Non-target analysis of organohalogenated contaminants in deep-sea fishes from the Mediterranean Sea by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Comprehensive Screening of Anthropogenic and Natural Organohalogen Compounds in 11 Species of Toothed Whales Stranded along Japanese Coasts: Species-Specific Accumulation Profiles and Potential Indicators for Understanding Their Habitats

Comprehensive screening studies have revealed the accumulation of a large number of routinely unmonitored organohalogen compounds (OHCs) in cetaceans. However, these previous studies targeted only a limited number of whale species. In this study, we conducted screening and quantitative analyses to comprehensively identify OHCs accumulated in 48 adult male blubber samples of 11 whale species and to elucidate species-specific accumulation profiles. A total of 313 OHCs were detected in the blubber samples. Quantification and semiquantification results for anthropogenic OHCs and halogenated natural products (HNPs) showed compound- and species-specific accumulation patterns. Polychlorinated terphenyls and Cl5-7-substituted homologues of dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylenes accumulated significantly in coastal cetaceans, whereas hexachlorocyclohexanes and hexachlorobenzene were more prominent in cold-water species, suggesting the influence of the mobility of these compounds from coastal sources. In addition, cluster analysis revealed specific HNP accumulation profiles for different habitats. Therefore, the HNP accumulation profile in each species can be a useful indicator of their habitat and migration patterns as the profile may reflect interspecies differences in exposure associated with their habitat-specific preys.

Persistent and Bioaccumulative Halogenated Natural Products in Various Tropical Reef Fish Species from the Seychelles, Western Indian Ocean

Gas chromatography with electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry (GC/ECNI-MS) was used to quantify and compare halogenated natural products (HNPs) and selected anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in individual samples of 17 fish species from the Seychelles (Western Indian Ocean). The sum-HNP amounts (9.5-1100 ng/g lipid mass (lm)) were between 1 and 2 orders of magnitude higher than those of the sum of seven abundant polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (0.2-15 ng/g lm) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane-related compounds (DDTs) (<1.1-43 ng/g lm). Within the group of HNPs, the two tetrabrominated phenoxyanisoles (aka methoxylated diphenyl ethers, MeO-BDEs), 2'-MeO-BDE 68 ≫ 6-MeO-BDE 47, were predominant in most cases. Pearson correlation analysis showed that MeO-BDE levels were positively correlated with less abundant HNPs (2,2'-diMeO-BB 80, 2',6-diMeO-BDE 68, and Br6-DBP) (p < 0.01). Accordingly, HNPs, rather than PCBs and DDTs, were the predominant polyhalogenated contaminants in the current species.

Organic contaminants levels, distribution and risk assessment in Jeddah marine coastal zone sediments

Herein, various organic contaminants were determined in surface sediments collected from the Jeddah coastal zone, Saudi Arabia, to assess their levels, origin and probable toxic effects on marine organisms. High hydrocarbons concentrations, indicative of an enhanced pollutant burden, were recorded in the Jeddah Lagoon (mean value 4100 mg/kg for total aliphatic hydrocarbons (∑AHC) and 5800 μg/kg for total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (∑PAH)), whereas mean values in Mena Jeddah were 258 mg/kg for ∑AHC and 615 μg/kg for ∑PAH. By using molecular diagnostic ratios/indices and applying Positive Matrix Factorization, petroleum related pollution seems to predominate in Jeddah lagoons, whereas carcinogenic contaminants of pyrolytic origin were dominant in Mena Jedda. Additionally, municipal wastewaters were identified as a major source of pollution in Jeddah lagoons. Comparison of the concentrations of individual PAHs and polychlorinated biphenyls with sediment quality guidelines indicates that, despite their high total values, adverse biological effects are unlikely to occur.