Monitoring of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Levels in Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Aquaculture Farms in Central Macedonia Region, Greece, Using Gas Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method.

Vassilios Tzamtzis,Constantina Grigoriou,Danae Costopoulou,Leondios Leondiadis,Irene Vassiliadou,Dimitrios Chrysafidis,Evangelos Bakeas

doi:10.3390/molecules26195953

Abstract

A new sensitive and selective gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method was developed for the analysis of 26 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including 16 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and 15 + 1 European Union (EU) PAHs, in mussel samples from aquaculture farms in Thermaikos and Strymonian Gulf, Central Macedonia Region, in three sampling periods. Concentrations were found at moderate to low values at all sampling sites, without exceeding maximum levels set by EU. Low molecular weight PAHs were predominant in all samples. Seasonal variation of the concentrations was observed; values were slightly higher in the winter period. Use of diagnostic ratios for potential sources of PAHs showed both petrogenic and pyrolitic origin. In comparison to other related studies of mussels from the Mediterranean Sea, Greek mussels cultivated in the studied gulfs are low in contaminants due to minimal environmental pollution effects. Low concentrations of PAHs are in compliance with the low values of other POPs which were found in the mussels.

Highlights

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large class of widespread organic compounds with two or more fused aromatic rings
The choice of the extraction of PAHs using liquid–liquid partition with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was based on various tests that were performed with a number of extraction techniques, such as Soxhlet extraction and sonication
Hexane and mixtures of hexane/dichloromethane were used for the extraction of PAH from mussel tissue, as they are the most common solvents used for this purpose in a number of studies

Summary

Introduction

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large class of widespread organic compounds with two or more fused aromatic rings. They are produced as a result of incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic matter through both anthropogenic and natural processes. PAHs are non-polar and highly lipophilic compounds, which after their emission into the environment are widely distributed in the air and in particulate matter, water, soil and sediments [1]. They are considered Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) by the European Environment Agency of European Commission [2]. The European Union (EU) recommends the monitoring of 15 + 1 PAHs which according to the Scientific Committee of Food (SCF) “show clear evidence of mutagenicity/genotoxicity in somatic cells in experimental animals in vivo and with the exception of benzo[g,h,i]perylene have shown clear carcinogenic effects in various types of bioassays in experimental animals” [4]

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