Assessment of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs and PBDEs in Mediterranean striped dolphins

Francesca Capanni; Juan Muñoz-Arnanz; Letizia Marsili; M Cristina Fossi; Begoña Jiménez

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111207

Assessment of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs and PBDEs in Mediterranean striped dolphins

Mar Pollut Bull. 2020 Jul:156:111207. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111207. Epub 2020 May 15.

Authors

Francesca Capanni¹, Juan Muñoz-Arnanz², Letizia Marsili³, M Cristina Fossi³, Begoña Jiménez²

Affiliations

¹ Dept. Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain; Dept. Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, via P. A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy. Electronic address: francesca.capanni@phd.units.it.
² Dept. Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
³ Dept. Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, via P. A. Mattioli 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.

PMID: 32510364
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111207

Abstract

Bio-accumulation of high levels of persistent organic pollutants represent a serious conservation concern for Mediterranean marine odontocetes. In this study, blubber samples from 10 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded along the Italian coasts during 2015-2016 were analyzed. All specimens showed dl-PCBs > PBDEs ≫ PCDD/Fs. Median concentrations were 1820 ng/g l.w., 456 ng/g l.w. and 23.9 pg/g l.w., respectively. dl-PCBs accounted for 93.3% of total TEQs. PBDE concentrations suggest that the Mediterranean basin may be considered a hotspot for organobromine compounds. OCDD did not represent the greatest contributor to PCDD/Fs profile, most likely due to a change in dioxin environmental sources in the last two-three decades. Despite international regulations, the present study emphasized that POP exposure levels in Mediterranean striped dolphins have not declined significantly in recent years. Toxicological and risk assessment studies on this sentinel species may provide an early indication of potential adverse health effects on Mediterranean ecosystems.

Keywords: Mediterranean Sea; POPs; Pollution; Stenella coeruleoalba; TEQ.

MeSH terms

Animals
Dibenzofurans
Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
Dioxins / analysis*
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring
Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / analysis
Polychlorinated Biphenyls / analysis*
Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analysis*
Stenella*

Substances

Dibenzofurans
Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated
Dioxins
Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
Polychlorinated Biphenyls