Distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in marine sediments directly exposed to wastewater from Cortiou, Marseille

Microplastic-sorbed persistent organic pollutants in coastal Mediterranean Sea areas of Tunisia

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants of global concern due to their pervasiveness, high sorption ability for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and direct and indirect toxicity to marine organisms, ecosystems, as well as humans. As one of the major coastal interfaces, beaches are considered among the most affected ecosystems by MPs pollution. The morphological characteristics of MPs (pellets and fragments) collected from four beaches along the Tunisian coast and sorbed POPs, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), were investigated in this study. The results showed that the MPs varied greatly in color, polymer composition and degradation degree. The color varied from colored to transparent and the most prevalent polymer identified using Raman spectroscopy was polyethylene. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images exhibited various surface degradation features including cavities, cracks, attached diatom remains, etc. The concentrations of Σ12PCBs over all beaches ranged from 14 to 632 ng g-1 and 26 to 112 ng g-1 in the pellets and fragments, respectively, with a notable presence and dominance of highly-chlorinated PCBs such as CB-153 and -138. Among the OCPs, γ-HCH is the only compound detected with concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 9.7 ng g-1 and 0.7 to 4.2 ng g-1 in the pellets and fragments, respectively. Our findings indicate that MPs found on the Tunisian coast may pose a chemical risk to marine organisms as the concentrations of PCBs and γ-HCH in most of the analysed samples exceeded the sediment-quality guidelines (SQG), especially the effects range medium (ERM) and the probable effects level (PEL). As the first report of its kind, the information gathered in this study can serve as the baseline and starting point for future monitoring work for Tunisia and neighbouring countries, as well as for stakeholders and coastal managers in decision-making processes.

Organochlorine pesticides and chlorpyrifos in the sea anemone Bunodosoma zamponii (Actiniaria: Actiniidae) from Argentina's southeastern coast

Temporal and spatial distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos, one of the main insecticides used in Argentina, was evaluated in two populations of the sea anemone Bunodosoma zamponii living under different anthropological stressors: Las Delicias (LD) adjacent to a wastewater plant, and Punta Cantera (PC) a reference site. Pesticides were analyzed throughout the year in water, sediments and whole organisms. Chlorpyrifos represented 50% of the total pesticide found in water samples during winter. HCHs and drins were predominant in sediment samples, mainly in LD. Total pesticide concentration in anemones from LD was higher than those from PC during winter (mainly associated with HCHs, endosulfans, DDTs and chlorpyrifos levels), coincident with the main period of effluent discharge to the coast after pesticide applications and also the rainiest season. Dissimilarities among anemones populations could stem from a differential input of pesticides in each site and/or a contrasting physiological status of the populations.

Persistent Organic Pollutants Burden, Trophic Magnification and Risk in a Pelagic Food Web from Coastal NW Mediterranean Sea

The storage capacity, trophic magnification and risk of sixty-two POPs have been evaluated in a well-characterized pelagic food web (including phytoplankton, zooplankton, six fish, and two cephalopods species) from an impacted area in NW Mediterranean Sea. Our results show the high capacity of the planktonic compartment for the storage of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), consistent with their estimated low trophic magnification factors (TMF) of 0.2-2.0 (PBDEs) and of 0.3-1.1 (PCDD/Fs). ∑PBDEs dominated in the zooplankton size-class 200-1000 μm (∼330 ng g^-1 lw, median), whereas ∑PCDD/Fs accumulated preferentially in phytoplankton size-class 0.7-200 μm (875 pg g^-1 lw, median). In contrast, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were preferentially bioaccumulated in the higher trophic levels (six fish species and two cephalopods) with TMFs = 0.8-3.9, reaching median concentrations of 4270 and 3140 ng g^-1 lw (∑PCBs) in Atlantic bonito (Sarda sarda) and chub mackerel (Scomber colias), respectively. For these edible species, the estimated weekly intakes of dioxin-like POPs for humans based on national consumption standards overpassed the EU tolerable weekly intake. Moreover, the concentrations of nondioxin-like PCBs in S. sarda were above the EU maximum levels in foodstuffs, pointing to a risk. No risk evidence was found due to consumption of all other edible species studied, neither for PBDEs. The integrated burden of POPs in the food web reached ∼18 μg g^-1 lw, representing a dynamic stock of toxic organic chemicals in the study area. We show that the characterized food web could be a useful and comprehensive "bioindicator" of the chemical pollution status of the study area, opening new perspectives for the monitoring of toxic chemicals in Mediterranean coastal waters.

Distribution characteristics and environmental fate of PCBs in marine sediments at different latitudinal regions: Insights from congener profiles

Sediments were sampled from Hangzhou Bay (HB), the South China Sea (SCS), and Antarctica (AZ) to better understand the distribution characteristics and environmental fate of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at different latitudes. Numerous PCB congeners (68) were detected among the sampling sites, supporting the ubiquity of PCB congeners. High and low chlorinated congeners dominated the PCB profiles of AZ and SCS, respectively, whereas the PCB homologues were evenly distributed in the HB. As a fraction of low chlorinated PCBs originates from an exogenous input, the low mean ratios of ∑Tetra-CBs to ∑PCBs and ∑Tetra-CBs to the sum of ∑Tri- and ∑Di-CBs suggest that microbial transformation of PCBs is weak in marine surface sediments, if any occurs at all. Furthermore, PCB contamination levels in marine sediments may be primarily influenced by latitude rather than pollution sources. Thus, the findings of this study suggest that Antarctica is becoming a prospective hotspot for PCBs.

Occurrence, distribution and ecological risk of trace metals and organic pollutants in surface sediments from a Southeastern European river (Someşu Mic River, Romania)

The increasing contamination of fresh water resources by trace metals and persistent organic pollutants is a major environmental concern. In the present study, we investigated, for the first time, the distribution, sources and ecological risk of trace metals and organic pollutants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), in surface sediments from a Southeastern European river (Someşu Mic River, Romania). Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn ranged from 0.04 to 0.4, 9.4 to 43.15, 7.2 to 65.6, 12.3 to 131.4, 14.7 to 47.7 and 42.1 to 236.8 mg kg^-1 dw, respectively. Concentrations of total PAHs, PCBs and OCPs ranged from 24.8 to 575.6, 2.7 to 252.7 and 2.1 to 44.3 ng g^-1 dw, respectively. Some sediment parameters, i.e., pH, total organic carbon (TOC) and total organic matter (OM) contents, played a significant role in the spatial distribution of contaminants. A combined analysis based on diagnostic ratios and multivariate analyses revealed PAHs originating mainly from pyrolytic sources. PCB compositions showed distinct contamination signatures for tri- to tetra-chlorinated PCBs, characteristic of contamination by Aroclor-1016 and -1254 technical mixtures. The dominant OCP congeners were α-HCH and p,p'-DDD, reflecting past use of technical HCHs and DDTs in agricultural practices. Metal source and pollution status was assessed using geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor, which indicate widespread pollution by Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni and Cu. The use of Sediments Quality Guidelines (SQGs), mean effect range-median quotient (m-ERM-Q) and toxic equivalent factor (TEF) indicated that the highest ecological risks occurred for PCBs and DDTs. This work presents not only initial baseline information on the extent of organic and inorganic contaminations in a river of ecological and economical interest, but also provides a diagnostic ratio/statistical combined approach that can be used to evaluate sediment quality in similar environments.

Occurrence and ecotoxicological assessment of pharmaceuticals: Is there a risk for the Mediterranean aquatic environment?

Due to their pseudo-persistence and their biological activity, pharmaceuticals are emerging contaminants of major concern for the environment. The aim of this review is to provide an updated inventory of the contamination of aquatic environments by 43 drugs representing different classes of pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-depressants, sex hormones, lipid regulators and beta-blockers. The data collected is focused on contamination levels reported in marine coastal waters and in waste and river waters flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. The most widely produced/prescribed classes of medicines are compared with the substances most widely searched for in the environment. Ranges of pollution levels according to the type of water body are also presented, to examine the fate in sewage treatment plants and the persistence in the environment of the targeted molecules. Levels of pharmaceuticals ranged from 100 to 10,000 or even 100,000 ng·L^-1 in sewage waters, dropping to 1 to 10,000 ng·L^-1 in rivers and to not detected to 3000 ng·L^-1 in sea water. However, this paper evidences a lack of data for seawater and also for several countries along the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. In order to assess the risk for aquatic ecosystems associated with pharmaceuticals, experimental ecotoxicological values obtained using normalized acute and/or chronic bioassays carried out with different trophic levels were collected for each drug. Targeted biological species and associated bioassays are classified on the basis of their sensitivity to each class of compounds. Occurrence and ecotoxicology are then linked by using the Hazard Quotient (HQ) to assess the environmental risk caused by pharmaceuticals in the Mediterranean Basin. Correlations between HQ and frequency of detection of pharmaceuticals highlighted thirteen compounds that are cause for concern in Mediterranean fresh and sea waters, such as 17α-ethinylestradiol, metoprolol, 8 antibiotics and 3 analgesics/anti-inflammatories.

Distribution pattern of persistent organic pollutants in aquatic ecosystem at the Rosetta Nile branch estuary into the Mediterranean Sea, North of Delta, Egypt

The objective of this study was to evaluate the distribution pattern of persistent organic pollutants in water, sediment and aquatic biota represented by Oreochromis niloticus and Donax trunculus at the Rosetta Nile branch estuary. α-HCH, p,p'-DDE and polychlorinated biphenyls were the predominant compounds detected at ranges of 0.54-4.90 ng/l water, 0.75-2.41 ng/g, d. wt. sediment and 2.19-28.11 ng/g, fresh wt. biota. β and γ-HCHs, endosulfan compounds, heptachlor and heptachlor epoxide were at low detection frequencies. Totally, the organochlorine pollutants were at high levels and abundances in Donax spp. than in Tilapia spp. followed by sediment and water. These levels were ranged between lower and higher than those found by the other studies established in Egypt, and well below its tolerable residue levels in fish. A correlation was found for the quantified pollutants between water, sediment and biota. This is clearly reflecting the bioaccumulation properties of these compounds.

The use of a hybrid Sequential Biofiltration System for the improvement of nutrient removal and PCB control in municipal wastewater

This article aims to evaluate the efficiency of an innovative hybrid Sequential Biofiltration System (SBS) for removing phosphorus and nitrogen and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from original municipal wastewater produced by a Wastewater Treatment Plant under authentic operating conditions. The hybrid SBS was constructed with two barriers, a geochemical (filtration beds with limestone, coal and sawdust) and a biological barrier (wetlands with Glyceria, Acorus, Typha, Phragmites), operating in parallel. Significant differences were found between inflow and outflow from the SBS with regard to wastewater contaminant concentrations, the efficiency of removal being 16% (max. 93%) for Total Phosphorus (TP), 25% (max. 93%) for Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP), 15% (max. 97%) for Total Nitrogen (TN), 17% (max. 98%) for NO₃^-N, and 21% for PCB equivalency (PCB EQ). In the case of PCB EQ concentration, the highest efficiency of 43% was obtained using beds with macrophytes. The SBS removed a significant load of TP (0.415 kg), TN (3.136 kg), and PCB EQ (0.223 g) per square meter per year. The use of low-cost hybrid SBSs as a post-treatment step for wastewater treatment was found to be an effective ecohydrological biotechnology that may be used for reducing point source pollution and improving water quality.

Characterisation of the dynamics of organic contaminants (n-alkanes, PAHs and PCBs) in a coastal area

The dynamics of three classes of organic contaminants, namely n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls, were evaluated from the settled suspended particulate matter (SPM) of two wastewater treatment plant outlets (O1 and O2) at the Marseille coast. We used a 1-m-high Plexiglas settling column filled with 7L of seawater to determine the particles' settling rates, size distribution, and the extent of organic contaminants. Six classes of SPM (50-200μm particles size) were obtained from 15 fractions of 500-mL successive filtering samples ranging from 30s to 5days, including those in the tube wall. The results of the experiment indicated that >68% of the particles settled within 15min, which highly correlated with the distribution of organic carbon and contaminant contents. Furthermore, we demonstrated that 9%-13% of the SPM, which contained 5%-11% of the organic contaminants, are non-settable even after 5days. Extrapolating such behaviour in situ using molecular diagnostic indices for organic contaminant source apportionment indicated that these non-settable contaminant particles are exported to the sea.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in Tiber River and Estuary: Occurrence, distribution and ecological risk

The polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) pollution in the Tiber River and its environmental impact on the Tyrrhenian Sea (Central Mediterranean Sea) were estimated. 32 PCBs and 17 OCPs (aldrin, α-BHC, β-BHC, δ-BHC, lindane, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDE, p,p'-DDT, dieldrin, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulfate, endrin, endrin aldehyde, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, methoxychlor) were determined in the water dissolved phase (DP), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediment samples. Total concentrations of PCBs ranged from 0.54 to 74.75ngL(-1) in water (sum of DP and SPM) and from 3.73 to 79.30ngg(-1) dry weigh in sediment samples; while the concentrations of total OCPs collected in water (sum of DP and SPM) ranged from 0.07 to 7.04ngL(-1) and from 0.66 to 10.02ngg(-1) dry weigh in sediment samples. Contaminant discharges into the sea were calculated in about 227.08kgyear(-1) for PCBs and 24.91kgyear(-1) for OCPs, showing that this river should account as one of the main contribution sources of PCBs and OCPs to the Tyrrhenian Sea. The ∑TEQPCB from the sediment samples ranged from 0.0006 to 0.37ngg(-1) with an average level of 0.13ngg(-1). Based on Sediments Quality Guidelines, biological adverse effects on aquatic ecosystem were rare to occasional for PCB and OCP levels in Tiber water system.

A chronicle of the changes undergone by a maritime territory, the Bay of Toulon (Var Coast, France), and their consequences on PCB contamination

This study evaluated the distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 39 surface sediment samples and four cores collected in Toulon Bay, a semiclosed area submitted to various anthropogenic inputs. The concentration of PCBs in the superficial sediment samples ranged from 1.7 to 2530 ng g⁻¹ dry weight. The spatial distribution of these compounds suggested that the high concentrations of these contaminants are located in the small bay and are related to human activities. In the larger bay, the concentrations were in the same order of magnitude than those reported in others locations around the world. Comparison of the levels with target values from the French legislation shows that, except for four polluted sites with critical values (N2: values ≥1 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight) in the smaller bay, PCBs levels throughout the larger and the smaller bay are lower than the accepted values (N1: values <0.5 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight). The PCBs in the sediment cores ranged from 0.8 to 739 ng g⁻¹ dry weight dependent core. Vertical profiles indicated earlier usage of PCBs which coincided with the history of the Toulon Bay. In this study, using alkane, we could follow the PCBs pollution history over about 80 years and estimate a sedimentation rate of about 0.32 cm year in the small Bay of Toulon.

Concentrations and Toxic Equivalency of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Polish Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluents

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are widely recognized as important sources of toxic contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). An example is given in the present paper, where concentrations of 12 dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs) congeners were investigated in effluents from 14 WWTPs of different sizes, using gas chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry. The results obtained demonstrate that the smallest WWTPs are characterized by the highest total dl-PCB concentration of 102.69 pg/L, roughly twice those of medium-size and large WWTPs, i.e. 41.14 and 48.29 pg/L, respectively. In all cases, the concentrations obtained were generated mostly by increased contributions of PCB-77, PCB-105 and PCB-118 which constituted 48 %-59 % of the mean dl-PCB concentration. The results also reveal a predominance of mono-ortho over non-ortho PCBs. All three types of WWTP effluent were found to have similar toxic equivalency (TEQ) values, ranging from 0.31 for large to 0.37 pg TEQ/L for medium WWTPs.

Distribution of aliphatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorinated pollutants in deep-sea sediments of the Southern Cretan margin, Eastern Mediterranean Sea: a baseline assessment

Deep sediments from the southern Cretan margin were analyzed to establish baseline levels for various types of organic pollutants before the anticipated intensification of anthropogenic activities. The total concentration of aliphatic hydrocarbons (ΣAH:326-3758ngg(-1), dry weight) was similar to those reported for deep sediments of the western Mediterranean Sea, while considerably lower levels were measured for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ΣPAH:9-60ngg(-1)). Source-diagnostic ratios suggested that the aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediments were mainly of terrestrial biogenic origin, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons stemmed from the deposition of long-range transported combustion aerosols. Among the organochlorinated compounds analyzed, β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH:222-7052pgg(-1)), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p'-DDT:37-2236pgg(-1)) and polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCB:38-1182pgg(-1)) showed the highest abundance in sediments. The presence of HCHs and PCBs was attributed to historical inputs that have undergone extensive weathering, whereas an ongoing fresh input was suggested for p,p'-DDT. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the levels of the various pollutants in sediments were controlled by different factors, but with organic carbon content playing a prominent role in most cases.

Distributions and sources of persistent organic pollutants (aliphatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, PCBs and pesticides) in surface sediments of an industrialized urban river (Huveaune), France

Surface sediments from the Huveaune River were analyzed for n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticides (OCs and OPs) by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concentrations of total alkanes ranged from 184 to 26,780 μg·kg(-1) sediment dry weight (dw) with a mean concentration of 6,126 ± 8,006 μg·kg(-1)dw, concentrations of total PAHs ranged from 572 to 4,235 μg·kg(-1)dw with a mean concentration of 1966 ± 1,104 μg·kg(-1) dw, concentrations of total PCB ranged from 2.8 to 435 μg·kg(-1)dw with a mean concentration of 148 ± 164 μg·kg(-1)dw and concentrations of total pesticides ranged from 0.07 to 1.25 μg·kg(-1)dw with a mean concentration of 1.23 ± 1.29 μg·kg(-1)dw. The spatial distribution of POPs reveals that pollutant concentration is relatively higher at the mouth of the river. The molecular indices of specific n-alkanes (CPI, NAR and TAR) and molecular indices of PAHs (Ant/(Ant+Phe), Fl/(Fl+Pyr), BaA/(BaA+Chry), IPyr/(Ipyr+BghiP)) were calculated to evaluate the possible sources of hydrocarbons. These molecular indices suggest mainly pyrolytic inputs which are markedly biogenic. All contaminant levels were also compared with Sediments Quality Guidelines (SQG) showing that the contamination levels in all stations were most of the time lower than their respective SQG. While, for PCBs, five stations (H5, H6, H7, H8 and H9) were higher than their effect range median (ERM) values which may indicate high potential toxicity of the sediment with probable adverse effects to the living biota.

Spatial distribution and partitioning of polychlorinated biphenyl and organochlorine pesticide in water and sediment from Sarno River and Estuary, southern Italy

The Sarno River is nicknamed "the most polluted river in Europe". The main goal of this study is to enhance our knowledge on the Sarno River water and sediment quality and on its environmental impact on the gulf of Naples (Tyrrhenian Sea, Central Mediterranean Sea) in order to become a useful assessment tool for the regional administrations. For these reasons, 32 selected polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and aldrin, α-BHC, β-BHC, δ-BHC, γ-BHC (lindane), 4,4'-DDD, 4,4'-DDE, 4,4'-DDT, dieldrin, endosulfan I, endosulfan II, endosulfan sulphate, endrin, endrin aldehyde, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide (isomer B) and methoxychlor were determined in the water dissolved phase (DP), suspended particulate matter (SPM) and sediments. Total concentrations of PCBs ranged from 1.4 to 24.9 ng L(-1) in water (sum of DP and SPM) and from 1.01 to 42.54 ng g(-1) in sediment samples. The concentrations of total organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) obtained in water (sum of DP and SPM) ranged from 0.54 to 7.32 ng L(-1) and from 0.08 to 5.99 ng g(-1) in sediment samples. Contaminant discharges of PCBs and OCPs into the sea were calculated in about 1,247 g day(-1) (948 g day(-1) of PCBs and 326 g day(-1) of OCPs), showing that this river should account as one of the main contribution sources of PCBs and OCPs to the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Organic contamination of surface sediments in the metropolitan coastal zone of Athens, Greece: sources, degree, and ecological risk

Bottom sediments represent a crucial component of the marine environment, since they constitute a habitat, a trophic resource, and a spawning place for various organisms. Unfortunately, the sediments of urban coastal areas are deeply impacted by anthropogenic activities that degrade their quality. In the Drapetsona-Keratsini metropolitan coastal zone of Athens, current industrial and shipping activities together with the effluents from a sewage outfall, which was in operation in the past, have resulted in one of the most contaminated sedimentary environments, in terms of organic compound loads, in Mediterranean. Exceptionally high concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons (up to 4457 μg g⁻¹), carcinogenic PAHs (up to 7284 ng g⁻¹), and organochlorines (up to 544 ng g⁻¹ for PCBs; up to 208 ng g⁻¹ for DDTs) constitute a major threat to the marine life of the associated Saronikos Gulf.

Sources and temporal patterns of polychlorinated biphenyls around a large South American grain-shipping port (Paranaguá Estuarine System, Brazil)

The Paranaguá Estuarine System (PES) is an important estuarine environment on the Brazilian coast. The economic importance of the PES is mainly related to industries, fuel terminals, and the main South American grain-shipping port. The aim of this work was to determine the vertical distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in three sediment cores from the PES. The methods included Soxhlet extraction, clean-up, and quantification by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The concentrations of total PCBs ranged from lower than the detection limit to 6.65 ng g(-1). Low PCB concentrations were detected in P1 and P3, which were collected far away from direct human activities. In P2, the compositional pattern of PCB congeners showed greater concentrations of tetra- and penta-chlorinated congeners associated with urban and port activities near Paranaguá city. The differences in concentrations between the three sediment cores were attributed to the distance of the sampling points in relation to the possible sources of pollution, which are mostly related to Paranaguá city. The vertical distribution of PCBs in the sediment core P2 was related to historical anthropogenic activities. The highest PCB input was from 1970 to the early 1990s, which coincides with a period of greater use of PCBs in Brazil as well as their greater worldwide production.