Organochlorine Pesticides (OCPs) in raft mussels coming from Galician rías

Environmental organic contaminant body burdens and GC-MS based untargeted metabolomics in mediterranean mussels from Port Phillip Bay, Australia☆

Mussels were collected from four coastal sites around Port Phillip Bay, Australia in Mar and Apr 2021). Body burdens of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were measured and the possible sources of toxicants discussed. In addition, a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) based untargeted metabolomics analysis was performed using the mantle tissues of mussels. Correlations between the results of contaminant body burdens and metabolic variations were investigated. The results demonstrated that high accumulations of low-molecular-weight PAHs were found in mussels. High body burdens of PCBs and OCPs were only found at mussels from the site close to the river mouth. Some of the metabolic pathways were correlated with the accumulation of PAHs. No correlations were found between PCB and OCP accumulations and metabolic abundances. According to the food and environmental standards of the European Union (EU), the PAH, PCB, and OCP accumulation in mussels in this study are a serious food safety concern.

Occurrence and source apportionment of organic pollutants in deep sediment cores of the Venice Lagoon

In this study, recent and aged inputs of five classes of organic contaminants (i.e. PCBs, OCPs, PCDD/Fs, PAHs, and n-Alkanes) were evaluated in eight deep sediment cores of the Venice Lagoon, collected along the path of a new waterway whose excavation is under evaluation by local authorities, to assess the environmental quality status of the area. Diagnostic indices were calculated for identifying pollutant distribution patterns and their major emission sources, whose relative contribution was quantified by a Positive Matrix Factorization source apportionment model. Sedimentary depth profiles highlighted higher contamination in the top layer, mainly related to ship traffic combustion and vehicular/industrial emissions from the mainland. Nevertheless, a significant level of pollution has been detected also in the deeper layers, probably due to the transport of particulate matter through the aquifers underlying the lagoon seabed. The results underlined the threat posed by the possible resuspension of pollutants in the water column during contaminated sediment dredging.

Occurrence and dietary exposure of organochlorine pesticides in common carp obtained from integrated production systems

The aim of this study was to determine the level of the organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in meat, liver and skin of common carp. Fish were collected in spring and in autumn from fishpond that receives purified water from slaughterhouse. OCPs, including α-HCH, β-HCH, δ-HCH, lindane, heptachlor, aldrin, heptachlor epoxide, trans-chlordane, cis-chlordane, endosulfan I, DDE, dieldrin, endrin, DDD, endosulfan II, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), endosulfan sulphate, methoxychlor, and endrin ketone, were determined by using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. OCPs were present at low concentrations and only aldrin was detected in all examined tissues. The estimated daily intake for OCPs via common carp from integrated system of production was at the lower level compared with the acceptable daily intake recommended by different organisations, showing no significant risk on consumers.

Seasonal variations of multi-biomarker responses to metals and pesticides pollution in M. galloprovincialis and T. decussatus from Homa Lagoon, Eastern Aegean Sea

Biomarkers (CAT, SOD, GPx, and AChE) were investigated in hepatopancreas and soft tissues of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and clams (Tapes decussatus) in response to metal and pesticide pollutions in Homa Lagoon. Mussel and clam samples were seasonally collected in January, May, August and November 2015. According to the results, higher metal concentrations determined in the soft tissues of both species in January. Hepatopancreas was found to accumulate higher levels of metals than soft tissue. Metal deposition potential in clams were higher than mussels. Pesticide levels were below detection limits in clams. In mussels, only 4,4'-DDE was detected in soft tissues and hepatopancreas in November. Highest AChE, CAT, SOD and GPx activities in mussels were determined in January. On the other hand, maximum AChE and CAT activities in clams were found in November. Seasonal variations of metals and biomarker levels might be related to species-specific physiology and environmental conditions.

Assessing chemical contamination in the coastal waters of the Adriatic Sea using active mussel biomonitoring with Mytilus galloprovincialis

The MYTIAD project focused on the assessment of chemical contamination (metals, PAHs, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides) in the Adriatic coastal waters by active mussel watching. Its purpose was harmonising and standardising strategies and methodologies used to assess the contamination status of the Adriatic Sea, in the framework of the WFD, the MSFD and UNEP/MAP Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme. Data on metals pointed out some hotspots along the eastern and western Adriatic Sea coasts, with the highest values of total PAH concentration detected in Split, Trieste, and Taranto (Ionian Sea). PCB and endrin contamination was higher in the Adriatic Sea than in the western Mediterranean Sea. This is the first comprehensive overview of contamination in the Adriatic Sea with critical comparisons of related studies over the Mediterranean Sea. It provides a useful harmonised dataset to support a coordinated definition of baselines, targets and thresholds, and further management of chemical contamination.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-P-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBS) in bivalve mollusk from Galician Rías (N. W., SPAIN)

The concentrations of PCDD/Fs (2,3,7,8-chlorosubstituted) and three dioxin-like PCBs (PCB 77, PCB 126 and PCB169) were analyzed in bivalve mollusk collected in several Galician Rías between 2006 and 2014. Levels of Total PCDD/Fs ranged from 0.03 to 0.62 pg WHO-TEQ g^-1 wet weight. Total dl-PCBs values were higher than Total PCDD/Fs and ranged from 0.01 to 2.11 pg WHO-TEQ g^-1 wet weight. These concentrations were below those considered safe for human consumption. The PCDD/Fs profile was dominated by 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 2,3,7,8-TCDF with a percentage of 24.95 and 23.87 of the Total PCDD/Fs, respectively. In relation to Total dl-PCBs, CB126 was the priority congener with the highest TEF value (0.1). Principal component analysis (PCAs) indicated a clear separation between the northern (Rías de Ferrol and Coruña) and southern Rías (Ría de Pontevedra and Vigo). The northern Rías were the highest contaminated one. Temporal trends showed important reduction rates suggesting that the regulations on dioxin like contaminants have been effective for quality waters in Galician Rías.