Deep-sea ecosystems play a key role in the cycling and vertical transfer of matter and energy in oceans. Although the contamination of deep-sea demersal and benthic organisms by persistent organic ...pollutants has been proven, deep pelagic species have been far less studied. To fill these gaps, we studied the occurrence of a large variety of hydrophobic organic contaminants including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), legacy and alternative brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in crustaceans and fish species collected in the Bay of Biscay, northeast Atlantic. The results highlighted the global predominance of PCBs in fish, followed by OCPs, PFASs and PBDEs, with highly variable concentrations among species. Most of the chlorinated or brominated contaminants showed increasing concentrations with increasing δ15N values, while most PFASs showed inverse trends. The contaminant profiles and diagnostic ratios revealed species-specific metabolic capacities and peculiar contribution of highly-brominated BFRs.
•Organohalogen contaminants were ubiquitous in deep pelagic crustaceans and fish.•PCBs were predominant in fish followed by OCPs, PFASs and PBDEs.•BFR profiles were peculiar with high contributions of BDE-209 and DBDPE.•Specific ratios highlight species-specific metabolic capacities.•Long-chain PFCAs showed biodilution with increasing δ15N values.
The contamination of tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) and bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) by legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and emerging organic contaminants was investigated in ...specimens from Reunion Island (Southwest Indian Ocean) in 2018 and 2019. Contamination levels were determined in the muscle of adult individuals of both sexes in relation to biological and trophic parameters. Maternal transfer was additionally investigated in one set of embryos in each species. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), organochlorinated pesticide (OCP) and perfluoroalkylated substance (PFAS) concentrations were 2597 ± 2969, 785 ± 966 and 267 ± 194 pg g-1 ww, respectively, in bull sharks, and 339 ± 270, 1025 ± 946 and 144 ± 53 pg g-1 ww in tiger sharks. The results highlighted higher PCB contamination, and by the heavier congeners, in adult bull sharks versus tiger sharks. The significant differences found in PCB profiles and concentrations suggest that the two species are exposed to different contamination sources. As bull sharks rely on a more coastal habitat for feeding, their higher contamination by PCBs suggests the occurrence of local PCB sources. DDT concentrations were similar in both species, suggesting a more homogeneous contamination on the scale of the Southwest Indian Ocean. Female bull sharks showed lower OCP and PCB concentrations than males, while this trend was not observed in tiger sharks. The ratio of chlorinated contaminants in muscle between the mother and her embryos was related to molecule hydrophobicity in bull shark but not in tiger shark, suggesting that shark mode of gestation, known to be different in the two species, is a key driver of organic contaminant maternal transfer. Finally, the results show that organic contaminant levels in the studied species were lower than those of other shark species in the Southern Hemisphere, related to the limited urbanization and industrialization of Reunion Island.
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•Organic contaminants in two sympatric sharks from Reunion Island are reported.•Contamination in Reunion Island was lower than in other areas in the Indian Ocean.•Higher PCB contamination in bull sharks suggests local sources.•OC profiles were consistent with species habitat and trophic ecology.•Viviparous mode of gestation results in decontamination of female bull sharks.
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•Numerous OHCs detected at low levels but moderate to high detection frequencies.•Large inter-species differences in relative contributions of PCBs, OCPs and PFAS.•Highest levels of ...DDTs determined in the oceanic top predator species.•Herbivorous species characterized by a higher contribution of 3–4 Cl PCBs.•Long-chain PFCAs ( ≥ C8) by far predominant in comparison to PFOS.
Current contamination levels of selected legacy, currently-used and emerging halogenated contaminants were monitored in marine shellfish along French coastlines. The studied contaminants included ...polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE), decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), hexabromobenzene (HBB), 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl (BB-153) and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).BDE-47, BDE-209, BTBPE, HBB and α-HBCDD were detected in 100% of the analyzed samples, whereas BB-153, DBDPE and PFOS were detected at frequencies of 97%, 90% and 55%, respectively. Concentrations were in the pg g−1 ww range and varied as follows: PFOS > BDE-47 ∼ α-HBCDD > BDE-209 > BTBPE ∼ DBDPE > HBB ∼ BB-153. Overall, non-PBDE Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) revealed concentrations between 3 and 59 times lower than those of PBDEs.PBDE pattern was dominated by BDE-47, followed by BDE-99 > BDE-100 > BDE-49 > BDE-209 > BDE-154; these 6 congeners represented 94% of the summed ten PBDEs. PFC pattern determination revealed PFOS as the predominant PFC in samples from the English Channel and Atlantic, whereas perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) prevailed in Mediterranean samples. Temporal trend investigations on archived samples from the Mediterranean coast collected between 1981 and 2012 showed a prevalence of PFOS until 1998; PFCAs subsequently increased and became more abundant than PFOS. High levels of PFCAs were observed until 2008, followed by a decrease and stabilization in 2010–2012. Amongst PFCAs, perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) were predominant and exhibited similar time trends, suggesting similar sources at the investigated site, home to major industrial activity.
Tuna and billfish are large pelagic fish of ecological importance in open oceans. As top predators with a long lifespan, they are prone to exposure to various contaminants such as persistent organic ...pollutants (POPs) and contaminants of emerging concern. In this study, three pollutant families were investigated, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs). Contamination was investigated in individuals from three tropical tuna species, namely bigeye (Thunnus obesus), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and yellowfin (Thunnusalbacares) tunas and the billfish swordfish (Xiphias gladius), collected from various areas of the western Indian Ocean (WIO) in 2013-2014. Contamination levels and profiles were examined in fish muscle, together with biological parameters (fish length / age, sex, lipid content) and ecological tracers (carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes). POP levels were low in all species in comparison to other locations worldwide, revealing a low impact of anthropogenic organic contaminants in the WIO. A predominance of OCPs (especially DDTs) versus PCBs was highlighted in all species; PFASs were predominant over chlorinated POPs in tunas. Among the studied PFASs, long-chain PFCAs were found to prevail over PFOS in all species. Organic contaminant profiles differed across species according to their foraging habitat; swordfish and bigeye tuna, which both feed in deep oceanic layers, showed similarities in their contaminant profiles. Geographically, the distinct DDT profiles of fish from the Mozambique Channel suggested an exposure to different DDT sources, in line with regional use of this insecticide and coupled with an extended residence time of fish in the Channel. To our knowledge, the data presented here are among the first obtained for legacy and emerging organic contaminants in various species of large pelagic predators from the WIO.
•Occurrence of organic contaminants in tuna and swordfish from the Indian Ocean.•DDTs and PFASs were predominant in swordfish and tunas, respectively.•Long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids dominated PFAS profiles.•Species sharing similar feeding habitats showed similar POP profiles.•Tunas from Mozambique Channel showed unique DDT profiles.
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is a major marine resource of high economic value to industrial and artisanal fisheries. As a top predator with a long lifespan, it is prone to accumulate high levels of ...contaminants. The bioaccumulation of a wide range of both legacy and emerging persistent organic contaminants was investigated in the muscle, liver and gonads of swordfish collected from the Seychelles, western Indian Ocean. The detection of all target contaminants, some at frequencies above 80%, highlights their widespread occurrence, albeit at low levels. Mean concentrations in muscle were 5637, 491 and 331 pg g−1 ww for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), respectively. ∑BFR mean concentrations were far below, i.e. 47 pg g−1 ww. The data are among the first obtained for such a high diversity of contaminants in an oceanic top predator worldwide and constitute a benchmark of the contamination of Indian Ocean ecosystems.
•Wide range of organic contaminants investigated in swordfish from the Seychelles•Major contaminants were chlorinated (OCPs, PCBs) and fluorinated (PFASs) compounds.•All contaminants at low levels in Indian Ocean compared to other oceans worldwide•Tissue-specific distribution driven by contaminant affinities to lipids or proteins•No difference in contaminant concentrations in male and female swordfish
► Levels and trends of HBCDs and PFCs were studied in the French coastal environment. ► Results show widespread contamination of shellfish by α-HBCD and PFOS. ► Contamination by α-HBCD increased ...exponentially between 1981 and 2011. ► PFOS levels underwent a significant linear decrease over time.
The levels and congener patterns of HBCDs (hexabromocyclododecanes) and PFCs (perfluorinated compounds) were determined in filter-feeding molluscs collected in 2008 and 2010 along the coasts of mainland France. α-HBCD and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) were detected in all samples, revealing widespread contamination of the coastal environment by these emerging contaminants. The spatial distribution of Σ-HBCD concentrations showed higher median levels in samples from the Mediterranean Sea and English Channel respectively, i.e. 0.19ngg−1 wet weight (ww) and 0.08ngg−1 ww, related to high anthropogenic pressure from urban and industrial activities, while the median concentration was 0.05ngg−1 ww in samples from the Atlantic coast. Among PFCs, PFOS was the only compound detected in all samples and PFDA (perfluorodecanoic acid) was the second most frequently-detected compound. PFOS median concentrations were 0.18ngg−1 ww, 0.09ngg−1 ww and 0.04ngg−1 ww in samples from the English Channel, the Atlantic coast and the Mediterranean coast respectively. The highest PFOS concentration was found in the Loire estuary, possibly related to local industrial activities. The Mediterranean samples showed a different pattern, with predominant long-chain PFCAs (perfluorocarboxylic acids), suggesting the presence of alternative sources on the Mediterranean coast.
The temporal trends studied in archived samples from the Seine estuary site showed a significant exponential increase in HBCD concentrations between 1981 and 2011, with a doubling time of 7years, while PFOS levels underwent a significant linear decrease over time. These trends are coherent with current regulations on the use of these compounds. The results presented in this paper provide the first data on the contamination of the French coastal marine environment by the selected emerging compounds, and constitute a reference for the future monitoring of French coastal contamination by emerging contaminants.
Telomeres protect the coding sequence of chromosome ends and Telomere Length (TL) has been proposed as a biomarker of cellular aging, cumulative stress exposure and life-span in humans. With the aim ...to propose new biomarkers, a q-PCR protocol was adapted for the measurement of TL in the European flounder Platichthys flesus. The protocol was then applied in 2-year-old flounders from the Seine Estuary.
The absolute TL in the flounder is 54 ± 13 kbp per genome (mean ± standard error). Considering relative or absolute TL, no correlation was observed with DNA damage and any of the measured contaminant concentrations (trace elements, metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorobiphenyls, organochlorinated pesticides, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, perfluoroalkyl substances). Because sampling was limited, further investigations are required to state a possible impact of chemical pollution on flatfish telomeres. This is motivated by correlations observed with organochlorinated compounds when decreasing statistical significance (p ≤ 0.10).
•A q-PCR protocol was adapted for telomere length (TL) measurement in flounders.•In fish from Seine Estuary, the absolute TL is 55 ± 12.8 kbp per diploid genome.•No correlation between TL and DNA damage was observed.•TL is positively correlated with organochlorinated compounds for p-values ≤0.10.•More studies are required to state if TL could be a marker of chemical stress.
Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were investigated in juvenile common sole from nursery zones situated along the French coast in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Extensive identification was performed with ...regard to PBDEs, novel BFRs 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) and decabromodiphenylethane (DBDPE), and other non-PBDE BFRs, namely, hexabromobenzene (HBB) and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexabromobiphenyl (BB-153). Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations (Σ 14 congeners) ranged from 0.01
ng/g to 0.16
ng/g wet weight (ww) in muscle, and 0.07
ng/g to 2.8
ng/g ww in liver. Concentrations were in the lower range of those reported in the literature in other European locations. Lower PBDE concentrations, condition indices and lipid contents were observed in the Seine estuary in 2009, possibly in relation to a lower water flow. The PBDE patterns and ratios we observed suggested that juvenile sole have a relative high metabolic degradation capacity. Non-PBDE BFRs were detected at lower levels than PBDEs, i.e., within the < method detection limit – 0.005
ng/g ww range in muscle, and < method detection limit – 0.2
ng/g ww range in liver. The data obtained is of particular interest for the future monitoring of these compounds in the environment.
► PBDEs and novel BFRs were investigated in common sole from French nursery zones. ► Concentrations were in the lower range of those reported in other European locations. ► Novel BFR concentrations did not show any increase compared to previous years. ► PBDE congener patterns and ratios suggested a high metabolic degradation capacity.
Tissue-specific accumulation and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their debrominated metabolites were studied in common sole (Solea solea) over an entire reproduction cycle. ...The fish were dietary-exposed to selected PBDEs in laboratory-controlled conditions for one year. Fish of both sexes were sampled throughout the reproduction cycle and their muscle, liver, viscera, carcass, skin and gonads (female) were analysed for total lipid content, PBDEs and their debrominated metabolites.
On a wet weight basis, the concentrations of most spiked congeners showed an increase at the end of the exposure time in the whole body of fish of both sexes. Conversely, BDE-99 and BDE-209 – the two most highly metabolized congeners – did not show a similar increase, while their debrominated metabolites exhibited a linear increase over time.
Biomagnification factors (BMFs) calculated in whole body were > 1 for all PBDEs except BDE-99 (0.89 ± 0.22) and BDE-209 (0.013 ± 0.006). BMFs were strongly correlated to apparent assimilation efficiencies, which ranged from 1.6% ± 0.7% (BDE-209) to 88% ± 11% (BDE-100).
Fish carcass was the most predominant storage compartment for all PBDEs except BDE-209 in both male and female fish, followed by skin, muscle, female gonads, liver and visceral tissue. BDE-209 showed a different distribution and was stored more predominantly in the liver, viscera and female gonads than other congeners, probably due to its transport with lipoproteins. All PBDEs except BDE-209 showed equilibrium partitioning between the liver and other studied compartments, while BDE-209 showed a higher affinity with blood-enriched tissues, leading to higher liver / carcass, skin and muscle concentration ratios. Visceral tissue and liver exhibited the most pronounced differences in terms of concentration variations between sexes and over time. In females, both tissues showed a significant decrease in most PBDE concentrations (ww) and TLC in March during the spawning season, with low inter-individual variability, reflecting the striking utilisation of lipids by females for reproduction at this time. In males, no differences were found in concentrations in these compartments over time and a high inter-individual variability was observed.
Maternal transfer of PBDEs from gonad to eggs was constant, regardless of spawn rank in the spawning season. Egg / gonad PBDE concentration ratios (in lw) were 1.3 ± 0.7 for all congeners and 2.6 ± 0.3 for BDE-209, suggesting a higher transfer of this congener from gonads to eggs.
•Tissue- and sex-specific PBDE distribution over an entire reproduction cycle in sole.•Different assimilation efficiencies and debrominations depending on congeners.•Equilibrium partitioning between liver and other tissues except for BDE-209.•Transfer of PBDEs and their metabolites from female gonads to eggs.•Higher transfer of BDE-209 from gonads to eggs.
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