Persistent Organic Pollutants Compounds Research Articles

Identification of Pops Organic Compounds in Sediment in the Cisangkuy Watershed Using GC-MS Analysis Method

The Cisangkuy Watershed is a tributary of the Upper Citarum River located in the Bandung Basin, West Java. Based one previous research, one organic pollution in the Cisangkuy Watershed is the presence of POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) compounds. POPs are organic compounds that can last a very long time in the environment (persistent) and have toxic properties for organisms. This study aims to identify and analyse the organic content of POPs and sediments in the Cisangkuy Watershed, as well as to analyse the source of pollutants and categorise them based on the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Identification of POPs compounds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Sediment sampling was conducted by grab sampling that involved 20 sampling points from upstream to downstream of the Cisangkuy Watershed (CS-1 to CS-20). Samples were collected from 9 sub-districts. The research location shows that the land activities at the sampling point include asphalt hot mix, pharmaceutical, textile, and manufacturing industries. The results showed the presence of 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, mono (2-ethylhexyl) ester, 4,8,12-Tetradecatrienenitrile, 5,9,13-trimethyl-, and 2-Hexyl-1-octanol compounds at sampling points from upstream to downstream. These compounds were derived from chemical industry effluents, fossil fuel combustion, and agricultural activities. The compounds are classified as ‘industrial waste’ and ‘industrial waste with antibiotic properties’ by the Stockholm Convention on Organic Waste Management.

Metadata Analysis of Persistent Organic Pollutants in National Pools of Human Milk in Support of the Stockholm Convention Implementation

A set of human milk samples, consisting of pools from up to 50 mothers that delivered their first baby was assessed for the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) listed in the Stockholm Convention. It must be noted that only samples that qualified for the criteria, as established in the global monitoring plan of the Stockholm Convention, following an initial protocol from the World Health Organization, were included. The data do not allow for an assessment of POP concentrations in breast milk with lactation period nor, in most cases and when not indicated otherwise, a comparison within the same country. The assessment does not rank the POPs as to the risk for breastfeeding. Rather the measurements provide a basis for countries to compare among POPs or with other countries. A regional preference for certain POPs could not be identified; thus, taking into account global food supply chains and local production elsewhere does not allow us to prioritize a country for a certain POP. Although the highest concentrations were always found for the sum of DDT, these samples were not prominent in multivariate statistical analyses. The best indicator for the scale of POPs in breast milk was the sampling year: the earlier a national pool was created, the higher and the wider spread were the concentrations: see the example of dioxin-like POPs and indicator PCB. For some POPs, the income of a country seems to indicate scale and POP compounds. The population density was not found to be a suitable predictor or discriminator. Since all POPs seemed to level off and some POPs were only measured after the entry-into-force of the Stockholm Convention in 2004, we do not have a strong indicator to determine POP concentrations in the 1980s or before.

Temporal Trends of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Sarasota Bay Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)

Legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were measured in blubber samples collected from 196 common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from 2000 to 2016 in the Sarasota Bay, Florida, ecosystem. Legacy POPs included polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (ΣPCB; sum of 37 congeners or congener groups), dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) and transformation products (ΣDDT), chlordane and related compounds (ΣChlor), mirex, polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners (ΣPBDE, sum of five congeners), dieldrin and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). All POP compounds or compound groups declined in dolphin blubber over the study period. POP classes declined at different rates within classifications (sex, adult or calf). For example, dieldrin decline in male dolphins was greatest (−13% per year) while HCB decline was lower (−6.3% per year). For individual POP classes, rates of decline depended on classification. For example, ΣPCB, the POP class present at the highest concentration relative to other POPs, declined at −8.4, −7.8, and −5.6% per year in adult females, adult males and calves, respectively. Overall POP declines were highest in adult males and lowest in calves. Declines in POP concentration with time based on individual dolphins resampled at different time points were consistent with declines calculated based on yearly or biennial cross-sections taken from 2000 through 2016. Overall rates of decline in Sarasota Bay bottlenose dolphins were like declines seen for Great Lakes fish and about twice the rate of decline observed in arctic temporal trend data sets. POP trends appear to have leveled off since 2009 in Sarasota Bay dolphins. For example, ΣPCBs in calves appear to have stabilized at 21 mg/kg lipid. Recent published work on delphinids with blubber concentrations spanning those observed in the present work suggest that levels of legacy POPs currently observed in Sarasota dolphins may suppress population growth. Results from this study confirm the need for continued monitoring of POPs in the Sarasota Bay bottlenose dolphin population to see if concentrations are continuing to fall or have indeed plateaued.

Simultaneous GC-NCI-MS Determination of Persistent Organic Pollutants and Current-Use Pesticides in Breast Milk Samples

To preserve human health, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and current-use pesticides (CUPs) should be monitored in fatty tissues, including breast milk. Therefore, this study aimed to optimize sample preparation conditions using a 32 factorial design for the determination of POPs and CUPs by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with negative chemical ionization (GC-NCI-MS). The method was validated for 57 POP and CUP compounds using hexane:acetone for extraction and clean-up by dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE) with Florisil®. The matrix effect was compensated by extracted analytical calibration. Method validation showed satisfactory results with limits of detection of 3 to 13 ng g-1 of fat. The method presented adequate accuracy (recoveries from 72 to 117%) and precision (relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 18%) and was applied to breast milk samples from Rio Grande do Sul State, southern Brazil, wherein all samples contained at least one compound. With principal component analysis, it was possible to associate the pesticides detected with the city of origin of the samples and the number of pregnancies of nursing mothers. Additionally, the analytical method was effective for the determination of trace levels of POPs and CUPs in breast milk and can be applied in biomonitoring studies.

Assessment of persistent organic pollutants in soil and water of kara bisichi, barkin ladi lga of Plateau state, Nigeria

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic compound that remain intact for exceptionally long periods of time in the environment as they resist photolytic, chemical and biological degradation. Environmental impacts from POPs continue to generate global concern and attract attention especially in urban centers, Some POPs compounds which are toxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic and can bio-accumulate by aquatic organisms, plants and human from polluted water and soil. The study aims to identify and quantify the presence of POPs in soil and water of Kara Bisichi of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Soils and water sample were randomly collected at five points within the study area. The pesticide residual levels of the POPs were determined using Gas chromatography- electron capture detector (GC/ECD). The soil samples of both the treated and control had concentrations range of :aldrin (0.008-0.054mg/kg), dieldrin (0.004-0.012mg/kg), heptachlor epoxide (0.009-0.013 mg/kg), paraquat (ND – 0.014 mg/kg), dichlorvos (0.008-0.010 mg/kg), sulprofos (0.002-mg/kg), endosulfan II (ND – 0.0104 mg/kg), all falls within the USEPA and UK MRL standard value of 0.02mg/kg and 0.01mg/kg, except for glyposate (0.0189-0.656mg/kg), dimethoate(0.0132-0.049mg/kg), chlorpyrifos (ND-0.209mg/kg) and cypermathrin (ND-0.176mg/kg) which falls above. And for the water sample had the concentration of: aldrin (0.013mg/l), dieldrin (0.003mg/l), Paraquat (0.010mg/l), dichlorvous (0.077mg/l), glyphosate (0.004mg/l), sulprofos (0.173mg/l). Dimethoate (0.035mg/l), propyzamine (0.712mg/l), atrazine (0.568mg/l), heptachlor epoxide (0.077mg/l), chlorpyrifors (0.173mg/l), p,p–DDT (0.010mg/l) and (0.021mg/l), which all falls within the USEPA, WHO, Australia, Canadian and EU standard value for pesticides in water respectively except for Heptachlor epoxide and chlorpyrifos whose values (0.774mg/l and 0.173mg/l) were above the MRL set by WHO/Australian as (0.03mg/l and 0.05mg/l).

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. Determining in workplace air with gas chromatography – mass spectrometry

PCDD are environmental pollutants, called Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Their trace amounts can be found in almost all the spectrum of global ecosystems. Nearly 90% of human exposure to dioxins comes from food. POPs compounds, which gather in fatty tissues, are slowly metabolized and remain harmful even after a relatively long time after exposure. Dioxins enter the human body with food and accumulate in fat-rich tissues. Dioxins gradually and slowly accumulate in the body. They trigger a number of immunological reactions, which take the form of chronic skin allergies. They can disturb the body hormone economy through induction of the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor. The aim of the work was to develop and validate a sensitive method of determining 2,3,7,8-TCDD in the working environment in the range of 1/10–2 MAC values. The developed method consists in adsorption of TCDD on polyurethane foam followed by extraction of the retained compound with toluene and chromatographic analysis using a high-resolution mass spectrometry. The determined TCDD desorption coefficient from polyurethane foam with 20% acetone in toluene is 83.1%. The response of the mass detector is linear (r = 0.998) in the concentration range of 18–360 pg/ml, which corresponds to the range of 1.8–36 mg/m3 (1/10–2 MAC) for an air sample of 10 m3. The limit of quantification (LOQ) of this method is 10.26 pg/ml. Using a DB-5MS capillary column makes a selective determination of TCDD in the presence of toluene, nonane and other co-existing compounds possible. The developed method is characterized by good precision and accuracy and meets the requirements of European Standard EN 482 for procedures on determining chemical agents. The developed method of determining TCDD has been recorded as an analytical procedure (see appendix). This article discusses the problems of occupational safety and health, which are covered by health sciences and environmental engineering.

Biomonitoring of hydrocarbons using seabirds’ eggs and bivalves in Nakhiloo Island, Persian Gulf, Iran

Mond protected area is a region in the northeast of the Persian Gulf with high species richness, which in recent years has undergone changes and oil pollution. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) can damage aquatic organisms and food chains. This study was performed in May and June 2016. The purpose of the study is to specify the origin and concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and n-alkanes contamination in two kinds of bivalves (Saccostrea cucullata and Mytilus edulis), two species of birds’ eggs (Dromas ardeola and Egretta gularis) and sediments and to find the best biomonitoring species from Nakhiloo Island for these contaminants. After two stages of column chromatography, the POPs compounds were identified by a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method. PAHs and n-alkanes concentrations were determined for sediments (28.3–218.58 ng g−1 and 183.57–594.54 µg g−1, respectively), S. cucullata (25.89–57.04 ng g−1 and 24.50–32.26 µg g−1, respectively), M. edulis (15.20–59.54 ng g−1 and 34.59–53.50 µg g−1, respectively), D. ardeola (162.90–404 ng g−1 and 118.40–217.39 µg g−1, respectively) and E. gularis (97.50–375.12 ng g−1 and 63.39–195.16 µg g−1, respectively). The concentration of compounds in the birds’ eggs was higher than in the bivalves. Diagnostic ratio of POPs usually showed petrogenic origin, and low molecular weight compounds predominated. Saccostrea cucullata showed the highest correlation with the sediments, which shows that it is the best biomonitor agent for this region. The concentration of pollutants in this area was low, and all concentrations were below the threshold level. Their principal cause of origin points to petrochemical plants, various types of vessels and in particular fishing activities in Mond protected area, and it is shown that filter feeders can do better biomonitoring than predators because of their physiological status.

Can variability in corticosterone levels be related to POPs and OPEs in feathers from nestling cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus)?

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are still globally distributed and some have been shown to interact with the endocrine system of birds. However, the relationship between POPs and the stress response mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is still poorly understood. Raising concerns are now focused on the toxic properties of emergent organophosphate ester flame retardants (OPEs), but whether OPEs interact with the HPA axis response has not yet been investigated. We measured corticosterone concentrations in feathers (CORTf) as a long-term biomarker of the bird HPA axis response and we investigated their relationship with POP and OPE concentrations in down feathers of nestling cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus). We also examined whether high contaminant burden and high CORTf concentrations impacted the duration of chick development. The most predominant compounds were the following: p,p′-DDE (3.28 ± 0.26 ng g−1 dw) > γ-HCH (0.78 ± 0.09 ng g−1 dw) > BDE-99 (0.73 ± 0.09 ng g−1 dw) > CB-153 (0.67 ± 0.04 ng g−1 dw). The most persistent POP compounds (CB-170, -177, -180, -183, -187, -194 and p,p′-DDE) were associated (P = 0.02) with high concentrations of CORTf (range: 0.55–6.09 pg mm−1), while no relationship was found when OPEs were tested (P > 0.05). Later egg-laying was positively associated to high levels of CORTf (P = 0.02) and reduced duration of chick development (P < 0.001), suggesting a beneficial effect of the HPA axis response on the growth of the chicks. In addition, males with high concentrations of the most persistent POP compounds tended to show a reduced duration of the nestling period (P = 0.05) and an equal fledging success than chicks with lower levels. These findings suggest that POPs, but not OPEs, may interact with the HPA axis response of chicks, although levels were not high enough to cause detrimental consequences.

Hepatoprotective effect of Red Sea sponge extract against the toxicity of a real-life mixture of persistent organic pollutants

ABSTRACTThe present study aims to evaluate the possible hepatoprotective effect of the Red Sea Hyrtios aff. erectus sponge extract against persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The induced hepatotoxicity effects were examined by using different POPs compounds, namely, α-hexachlorocyclohexane, β-hexachlorocyclohexane, γ-hexachlorocyclohexane, PCB 28, PCB 52, aldrin, o,p'-DDE, PCB 101, dieldrin, p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, endrin, PCB 118, p,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDT, PCB 153, PCB 135, PCB 138 and PCB 180, extracted from sediments collected from Lake Mariout. The effects were assessed based on biochemical assays, where BALB/c albino mice (mean weight 28 ± 4 g) exposed to 130.6 mg/100 g b.w./d of POP mixtures were compared to control and induction groups. The POPs toxicity test was carried out on the BALB/c albino mice for one week. The POPs treated group had a significant increase in the levels of transaminases, ALT and AST. There was also a significant increase in serum bilirubin in response to POPs mixture toxicity. In contrast, the protective group revealed a non-significant increase in both aminotransferases and bilirubin level. The results indicate that POPs could act through free radical-induced oxidative stress. Furthermore, the hepatoprotective effect of sponge extract against POPs mixture is due to the presence of polyphenolic compounds in sponge. The present study revealed that polyphenolic compounds play a vital role in diminishing the hepatotoxicity, as confirmed by a decrease in liver toxicity.

Serum POP concentrations are highly predictive of inner blubber concentrations at two extremes of body condition in northern elephant seals

Long-lived, upper trophic level marine mammals are vulnerable to bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Internal tissues may accumulate and mobilize POP compounds at different rates related to the body condition of the animal and the chemical characteristics of individual POP compounds; however, collection of samples from multiple tissues is a major challenge to ecotoxicology studies of free-ranging marine mammals and the ability to predict POP concentrations in one tissue from another tissue remains rare. Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) forage on mesopelagic fish and squid for months at a time in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, interspersed with two periods of fasting on land, which results in dramatic seasonal fluctuations in body condition. Using northern elephant seals, we examined commonly studied tissues in mammalian toxicology to describe relationships and determine predictive equations among tissues for a suite of POP compounds, including ΣDDTs, ΣPCBs, Σchlordanes, and ΣPBDEs. We collected paired blubber (inner and outer) and blood serum samples from adult female and male seals in 2012 and 2013 at Año Nuevo State Reserve (California, USA). For females (N = 24), we sampled the same seals before (late in molting fast) and after (early in breeding fast) their approximately seven month foraging trip. For males, we sampled different seals before (N = 14) and after (N = 15) their approximately four month foraging trip. We observed strong relationships among tissues for many, but not all compounds. Serum POP concentrations were strong predictors of inner blubber POP concentrations for both females and males, while serum was a more consistent predictor of outer blubber for males than females. The ability to estimate POP blubber concentrations from serum, or vice versa, has the potential to enhance toxicological assessment and physiological modeling. Furthermore, predictive equations may illuminate commonalities or distinctions in bioaccumulation across marine mammal species.

Xenobiotic and Immune-Relevant Molecular Biomarkers in Harbor Seals as Proxies for Pollutant Burden and Effects.

Harbor seals are exposed to increasing pressure caused by anthropogenic activities in their marine environment. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and trace elements are hazardous contaminants that accumulate in tissues of harbor seals. POPs and trace elements can negatively affect the immune-system and have been reported, e.g., to increase susceptibility to viral infections in seals. Biomarkers of the xenobiotic metabolism, cytokines, and heat-shock protein as cell mediators of the immune-system were established to evaluate the impact of environmental stressors on harbor seals. Harbor seals (n = 54) were captured on sandbanks in the North Sea during 2009-2012. Health assessments, including hematology, were performed, and RNAlater blood samples were taken and analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Normalized transcript copy numbers were correlated to hematology and POP concentration in blood and trace metals in blood and fur. A significant correlation between xenobiotic markers and contaminant burden was found. Significant interrelationships between markers and POP compounds, as well as with season, weight, and hematology values, indicate that biomarkers reflect pollutant exposure and effects. A significant relationship between cortisol levels and heat-shock protein expression was observed indicating stress experienced during restraint of the seals. Interleukin-10 transcription showed significant correlations with trace elements in fur pointing toward immune regulatory effects of metal exposure. The molecular markers prove to be an important noninvasive tool that reflects contaminant exposure and the impact of anthropogenic stressors in seal species. The connection between interleukin-2, xenobiotic markers, and pollutants may indicate immune suppression in animals exposed to contaminants with subsequent susceptibility to inflammatory disease.

Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls decrease circulating steroids in female polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

As a top predator in the Arctic food chain, polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are exposed to high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Because several of these compounds have been reported to alter endocrine pathways, such as the steroidogenesis, potential disruption of the sex steroid synthesis by POPs may cause implications for reproduction by interfering with ovulation, implantation and fertility. Blood samples were collected from 15 female polar bears in Svalbard (Norway) in April 2008. The concentrations of nine circulating steroid hormones; dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione (AN), testosterone (TS), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (αE2), 17β-estradiol (βE2), pregnenolone (PRE) and progesterone (PRO) were determined. The aim of the study was to investigate associations among circulating levels of specific POP compounds and POP-metabolites (hydroxylated PCBs [OH-PCBs] and hydroxylated PBDEs [OH-PBDEs]), steroid hormones, biological and capture variables in female polar bears. Inverse correlations were found between circulating levels of PRE and AN, and circulating levels of OH-PCBs. There were no significant relationships between the steroid concentrations and other analyzed POPs or the variables capture date and capture location (latitude and longitude), lipid content, condition and body mass. Although statistical associations do not necessarily represent direct cause–effect relationships, the present study indicate that OH-PCBs may affect the circulating levels of AN and PRE in female polar bears and that OH-PCBs thus may interfere with the steroid homeostasis. Increase in PRO and a decrease in AN concentrations suggest that the enzyme CYP17 may be a potential target for OH-PCBs. In combination with natural stressors, ongoing climate change and contaminant exposure, it is possible that OH-PCBs may disturb the reproductive potential of polar bears.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) on Fine and Coarse Atmospheric Particles Measured at Two (Urban and Industrial) Sites

Particle size is an important parameter in terms of human health effects, fate and transport of pollutants associated with particulate matter (PM). Persistent organic pollutant (POP) (i.e., PAHs, PCBs, PBDEs, and OCPs) concentrations were measured on fine (dp < 2.5 µm) and coarse (2.5 µm < dp < 10 µm) aerosol samples collected at two (Urban and Industrial) sites in Izmir, Turkey. POP concentrations were ~2 times higher at the Industrial site due to the local sources (i.e., scrap processing iron-steel plants, ship-breaking activities, a petroleum refinery, and a petrochemical plant) that were recently shown to be hot spots emitting these pollutants. The size distribution of particle-phase POPs indicated that they were mostly (> 50%) associated with fine PM. The larger contribution of all POP compounds to fine PM could be attributed to the higher sorption capacity of fine PM because of its relatively higher organic matter content compared to coarse PM. Fine PM fraction of POPs significantly increased with octanol-air partition coefficient (KOA) (p < 0.01) since larger KOA values favor the partitioning of POPs to PM. Relationships between fine PM percent and meteorological parameters (i.e., temperature and wind speed) were also investigated. Fine PM percent decreased with temperature and the correlations were significant for 51% of the compounds (p < 0.01), suggesting that the decrease in KOA with increasing temperature results in less partitioning to PM. Fine PM fraction also decreased with wind speed (p < 0.01 for the 52% of the compounds) that could be attributed to increased resuspension of contaminated coarse particles with increasing wind speed. Using the experimental deposition velocities reported for several POPs in the study area it was shown that dry particle deposition velocity significantly decreases with increasing fine PM fraction (p < 0.01). This indicates that the increase in fine fraction of POPs with decreasing volatility may have important implications for their environmental fate and transport.

Antiestrogenic action of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in chicken ovarian follicles

Memory effect is delayed emission of certain persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Many of the POP compounds viz. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) get trapped in the particulate phase deposited in the flue transfer lines and air pollution control systems (equivalent to storage in the memory of a system) and released subsequently. Memory effect driven emission is a combination of real time emission and emission of stored compounds and so is not a true measure of actual real time emission. Memory effect is now realized to have existed for a long time but was not identified and understood until recently. Memory effect has several serious implications e.g. it wrongly depicts emission patterns of POPs; it makes compliance to stipulated emission standards difficult; it could lead to wrong calculations of emission factors and emission inventory estimates of a plant and leads to misinterpretation of efficacy of processes and air pollution control systems. Further, new PCDD/Fs may be formed in the trapped particulate phase via de novo synthesis and the new compounds may be emitted, thereby increasing total PCDD/F emissions, apart from altering the homologue pattern of PCDD/Fs in emissions. Memory effect could be minimized by judicious operational and management (O&M) procedures like optimizing combustion, minimizing unnecessary halts in operations, periodical cleaning of flue transfer lines, application of inhibitors etc.

Associations between vitamins A and E and legacy POP levels in highly contaminated Greenland sharks (Somniosus microcephalus)

The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) is a top predator in Arctic marine ecosystems, and the species bioaccumulates high levels of biomagnifying persistent organic pollutants (POP). In teleost fish, as well as in marine mammals and seabirds, legacy POP have been shown to interfere with the vitamin A and vitamin E homeostasis. Thus, there is the potential for negative health effects from these legacy compounds in Greenland sharks. In the present study we examined associations among plasma levels of legacy POP and plasma vitamin A (retinol [RET], retinyl palmitate [RPA]) and vitamin E (α-tocopherol [α-TOC]) in Greenland sharks from Svalbard, Norway. Plasma levels of POP were on average higher than the hepatic levels previously reported in Greenland sharks from Iceland and Davis Strait, Canada. Levels were also higher than the plasma levels reported in Arctic marine mammals. DDTs (mean 8069ng/g l.w., range: 900–59,707ng/g l.w.), PCBs (mean 5766ng/g l.w., range 1344–16,106ng/g l.w.) and chlordanes (mean 1551ng/g l.w., range: 323–5756ng/g l.w.) had the highest concentrations among the POP groups studied. There were significant inverse relationships between RET concentrations and the concentrations of the dioxin-like compounds PCB-118 and PCB-156/171, and the non-dioxin-like compounds PCB-99 and PCB-128. There were also significant inverse relationships between RPA and 18 of the 38 POP compounds measured. Furthermore, there were significant positive associations between α-TOC and 13 of the 27 PCB congeners. The study suggests that these vitamin systems can be affected by the relatively high POP concentrations exhibited by Greenland sharks at Svalbard. However, the present study is correlative and thus the potential interplay between POP and vitamin dynamics of Greenland sharks must be interpreted cautiously, pending further research on this issue among elasmobranchs.

Using blood samples to estimate persistent organic pollutants and metals in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas)

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals have been reported in a number of green turtle (Chelonia mydas) populations worldwide. However, due to ethical considerations, these studies have generally been on tissues from deceased and stranded animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of blood samples to estimate the tissue contamination of live C. mydas populations. This study analysed 125 POP compounds and eight heavy metals in the blood, liver, kidney and muscle of 16 C. mydas from the Sea World Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Program, Gold Coast, Australia. Strong correlations were observed between blood and tissue concentrations for a number of POPs and metals. Furthermore, these correlations were observed over large ranges of turtle size, sex and condition. These results indicate that blood samples are a reliable non-lethal method for predicting chemical contamination in C. mydas.

Uptake of Persistent Organic Pollutants by Vegetables Grown in Contaminated Soil in Cluj District, Romania

ISEE-0540 Background and Objectives: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as PAHs and organochlorinated compounds are chemical substances that persist in the environment due to their physical and chemical properties. Unfortunately they could be bioaccumulated through the food web posing a risk for human health. The aim of this study was to determine whether POPs present in contaminated soils along Somes river, are transferred to edible parts of basic vegetables for human or domestic animal consumes such as maize, wheat and potato. From this reasons five agricultural sites and seven private gardens were monitored during the study. Methods: Several water, soil and vegetables samples were collected from different agricultural sites near Somes river between the periods of March 2007-March 2009. The analyses of POPs included sixteen PAH compounds and twenty chlorinated POPs were performed on GC-MS and GC-ECD-FID using Soxhlet and LLE extraction. A simulation experiments was conducted to determine the residual levels and bioaccumulation of most founded POPs compounds on maize and potato. Results: Higher values or POPs were found in soil samples than in river water samples (below with 35% for PAHs and 47% for chlorinated POPs). The concentrations of this POPs were lover in vegetables samples (with 62% for chlorinated POPs and 75% for PAHs) than in corresponding soil samples. Based on simulation experiment considerable concentration of PAHs was measured in leafs, fact that could be attributed to possible air pollution. Conclusions: POPs concentration intake by the selected vegetables was lower than concentration from corresponding soils, higher values of this pollutants were found in roots and leafs excepting the potato where in tubers the concentration were higher than in leaf or roots. The bioconcentration factors values based on dry weight were below 1.2 and in some POPs cases that values decreased with increasing concentrations in soil.

Temporal trends of legacy POPs in Arctic biota, an update

A statistically robust method was applied to 316 time-series of ‘legacy’ persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Arctic biota from marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems with the purpose of generating a ‘meta-analysis’ of temporal trend data collected over the past two to three decades for locations from Alaska in the west to northern Scandinavian in the east. Information from recently published temporal trend studies was tabulated and comparisons were also drawn with trends in arctic air. Most of the analysed time-series of legacy POP compounds showed decreasing trends, with only a few time-series showing significantly increasing trends. Compounds such as α-HCH, γ-HCH and ΣDDT had a relatively high proportion of time-series showing significantly decreasing trends; ΣCHL had the lowest proportion. β-HCH was an exception, where long-range transport through the ocean, and not the atmosphere, may explain several increasing trends that were detected in the Canadian Arctic. Moving east from the Canadian Arctic there was a trend towards a greater proportion of significantly decreasing trends. Several time-series for DDE and ΣDDT showed significantly non-exponential trends, most often with a period of relative stability followed by a decrease. The median ‘minimum detectable annual change within a 10-year period’ for all of the time-series considered was 12% which did not meet the desirable level of statistical power capable of detecting a 5% annual change with a significance level of 5% within a 10-year period. The trends observed in the biota were consistent with decreasing trends of legacy POPs reported for Arctic air which appear to follow historic decreases in emissions. However, recent decreases in air are also starting to show signs of levelling off which may be an indication that atmospheric concentrations and, consequently those in the biota, are being less driven by primary sources and more by environmental processes and degradation.

Analysing persistent organic pollutants in eggs, blood and tissue of the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) using gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)

Investigation into persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in sea turtles is an important area of conservation research due to the harmful effects of these chemicals. However, the analysis of POPs in the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) has been limited by methods with relatively high limits of detection and high costs associated with multiple sample injections into complex arrangements of analytical equipment. The present study aimed to develop a method that could detect a large number of POPs in the blood, eggs and tissue of C. mydas at trace concentrations. A gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method was developed that could report 125 POP compounds to a limit of detection of <35 pg g(-1) using a single sample injection. The recoveries of internal standards ranged from 30% to 96%, and the standard reference materials were reported to within 70% of the certified values. The coefficient of variation of ten replicates of pooled egg sample was <20% for all compounds, indicating low within-run variation. This GC-MS/MS method is an improvement of previous methods for analysing POPs in C. mydas in that more compounds can be reported at lower concentrations and the accuracy and precision of the method are sound. This is particularly important for C. mydas as they occupy a low trophic level and have lower concentrations of POPs. This method is also simple to set up, and there are minimal differences in sample preparation for the different tissue types.

A new traceability scheme for the development of international system-traceable persistent organic pollutant reference materials by quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance

Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) was used for the purity determination of neat compounds of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). qNMR is a unique quantitative method that is not only traceable to the International System of Units (SI), but it also does not require a standard of its own. The purities of the POP compounds determined in this work were traceable to a single certified reference material (CRM), which is extremely attractive for reference material producers. The purities observed by qNMR were equivalent to those observed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID) or a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) combined with a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The uncertainties obtained by the qNMR method were comparable to being slightly larger than those observed by DSC.