Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected from Central Adriatic Sea

Determination of 25 polybrominated diphenyl ethers in Chinese mitten crab ecosystems by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A sensitive and reliable method for determining 25 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in Chinese mitten crabs and their ecosystems ranging from the growing environment to edible feed by gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry with advanced electron ionization (GC-AEI-MS/MS) was developed and validated. Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and liquid-liquid extraction were used to extract solid and water samples, respectively. On the basis of a traditional acid-base silica column, deactivated silica was added and n-hexane elution was used to increase the effect of separation and purification. Two oven temperature programs were applied to achieve good separation of low brominated congeners and increase the sensitivity of high brominated congeners. The method provided good linearity (>0.9996). The recoveries of four matrices were in the range of 82-115% and the method quantification limits (MQLs) in crabs, feed, sediment and water ranged from 0.36-6 pg per g wet weight, 0.69-22.29 pg per g dry weight, 1.02-25.26 pg per g dry weight, and 2.43-40.14 pg L-1, respectively. The proposed method was used for ten samples from two aquatic sites and PBDEs were detected in Chinese mitten crabs, commercial feed and sediment, with the highest in crabs. This analytical technique can be used to monitor the content and the accumulation behavior of PBDEs in Chinese mitten crab ecosystems or other aquaculture systems.

Characterization and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in shellfish in Shenzhen coastal waters and assessment of human health risks

This study aims to investigate the profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in shellfish obtained from Shenzhen coastal waters and assess the potential health risks. We analyzed 74 shellfish samples from eight different species for PBDEs (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154, -183, -209). The concentrations of total PBDEs in different shellfish species ranged from 2.02 to 360.17 pg g^-1 wet weight, with the highest levels found in Pectinidae, Babylonia areolate, Ostreidae, Perna viridis, Haliotis diversicolor, Corbiculidae, Pinctada margaritifera, and Veneridae in descending order. Among the PBDE congeners analyzed, BDE-47 was the most abundant, followed by BDE-154 and BDE-153. Furthermore, the estimated daily intake of PBDEs through shellfish consumption for Shenzhen residents were between 0.11 and 0.19 ng kg^-1(bw) day^-1. To our knowledge, this is the first study to systematically investigate the profiles of PBDEs in eight different shellfish species from Shenzhen's coastal waters and evaluate the potential human health risks associated with shellfish consumption.

Bioaccumulation Behavior and Human Health Risk of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in a Freshwater Food Web of Typical Shallow Lake, Yangtze River Delta

BACKGROUND

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been commonly found in aquatic ecosystems. Many studies have elucidated the bioaccumulation and biomagnification of PBDEs in seas and lakes, yet few have comprehensively evaluated the bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and health risks of PBDEs in shallow lakes, and there is still limited knowledge of the overall effects of biomagnification and the health risks to aquatic organisms.

METHODS

In this study, a total of 154 samples of wild aquatic organism and environmental samples were collected from typical shallow lakes located in the Yangtze River Delta in January 2020. The concentrations of PBDEs were determined by an Agilent 7890 gas chromatograph coupled and an Agilent 5795 mass spectrometer (GC/MS) and the bioaccumulation behavior of PBDEs was evaluated in 23 aquatic organisms collected from typical shallow lakes of the Yangtze River Delta. Furthermore, their effects on human health were evaluated by the estimated daily intake (EDI), noncarcinogenic risk, and carcinogenic risk.

RESULTS

The concentrations of ΣPBDE (defined as the sum of BDE-28, -47, -100, -99, -153, -154, -183, and -209) in biota samples ranged from 2.36 to 85.81 ng/g lipid weight. BDE-209, BDE-153 and BDE-47 were the major PBDE congeners. The factors affecting the concentration of PBDEs in aquatic organisms included dietary habits, species, and the metabolic debromination ability of the PBDE congeners. BDE-209 and BDE-47 were the strongest bioaccumulative PBDE congeners in aquatic organisms. Additionally, except for BDE-99, BDE-153 and BDE-154, the trophic magnification factor (TMF) values of PBDE congeners were significantly higher than 1. Moreover, the log Kow played a significant role in the biomagnification ability of PBDE congeners. The noncarcinogenic risk of PBDE congeners and carcinogenic risk of BDE-209 from aquatic products were lower than the thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS

PBDE congeners were bioaccumulated and biomagnified to varying degrees in aquatic organisms from typical shallow lakes. Both the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks assessment of edible aquatic products indicated that none of the PBDE congeners pose health risks to the localite. This study will provide a basis for a comprehensive assessment of PBDEs in aquatic ecosystems in shallow lakes and for environmental prevention measures for decision-makers.

Heavy metal spatial and temporal trends (2008-2018) in clams and mussel from Adriatic Sea (Italy): Possible definition of forecasting models

In 2008-2018, 1458 georeferenced samples of clams and 343 of mussels were harvested in Italy from classified areas along Marche coast and analyzed within food-safety monitoring plans. Pb, Cd, V, Ni, Cr, and As median levels (mg kg^-1) were 0.09, 0.08, 0.29, 0.77, 0.35, and 2.35 in clams and 0.16, 0.15, 0.46, 0.48, 0.25, and 3.34 in mussels. The reported levels were comparable with the published ones, and Hg always fell below LOQ (0.025 mg kg^-1). Pb and Cd datasets, based on quarterly results, show a decreasing trend in clams and constant baseline value for mussels. Time-trends and forecasting models represent an asset to predict emerging food safety/security risks. The metal levels in mussels and clams from the same area allow environmental safety assessment and thus enable the evaluation of contaminants in both water column and sediment. Monitoring of elements that are not regulated may help in preserving food and environmental safety.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in foods from the Region of Valencia: Dietary exposure and risk assessment

Dietary exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) of the population in the Region of Valencia, Spain, was assessed. A group of 320 composite samples of different fatty foods was collected and analyzed, including the following: vegetable oils, and foods of animal origin such as (a) fish and seafood, (b) eggs, (c) milk and dairy products, and (d) meat and meat products. Two scenarios were assumed for left-censored results: lower-bound (LB) and upper-bound (UB). Vegetable oils, and fish and seafood presented the highest content of PBDEs [mean values of 503 and 464 pg g^-1 wet weight (ww) for total PBDEs, respectively, in the UB]. The dominating congeners were BDE47 in the food categories of fish and seafood, meat and meat products, and vegetable oils, and BDE99 in the categories of eggs, and milk and dairy products. The dietary exposure to PBDEs through consumption of the studied foods by the population in the Region of Valencia was estimated for adults (>15 years of age) and young people (6-15 years of age). Average intake levels (UB scenario) were 1.443 and 3.456 ng kg bw^-1 day^-1 for adults and young people, respectively. In a risk-assessment context, the margin of exposure (MOE) for congener BDE47, -99, -153, and -209 (ranged: 30-3E6) indicate that the current dietary exposure to these substances does not pose a risk to human health.

Occurrence and congener profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in green mussels (Perna viridis) collected from northern South China Sea and the associated potential health risk

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) contamination has become a major concern over the effects on human health. In the present study, we collected widely consumed green mussels (Perna viridis) samples from the northern South China Sea (NSCS) to investigate the occurrence, spatial distribution, congener profiles as well as potential risk of 18 PBDEs. All the target PBDEs were detected in green mussel samples, indicating their ubiquitous distribution. The concentrations of the total 18 PBDE_S (ΣPBDEs) in all samples varied from 6.96 to 55.6 ng/g lipid weight (lw), with BDE-47 and BDE-209 being the predominant PBDE congeners. Overall, the ΣPBDEs pollution in green mussels from NSCS was at a moderate to high level in comparison with the PBDEs pollution worldwide. The dietary exposure of the local population in South China to PBDEs via consuming green mussels was estimated to be 0.30-0.80 ng/kg body weight (bw)/day. Evaluation of the exposure risk for BDE-47, 99, 153 and 209 indicated that health risks due to green mussel consumption are substantially lower than the U.S. EPA minimum concern level.

Occurrence of hexabromocyclododecanes and tetrabromobisphenol A in fish and seafood from the sea of Sardinia - FAO 37.1.3 area: Their impact on human health within the European Union marine framework strategy directive

Levels of hexabromocyclododecane isomers α, β, γ, (HBCDDs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) were determined in 24 representative samples of different wild fish and seafood species (benthic: N = 16; pelagic: N = 8) and 16 samples of farmed bivalve molluscs from the West Mediterranean Sea (FAO 37, 1.3 sub-area). An LC-MS/MS-based method with limits of quantification (LOQS) in the range of 0.01-0.05 ng g^-1 fresh weight (fw) was utilized. While α HBCDD was found in 80% of the 24 wild species samples, β and γ congeners were found in 33% and 25%, respectively. ΣHBCDD content ranged from 0.03 (Aristeus antennatus) to 0.68 (Sardina pilchardus) ng g^-1 fw as Upper Bound values across 2.00-4.46 trophic levels. In farmed molluscs, HBCDD congeners were always present and ranged from 0.22-0.52 ng g^-1 fw, with the exception of one farm (1.23-2.06 ng g^-1 fw), whose values suggest the presence of a regular emission source. TBBP-A levels always fell below the LOQ of 0.05 ng g^-1 fw in all samples. The results are in good agreement with results of previous studies from the Mediterranean Sea. The Environmental Quality Standard for human health from fish and seafood local consumption was set at 165 μg g^-1 fw. The Margin of Exposure of 490,020 as the ratio between the considered Health Based Guidance Level of 0.79 mg kg^-1 body weight and the geo-referenced HBCDD intake (P95 fish and seafood intake; mean ΣHBCDD contamination) indicates no threat to food safety.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and alternative halogenated flame retardants in mollusks from the Chinese Bohai Sea: Levels and interspecific differences

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and alternative halogenated flame retardants (AHFRs) were measured in eleven mollusk species collected from the Chinese Bohai Sea. PBDEs and AHFRs were detected in all species, and their average total concentrations were in the range of 22.5-355 and 10.0-84.3 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE) were the dominant halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), contributing 22.5% to 73.6% and 3.1% to 38.3% of the total HFRs, respectively. The levels of PBDEs and AHFRs were moderate to high from a global perspective. Interspecific differences in the accumulation of PBDEs and AHFRs were characterized by heat map and cluster analysis. Composition profile differences were also observed, with higher proportions of AHFRs in gastropods than in bivalves. These species-specific differences in concentrations and profiles in mollusks were attributed to different species traits, including feeding habit, trophic level, and metabolic potential.

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis spp.) as sentinel organisms in coastal pollution monitoring: A review

The blue mussel (Mytilus spp.) is widely used as a bioindicator for monitoring of coastal water pollution (mussel watch programs). Herein we provide a review of this study field with emphasis on: the suitability of Mytilus spp. as environmental sentinels; uptake and bioaccumulation patterns of key pollutant classes; the use of Mytilus spp. in mussel watch programs; recent trends in Norwegian mussel monitoring; environmental quality standards and background concentrations of key contaminants; pollutant effect biomarkers; confounding factors; particulate contaminants (microplastics, engineered nanomaterials); climate change; harmonization of monitoring procedures; and the use of deployed mussels (transplant caging) in pollution monitoring. Lastly, the overall state of the art of blue mussel pollution monitoring is discussed and some important issues for future research and development are highlighted.

Evaluation of a QuEChERS-like extraction approach for the determination of PBDEs in mussels by immuno-assay-based screening methods

A sample preparation method was evaluated for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in mussel samples, by using colorimetric and electrochemical immunoassay-based screening methods. Herein, a rapid procedure based on QuEChERS-like extraction approach followed by solid phase purification was optimized for PBDE extraction from mussel samples. The detection limits for colorimetric and electrochemical immunoassays, calculated as BDE-47 equivalent concentration, were 0.6ngg^-1 and 1.1ngg^-1, respectively. Real mussel samples, including a Certified Reference Material (CRM), were analyzed. The samples were measured by colorimetric and electrochemical immunoassays as well as by GC-MS. In comparison to GC-MS results, 106% and 102% relative accuracy were obtained for the colorimetric and electrochemical immunoassays, respectively. The proposed method could be useful for massive environmental campaigns, being able to rapidly detect possible polluted seafood samples.