PCB Levels Research Articles

Temporal trends and spatial distribution of PCDD, PCDF, and PCB in pine and spruce shoots

In Germany, there is a lack of consistent and comparable data for the time dependent behaviour and spatial distribution of dioxin-like and indicator PCB in ambient air, deposition and plants. The aim of this study was to improve the data on PCDD/PCDF, dioxin-like PCB and non dioxin-like PCB in spruce and pine shoots from different locations and years by retrospective monitoring. The survey was conducted with archived samples of one-year old spruce shoots (Picea abies) and pine shoots (Pinus sylvestris) from the German environmental specimen bank. Two sets of samples from locations in urbanized areas in western and eastern Germany (Warndt and Duebener Heide Mitte, respectively) were investigated as time series. Additionally, spruce shoots from seven different rural locations sampled in the years 2000-2004 were analyzed in order to get an overview about the spatial distribution of PCB and PCDD/PCDF. The analytical results of the samples from the two urbanized areas clearly show that the atmospheric contamination with PCDD and PCDF has declined by about 75% between 1985 and 1997 at Warndt and about 40% between 1991 and 1997 at Duebener Heide. However, concentrations stayed virtually constant at both locations from 1997 to 2004 at a level of about 1 ng WHO-TEQ/kg dry matter (d.m.). Similarly, the investigation of spruce shoots from rural locations from 2000 to 2004 did not reveal a temporal trend at any site. PCDD/PCDF levels were between 0.1 and 1.0 ng WHO-TEQ/kg d.m. At the urbanized location Warndt the six indicator PCB as well as the 12 dioxin-like PCB according to WHO revealed a significant decline by more than 75% between 1985 and 1999. Thereafter, PCB levels stayed virtually constant. At the location Duebener Heide an overall decrease of PCB concentrations in pine shoots of about 60% was detected between 1991 and 2004. Spruce shoots from all locations showed a relevant contribution of dioxin-like PCB to the total WHO toxicity equivalent (PCDD/PCDF+PCB). In most samples, the contribution of dioxin-like PCB was between 21% and 41%. The TEQ contribution of PCB in the samples from three rural sites was higher and similar to the TEQ value of PCDD/PCDF. The investigated pine shoots from the urbanized site Duebener Heide showed a 15-28% contribution of dioxin-like PCB to total TEQ and thus lower than in spruce shoots from different locations. In all samples except one PCB 126 contributed to more than 80% to the PCB-TEQ.

The influence of soil contamination on the concentrations of PCBs in milk in Siberia

Although atmospheric deposition is generally the dominant pathway of PCBs into agricultural food chains, soil ingestion by livestock can be important in some cases. The relationship between PCB levels in cow's milk and in pasture soil was studied in the Irkutsk region in Siberia where an historical atmospheric source(s) of PCBs has led to widespread contamination of soil. Milk samples were collected in spring and again in autumn from 18 different farms and analyzed for PCBs. Pasture soil samples were also collected and analyzed. The PCB concentrations in both milk and soil ranged over more than an order of magnitude between the farms. A good correlation was obtained between PCB levels in autumn milk and in soil. This together with a range of other evidence suggested that ingestion of pasture soil was the dominant source of the PCB contamination in the milk. The average soil ingestion rate was estimated to be 1700 g/d, which is at the upper end of values reported in the literature. This may be due to the arid summer climate or the animal husbandry practices in Siberia.

Multivariate data analysis of pollutant profiles: PCB levels across Europe

It is not always recognised that standard multivariate analyses applied to pollution profile data (i.e. where data are relative amounts of pollutants expressed as proportions of their total) give rise to problems in the analysis and interpretation of results: a simple solution is to carry out analyses on log-ratios of proportions. However, while solving many problems, this approach is very sensitive to the issue of values below detection limits. These approaches have been applied to a dataset of the levels of 29 PCB congeners in ambient air samples across Europe during the summer of 2002. Multivariate descriptive methods (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) and inferential techniques (multivariate ANOVA, multiple linear and logistic regression) and graphical tools (2D and 3D plots, principal components plots, biplots and triangular diagrams) were used to analyse the proportions of five PCB homologues (tri-hepta). These established that there was considerable difference in the pollution profiles of the 71 samples: the greatest variation was between samples with differing ratios of tri-hexa and tri-hepta PCB homologues, and the samples showed little sign of consistent clusters. There was a significant difference between typical profiles from rural and urban areas such that urban samples (and those with high total PCBs) had higher proportions of tetra- and tri-PCBs compared to hexa- and hepta-PCBs.

Flesh Quality of Market-Size Farmed and Wild British Columbia Salmon

This study compared the flesh quality of farmed and wild sources of British Columbia (BC) salmon with respect to concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/dibenzofurans and their associated toxic equivalents, total mercury (THg), methylmercury (MeHg), and selected fatty acids of known importance for human health viz., omega-3 (n-3) highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs) and (n-6) fatty acids. Skinned fillets from known sources of farmed Atlantic, coho, and chinook salmon (n = 110) and wild coho, chinook, chum, sockeye, and pink salmon (n = 91) were examined. Atlantic salmon contained higher PCB concentrations (means, 28-38 ng/g) than farmed coho or chinook salmon, and levels in these latter species were similar to those in wild counterparts (means, 2.8-13.7 ng/g). PCB levels in Atlantic salmon flesh were, nevertheless, 53-71-fold less than the level of concern for human consumption of fish, i.e., 2000 ng/g as established by Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US-FDA). Similarly, THg and MeHg levels in all samples were well below the Health Canada guideline (0.5 microg/g) and the US-FDA action level (1.0 microg/g). On average, THg in farmed salmon (0.021 microg/g) was similar to or lower than wild salmon (0.013-0.077 microg/g). Atlantic salmon were a richer source (mean, 2.34 g/100 g fillet) of n-3 HUFAs than the other farmed and wild sources of salmon examined (means, 0.39-1.17 g/100 g). The present findings support the recommended weekly consumption guidelines for oily fish species (includes all BC salmon sources) for cardio-protective benefits as made by the American Heart Association and the UK Food Standards Agency.

Soil contamination from PCB-containing buildings.

BackgroundPolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in construction materials, such as caulking used around windows and expansion joints, may constitute a source of PCB contamination in the building interiors and in surrounding soil. Several studies of soil contamination have been conducted around buildings where the caulking has been removed by grinding or scraping. The PCBs in soil may have been generated in the process of removing the caulking, but natural weathering and deterioration of the caulking may have also been a source.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to measure PCB levels in soil surrounding buildings where PCB-containing caulk was still in place, and to evaluate the mobility of the PCBs from caulking using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Method 1311).DiscussionWe found soil PCB contamination ranging from 3.3 to 34 mg/kg around buildings with undisturbed caulking that contained 10,000–36,200 mg/kg PCBs. The results of the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (leachate concentrations of 76–288 mg PCB/L) suggest that PCBs in caulking can be mobilized, apparently as complexes with dissolved organic matter that also leach off the caulking material.Conclusions and RecommendationsAlthough these new findings are based on a small sample size, they demonstrate the need for a national survey of PCBs in building materials and in soil surrounding these buildings. Because the buildings constructed during the time the PCB caulking was in use (1960s and 1970s) include schools, hospitals, and apartment buildings, the potential for exposure of children is a particular concern. It is necessary to reconsider the practice of disposing of old PCB caulking removed during building renovations in conventional landfills, given the apparent mobility of PCBs from the caulking material. Disposal of some caulking material in nonhazardous landfills might lead to high PCB levels in landfill leachate.

Neurobehavioral Endpoints in Children Affected by Environmental Polychlorinated Biphenyls

MAA2-PD-13 Introduction: The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of neurobehavioral changes in children 8 to 9 years of age (n = 435). Methods: Neurobehavioral examinations included sensomotor integration, eye–hand coordination, attention, and memory and cognitive processes. A general health/social questionnaire and behavioral scale were filled in by parents and the behavior at school was evaluated by teacher. Statistical analysis involved 3 types of data evaluation: The PCBs serum concentrations and selected heavy metals (Pb, Mn, Hg, in whole blood) also were determined. The PCB level was positively skewed and normalized by a natural logarithmic transformation (Ln) and calculated in quartiles for descriptive purposes. Correlation coefficients were calculated between dependent neurobehavioral variables and both the exposure level of PCBs and confounding variables (<0.05). To test for the validity of these correlations, we conducted multiple linear regression analyses to adjust for confounding. Results: The σPCB-concentrations in serum ranged from 1692.8 to 257.5 ng/g lipids; higher levels were found close to the PCBs source, a former PCB-production plant. Significantly poorer sensomotor performances were found in preliminary evaluations in children with higher PCB levels (fourth quartile of PCB) but were no longer apparent after adjustment for schools or residential areas. Older age and greater maternal intelligence were associated with better performances in cognitive and some sensomotor tests. Previous findings of an inverse influence of preperinatal PCBs on neurobehavioral performances were confirmed only if study area and schools were not included in the full regression model. The outcome of neuropsychological tests and scales of behavior were included into this analysis as dependent variables, and a selected set of covariates, including PCBs in serum concentrations, were used as independent predictors. Because the 2 areas and the schools within areas differed for both exposure and several of the outcome variables exposure-outcome associations were additionally adjusted for “area” “schools” and “area plus schools” in the multifactor regression analysis. The final regression models included the set of variables (σPCBs, neurobehavioral and social). Discussion and Conclusions: The results suggest that postnatal or concurrent exposure to PCBs does not exhibit inverse association with neurobehavior if study area is taken into consideration in the full regression model. This outcome must be compared with well-established findings of neurobehavioral adversity of environmental PCB exposure in relation to preperinatal exposure and emphasizes the higher vulnerability of the developing relative to the mature brain.

Maternal Contaminant Levels of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Heavy Metals in Canada

MAA2-PD-15 Introduction: Canada is participating in the trilateral maternal blood contaminant monitoring study of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and various metals under the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Limited studies over the last 30 years have shown that many POPs have decreased significantly in the Canadian population but the present levels in Canadian mothers are not known. Levels of metals such as mercury and lead are likely to be quite low in this population but recent research has indicated that there may be significant health risks to the fetus at lower levels of exposure. Methods: This study examines levels of POPs and heavy metals in the blood of 25 first birth mothers from 5 centers across southern Canada. Hospitals and clinics in Halifax, Ottawa, Hamilton, Calgary and Vancouver are recruiting mothers. Samples are being analyzed at one central laboratory for a range of POPs (for example, PCBs, DDT/DDE, chlordane derivatives, aldrin, dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, hexachlorocyclohexane isomers) and various metals (ie, mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic). Only first birth mothers who have lived their entire lives in Canada will be included. Each mother will complete a demographic and dietary questionnaire. Results: Comparative results from arctic Canada have found that Inuit mothers from the Baffin Region have significantly higher levels of PCB 153 compared with Caucasian mothers living in arctic Canada (131 vs 16 microgram/kilogram lipid). A similar trend was seen for the chlordane derivative oxychlordane with Inuit mothers from the Baffin region having significantly higher levels than Caucasian mothers living in arctic Canada (69 vs 5.2 μg/kg lipid). These regional data from southern Canada will be compared with the ethnic differences we have seen from arctic Canadian populations. The relationship between demographic characteristics, dietary intakes and contaminant levels will be assessed. Discussion and Conclusions: This study will be the first national assessment of these contaminants in this important segment of the population and will allow initial regional comparisons plus provide information for larger national or regional studies. This information will have direct application for Canada in meeting its monitoring requirements under the United Nations Environment Program convention on POPs, various obligations under NACEC. agreements and will be valuable to risk managers and public health officials in Canada.

Assessment of Prenatal and Early Postnatal Exposure to Organochlorine Compounds

P-481 Introduction: First exposure of children to environmental chemicals takes place in utero via transplacental transport. For the developing foetus, the mother represents both a source of genetic information and environmental exposure. Organochlorine compounds are persistent lipophilic compounds that cross the placental barrier easily and are also excreted into breast milk. The purpose of this study was to assess prenatal and early postnatal exposure to selected organochlorine compounds and to compare level of exposure among 3 different European regions. Methods: Within the 5th FP EU project PLUTOCRACY, a birth cohort was established in 5 localities in 3 European countries – Belgium, Slovakia and Romania. Samples of maternal blood sera and placentas were collected at full-term deliveries and breast milk samples were collected within the 6th week postpartum (N=464). Concentrations of selected organochlorine pesticides (HCB, β-HCH, p,p′ -DDE and p,p′ -DDT) and the 3 most abundant congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB #153, #138 and #180) were determined using GC/MS. Results were expressed per amount of lipid. Results: The most predominant compound was p,p′ -DDE in each of the biological matrices (median values/g lipid: serum: 312 ng, placenta: 213 ng, milk: 693 ng). Concentrations of organochlorine compounds were highest in breast milk samples, followed by maternal blood serum and placenta, except for HCB which reached highest levels in the blood serum (median 70 ng/g lipid). Significant correlations were found for organochlorine pesticides among maternal blood, placenta and breast milk, with the strongest associations for β-HCH (p< 0.001). PCB levels correlated between maternal blood and placenta and placenta and breast milk (p< 0.001), Higher maternal age was correlated with increased PCBs concentrations in each of the biological matrices (p< 0.001); however, this correlation was not observed for pesticides. Level of maternal education and parity were negatively associated with the concentrations of β-HCH, p,p′ -DDE and p,p′ -DDT (p< 0.001) in all sample types. Results suggest a wide variation in exposure to organochlorines across the regions, mainly with respect to pesticides. Concentrations of β-HCH, DDE and DDT were significantly higher in all biological samples from Romania, compared to Belgium and Slovakia (p< 0.001) but no clear trend was found for PCB exposure. Discussion and Conclusions: Organochlorine residues stored in the maternal body are continuously released into blood during pregnancy and into breast milk during lactation and are a major source of pre- and perinatal exposure.

The Effect of Enzyme-Inducing Antiseizure Drugs on the Pharmacokinetics and Tolerability of Procarbazine Hydrochloride

Procarbazine hydrochloride (PCB) is one of the few anticancer drugs with activity against high-grade gliomas. This study was conducted to determine if the maximum tolerated dose and pharmacokinetics of PCB are affected by the concurrent use of enzyme-inducing antiseizure drugs (EIASD). Adults with recurrent high-grade glioma were divided into cohorts who were (+) and were not (-) taking EIASDs. PCB was given orally for 5 consecutive days each month. Six patients were evaluated at each dose level beginning with 200 mg/m2/d and escalated using the modified continual reassessment method. Toxicity and response were assessed. Pharmacokinetic studies were done with a new electrospray ionization mass spectrometry assay. Forty-nine patients were evaluated. The maximum tolerated dose was 393 mg/m2/d for the +EIASD group and the highest dose evaluated in -EIASD patients was 334 mg/m2/d. Myelosuppression was the primary dose-limiting toxicity. Significant hepatic dysfunction occurred in three patients in the +EIASD cohort. Four partial responses (8%) and no complete responses were observed. PCB exhibited linear pharmacokinetics with no significant differences between the two cohorts. A marked increase in peak PCB levels was noted on day 5 relative to day 1, which was not attributable to drug accumulation. This study suggests that (a) EIASD use does not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of PCB; (b) changes in the peak plasma concentration of PCB, consistent with decreased apparent oral clearance due to autoinhibition of hepatic metabolism, occur with daily dosing; and (c) severe hepatic dysfunction may accompany this administration schedule.

Congener-specific accumulation and patterns of chlorinated and brominated contaminants in adult male walruses from Svalbard, Norway: Indications for individual-specific prey selection

Blubber samples from 17 adult, male walruses were sampled in eastern Svalbard and analyzed for chlorinated and brominated contaminants. A wide range of contaminants were detected, including PCBs (mean 2000; 95% range 1165–4005 ng/g lipid), DDE (mean 100: 95% range 50–310) ng/g lipid), chlordanes (mean 2500; 95% range 1347–5009) ng/g lipid, toxaphenes (mean 80; 95% range 51–132 ng/g lipid) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (mean15 ng/g; 95% range 9–27 ng/g lipid). PCB and DDE levels were substantially lower than those of animals sampled 10 year earlier in this area, confirming a decreasing trend for these compounds in the Arctic. However, compared to other recently sampled marine mammals from Svalbard, walruses showed relatively high PCB and chlordane levels although they had lower levels of DDE, toxaphenes, and PBDEs, possibly due to species- and location-specific differences in exposure and metabolism.The range in contaminant levels found within the sample group was vast, despite the fact that the animals investigated were all adult males from the same location. The PCB pattern in highly contaminated animals was different from that in animals with low levels of contamination, with relatively more persistent PCBs in the highly contaminated group. This suggests that the more contaminated animals were feeding at higher trophic levels; possibly targeting seals in addition to mollusks as their prey. This suggestion was reinforced by the fatty acid profiles of the inner blubber layer of walruses with low versus high contaminant levels, which suggested different diets for the two groups.

PCBs and cognitive functioning of Mohawk adolescents

This paper reports on the relationships between the cognitive functioning and PCB current body burdens of adolescents in the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne where there is concern about industrial pollution of the environment. Three cognitive tests (Woodcock Johnson-Revised, Test of Memory and Learning, and Ravens Progressive Matrices) provide 13 subtests that allow a variety of cognitive outcomes to be assessed. A summary measure of PCB level was created from the congeners detected in at least 50% of the participants. The most notable finding was the significant negative relationship between PCB levels and two separate measures of long term memory. There was also a negative relationship with a measure of comprehension and knowledge. Significant relationships were not large, but provide evidence of subtle negative effects of PCB exposure. This research was supported by NIEHS grants ES04913-10 and ES10904-05.

PCB levels in European eel (Anguilla anguilla) from two coastal lagoons of the Mediterranean

Eels are exposed to pollutants due to their unusual life cycle and are vulnerable to contamination associated with sediment due to their diet, feeding habits and territoriality. Since the 1980s, a decline in American and European eel populations has been recorded. The causes of this decline still are unknown but pollution from domestic and industrial effluents is known to be involved. Since little data is available on PCB contamination in eels from Italian waters, PCBs were measured in muscle of Anguilla anguilla captured in 2001 in two brackish ecosystems of the Mediterranean: the lagoons of Orbetello and Santa Giusta (Italy). PCBs were higher in samples from Orbetello lagoon than in those detected from Santa Giusta lagoon (P < 0.05). Congener and isomer analyses indicated Aroclor 1260 as a likely source of PCBs in the Orbetello and Santa Giusta samples. Only the toxic equivalents (TEQs) of mono-ortho PCBs were calculated.

Atmospheric PCDD/F and PCB levels implicated by pine ( Cedrus deodara) needles at Dalian, China

Dalian is a seaside city situated in the northeastern monsoon area of China. For the first time, levels of PCDD/F and PCB congeners in pine ( Cedrus deodara) needles of Dalian urban areas were investigated. Two sampling campaigns with 17 sampling points were performed in 2002. The summation of tetra- to octachlorinated PCDD/Fs and summation of 209 PCB congeners in Dalian pine needles averaged 127 ± 40 ng/kg (dry) and 4389 ± 1575 ng/kg (dry), respectively. Average toxic equivalence (TEQ) for PCDD/Fs and PCBs are 2.1 and 0.4 ng/kg (dry), respectively. The pine needles can differentiate spatial variation of the pollutants. The PCDD/F and PCB levels in Dalian pine needles are low or comparable with other international regions that were not impacted by evident point sources. The data can serve as a base for long-term spatial and temporal studies of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in China.

HAUSAT-2 소형위성 열해석 검증 및 보드-레벨 열해석

HAUSAT-2는 한국항공대학교 우주시스템 연구실에서 개발하고 있는 25kg급의 소형위성 이다. 위성의 시스템과 부품의 안정적인 작동을 확인하기 위하여 위성의 시스템과 박스모듈 그리고 전장보드 수준에서 열해석을 수행하였다. 시스템과 박스-레벨 열해석에 적용한 열 모델링은 HAUSAT-2 구조-열 모델의 열진공/균형 시험을 통하여 검증 및 보정되었다. 본 연구에서는 주요 소자를 직접 모델링하는 방법의 보드-레벨 열해석 방법론을 제안하고, 그에 따른 결과 분석 및 타당성을 제시하였다. HAUSAT-2 is nano satellite with 25kg mass being developed by Space System Research Lab. in Hnakuk Aviation University. This paper addresses HAUSAT-2 small satellite thermal analyses and its verification at satellite system, electronic box, and PCB levels. Thermal model which is used for system-level and box-level thermal analyses was verified and corrected through thermal vacuum/balance test. The new board-level thermal analysis methodology, modelling high-power dissipating EEE parts directly, was proposed. The proposed methodology has been verified with test results.

Intra-individual variations and time trends 1991–2001 in human serum levels of PCB, DDE and hexachlorobenzene

Background: An important question is whether human serum levels of persistent organic pollutants has continued to decrease during the last decades. The aim of this study was to assess intra-individual variations over time of serum levels of 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (CB-153), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-ethene ( p, p′-DDE) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), considering the impact of a number of possible determinants. Methods: Blood samples were drawn for the same 39 subjects in 1991 and 2001. Interviews were made at both occasions. Lipid adjusted serum concentrations of CB-153, p, p′-DDE and HCB were determined in both sets of blood samples using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The fatty acid composition of the serum lipids was analyzed by means of gas–liquid chromatography. Result: The CB-153 concentrations in serum had averagely decreased with 34% in between 1991 and 2001 ( p < 0.001). Of individual determinants only increasing BMI was associated with decreasing CB-153 levels ( β = −1.0, 95% CI −1.8, −0.2, p = 0.01), explaining 13% of the variation. The average decrease of p, p′-DDE was 55%, and could only weakly be associated with a relative increase of BMI ( β = −1.0, 95% CI −2.3, 0.2, p = 0.09), explaining only 5% of the variation. The average decrease of HCB was 53%, and was associated only with high fish consumption in 1991, explaining 12% of the variation. Conclusions: The results support a continuing decrease in human body burdens of PCBs, DDE and HCB during the 1990s. The explanatory factors relative change of BMI and fish consumption explained only a minor part of the time-related variations in serum levels.

PCB Levels and Trends Within the Detroit River-Western Lake Erie Basin: A Historical Perspective of Ecosystem Monitoring

An international workshop held in the spring of 2002 convened a group of technical experts to address monitoring, modeling, and management of PCBs within the Detroit River-Western Lake Erie basin. Participants shared and discussed a diverse set of research data bases pertaining to PCB levels within the region, discussed observed changes within different components of the local ecosystem, and identified several primary issues impacting future PCB management strategies. Results presented at the workshop indicate dramatic reductions in PCB contamination levels have been observed in much of study area between the late 1970s and mid-1990s. Estimates of loadings attributable to water and atmospheric sources have generally declined, as have PCB concentrations in herring gull eggs, smelt and walleye. Nevertheless, additional improvements have not been observed during recent years and elevated contamination levels remain a concern within local hot spots, particularly in the lower Detroit River and Trenton Channel. A primary recommendation broadly supported by workshop participants is the need to maintain, support, and coordinate a comprehensive ecosystem monitoring program for the Detroit River-Western Lake Erie basin, one that incorporates both near-field and far-field monitoring elements. Such a program is crucial to provide necessary data in support of understanding ecosystem trends, calculating annual mass loadings to the system, assessing impacts of remediation actions, developing improved modeling frameworks, and formulating cost-effective management strategies for the future.

Immunoassay Screening Method for Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Transformer Oil

We described here the results of measuring the PCB levels in eleven hundred transformer oil samples using an immunoassay screening method. Five hundred samples out of the total were remeasured using a GPC/GC/ECD method. A comparison of these results on ROC (receiver operating characteristic) plots showed that the immunoassay provides a useful screening method. In the case that the regulatory concentration of the total PCB was set at 0.5 mg/kg, the most suitable cutoff concentration for the immunoassay for screening was calculated to be at 0.4 mg/kg with false negative and false positive rates of zero and seven percent, respectively.

Concentrations and composition of organochlorine contaminants in different species of cephalopod molluscs from the Italian waters (Adriatic Sea)

Persistent organochlorines, such as polychlorinated biphenyls including coplanar congeners and DDT compounds were measured in the liver of different species of mollusc cephalopods: broadtail squid ( Illex coindetii), horned octopus ( Eledone moschata) and spider octopus ( Octopus salutii) collected in two different areas of the Adriatic Sea (central and southern Adriatic Sea). The concentration of PCBs exceeded DDT ones in horned octopus (PCBs: 617.0 ng g −1 lipid weight, DDTs: 188.0 ng g −1 lipid weight) and in spider octopus (PCBs: 590.0 ng g −1 lipid weight, DDTs: 293.0 ng g −1 lipid weight), while in broadtail squid PCB load (748.0 ng g −1 lipid weight) was similar to those of DDTs (514.5 ng g −1 lipid weight). No significant difference in PCB levels was observed among species, while DDT concentrations were higher in broadtail squid than in horned octopus and spider octopus. DDTs composition showed slight differences in relation to species, thought p, p′-DDE was the predominant compound in all cephalopod species (broadtail squid: 88.1%, horned octopus 94.1%, spider octopus: 97.5%). PCB isomer profiles were similar among species being hexachlorinated isomers the most abundant, followed by penta- and heptachlorobiphenyls, while tri- and tetrachlorobiphenyls made up a small percentage of the total PCB residues. Regarding coplanar congeners, non- ortho PCBs were below the detection limit in all samples and the 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations were very low. The influence of biological and ecological factors (size/weight and location) on the bioaccumulation of organochlorine compounds has been discussed.

Effects of River Flooding on PCDD/F and PCB Levels in Cows' Milk, Soil, and Grass

This paper presents the results of a study examining whether the flooding of pasture by rivers gives rise to higher PCDD/F and PCB concentrations in cows' milk. Over 180 milk, soil, and grass samples, taken from 38 farms across 3 different river systems (River Dee, Trent, and Doe Lea/Rother/Don) in the United Kingdom, were analyzed for PCDD/Fs and PCBs. The concentrations were compared between flood-prone farms, where the animals had access to pasture that is often flooded, and control farms where the land does not flood. The results indicated that concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in cows' milk were higher in samples taken from farms prone to flooding, but only from the river systems flowing through industrial and urban areas. Raised levels of PCDD/F and PCBs were also found in soil and grass from farms prone to flooding providing strong corroborative evidence that the higher concentrations in cows' milk from such areas is likely to be due to the ingestion of contaminated grass and soil. Overall, the results provide strong evidence that flooding of pastureland can indeed result in elevated concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in milk from the farms so affected.

Spatial trends and factors affecting variation of organochlorine contaminants levels in Canadian Arctic beluga ( Delphinapterus leucas)

Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs were analysed in blubber from beluga ( Delphinapterus leucas), or white whales, collected at 15 sites in the Canadian Arctic between 1993 and 2001. The objective of the study was to define and interpret the spatial trends of major organic contaminants in northern beluga in terms of sources and transport pathways, and the biological factors influencing accumulation. When compared on a lipid weight basis, the concentrations of β-HCH, cis-CHL and ΣCHL, cis-nonachlor, heptachlor epoxide and p, p'-DDT were significantly higher in males than females at all five sites in the eastern Arctic where the two sexes were harvested. The differences were attributed to losses from the females during fetal development and lactation as reported in previous studies. Major compounds increased with age in males at most sites, however the lack of a significant increase with age at some sites was in part due to high organochlorine concentrations in young year classes (2–5 years), particularly at eastern sites such as Iqaluit and Pangnirtung. Lower concentrations of ΣHCH and ΣDDT compounds in young males in 2001 relative to 1995 at Hendrickson Island could be due to declining levels in the environment, changes in the diet, or differences in organochlorine loads transferred from the female after birth. Age-corrected least square mean concentrations in males showed significantly higher levels of many compounds, such as p, p'-DDE and ΣCHB, at south Baffin Island sites than those in the west. Two notable exceptions were HCBz and β-HCH which were higher in the west. Methoxyclor was detected in males at Sanikiluaq (58 ng g − 1 ) and in both sexes at Kimmirut, but at no other sites. Principal component analysis grouped the 16 sites into five major groupings based on the similarity of normalised organochlorine pesticide and PCB levels. Sites from the western Arctic were grouped by higher proportions of HCBz, β-HCH and γ-HCH and higher chlorinated PCBs. Endosulfan and α-HCH comprised a larger proportion of total organochlorine residues in the northern Hudson Bay sites, while methoxychlor, chlordane compounds and octachlorobiphenyls were enriched at Sanikiluaq in eastern Hudson Bay. The analysis showed that the relative amounts of several key compounds are similar in the beluga stocks over large spatial areas (i.e. eastern versus western sites), however, some stocks have distinct fingerprints which can be used to differentiate them from adjacent stocks. Ratios of major HCH isomers largely corresponded with air and surface water measurements conducted during the 1990s, but low α- / β- and α- / γ-HCH ratios in all three western Arctic collections indicate rapid losses of the α-isomer from the food web, proportionately higher β- and γ-isomers in the Beaufort Sea, or a combination of the two processes. Chlordane residue patterns generally correspond to those from previous studies, however, interpretation of spatial trends are difficult due to the aging of the probable sources in the south, possible atmospheric input from new sources and complex transport pathways.