Multiclass analysis of emerging organic contaminants in tropical marine biota using improved QuEChERS extraction followed by LC MS/MS

Tracing the influence of seasonal variation on bioaccumulation and trophodynamics of phthalate esters (PAEs) in marine food web: A case study in Bohai Bay, North China

The ubiquity of phthalate esters (PAEs) leads to public concerns about the safety of seafood consumption. However, their bioaccumulation and trophodynamics in marine food webs remain unclear, especially in different seasons. Herein, we collected 18 species (n = 135) in summer and 17 species (n = 146) in winter from Bohai Bay (BHB). ∑6PAEs in organisms in summer were significantly higher than those in winter. Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the predominant PAE with a mean of 1112 ng·g-1 lipid weight (lw) and 375 ng·g-1 lw in summer and winter, respectively. The bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) of DEHP in summer were significantly higher than those in winter. A parabolic relationship was found between log Kow and log BAFlw or BSAFlw of PAEs. Food webs in two seasons were constructed based on the δ15N of each organism. Except for diethyl phthalate (DEP), other PAEs underwent biodilution and the biodilution of these PAEs was more obvious in summer compared to winter. Non-carcinogenic risks of 6 PAEs were negligible, but DEHP could pose incremental lifetime carcinogenic risks in some marine samples, especially in summer. This study provides insights into the seasonal variation of bioaccumulation and trophodynamics of PAEs.

Trends in extraction techniques for the determination of organic micropollutants in liver tissues of vertebrates

Determining organic micropollutants in liver samples of apex species is of foremost importance for biomonitoring studies, as it can provide evidence of environmental pollution and exposure of living organisms to chemicals. This review aims to provide a 4-year overview and summarize the trends in the extraction methodologies to determine both polar and non-polar organic micropollutants in liver samples from organisms of higher trophic levels. The dominant extraction techniques including ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), Soxhlet, and QuEChERS, as well as additional steps and/or modifications applied in the reviewed studies, are presented and critically discussed. The latest trends in these methods as well as a comparison between them considering elapsed time, robustness, cost, and environmental fingerprint are also provided.