Legacy and Emerging Contaminants in Demersal Fish Species from Southern Norway and Implications for Food Safety.

Marco Parolini,Giacomo Mosconi,Trond Rafoss,Sara Panseri,Francesco Arioli,Federico Håland Gaeta,Maria Nobile,Luca Maria Chiesa,Beatrice De Felice,Federica Ceriani

doi:10.3390/foods9081108

Abstract

The present study aimed at measuring the levels of legacy and emerging contaminants in fillet samples from four demersal fish caught in two fishing sites from Southern Norway, in order to assess possible implications for food safety. Levels of organochlorine compounds (OCs), organophosphate pesticides (OPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDE), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in fillet from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), lemon sole (Microstomus kitt), and European flounder (Platichthys flesus) specimens. A negligible contamination by all the investigated chemicals was noted in both the fishing sites, as very low levels of OCs, PCBs, and PFASs were noted in a limited number of individuals for each species. Considering the levels of contaminants measured in fillets of the four demersal fish species, negligible risk for human health for Norwegian consumers can be supposed.

Highlights

The release of both legacy and emerging contaminants represents a serious concern for marine ecosystems
Our results showed that the contamination by halogenated compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fillets from four demersal fish species caught in Southern Norway was negligible
These results agreed with those from a previous study reporting that no organophosphate pesticides (OPs) and polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDE) were accumulated in soft tissues of blue mussels caged in five locations within the Flekkefjord fjord over a six-month period in 2018 [27]

Summary

Introduction

The release of both legacy and emerging contaminants represents a serious concern for marine ecosystems. The presence and distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine compounds (OCs) and organophosphate pesticides (OPs), as well as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is considered an alarming environmental threat because of their persistence, capability to bioaccumulate, and toxicity [1]. All these organic contaminants can be accumulated over the trophic chain, resulting in high concentrations and more dangerous adverse effects towards top predators, including humans [1,2,3].

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion