation, condition and genetic variability

  G.E. Maes, J.A.M. Raeymaekers, C. Pampoulie, A. Seynaeve, G. Goemans, C. Belpaire, F.A.M. Volckaert
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Understanding the effects of pollutants on the genome is of crucial importance to preserve the evolutionary potential of endangered natural populations. The highly vagile European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) has suffered a dramatic decline in recruitment since two decades, urging for a better understanding of the genetic impact of pollution. Its catadromous life history constitutes a model to assess local selection of pollutants on condition and genetic variability, as juveniles recruit in European rivers without appreciable pollution load or interfering genetic background. Because of its high fat content and local benthic feeding behaviour, the feeding stage is considered extremely prone to the bioaccumulation of pollutants. We studied the relationship between heavy metal bioaccumulation, fitness (condition) and genetic variability in the European eel. The muscle tissues of 78 sub-adult eels, originating from three Belgian river basins (Scheldt, Meuse and Yser), were examined for nine heavy metal pollutants (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr, As and Se), while in total 123 individuals were genotyped at 12 allozyme and 8 microsatellite loci. A significant negative correlation between heavy metal pollution load and condition was observed, suggesting an impact of pollution on the health of sub-adult eels. In general, we observed a reduced genetic variability in strongly polluted eels, as well as a negative correlation between level of bioaccumulation and allozymatic multi-locus heterozygosity (MLH). Microsatellite genetic variability did not show any pollution related differences, suggesting a differential response at metabolic enzymes and possibly direct overdominance of heterozygous individuals.
  Aquatic Toxicology.
• Article: Verspreiding van gebromeerde vlamvertragers

  C. Belpaire, G. Goemans, Boer, Hooste
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  ABSTRACT: Gebromeerde vlamvertragers (BFR¿s, Brominated Flame Retardants) zijn scheikundige stoffen die tijdens het productieproces toegevoegd worden aan kunststof voor gebruik in computers, televisietoestellen, textiel, isolatiemateriaal. Het is de bedoeling om de ontvlambaarheid van die producten te verminderen en de kunststofmaterialen niet te laten bijdragen aan de verdere ontwikkeling of verspreiding van een brand. We onderscheiden vier hoofdtypes: de inmiddels niet meer geproduceerde polygebromeerde bifenylen (PBB¿s), polygebromeerde difenylethers (PBDE¿s), tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A) & derivaten, en hexabromocyclododecaan (HBCD). Bij opname door mens en dier worden gebromeerde vlamvertragers opgeslagen in het vetweefsel en kunnen allerlei gezondheidseffecten veroorzaken. Gebromeerde vlamvertragers zijn potentieel hormoonverstorende stoffen. Het verwarmen en/of verbranden van producten, die PBB's, PBDE's of andere gebromeerde vlamvertragers bevatten, kan aanleiding geven tot de vorming van polygebromeerde dibenzo-p-dioxines en dibenzofuranen. Deze stoffen hebben gelijkaardige toxicologische effecten als gechloreerde dioxines (mogelijks kankerverwekkend, effecten op groei, reproductie en ontwikkeling van het afweersysteem). Studies illustreren verhoogde concentraties van gebromeerde vlamvertragers in het milieu sedert de jaren `70. De aanwezigheid van deze stoffen in eieren van de zilvermeeuw aan de Canadese meren verdubbelde om de 3 à 5 jaar in de periode 1981-2000. De concentratie in moedermelk in Zweden vertoont een exponentiële stijging van 1972 tot ca. 1998 (elke vijf jaar een verdubbeling). De meest recente data wijzen op een stabilisering en zelfs daling. Ook in Vlaanderen wijzen analyses van waterbodems en palingen uit oppervlaktewater op de aanwezigheid van gebromeerde vlamvertragers in sterk variërende concentraties
  Milieu-en natuurrapport Vlaanderen.
• Source

  Available from: Paul Quataert

  Article: Decreasing eel stocks: survival of the fattest?

  C.G.L. Belpaire, G. Goemans, P. Quataert, P. Hagel, Boer
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Since the 1980s, the European eel Anguilla anguilla stock is in steep decline. Lipid reserves are essential to cover energetic requirements for silver eel migration and reproduction. Two large and independent data sets from Belgium and The Netherlands show an average one-third decrease in fat contents of yellow eels over the past 15 years. Also Le Cren's relative condition factor decreased. On the basis of the somatic energy reserves, reproductive potential of eels from various latitudes over Europe was estimated, assuming fat levels in yellow eel are indicative of those in silver eels. Only large individuals, females as well as males, with high lipid content seem to be able to contribute to the spawning stock. The decrease in fat content in yellow eels may be a key element in the stock decline and raises serious concerns about the chances of the stock to recover
  Ecology of Freshwater Fish 18 (2009) 2.
• Article: Pollution fingerprints in eels as models for the chemical status of rivers

  C. Belpaire, G. Goemans, C. Geeraerts, P. Quataert, K. Parmentier
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  ABSTRACT: Belpaire, C., Goemans, G., Geeraerts, C., Quataert, P., and Parmentier, K. 2008. Pollution fingerprints in eels as models for the chemical status of rivers. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1483–1491. The 2006 EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) proposed the monitoring of a selection of priority substances in the aquatic phase, including lipophilic substances. However, there are strong arguments for measuring lipophilic substances in biota. Yellow eel is a good candidate because it is widespread, sedentary, and accumulates many lipophilic substances in its muscle tissue. Several authors have described the indicative value of measured concentrations, yet few studies have investigated to what extent the spectrum of contaminants present characterizes the local environmental pollution pressure. To evaluate the value of the pollution profile of an eel as a fingerprint of the chemical status of the local environment, two datasets were selected from the Flemish Eel Pollutant Network database. The pollution profiles in individual eels along a river (even at distances <5 km) proved to be significantly different. Analysis of pooled contaminant data from multiple sites and sampling years within rivers allows characterization of river-specific chemical pressures. These results highlight the usefulness of eels as bio-indicators for monitoring pollution with lipophilic chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides, in rivers. As such, eels may be used effectively within the monitoring programme for a selection of priority substances referred to in the WFD.
• Source

  Available from: Claude Belpaire

  Article: Eels: contaminant cocktails pinpointing environmental contamination

  C. Belpaire, G. Goemans
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  ABSTRACT: Belpaire, C., and Goemans, G. 2007. Eels: contaminant cocktails pinpointing environmental contamination. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: –. There is growing concern that insufficient somatic and health conditions of silver European eels ( Anguilla anguilla) emigrating from European waters to oceanic spawning areas might be a key causative factor in the decline of the stock. One factor that could contribute to deterioration in the status of eels is high contaminant accumulation in their body. Contaminants may affect lipid metabolism and result in lower energy stores. A high body burden of contaminants and low energy stores might be responsible for failure of migration and/or impairment of successful reproduction. During a 12-year study on a relatively small area within the river basins of IJzer, Scheldt, and Meuse (ca. 13 500 km2), 2613 eels were sampled covering a dense monitoring network of 357 stations. Eels were analysed for ca. 100 chemicals. These included PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, heavy metals, brominated flame retardants, volatile organic pollutants (VOCs), endocrine disruptors, dioxins, perfluorooctane sulphonic acids (PFOSs), metallothioneins, and polycyclic aromatic compounds. This series represents only a very small fraction (<0.5%) of the >30 000 chemicals currently marketed and used in Europe. The biomonitoring value of eels as a tool for monitoring environmental contamination is illustrated. Two major conclusions were drawn: (i) the eel is a highly suitable biomonitor for environmental contaminants, for both local and international purposes, e.g. to evaluate the chemical status for the Water Framework Directive, and (ii) dependent on the degree of pollution in their habitat, the levels of certain contaminants reported in yellow eels can be high, and might affect their potential for reproduction.