Most current bioexposure assessments for UV filters focus on contaminants concentrations in fish from river and lake. To date there is not information available on the occurrence of UV filters in ...marine mammals. This is the first study to investigate the presence of sunscreen agents in tissue liver of Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei), a species under special measures for conservation. Fifty six liver tissue samples were taken from dead individuals accidentally caught or found stranded along the Brazilian coastal area (six states). The extensively used octocrylene (2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl-2-propenoate, OCT) was frequently found in the samples investigated (21 out of 56) at concentrations in the range 89–782 ng·g–1 lipid weight. São Paulo was found to be the most polluted area (70% frequency of detection). Nevertheless, the highest concentration was observed in the dolphins from Rio Grande do Sul (42% frequency of detection within that area). These findings constitute the first data reported on the occurrence of UV filters in marine mammals worldwide.
To catalog the diversity and abundance of halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) accumulating in high trophic marine species from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, tissue from bottlenose dolphins ...(Tursiops truncatus) stranded or incidentally captured along the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed by a nontargeted approach based on GC×GC/TOF-MS. A total of 158 individual HOCs from 32 different structural classes were detected in the blubber of 4 adult male T. truncatus. Nearly 90% of the detected compounds are not routinely monitored in the environment. DDT-related and mirex/dechlorane-related compounds were the most abundant classes of anthropogenic origin. Methoxy-brominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-BDEs) and chlorinated methyl- and dimethyl bipyrroles (MBPs and DMBPs) were the most abundant natural products. Reported for the first time in southwestern Atlantic cetaceans and in contrast to North American marine mammals, chlorinated MBPs and DMBPs were more abundant than their brominated and/or mixed halogenated counterparts. HOC profiles in coastal T. truncatus from Brazil and California revealed a distinct difference, with a higher abundance of MeO-BDEs, mirex/dechloranes and chlorinated bipyrroles in the Brazilian dolphins. Thirty-six percent of the detected HOCs had an unknown structure. These results suggest broad geographical differences in the patterns of bioaccumulative chemicals found in the marine environment and indicate the need to develop more complete catalogs of HOCs from various marine environments.
Pharmaceuticals (PhACs) are considered emerging contaminants with potential accumulation in aquatic organisms. Thus, seafood consumption may cause long-term effects and health risk for consumers. In ...the present study, the occurrence of PhACs in seafood from two Brazilian coastal areas, Sepetiba Bay (n = 43) and Parnaiba Delta River (n = 48), was determined for the first time, and their potential risk for human health was assessed. An eco-friendly multi-analytes method was used, after being validated for the different types of matrices (mussels, fatty and lean fish). All compounds under study were detected at least in four seafood species, including chloramphenicol, an antibiotic prohibited in animal foods. Most PhACs had mean concentrations below limit of quantification. Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), as well as simvastatin and carbamazepine were the main PhACs bioaccumulated in edible parts of seafood species from Brazil. The high trophic level carnivorous species, snook, was the most contaminated by NSAIDs, while bivalves were the seafood more contaminated by lipid regulators. The profile of contamination did not vary among different types of matrix, except in relation to carbamazepine and ketoprofen. These PhACs were more abundant in species from Sepetiba Bay, an area highly impacted by human influence. The estimated daily exposure for Brazilian population that consumes the studied species was up to 20.3 ng/kg bw/day via carib pointed-venus and 25.7 ng/kg bw/day via snooks, lower than acceptable daily intake. Thus, consumption of seafood species from Sepetiba Bay and Parnaiba Delta River seems to be safe to the population in what concerns the PhACs studied.
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•PhACs were detected for the first time in Brazilian seafood.•NSAIDs were the main PhACs bioaccumulated in edible parts of seafood species.•Most PhACs had concentrations below LOQ.•PhACs detection shows anthropogenic impact in Brazilian ecosystems.•No significant adverse health effect for consumers is expected.
This paper reviews the available data on brominated flame retardants, the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), as well as on the naturally-produced methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers ...(MeO-PBDEs) in cetacean tissues around the world. Levels and possible sources of both compound classes are discussed. Odontocete cetaceans accumulate higher PBDE concentrations than mysticete species. PBDE contamination was higher in cetaceans from the Northern hemisphere, whereas MeO-PBDE levels were higher in animals from the Southern hemisphere. Southern resident killer whales from NE Pacific presented the highest levels reported in biota, followed by bottlenose dolphins from North Atlantic (U.K. and U.S. coast). Many species presented PBDE concentrations above threshold levels for health effects in odontocetes. Time trend studies indicate that PBDE concentrations in odontocetes from Japan, China, U.S. and Canada coastal zones have increased significantly over the past 30years. Studies from U.K. waters and NE Atlantic showed a decrease and/or stability of PBDE levels in cetacean tissues in recent decades. The highest MeO-PBDE concentrations were found in dolphins from Tanzania (Indian Ocean), bottlenose dolphins from Queensland, Australia (SW Pacific), and odontocetes from coastal and continental shelf waters off southeastern Brazil (SW Atlantic). The upwelling phenomenon and the presence of coral reef complexes in these tropical oceans may explain the large amounts of the naturally-produced organobromines. Considering that these bioaccumulative chemicals have properties that could cause many deleterious effects in those animals, future studies are required to evaluate the potential ecotoxicological risks.
•PBDE contamination is higher in cetaceans from Northern than Southern hemisphere.•The opposite occurs in relation to MeO-BDEs contamination.•Only in UK the PBDE concentrations in cetaceans decreased in the last decades.•Studies presented PBDE levels higher than the threshold to potential health effects in marine mammals.
UV filters (UV-Fs) constitute a heterogeneous group of chemicals used as protection against the effects of UV radiation, widely used in all sort of goods and ubiquitous in the environment. The ...presence of these chemicals in fish is a matter of concern, because many UV-Fs display hormonal activity. In this study, muscle, gills, and liver from 11 Mugil liza individuals from the highly urbanized Guanabara Bay (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) were analysed in order to detect eight UV-Fs and metabolites (4-dihydroxybenzophenone BP1 (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone BP3, 4-methylbenzylidiene camphor 4MBC, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate EHMC, ethylhexyl dimethyl p-aminobenzoic acid ODPABA, octocrylene OC, 4-hydroxybenzophenone 4HB, and 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone 4DHB) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Results showed that both target UV-Fs and metabolites were ubiquitous in the analysed tissues. Lower concentrations were observed in muscle and gills (3.07–31.6ngg−1 dry weight (dw)), whereas in liver significant amounts of metabolites (5.47–451ngg−1 dw) were present. With the concentrations determined in the fish, an estimation of the daily intake revealed that consumption of muscle in the diet represent from 0.3 to 15.2ng UV-Fs (kg body weight−1) d−1, higher than those reported in fish for selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
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•Residues of 8 UV filters and metabolites were determined in Lebranche mullet.•UV-Fs were ubiquitous and accumulated in liver, muscle, and gills.•Oxybenzone (benzophenone 3) metabolites were retained in fish.•Estimated daily intake of target UV-Fs were high (15–64ng (kg body weight)−1d−1).•The surrounding urbanized area was pointed out as the contamination source.
Eight PBDE congeners, three emerging brominated flame retardants, five dechloranes and eight MeO-PBDEs were monitored in tissues (muscular, adipose, brain) and fur of southern elephant seal and ...Antarctic fur seal of the South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula. Total PBDEs and total dechloranes concentrations ranged between n.d.–6 ng/g lw. While PBDEs were not detected in brain tissue, Dec 602 was found in brain tissue of both seal species indicating that dechloranes —with potential neurological toxicity— could cross the blood-brain barrier. Emerging brominated flame retardants were not detected in any sample and only two MeO-PBDEs, which are of natural origin, were found. The presence of the detected compounds in biota from the Antarctic evidences their long-range transportation, being of special interest the detection of emerging compounds such as dechloranes. This is the first time that these contaminants have been detected in marine mammals from the Antarctic. BDE-47 concentrations were lower than previously reported for the same species, suggesting a successful effect of the existing regulation and bans on PBDEs.
Halogenated flame retardants were in tissues of Antarctic seals proving long-range transport. Dechloranes showed similar behaviour to PBDEs, additionally they crossed the BBB.
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•Long-range transport of halogenated flame retardants into Antarctic seals.•PBDEs found in muscle, adipose and fur samples, mainly BDE-47 and BDE-28.•Dechloranes found in all types of samples at levels comparable to PBDEs.•Dechloranes crossed the blood-brain barrier of both species; PBDEs did not.•Fur samples, easier to obtain, are suitable to monitor these compounds.
Pyrethroids (PYR) and UV filters (UVF) were investigated in tissues of paired mother-fetus dolphins from Brazilian coast in order to investigate the possibility of maternal transfer of these emerging ...contaminants. Comparison of PYR and UVF concentrations in maternal and fetal blubber revealed Franciscana transferred efficiently both contaminants to fetuses (F/M > 1) and Guiana dolphin transferred efficiently PYR to fetuses (F/M > 1) different than UVF (F/M < 1). PYR and UVF concentrations in fetuses were the highest-ever reported in biota (up to 6640 and 11,530 ng/g lw, respectively). Muscle was the organ with the highest PYR and UVF concentrations (p < 0.001), suggesting that these two classes of emerging contaminants may have more affinity for proteins than for lipids. The high PYR and UVF concentrations found in fetuses demonstrate these compounds are efficiently transferred through placenta. This study is the first to report maternal transfer of pyrethroids and UV filters in marine mammals.
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•First time maternal transfer of pyrethroids and UV filters in mammals was reported.•Pollutants in fetus tissues characterize their transplacental transfer.•Fetuses had pyrethroid and UV filter levels 10 times higher than their mothers.•Muscle was the organ presented with the highest concentrations of PYR and UVF.
Pyrethroids and UV filter concentrations in fetus and mother dolphin tissues demonstrated placenta and milk transfer in marine mammals.
Liver samples from 53 Franciscana dolphins along the Brazilian coast were analyzed for organobrominated compounds. Target substances included the following anthropogenic pollutants: polybrominated ...diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB), hexabromobenzene (HBB), decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), as well as the naturally-generated methoxylated-PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs). PBDE concentrations ranged from 6 to 1797 ng/g lw (mean 166 ± 298 ng/g lw) and were similar to those observed in cetaceans from Northern Hemisphere. PBBs were found in all sampling locations (<LOQ to 57 ng/g lw). DBDPE was detected in 42% of the dolphins from the most industrialized Brazilian state and the concentrations ranging from <LOQ to 352 ng/g lw. Franciscana dolphins from the tropical Brazilian shore presented the highest MeO-PBDE concentrations ever reported for coastal cetaceans (up to 14 μg/g lw). Eight MeO-PBDE congeners were detected and the present investigation constituted the first record of occurrence of six of them in marine mammal livers.
► PBDE, emerging BFR and MeO-PBDE levels in Franciscana dolphin from Brazil were reported. ► Six MeO-PBDEs were detected for the first time in marine mammals. ► PBDE contamination was similar than those from other industrialized areas around the world. ► MeO-PBDEs presented the higher concentrations found in coastal biota worldwide.
Concentrations and accumulation profiles of PBDEs, MeO-PBDEs and emerging brominated compounds in livers of dolphins from South Atlantic.
Especially added on many industrial and domestic products as flame retardants (FRs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are among the chemicals of high environmental concern because of their ...potential harmfulness for environmental and human health. Seafood consumption is considered the main source of PBDEs and their methoxylated congeners (MeO-BDEs) for humans. The present study aims to investigate the seasonal occurrence of six PBDEs and eight MeO-BDEs congeners using Douro river biota (different trophic levels) as sentinels, as well as to evaluate the human exposure risk to PBDEs through seafood consumption. Biota samples (n = 273) were collected from one of the most important Portuguese estuaries in the north-western coast of Portugal at four different seasons (2019–2020). The analyses were performed by an environmental-friendly extraction procedure followed by Gas Chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole detector (GC–MS/MS). PBDEs were detected in all seafood samples analysed, with means ranging from 0.02 ng g−1 ww (flounder in autumn) to 3.75 ng g−1 ww (mussel in winter). Levels of lower-brominated PBDE congeners were significantly higher than higher-brominated ones in all seasons (p < 0.01). MeO-BDEs ranged from 0.001 ng g−1 ww (grey mullet in summer) to 5.66 ng g−1 ww (green crab in spring). Crabs and mussels presented the highest means of PBDEs and MeO-BDEs. Regarding the health risk assessment of the studied PBDE congeners (47, 99, and 153), consumption of Douro river fish is not a case of concern for consumers.
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•PBDEs and their metabolites were found in Douro river biota.•Higher levels of MeO-BDEs were found in both invertebrate and macroalgae species.•PBDEs and MeO-BDEs levels varied among seasons.•Low risk through fish consumption according to the MOE threshold for PBDEs.
Blubber samples from three delphinid species (false killer whale, Guiana and rough-toothed dolphin), as well as liver samples from franciscana dolphins were analyzed for dioxins and related compounds ...(DRCs). Samples were collected from 35 cetaceans stranded or incidentally captured in a highly industrialized and urbanized area (Southeast and Southern Brazilian regions). Dioxin-like PCBs accounted for over 83% of the total TEQ for all cetaceans. Non-ortho coplanar PCBs, for franciscanas (82%), and mono-ortho PCBs (up to 80%), for delphinids, constituted the groups of highest contribution to total TEQ. Regarding franciscana dolphins, significant negative correlations were found between total length (TL) and three variables, ΣTEQ-DRCs, ΣTEQ-PCDF and ΣTEQ non-ortho PCB. An increasing efficiency of the detoxifying activity with the growth of the animal may be a plausible explanation for these findings. This hypothesis is reinforced by the significant negative correlation found between TL and PCB126/PCB169 concentration ratio. DRC concentrations (ng/glipids) varied from 36 to 3006, for franciscana dolphins, as well as from 356 to 30,776, for delphinids. The sum of dioxin-like and indicator PCBs varied from 34,662 to 279,407ng/glipids, for Guiana dolphins from Rio de Janeiro state, which are among the highest PCB concentrations ever reported for cetaceans. The high concentrations found in our study raise concern not only on the conservation of Brazilian coastal cetaceans, but also on the possibility of human health problem due to consumption of fish from Brazilian estuaries.
•Dioxin-like PCBs accounted for over 83% of the total TEQ for all cetaceans•Negative correlations were found between length and TEQ values in franciscanas.•PCB concentrations found are among the highest ever reported for cetaceans.
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