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González N, Souza MCO, Cezarette GN, Rocha BA, Devoz PP, Dos Santos LC, Barcelos GRM, Nadal M, Domingo JL, Barbosa F. Evaluation of exposure to multiple organic pollutants in riparian communities of the Brazilian Amazon: Screening levels and potential health risks. Sci Total Environ 2024; 908:168294. [PMID: 37924872 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Organic pollutants are widely distributed in the environment. Due to their physical and chemical characteristics, they tend to be biomagnified in food chains, mainly in aquatic organisms. Therefore, food consumption is a significant route of lifelong exposure. Although the Amazon River basin contains the highest freshwater biodiversity on Earth, there is scarce literature focusing on the levels of organic pollutants in the local population. The present study was aimed at assessing the levels of several environmental pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, bisphenols, parabens, and benzophenones) in urine samples from riverside communities along the Tapajós and Amazon Rivers in the Brazilian Amazon region. The results show a 100 % detection of naphthalene metabolites (namely, 1-hydroxy-naphthalene (1OH-NAP), 2-hydroxy-naphthalene (2OH-NAP)), with the highest levels belonging to benzylparaben (BzP) (17.3 ng/mL). Gender-specific analysis revealed that women had significantly higher levels of certain PAH metabolites (i.e., 1OH-NAP and 2-hydroxy-fluorene (2OH-FLU)) than men. In turn, most of the evaluated compounds were higher in urine samples from people living near the Amazon River, which presents increased traffic of boats and ships than the Tapajós River. On the other hand, the human health risk assessment suggested that all communities are at risk of suffering non-carcinogenic effects from exposure to PAHs. At the same time, they are also at risk of carcinogenic effects from exposure to benzo[a]pyrene metabolites. Thus, further studies are needed in order to evaluate the potential health effects of exposure to a mixture of these organic pollutants and other contaminants present in the area, such as mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neus González
- University of Sao Paulo, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, Analytical and System Toxicology Laboratory, Avenida do Cafe s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204 Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza
- University of Sao Paulo, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, Analytical and System Toxicology Laboratory, Avenida do Cafe s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Gabriel Neves Cezarette
- University of Sao Paulo, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, Analytical and System Toxicology Laboratory, Avenida do Cafe s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruno Alves Rocha
- University of Sao Paulo, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, Analytical and System Toxicology Laboratory, Avenida do Cafe s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Pícoli Devoz
- University of Sao Paulo, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, Analytical and System Toxicology Laboratory, Avenida do Cafe s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lucas Cassulatti Dos Santos
- University of Sao Paulo, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, Analytical and System Toxicology Laboratory, Avenida do Cafe s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Martí Nadal
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204 Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - José L Domingo
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Sant Llorenç 21, 43201 Reus, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), 43204 Reus, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Fernando Barbosa
- University of Sao Paulo, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirao Preto, Department of Clinical Analyses, Toxicology and Food Sciences, Analytical and System Toxicology Laboratory, Avenida do Cafe s/n°, 14040-903 Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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Sørmo E, Krahn KM, Flatabø GØ, Hartnik T, Arp HPH, Cornelissen G. Distribution of PAHs, PCBs, and PCDD/Fs in products from full-scale relevant pyrolysis of diverse contaminated organic waste. J Hazard Mater 2024; 461:132546. [PMID: 37769451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Biomass pyrolysis is the anoxic thermal conversion of biomass into a carbon rich, porous solid, often called biochar. This could be a better waste management alternative for contaminated organic wastes than incineration, due to the useful properties of biochar and potential for carbon sequestration. There are, however, concerns about the potential formation/destruction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs). Six organic wastes, including digested sewage sludges, wood wastes, and food waste reject, were pyrolyzed (500-800°C) in a full-scale relevant unit (1-5 kg biochar hr-1). Removal efficiencies for PCBs and PCDD/Fs were > 99% in the produced biochars. Biochar PAH-content (2.7-118 mgkg-1) was not significantly correlated to feedstock or temperature. PAHs (2563-8285 mgkg-1), PCBs (22-113 µgkg-1), and PCDD/Fs (1.8-50 ngTEQ kg-1) accumulated in the pyrolysis condensate, making this a hazardous waste best handled as a fuel for high temperature combustion. Emission concentrations for PAHs (0.22-421 µgNm-3) and PCDD/Fs (≤2.7 pgTEQ Nm-3) were mainly associated with particles and were below the European Union's waste incineration thresholds. Emission factors ranged from 0.0002 to 78 mg tonne-1 biochar for PAHs and 0.002-0.45 µgTEQ tonne-1 biochar for PCDD/Fs. PCDD/F-formation was negligible during high temperature (≥500 °C) biomass pyrolysis (69-90% net loss).
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Affiliation(s)
- Erlend Sørmo
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), 0484 Oslo, Norway; Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), 1430 Ås, Norway
| | | | - Gudny Øyre Flatabø
- VOW ASA, 1384 Asker, Norway; University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), 3918 Porsgrunn, Norway
| | - Thomas Hartnik
- Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Hans Peter H Arp
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), 0484 Oslo, Norway; Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Gerard Cornelissen
- Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), 0484 Oslo, Norway; Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), 1430 Ås, Norway.
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Ebinghaus R, Barbaro E, Bengtson Nash S, de Avila C, de Wit CA, Dulio V, Felden J, Franco A, Gandrass J, Grotti M, Herata H, Hughes KA, Jartun M, Joerss H, Kallenborn R, Koschorreck J, Küster A, Lohmann R, Wang Z, MacLeod M, Pugh R, Rauert C, Slobodnik J, Sühring R, Vorkamp K, Xie Z. Berlin statement on legacy and emerging contaminants in polar regions. Chemosphere 2023; 327:138530. [PMID: 37001758 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Polar regions should be given greater consideration with respect to the monitoring, risk assessment, and management of potentially harmful chemicals, consistent with requirements of the precautionary principle. Protecting the vulnerable polar environments requires (i) raising political and public awareness and (ii) restricting and preventing global emissions of harmful chemicals at their sources. The Berlin Statement is the outcome of an international workshop with representatives of the European Commission, the Arctic Council, the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), environmental specimen banks, and data centers, as well as scientists from various international research institutions. The statement addresses urgent chemical pollution issues in the polar regions and provides recommendations for improving screening, monitoring, risk assessment, research cooperation, and open data sharing to provide environmental policy makers and chemicals management decision-makers with relevant and reliable contaminant data to better protect the polar environments. The consensus reached at the workshop can be summarized in just two words: "Act now!" Specifically, "Act now!" to reduce the presence and impact of anthropogenic chemical pollution in polar regions by. •Establishing participatory co-development frameworks in a permanent multi-disciplinary platform for Arctic-Antarctic collaborations and establishing exchanges between the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) of the Arctic Council and the Antarctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AnMAP) of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to increase the visibility and exchange of contaminant data and to support the development of harmonized monitoring programs. •Integrating environmental specimen banking, innovative screening approaches and archiving systems, to provide opportunities for improved assessment of contaminants to protect polar regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Ebinghaus
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Germany.
| | - Elena Barbaro
- Institute of Polar Sciences, National Research Council, Italy
| | - Susan Bengtson Nash
- Griffith University, Centre of Planetary Health and Food Security, Australia
| | - Cristina de Avila
- European Commission, Safe and Sustainable Chemicals, DG Environment, Belgium
| | - Cynthia A de Wit
- Stockholm University, Department of Environmental Science, Sweden
| | | | - Janine Felden
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, PANGAEA, Germany
| | - Antonio Franco
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Juergen Gandrass
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Germany
| | - Marco Grotti
- University of Genova, Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, Italy
| | | | | | - Morten Jartun
- NIVA - Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Norway
| | - Hanna Joerss
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Germany
| | - Roland Kallenborn
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Sciences (KBM), Norwegian University of Life Science, Norway (NMBU), Norway; University of the Arctic Oulo, Finland
| | | | | | - Rainer Lohmann
- University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, USA
| | - Zhanyun Wang
- Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Technology and Society Laboratory, 9014, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Matthew MacLeod
- Stockholm University, Department of Environmental Science, Sweden
| | - Rebecca Pugh
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA
| | | | | | - Roxana Sühring
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Katrin Vorkamp
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Zhiyong Xie
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Environmental Chemistry, Germany
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Sartorius A, Cahoon M, Corbetta D, Grau-Roma L, Johnson MF, Sandoval Barron E, Smallman-Raynor M, Swift BMC, Yon L, Young S, Bennett M. Relationships between soil and badger elemental concentrations across a heterogeneously contaminated landscape. Sci Total Environ 2023; 869:161684. [PMID: 36690105 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the links between environmental and wildlife elemental concentrations is key to help assess ecosystem functions and the potential effects of legacy pollutants. In this study, livers from 448 European badgers (Meles meles) collected across the English Midlands were used to investigate the relationship between elemental concentrations in topsoils and wildlife. Mean soil sample concentrations within 2 km of each badger, determined using data from the British Geological Survey's 'Geochemical Baseline Survey of the Environment', were compared to badger liver elemental concentrations, focusing primarily on Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, K, Mn, Pb, Se, Zn. Generally, the badgers appeared to have elemental concentrations comparable with those published for other related animals, though Cu concentrations tended to be lower than expected. While there was no relationship between soil and badger liver concentrations for most biologically essential elements, biologically non-essential elements, specifically Pb, Cd, As, and Ag, were positively correlated between soil and badger livers. Lead and Cd, the elements with the strongest relationships between soils and badger livers, were primarily elevated in badgers collected in Derbyshire, a county with a millennia-long history of Pb mining and significant Pb and Cd soil pollution. Cadmium concentrations in badgers were also, on average, almost nine times higher than the local soil concentrations, likely due to Cd biomagnification in earthworms, a dietary staple of badgers. While badgers are good models for studying associations between soil and wildlife elemental concentrations, due to their diet, burrowing behaviours, and site fidelity, all flora and fauna local to human-modified environments could be exposed to and impacted by legacy pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Sartorius
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK.
| | - Molly Cahoon
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Davide Corbetta
- Farm Pathology and Companion Animal Pathology Departments, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Veterinary Pathology Service, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Llorenç Grau-Roma
- Farm Pathology and Companion Animal Pathology Departments, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, Veterinary Pathology Service, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK; Institute of Animal Pathology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Elsa Sandoval Barron
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | | | - Benjamin M C Swift
- The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Lisa Yon
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Scott Young
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
| | - Malcolm Bennett
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, UK
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Luarte T, Tucca F, Nimptsch J, Woelfl S, Casas G, Dachs J, Chiang G, Pozo K, Barra R, Galbán-Malagón C. Occurrence and air-water diffusive exchange legacy persistent organic pollutants in an oligotrophic north Patagonian lake. Environ Res 2022; 204:112042. [PMID: 34555404 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the occurrence and diffusive air-water exchange of POPs in Panguipulli Lake (39°42'S-72°13'W), an oligotrophic lake located in northern Patagonia (Chile), were determined. Air and water samples were collected between March and August 2017 (autumn-winter) and analyzed for concentrations of OCPs (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH and HCB) and PCBs (PCB-28,-52,-101,-118,-153,-158,-180) using gas chromatography coupled with an electron capture detector. The direction of air-water exchange direction was evaluated using a fugacity approach (ƒw ƒa-1), and net diffusive exchange fluxes (FAW, ng m-2 d-1) were also estimated. Total ∑4OCP levels in air ranged from 0.31 to 37 pg m-3, with a maximum for β-HCH, while Σ7PCB levels ranged from 3.05 to 43 pg m-3. The most abundant congener was PCB-153, accounting for 60% of the total PCBs in air. Surface water ∑4OCPs measured in this study ranged from 1.01 to 3.9 pg L-1, with γ-HCH predominating, while surface water Σ7PCB levels ranged from 0.32 to 24 pg L-1, with PCB-101, PCB-118, and PCB-153 presenting the highest levels. Diffusive air-water exchanges of HCB, α-HCH, γ-HCH and PCBs in the form of volatilization from the lake to air predominated; in contrast, for β-HCH net deposition dominated during the sampling period. Estimates suggested faster microbial degradation in the dissolved phase compared to atmospheric degradation for all analyzed POPs. Overall, these results could indicate that the oligotrophic lakes of northern Patagonia act as a secondary source of atmospheric POPs, mainly PCBs and some OCPs. This study is a first attempt to understand the occurrence of POPs in air and water, as well as their dynamics in oligotrophic lakes in the southern hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Luarte
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad Ciencias de La Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile; Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de La Conservación, Facultad Ciencias de La Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile; GEMA, Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide, 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile
| | - Felipe Tucca
- Instituto Tecnológico Del Salmón (INTESAL de SalmonChile), Av. Juan Soler Manfredini 41, Of. 1802, Puerto Montt, Chile.
| | - Jorge Nimptsch
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Casilla 567, Chile
| | - Stefan Woelfl
- Instituto de Ciencias Marinas y Limnológicas, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Casilla 567, Chile
| | - Gemma Casas
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Dachs
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gustavo Chiang
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad Ciencias de La Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Karla Pozo
- RECETOX, Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic; Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, Concepción, Bío Bío, Chile
| | - Ricardo Barra
- Departamento de Sistemas Acuáticos, Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales y Centro EULA, Universidad de Concepción, 4070386, Chile
| | - Cristóbal Galbán-Malagón
- GEMA, Center for Genomics, Ecology & Environment, Universidad Mayor, Camino La Pirámide, 5750, Huechuraba, Santiago, Chile.
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Johnson JH, Bonds JM, Parnell AM, Bright CM. Coronavirus Vaccine Distribution: Moving to a Race Conscious Approach for a Racially Disparate Problem. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2021; 8:799-802. [PMID: 33948908 PMCID: PMC8095217 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-021-01051-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Strikingly ignoring the critical impact of systemic racism in vulnerabilities to the deadly coronavirus, phase one of the vaccine rollout is not reaching the Black population that has suffered the most from COVID. An urgent need exists for a race-conscious approach that ensures equitable opportunities to both access and receive the vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H Johnson
- Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jeanne Milliken Bonds
- Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Allan M Parnell
- Cedar Grove Institute for Sustainable Communities, 619 Lee Street, Mebane, NC, 27302, USA
| | - Cedric M Bright
- Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27829, USA.
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Souza JS, Pacyna-Kuchta AD, Teixeira da Cunha LS, Costa ES, Niedzielski P, Machado Torres JP. Interspecific and intraspecific variation in organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls using non-destructive samples from Pygoscelis penguins. Environ Pollut 2021; 275:116590. [PMID: 33582630 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As humans are present in Antarctica only for scientific and tourism-related purposes, it is often described as a pristine region. However, studies have identified measurable levels of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), such as organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in the Antarctic region. These are highly toxic anthropogenic compounds with tendency to travel long distances and reach remote environments, where they can bioaccumulate in the biota. Penguins are exposed to POPs mainly through their diet, which they partially eliminate via feathers. Species of the genus Pygoscelis occur around Antarctic continent and its surrounding regions, and can act as indicators of contaminants that reach the continent. Here, we report OCP and PCB levels in feathers of male and female penguins of P. adeliae, P. antarcticus and P. papua from King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. Interspecific, sex- and body-size-related differences were investigated in the contamination profiles of PCBs and OCPs. Feather samples were collected from adult penguins (n = 41). Quantification of compounds was performed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The three Pygoscelis species presented similar contamination profiles, with higher concentrations of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (∑DDT; 1.56-3.82 ng g-1 dw), lighter PCB congeners (∑PCB: 11.81-18.65 ng g-1 dw) and HCB (hexachlorobenzene: 1.65-4.06 ng g-1 dw). Amongst the three penguin species, P. antarcticus had lower and P. papua higher concentrations of most of the compounds identified. We found interspecific differences in POPs accumulation as well as sex differences in POP concentrations. Our data indicate a small but significant positive correlation between body size and the concentrations of some compounds. Despite the overall low concentrations found, this study increases knowledge of the occurrence of POPs in Antarctic penguins, thereby reinforcing concerns that Antarctica, although remote and perceived to be protected, is not free from the impact of anthropogenic pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana Silva Souza
- Laboratório de Radioisótopos Eduardo Penna Franca e de Micropoluentes Jan Japenga, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, CCS, Bloco G, Sala G0-61, CEP 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Aneta Dorota Pacyna-Kuchta
- Department of Colloid and Lipid Science, Faculty of Chemistry, Gdańsk University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza Street, 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Larissa Schmauder Teixeira da Cunha
- Laboratório de Radioisótopos Eduardo Penna Franca e de Micropoluentes Jan Japenga, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, CCS, Bloco G, Sala G0-61, CEP 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Erli Schneider Costa
- Mestrado Profissional em Ambiente e Sustentabilidade, Universidade Estadual do Rio Grande do Sul. Unidade Universitária Hortênsias. Rua Assis Brasil, 842 - Centro., CEP: 95400-000, São Francisco de Paula, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Przemysław Niedzielski
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University, Ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 8, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - João Paulo Machado Torres
- Laboratório de Radioisótopos Eduardo Penna Franca e de Micropoluentes Jan Japenga, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, CCS, Bloco G, Sala G0-61, CEP 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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