POP levels in blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) and edible fish from the eastern Mediterranean coast

Abundance, Size Structure, and Growth of the Invasive Blue Crab Callinectes sapidus in the Lesina Lagoon, Southern Adriatic Sea

The fishery biology of the invasive Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus in the Mediterranean Sea outside the eastern sectors of the basin has been only recently investigated. Here we studied the population of C. sapidus in the Lesina Lagoon (Adriatic Sea, SE Italy). In total, 838 crabs were captured monthly between February 2021 and January 2022 using fyke nets. Abundances varied seasonally with catches per unit effort ranging between 0 and 1.76 crabs fyke nets-1 d-1 in winter and summer. Spatial abundances estimated in summer by a Carle-Strub procedure ranged between 0.06 and 0.64 crabs m-2. The sex ratio (♂/♀) was close to 1:1; males prevailed only in August and September; ovigerous females occurred from April to August. The males' size at morphological maturity was smaller than females (110.6-112.3 mm vs. 122.1-123.1 mm). Seasonal von Bertalanffy growth parameters indicated that, compared with males, females showed a shorter maximum lifespan (5 vs. 8 years), a higher growth coefficient K (0.6 vs. 0.4 y-1) and growth performance index Ф' (4.6 vs. 4.3), while maximum sizes CW∞ (237.8 vs. 232.6 mm) and seasonality indices C (0.62 vs. 0.57) were similar. Furthermore, females showed higher natural and fishing mortalities and exploitation rate. We discussed the results of the present study in the context of the available literature to provide a valuable basis for the implementation of standardized Mediterranean-scale management plans, matching exploitation of C. sapidus with sustainable conservation of coastal ecosystems.

When Nature Requires a Resource to Be Used-The Case of Callinectes sapidus: Distribution, Aggregation Patterns, and Spatial Structure in Northwest Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and Adjacent Waters

The Atlantic blue crab Callinectes sapidus, which is native to the western Atlantic coast and listed among the 100 most invasive alien species in the Mediterranean Sea, is attracting a great deal of interest because of its rapid colonisation of new areas, the significant increase in its population, and the impacts it may have on ecosystems and ecosystem services. Outside its natural distribution range, the species was first found on European Atlantic coasts in the early 1900s and was introduced into the Mediterranean Sea a few decades later, probably through ballast water. Currently, it is found in almost the entire Mediterranean Basin and is also expanding into the Black Sea and along the north African and Iberian Atlantic coasts. Based on a systematic review of C. sapidus occurrences, this study describes its distribution, aggregation patterns, and spatial structure in Northwest Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, and adjacent waters through a series of ecological indicators elaborated using GIS spatial-temporal statistics. The main results highlight that the species is expanding in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters, while in northern Europe, the population remains confined in some areas. Furthermore, the main species detection methods are analysed, finding that traps and nets are the most frequently used methods, and management suggestions are provided.

Compatibility of cloud point extraction with gas chromatography: Matrix effects of Triton X-100 on GC-MS and GC-MS/MS analysis of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides

Cloud point extraction is an environmentally benign and simple separation/concentration procedure that can be regarded as an alternative to classical liquid-liquid extraction. In the current work, it was studied the compatibility of cloud point extraction followed by back-extraction in low volume of organic solvent with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS and GC-MS/MS). Triton X-100 was preferred than Triton X-114 as a surfactant to produce the clouding phenomenon and hexane or isooctane was found to be appropriate organic solvents which can be used at the back-extraction step. It was observed that ca. 0.09 % w/w Triton X-100 was co-extracted in the organic phase (hexane or isooctane) so further study was carried out to find out its effect on the GC-MS (GC-MS/MS) measurement when liquid samples are injected without any pre-cleaning to remove the surfactant. The chromatographic separation and the mass detection were not deteriorated by the concomitant Triton X-100 for analysis of several Organochlorine and Organophosphorus pesticides (alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, Pentachlorobenzene, Hexachlorobenzene, Chlorpyrifos, Chlorpyrifos-methyl, Aldrin, Endrin, Dieldrin, alpha-Endosulfan, Heptachlor, Heptachlor-endo-epoxide-A, o,p-DDD, p,p-DDD, o,p-DDE, p,p-DDE, o,p-DDT and p,p-DDT). The stability of the GC system when introducing surfactant was assessed as acceptable (typically the peak area RSD% for 20 consecutive injections were below 5 %). Under the developed vaporization conditions using PTV or PSS injectors it can be deduced that Triton X-100 is deposited on the inner surface of the liner. This effect is beneficial since the resulting surfactant layer makes a surface which facilitates the pesticides transfer to the GC column. As a consequence, for some analytes, a substantial enhancement (up to 2.3 times) in the sensitivity was observed when the matrix-matched medium (0.09 % w/w Triton X-100 in organic solvent) is used compared to calibration in solely hexane or isooctane. Meanwhile, the measurement precision in the presence of Triton X-100 remains unchanged. The GC-MS/MS analysis was alternatively accomplished by the use of glass or metal liner and it was found that the glass one should be preferable. Finally, it can be concluded that cloud point extraction with Triton X-100 can be combined with GC-MS or GC-MS/MS analysis by applying liquid injection of the target analytes transferred in organic solvents such as hexane or isooctane. We have established a positive effect of Triton X-100 on the instrumental performance which is on opposite to the generally accepted concern of the negative influence of the surfactants on the gas chromatographic analysis.

Air monitoring of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in Bursa Türkiye: Levels, temporal trends and risk assessment

Monitoring concentration levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is required to evaluate the effectiveness of international regulations to minimize the emissions of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) into the environment. In this manner, we evaluated the spatial and temporal variations of 22 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) using polyurethane foam passive air samplers at ten stations in Bursa in 2017 and 2018. The highest concentration value for Σ22OCPs was detected in Ağaköy (775 pg/m3) and Demirtaş (678 pg/m3) sampling sites, while the lowest value was observed in Uludağ University Campus (UUC, 284 pg/m3) site. HCB, γ-HCH, Endo I, and Mirex were the most frequently detected OCPs, which shows their persistence. Diagnostic ratios of β-/(α + γ)-HCH have pointed to historical and possible illegal OCP usage in the study area. The seasonality of air concentrations (with spring and summer concentrations higher than winter and autumn concentrations) was well exhibited by α-HCH, β-HCH, ɣ-HCH, HCB, Endo I, and Mirex but not aldrin, dieldrin, and α-chlordane (CC). Levels of OCPs detected in ambient air in the current study were relatively similar to or lower than those reported in previous studies conducted in Türkiye. Back trajectory analysis was applied to identify the possible sources of OCPs detected in the sampling regions. The Clausius-Clapeyron approach was used to investigate the temperature dependence of OCP gas-phase atmospheric concentrations. The data showed that long-range atmospheric transport affects ambient air OCP concentrations in the study area.

An insights of organochlorine pesticides categories, properties, eco-toxicity and new developments in bioremediation process

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) have been used in agriculture, increasing crop yields and representing a serious and persistent global contaminant that is harmful to the environment and human health. OCPs are typically bioaccumulative and persistent chemicals that can spread over long distances. The challenge is to reduce the impacts caused by OCPs, which can be achieved by treating OCPs in an appropriate soil and water environment. Therefore, this report summarizes the process of bioremediation with commercially available OCPs, considering their types, impacts, and characteristics in soil and water sources. The methods explained in this report were considered to be an effective and environmentally friendly technique because they result in the complete transformation of OCPs into a non-toxic end product. This report suggests that the bioremediation process can overcome the challenges and limitations of physical and chemical treatment for OCP removal. Advanced methods such as biosurfactants and genetically modified strains can be used to promote bioremediation of OCPs.

Organohalogenated Substances and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Fish from Mediterranean Sea and North Italian Lakes: Related Risk for the Italian Consumers

The primary source of persistent organic pollutant (POP) exposure is food, especially fish. European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) are among the most eaten sea fish in Italy. Fish from lakes in Northern Italy, such as agone (Alosa agone), represent niche consumption for most people, but possibly constitute a much larger percentage of overall consumption volume for local residents. This study dealt with the presence of POPs in the above-mentioned fish species via GC-MS/MS analysis. None of the analytes for which maximum limits are in place showed concentrations above those limits. Moreover, none of the substances without maximum limits exceeded the provisional tolerable daily intake (PTDI) when given, nor did they exceed the more general values considered safe, even for 99th percentile consumers.

Assessment of persistent organic pollutants in surface sediments along Lebanese coastal zone

The levels of some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) along the Lebanese coastal zone (LCZ) were assessed by collecting15 surface sediments from five hotspot stations. Such stations were influenced by various industrial units, riverine input, and touristic activities. The levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (∑16PAHs), their methylated derivatives (∑18Me-PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (∑28PCBs) were in the range of 537-3773 μg∙kg^-1 dw, 187-1541 μg∙kg^-1 dw, and 143-303 μg∙kg^-1 dw respectively. Significant contamination was found at Beirut Port that is surrounded by a densely populated area and is subjected to multidisciplinary activities. Source identification of PAHs was confirmed by using the diagnostic ratio of PAHs with low molecular weight and high molecular weight (LMW/HMW). For PCBs, LCZ is polluted by higher chlorinated congeners with 4 to 9 chlorinated atoms generated from volatilization and combustion processes. Toxicity and biological risks were assessed using toxic equivalent quantity (TEQcarc) and sediment quality guideline quotient (SQGq).

A review of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in Lebanon: Environmental and human contaminants

The country of Lebanon banned organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 1982 and 1997, respectively, and adopted the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in 2003. Compliance with the Stockholm Convention began immediately, and research related to POPs in Lebanon had already been completed. A National Implementation Plan for POPs was formulated and updated several times, and includes a national inventory of PCBs that were mainly detected in insulating oils and equipment in power stations. High levels of PCBs have also been detected in sediments from the Port of Tripoli, the second major sea port in Lebanon. High levels of OCPs, which are illegally smuggled into Lebanon and improperly handled and used by farmers, have been detected in underground and surface waters for many years. There have also been human biomonitoring studies of PCBs and OCPs; for example, in 1999, measurable amounts of DDE were found in breast milk, and a 2018 study reported measurable amounts of PCBs and OCPs in human serum. While these levels were well below concentrations observed in other countries, they were slightly higher than the levels observed by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This review provides an overview of the available PCB and OCP data from Lebanon between 1999 and 2017. In total, 12 studies of PCBs and OCPs in environmental samples, human serum samples, and human milk samples are included in this review, and the results of these studies are compared in terms of geography and chronology.

Evaluation of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs and PBDEs in sperm whales from the Mediterranean Sea

Numerous studies to date have reported concentrations of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in different marine mammal species worldwide. Yet data on sperm whales are scarce from rich and unique biodiverse areas such as the Mediterranean Sea. This work aimed to assess levels of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) in blubber of sperm whales stranded along the Italian coast between 2008 and 2016. POP mean concentrations (dl-PCBs: 6410 ng/g l.w.; PBDEs: 612 ng/g l.w.; PCDD/Fs: 57.8 pg/g l.w.) were mostly in line with what has been previously reported on the same species in the Mediterranean environment and tended to be higher than those reported from other geographical regions. The relative abundance followed the order dl-PCBs > PBDEs ≫ PCDD/Fs. Interestingly, the non-ortho dl-PCB pattern (126 > 169 > 77) was similar to that described in other studies worldwide and different from what is described in its main prey. This could be linked to particular metabolic activities in sperm whales against these highly toxic contaminants. Total TEQs ranged from 275 to 987 pg/g l.w. and showed the pattern Σnon-ortho-dl-PCBs > Σortho-dl-PCBs > PCDDs > PCDFs, with PCBs' contribution about 96%. These findings highlight the high abundance of PCBs still found in the Mediterranean environment despite having been banned for decades. All sperm whales analyzed in this study surpassed the threshold of 210 pg WHO-TEQ/g l.w. proposed as starting point of immunosuppression in harbour seals; a level of contamination that may have contributed to an impairment of their immune system.

Levels, distribution, and ecological risk of organochlorines in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) and annular sea bream (Diplodus annularis) from the Gulf of Izmir, Eastern Aegean, in 2009-2012

Organochlorine (OCs) concentrations were measured in two fish species, Mullus barbatus and Diplodus annularis, collected from Izmir Gulf during 2009-2012 in order to explain the status of these contaminants in edible fish. No data is available on the levels of organochlorines in marine organism from Izmir Gulf. In both fish species from the study area, Aroclors were determined in higher concentrations than organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Maximum concentrations of OCPs and PCBs measured in the edible part of D. annularis were 45-165 and 530-1591 ng g^-1 lipid weight (lw), respectively. DDTs (sum of DDT and metabolites) and cyclodienes ranged from 4-56 to 16-110 ng g^-1 lw, respectively. The levels of DDTs measured in the present study were generally comparable or lower than those found in studies from other Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean regions. The potential risks for fish consumers were assessed. Although the estimated daily intake (EDI) for DDTs, heptachlor, and drins through the sampled fish species by Izmir inhabitants was quite lower than the ADI (acceptable daily intake) established by the FAO/WHO, EDI for Aroclor 1254 was close to the ADI value of 20 ng g^-1 recommended by the IPCS (2000).