Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is subjected to a high anthropic pressure, which determines direct or indirect discharges of persistent organic pollutants deriving from intensive industrial activities. These compounds could easily enter and contaminate the whole marine compartment, with possible transfers (and contamination) among water, sediment and biota. Based on the above-mentioned assumptions, in this work we studied the presence of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 14 dioxin and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the neritic protected marine area of the Southern Ligurian Sea, affected by the impact of human activities. The study was focused on the possible partition of micropollutants within seawater, sediment and zooplankton. Results showed that both seasonal and anthropic causes strongly affect contaminant transfer behaviors, with summertime periods more impacted by PAH and PCB contamination. Regarding the PAH contamination, low molecular weight congeners were mainly detected in the target matrices, revealing concentrations up to 1 µg/L in seawater (anthracene), 250 µg/Kg in sediments (benzo[b]fluoranthene) and 2.3 mg/Kg in carnivorous copepods. Concerning PCBs, only few congeners were detected in the matrices studied. To better understand the occurrence of preferential bioaccumulation pathways in zooplankton, partition studies were also performed in several taxa (hyperbenthic Isopoda, holoplanktonic crustacean copepods and ichthyoplankton) through the calculation of BAF values, observing that both living and feeding habits could influence the bioaccumulation process.
Highlights
Neritic environments are peculiar marine areas acting as interface between the atmosphere, the sea and the continental masses [1]
Based on the above-mentioned assumptions, in this work we studied the presence of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 14 dioxin and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the neritic protected marine area of the Southern Ligurian Sea, affected by the impact of human activities
To verify the effectiveness of the analytical methods developed for the analysis of PAH and PCB occurrence and partition in water, sediment and biota, extraction yields, methods detection (MDL) and quantitation limits (MQL) were assessed
Summary
Neritic environments are peculiar marine areas acting as interface between the atmosphere, the sea and the continental masses [1]. Due to their proximity to land and to sunlight infiltration, they are rich in nutrients and, in biologic activities, showing a remarkable biodiversity and biomass of algae, seagrasses and animal organisms inhabiting the coastal ecosystems. Zooplankton plays a critical ecological role in marine food webs, both in the neritic and pelagic ecosystems, since it is involved in the conservation of energy from primary producers (phytoplankton) to higher trophic levels [3], in biogeochemistry cycles and in supporting the ocean’s biological pump of carbon export. An alteration of this category, i.e., through chemical contaminations, can lead to disruptions up to the highest trophic levels
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
