Taint, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHs) and N-Alkane Analysis of Farmed Mussels and Salmon Samples Following the Transocean Winner Rig Incident

Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Vol 7 No 22

This report covers the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) and n-alkane analysis of farmed mussels and salmon (liver and muscle) from Loch Roag following the Transocean Winner rig grounding incident, August 2016. Samples were collected from three fish farms and three shellfish farms in Loch Roag on 10/11, 16/17 and 23 August. PAH concentrations were low on all sampling occasions, with a number of PAHs being below the limit of detection. Concentrations were at background levels in both the mussels and in the salmon muscle. n-Alkane profiles showed no evidence of petrogenic contamination. In addition, sensory analyses of the salmon muscle samples were undertaken and no taint was detected in any of the samples.