Bisphenol A in human placental and fetal liver tissues collected from Greater Montreal area (Quebec) during 1998-2008

In this study, the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in human placental and fetal liver samples collected from 1998 to 2008 was investigated to provide a more detailed analysis of the transfer of BPA across the placenta and fetal exposure to BPA. The average concentrations in placental samples were 12.6 ng g⁻¹ for free BPA, 17.2 ng g⁻¹ for BPA-glu, and 30.2 ng g⁻¹ for total BPA. The highest concentrations in placental samples were 165 ng g⁻¹ for free BPA, 178 ng g⁻¹ for BPA-glu, and 280 ng g⁻¹ for total BPA. Samples with higher levels of BPA-glu had higher levels of free BPA in general. Fetal age was observed to have a significant effect on BPA-glu levels in placental samples, but not on free or total BPA. The percentages of free BPA relative to total BPA for the placental samples varied considerably from 4.2% to 100%, suggesting that the ability of maternal liver and/or the placenta to conjugate BPA is highly variable during early to mid-gestation. The average concentrations in fetal liver samples were 9.02 ng g⁻¹ for free BPA, 19.1 ng g⁻¹ for BPA-glu, and 25.8 ng g⁻¹ for total BPA. The highest concentrations in fetal liver samples were 37.7 ng g⁻¹ for free BPA, 93.9 ng g⁻¹ for BPA-glu, and 123 ng g⁻¹ for total BPA. The percentages of free BPA level relative to total BPA for all fetal liver samples varied from 12.4% to 99.1%, indicating extensive variability in the ability of the human feto-placental unit to glucuronidate BPA.     

Assessment of risk to humans of bisphenol A in marine and freshwater fish from Pearl River Delta, China

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high production-volume chemical used in the manufacture of a wide variety of consumer products. However it is also a ubiquitous contaminant that can interfere with endocrine systems of wildlife and humans. China is the “world factory” and the Pearl River Delta is the major manufacturing center and is consequently polluted. Concentrations of BPA in meats of marketable fish had not been previously reported for this region. In the study upon which we report here concentrations of BPA were determined in 20 common species of freshwater and marine fish, collected from markets in Hong Kong, SAR, China. A comprehensive analytical method based on SPE extraction and liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was developed, validated and applied. The method limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were 0.5 and 1.25 ng g⁻¹ dw, respectively. BPA was detected in 19 species of fish at concentrations, ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 ng g⁻¹ ww. Average daily BPA intake per person ranged from 1.1 × 10² ng d⁻¹ for marine fish and 2.2 × 10² ng d⁻¹ for freshwater fish. Concentrations of BPA in fish from Hong Kong markets unlikely would be causing adverse population-level effects in humans.     

Simultaneous determination of organochlorine pesticides and bisphenol A in edible marine biota by GC-MS

A study to assess the level of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and bisphenol A (BPA) in edible marine biota collected from coastal waters of Malaysia was conducted using GC-MS and SPE extraction. An analytical method was developed and validated to measure the level of 15 OCPs and BPA simultaneously from five selected marine species. It was observed that some samples had low levels of p,p′-DDE, p,p′-DDT and p,p′- DDD ranging from 0.50 ng g⁻¹ to 22.49 ng g⁻¹ dry weight (d.w) but significantly elevated level of endosulfan I was detected in a stingray sample at 2880 ng g⁻¹ d.w. BPA was detected in 31 out of 57 samples with concentration ranging from below quantification level (LOQ: 3 ng g⁻¹) to 729 ng g⁻¹ d.w. The presence of OCPs is most likely from past use although there is also indication of illegal use in recent times. The study also reveals that BPA is more widely distributed in coastal species caught off the coast of the most developed state. The potential health risk from dietary intakes of OCPs and BPA from the analysed fish species was negligible.     

Levels of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in the critically endangered Iberian lynx and other sympatric carnivores in Spain

Accumulation of organochlorine compounds is well studied in aquatic food chains whereas little information is available from terrestrial food chains. This study presents data of organochlorine levels in tissue and plasma samples of 15 critically endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) and other 55 wild carnivores belonging to five species from three natural areas of Spain (Doñana National Park, Sierra Morena and Lozoya River) and explores their relationship with species diet. The Iberian lynx, with a diet based on the consumption of rabbit, had lower PCB levels (geometric means, plasma: <0.01 ng mL⁻¹, liver: 0.4 ng g⁻¹ wet weight, fat: 87 ng g⁻¹ lipid weight) than other carnivores with more anthropic and opportunistic foraging behavior, such as the red fox (Vulpes vulpes; plasma: 1.11 ng mL⁻¹, liver: 459 ng g⁻¹, fat: 1984 ng g⁻¹), or with diets including reptiles at higher proportion, such as the Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon; plasma: 7.15 ng mL⁻¹, liver: 216 ng g⁻¹, fat: 540 ng g⁻¹), or the common genet (Genetta genetta; liver: 466 ng g⁻¹, fat: 3854 ng g⁻¹). Chlorinated pesticides showed interspecific variations similar to PCBs. Organochlorine levels have declined since the 80s in carnivores from Doñana National Park, but PCB levels are still of concern in Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra; liver: 3873-5426 ng g⁻¹) from the industrialized region of Madrid.     

Exposure assessment of French women and their newborn to brominated flame retardants: determination of tri- to deca- polybromodiphenylethers (PBDE) in maternal adipose tissue, serum, breast milk and cord serum

In the frame of a French monitoring program, tri- to deca- polybromodiphenylethers (PBDE) have been measured in maternal and cord serum, adipose tissue, and breast milk samples, collected from 93 volunteer women during caesarean deliveries. The seven major tri- to heptaBDE (BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183) were detected in adipose tissue and breast milk with cumulated median values of 2.59 and 2.51 ng g⁻¹ l w. Nine highly brominated octa- to decaBDE (BDE-196, 197, 201, 202, 203, 206, 207, 208 and 209) was performed in the same samples, with cumulated median values of 2.73 and 3.39 ng g⁻¹ l w in adipose tissue and breast milk, respectively. At this opposite, median levels of octa- to decaBDE in maternal and cord serum appeared significantly higher than the levels of tri- to heptaBDE in the same matrices, i.e. 8.85 and 12.34 versus 0.98 and 0.69 ng g⁻¹ l w, respectively.     

Alkylphenols in adipose tissues of Italian population

Alkylphenols (APs) and AP ethoxylated compounds (APEs) were screened in human subcutaneous adipose tissue samples from Italy. The samples were collected during bariatric surgery from 16 subjects (three men and 13 women) and a total of seven alkylphenol compounds (APs) was detected. Nonylphenol (NP) was the compound found at the highest level (mean 122 ng g⁻¹ fresh weight; range 10-266 ng g⁻¹ fw). Several nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs) were found in all the sample analysed though the frequency of detection decreased with the increasing number of ethoxylic groups. NP4EO was found only in four patients ranging from trace amounts to 41.3 ng g⁻¹ fw. Total nonylphenols (NPEs) ranged between 45 and 1131 ng g⁻¹ fw, whereas the concentration of total octylphenols (OPEs) was at least 10 times lower (range 6-80 ng g⁻¹ fw). Our findings show that the average concentration of NP is about two times higher than that found in women from Southern Spain and up to three times that of people from Switzerland. Similarly, OP mean level is two times that reported in Finland and Spain populations. This is the first study that reports the presence of alkylphenols in the Italian population adipose tissue and it draws a baseline for further researches in order to depict a trend in human exposure to these compounds and to investigate possible consequences for human health.     

The distribution of 4-nonylphenol in marine organisms of North American Pacific Coast estuaries

One of the chemical breakdown products of nonylphenol ethoxylates, 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), accumulates in organisms and is of concern as an environmental pollutant due to its endocrine disrupting effects. We measured 4-NP levels in the seawater, sediment, and twelve organisms within the California estuary, Morro Bay, and examined biomagnification of 4-NP using stable isotope abundances (δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C) to quantify trophic position. 4-NP concentrations in organisms from Morro Bay included 25000 ± 8600 ng g⁻¹ lw in liver of California sea lion, 14000 ± 5600 ng g⁻¹ lw in liver of harbor porpoise, 138000 ± 55000 ng g⁻¹ lw in liver of sea otters, 15700 ± 3600 ng g⁻¹ lw in liver of seabirds, 36100 ± 6100 ng g⁻¹ lw in arrow goby fish, 62800 ± 28400 ng g⁻¹ lw in oysters, and 12700 ± 1300 ng g⁻¹ lw in mussels. 4-NP levels generally showed a pattern of trophic dilution among organisms in Morro Bay, with exceptions of biomagnification observed between three trophic links: mussel to sea otter (BMF 10.9), oyster to sea otter (BMF 2.2), and arrow goby to staghorn sculpin (BMF 2.7). Our examination of other west coast estuaries of USA and Canada revealed that mean 4-NP concentrations in gobies and mussels from Morro Bay were significantly higher than those from a more urbanized estuary, San Francisco Bay (goby: 11100 ± 3800 ng g⁻¹ lw) and from a remote estuary, Bamfield Inlet, Canada (goby: 9000 ± 900 ng g⁻¹ lw, mussel: 6100 ± 700 ng g⁻¹ lw). Relative to other estuaries worldwide, 4-NP levels in seawater (0.42 ± 0.16 μg L⁻¹) and sediment (53 ± 14 ng g⁻¹ dw) of Morro Bay are low, but gobies and oysters have higher 4-NP levels than comparable fauna.     

Persistent organic pollutants in plastic marine debris found on beaches in San Diego, California

Plastic debris were collected from eight beaches around San Diego County, California. Debris collected include: pre-production pellets and post-consumer plastics including fragments, polystyrene (PS) foam, and rubber. A total of n = 2453 pieces were collected ranging from <5 mm to 50 mm in size. The plastic pieces were separated by type, location, and appearance and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its breakdown products, and chlordanes. PAH concentrations ranged from 30 ng g⁻¹ to 1900 ng g⁻¹, PCBs from non-detect to 47 ng g⁻¹, chlordanes from 1.8 ng g⁻¹ to 60 ng g⁻¹, and DDTs from non-detect to 76 ng g⁻¹. Consistently higher PAH concentrations found in PS foam samples (300-1900 ng g⁻¹) led us to examine unexposed PS foam packaging materials and PS virgin pellets. Unexposed PS foam contained higher concentrations of PAHs (240-1700 ng g⁻¹) than PS virgin pellets (12-15 ng g⁻¹), suggesting that PAHs may be produced during manufacturing. Temporal trends of debris were investigated at one site, Ocean Beach, where storm events and beach maintenance were found to be important variables influencing debris present at a given time.     

Air quality assessment by tree bark biomonitoring in urban, industrial and rural environments of the Rhine Valley: PCDD/Fs, PCBs and trace metal evidence

Tree barks were used as biomonitors to evaluate past atmospheric pollution within and around the industrial zones of Strasbourg (France) and Kehl (Germany) in the Rhine Valley. The here estimated residence time for trace metals, PCBs and PCDD/Fs in tree bark is >10 years. Thus, all pollution observed by tree bark biomonitoring can be older than 10 years. The PCB baseline concentration (sum of seven PCB indicators (Σ₇PCB_ind)) determined on tree barks from a remote area in the Vosges mountains is 4 ng g⁻¹ and corresponds to 0.36 × 10⁻³ ng toxic equivalent (TEQ) g⁻¹ for the dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs). The northern Rhine harbor suffered especially from steel plant, waste incinerator and thermal power plant emissions. The polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/Fs) concentrations analyzed in tree barks from this industrial area range between 392 and 1420 ng kg⁻¹ dry-weight (dw) corresponding to 3.9 ng TEQ_PCDD/Fs kg⁻¹ to 17.8 ng TEQ_PCDD/Fs kg⁻¹, respectively. Highest PCDD/F values of 7.2 ng TEQ kg⁻¹ to 17.8 ng TEQ kg⁻¹ have been observed close to and at a distance of <2 km southwest of the chemical waste incinerator. However, very close to this incinerator lowest TEQ dioxin-like PCB (TEQ_DL-PCB) values of 0.006 ng TEQ g⁻¹ have been found. On the other hand close to and southwest and northeast of the steel plant the values are comparatively higher and range between 0.011 ng TEQ g⁻¹ and 0.026 ng TEQ g⁻¹. However, even stronger Σ₇PCB_ind enrichments have been observed at a few places in the city center of Kehl, where ΣDL-PCB values of up to 0.11 ng TEQ g⁻¹ have been detected. These enrichments, however, are the result of ancient pollutions since recent long-term measurements at the same sites indicate that the atmospheric PCB concentrations are close to baseline. Emissions from an old landfill of waste and/or great fires might have been the reasons of these PCB enrichments. Other urban environments of the cities of Kehl and Strasbourg show significantly lower Σ₇PCB_ind concentrations. They suffer especially from road and river traffic and have typically Σ₇PCB_ind concentrations ranging from 11 ng g⁻¹ to 29 ng g⁻¹. The PCB concentration of 29 ng g⁻¹ has been found in tree bark close to the railway station of Strasbourg. Nevertheless, the corresponding TEQ_DL-PCB are low and range between 0.2 × 10⁻³ ng TEQ g⁻¹ and 7 × 10⁻³ ng TEQ g⁻¹. Samples collected near road traffic are enriched in Fe, Sb, Sn and Pb. Cd enrichments were found close to almost all types of industries. Rural environments not far from industrial sites suffered from organic and inorganic pollution. In this case, TEQ_DL-PCB values may reach up to 58 × 10⁻³ ng TEQ g⁻¹ and the corresponding V, Cr, Co, Ni, and Cd concentrations are comparatively high.     

Comparisons of polybrominated diphenyl ethers levels in paired South Korean cord blood, maternal blood, and breast milk samples

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), commonly used flame retardants, have been reported as potential endocrine disruptor and neurodevelopmental toxicants, thus giving rise to the public health concern. The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between umbilical cord blood, maternal blood, and breast milk concentrations of PBDEs in South Korean. We assessed PBDE levels in paired samples of umbilical cord blood, maternal blood, and breast milk. The levels of seven PBDE congeners were measured in 21 paired samples collected from the Cheil Woman’s Hospital (Seoul, Korea) in 2008. We also measured thyroid hormones levels in maternal and cord blood to assess the association between PBDEs exposure and thyroid hormone levels. However, there was no correlation between serum thyroxin (T4) and total PBDEs concentrations. The total PBDEs concentrations in the umbilical cord blood, maternal blood, and breast milk were 10.7 ± 5.1 ng g⁻¹ lipid, 7.7 ± 4.2 ng g⁻¹ lipid, and 3.0 ± 1.8 ng g⁻¹ lipid, respectively. The ranges of total PBDE concentrations observed were 2.28-30.94 ng g⁻¹ lipid in umbilical cord blood, 1.8-17.66 ng g⁻¹ lipid in maternal blood, and 1.08-8.66 ng g⁻¹ lipid in breast milk. BDE-47 (45-73% of total PBDEs) was observed to be present dominantly in all samples, followed by BDE-153. A strong correlation was found for major BDE-congeners between breast milk and cord blood or maternal blood and cord blood samples. The measurement of PBDEs concentrations in maternal blood or breast milk may help to determine the concentration of PBDEs in infant.     

Species- and tissue-specific accumulation of Dechlorane Plus in three terrestrial passerine bird species from the Pearl River Delta, South China

Little data is available on the bioaccumulation of Dechlorane Plus (DP) in terrestrial organisms. Three terrestrial passerine bird species, light-vented bulbul, long-tailed shrike, and oriental magpie-robin, were collected from rural and urban sites in the Pearl River Delta to analyze for the presence of DP and its dechlorinated products in muscle and liver tissues. The relationships between trophic level and concentration and isomeric composition of DP in birds were also investigated based on stable nitrogen isotope analysis. DP levels had a wide range from 3.9 to 930 ng g⁻¹ lipid weight (lw) in muscle and from 7.0 to 1300 ng g⁻¹ lw in liver. Anti-Cl₁₁-DP and syn-Cl₁₁-DP, two dechlorinated products of DP, were also detected in bird samples with concentrations ranged between not detected (nd)-41 and nd-7.6 ng g⁻¹ lw, respectively. DP preferentially accumulated in liver rather than in muscle for all three bird species. Birds had significantly higher concentrations of DP in urban sites than in rural sites (mean, 300 vs 73 ng g⁻¹ lw). The fractions of anti-DP (f_anti) were higher in birds collected in rural sites than in urban sites. Significant positive correlation between DP levels and δ¹⁵N values but significant negative correlation between f_anti and δ¹⁵N values were found for birds in both urban and rural sites, indicating that trophic level of birds play an important role in determining DP level and isomeric profile.     

Organochlorine concentrations in franciscana dolphins, Pontoporia blainvillei, from Brazilian waters

Blubber samples were collected from ten franciscana dolphins either incidentally captured in fishing operations or stranded on São Paulo (SP) and Paraná (PR) states littoral, Southeastern and Southern Brazilian coast, respectively. Determination of PCB, DDT and HCB concentrations were performed by capillary gas chromatograph coupled to electron capture detector (ECD). ΣDDT, ΣPCB and HCB concentrations ranged from 264 ng g⁻¹ to 5811 ng g⁻¹ lipid, from 909 ng g⁻¹ to 5849 ng g⁻¹ lipid and from 10 ng g⁻¹ to 61 ng g⁻¹ lipid, respectively. Regarding DDTs, the distribution of the mean percentages decreased in the following order: p,p′-DDE > p,p′-DDD > p,p′-DDT. The ΣDDT/ΣPCB ratio varied between 0.27 and 0.42 in Northern and Central SP coast, while in Southern SP and PR coast the values were 1.6 and 1.9, respectively. Dissimilarities in ΣDDT/ΣPCB ratios point to different sources of organochlorine compounds to franciscana dolphins in the study area. Considering the endocrine disruptive action of organochlorine compounds, the concentrations found in franciscana dolphins from Brazilian waters may represent an additional obstacle to the conservation of this endangered cetacean species.     

Distribution of PAHs in tissues of wetland plants and the surrounding sediments in the Chongming wetland, Shanghai, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) concentrations were determined in sediments and three types of wetland plants collected from the intertidal flats in the Chongming wetland. The concentration of total PAHs in sediments ranged from 38.7 to 136.2 ng g⁻¹. Surface sediment concentrations were higher in regions with plant cover than in bare regions. Rhizome-layer sediments (56.8-102.4 ng g⁻¹) contained less PAHs than surface sediments (0-5 cm). Concentrations of PAHs in plant tissues ranged from 51.9 to 181.2 ng g⁻¹, with highest concentrations in the leaves of Scirpus. Most of the PAHs in the leaves and other plant tissues were low molecular weight compounds (LMW, 2-4 rings), and a similar distribution pattern of PAHs in different types of plants was also observed. Source analysis indicated that plants and sediments both came from pyrogenic sources, but plants had additional petroleum contamination. The low ratio of benzo[a]anthracene over chrysene suggests that the wetland PAHs came mainly from long-distance atmospheric transportation. Significant bioaccumulation of PAHs from the sediments into plants was not observed for high molecular weight PAHs (HMW, 5-6 rings) in Chongming wetland. The small RCFs (root concentration factor from sediments) for HMW PAHs and large RCFs for LMW PAHs suggested that roots accumulated LMW PAHs selectively from sediments in Chongming wetland.     

Risk assessment of xenoestrogens in a typical domestic sewage-holding lake in China

Release of domestic sewage leads to accumulation of xenoestrogens in holding waters, especially in closed or semi-enclosed waters such as lakes. In the study, the occurrence, distribution, estrogenic activity and risk of eight xenoestreogens were evaluated in Lake Donghu, China. Nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP), and bisphenol A (BPA) were identified as the main xenoestrogens ranging from tens of ng L⁻¹ (in the surface water) or ng g⁻¹ dw (in the suspended particles and sediment) to tens of μg L⁻¹ or μg g⁻¹ dw. The sum of 17β-estradiol equivalents (∑EEQs) ranged from 0.32 to 45.02 ng L⁻¹ in the surface water, 0.53 to 71.86 ng g⁻¹ dw in the suspended particles, and 0.09 to 24.73 ng g⁻¹ dw in the sediment. Diethylstilbestrol (DES) was determined as the main contributor to ∑EEQs followed by NP. The risk assessment showed a higher risk in the surface water than in the suspended particles and sediment in such domestic sewage-holding lake.     

The impact of production type and region on polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) concentrations in Canadian chicken egg yolks

Chicken eggs from five different production types (conventional, omega-3 enriched, free range, organic and free run) were collected, when available, from three regions (west, central and east) of Canada to determine persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations. Total polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations (∑37 congeners) in yolks from the eggs ranged from 0.162 ng g⁻¹ lipid to 24.8 ng g⁻¹ lipid (median 1.25 ng g⁻¹ lipid) while the concentration of the sum of the 6 indicator PCBs ranged from 0.100 ng g⁻¹ lipid to 9.33 ng g⁻¹ lipid (median 0.495 ng g⁻¹ lipid). Total polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) concentrations ranged from 2.37 pg g⁻¹ lipid to 382 pg g⁻¹ lipid (median 9.53 pg g⁻¹ lipid). The 2005 WHO toxic equivalency (TEQ) ranged from 0.089 pg TEQ_{PCDD/F+dioxin-like[DL]-PCB} g⁻¹ lipid to 12.8 pg TEQ_{PCDD/F+DL-PCB} g⁻¹ lipid (median 0.342 pg TEQ_{PCDD/F+DL-PCB} g⁻¹ lipid). PCB and PCDD/F concentrations were significantly different (p < 0.001) in egg yolks from different regions of collection. In contrast to observations in Europe, PCB and PCDD/F concentrations in Canadian egg yolks were not impacted solely by the production type (e.g., conventional, free range, organic, etc.) used to maintain the laying chickens. Additionally, only one Canadian free range yolk from western Canada (12.8 pg TEQ_{PCDD/F+DL-PCB} g⁻¹ lipid) exceeded the European toxic equivalent concentration limits for eggs (5 pg TEQ_{PCDD/F+DL-PCB} g⁻¹ lipid). This differs from observations in Europe where free range/home produced eggs frequently have higher POP concentrations than eggs from other production types. Median PCB dietary intake estimates based on consumption of eggs were less than 10 ng d⁻¹ while median PCDD/F intakes were less than 45 pg d⁻¹.     

Diastereoisomer- and enantiomer-specific determination of hexabromocyclododecane in fish oil for food and feed

Fish oils are one of the main sources of ω-3 fatty acids. However, they can present elevated levels of some lipophilic pollutants, such as hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs). Since data about HBCDs in fish oil samples are very limited, in this study, 25 samples of fish oil for feed and food have been analyzed. Total HBCDs, as well as, α-, β- and γ-diastereoisomers have been determined. Total HBCDs ranged from 0.09 to 26.8 ng g⁻¹, with higher concentrations in fish oil for feed (average value of 9.69 ng g⁻¹) than those for food (1.14 ng g⁻¹). Concentrations of α-HBCD (average value of 4.12 ng g⁻¹ in feed samples and 0.48 ng g⁻¹ in food samples) and γ-HBCD (5.05 and 0.43 ng g⁻¹ respectively) were higher than that of β-HBCD (0.52 and 0.19 ng g⁻¹ respectively) in most of the samples. However, none of them was predominant in the samples. Concentrations of HBCDs were compared to concentrations of other pollutants and correlation between dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs levels and HBCDs levels were observed. Intake of HBCDs was calculated for fish oil with human consumption purposes and it ranged from 0.08 to 5.38 ng HBCDs d⁻¹, which could contribute significantly to HBCDs total intake. Enantiomeric fractions were also determined. No clear enrichment was observed for γ-HBCD, while (−)-α-HBCD enrichment was detected in some samples.     

Bioconcentration of triclosan, methyl-triclosan, and triclocarban in the plants and sediments of a constructed wetland

Constructed wetlands are a potential method for the removal of two pharmaceutical and personal care products from wastewater effluent. Triclosan (TCS; 5-chloro-2-[2,4-dichlorophenoxy]phenol) and triclocarban (TCC; 3,4,4′-trichlorocarbanillide) are antimicrobial agents added to a variety of consumer products whose accumulation patterns in constructed wetlands are poorly understood. Here, we report the accumulation of TCS, its metabolite methyl-triclosan (MTCS; 5-chloro-2-[2,4-dichlorophenoxy]), and TCC in wetland plant tissues and sediments. Three wetland macrophytes: Typha latifolia, Pontederia cordata, and Sagittaria graminea were sampled from a constructed wetland in Denton, Texas, USA. MTCS concentrations were below the method detection limit (MDL) for all species. TCS root tissue concentrations in T. latifolia were significantly greater than root concentrations in P. cordata (mean ± SE in ng g⁻¹: 40.3 ± 11.3 vs. 15.0 ± 1.9, respectively), while for TCC, shoot tissue concentrations in S. graminea were significantly greater than in T. latifolia (22.8 ± 9.3 vs. 9.0 (MDL), respectively). For both TCS and TCC, T. latifolia root tissue concentrations were significantly greater than shoot concentrations (TCS: 40.3 ± 11.3 vs. 17.2 ± 0.2, TCC: 26.0 ± 3.6 vs. 9.0, (MDL)). TCC concentrations in P. cordata roots were significantly greater than in shoots (34.4 ± 5.3 vs. 15.4 ± 2.8, respectively). TCS concentrations in T. latifolia roots and sediments and TCC concentrations in sediments generally decreased from wetland inflow to outflow. To our knowledge, this is the first study documenting species and tissue specific differences in the accumulation of TCS and TCC in plants from an operational constructed wetland. The species specific differences in bioaccumulation suggest TCS and TCC removal from constructed wetlands could be enhanced through targeted plantings.     

Positive vs. false detection: A comparison of analytical methods and performance for analysis of cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes (cVMS) in environmental samples from remote regions

Contamination and analytical variation can significantly hinder trace analysis of cyclic methyl volatile siloxanes (cVMS); potentially resulting in the report of false positives at concentrations approaching detection limits. To assess detection and variation associated with trace cVMS analysis in environmental matrices, a co-operative laboratory comparison for the analysis of octametylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcylcopentasiloxane (D5), and dodecametylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) in sediment and biota from the Svalbard Archipelago was conducted. Two definitions of detection limits were evaluated in this study; method detection limits (MDL, matrix defined) and limits of detection (LOD, solvent defined). D5 was the only cVMS detected above both LOD (0.08–0.81 ng g⁻¹ ww) and MDL (0.47–2.36 ng g⁻¹ ww) within sediment by all laboratories where concentrations ranged from 0.55 to 3.91 ng g⁻¹ ww. The percentage of positive detects for D5 decreased by 80% when MDL was defined as the detection limit. D5 was also detected at the highest frequency among all laboratories in fish liver with concentrations ranging from 0.72 to 345 ng g⁻¹ ww. Similar to sediment, percentage of positive detects for D5 decreased by 60% across all laboratories for fish livers when using MDL (0.68–3.49 ng g⁻¹ ww). Similar observations were seen with both D4 and D6, indicating that sample matrix significantly contributes to analytical response variation. Despite differences in analytical methods used between laboratories, good agreement was obtained when using MDL to define detection limits. This study shows the importance of incorporating variation introduced by sample matrices into detection limit calculations to insure data accuracy of cVMS at low concentrations.     

Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole in cork bark

Organochlorine pesticides are persistent lipophilic organic pollutants and tend to accumulate in growing plants. During growth, cork is in contact with the open air for long periods (9-12 years). Owing to the previous widespread use of organochlorine pesticides and their high persistence in the environment, there is a risk that residues of such pesticides may be present in cork.In this study, the concentrations of 14 organochlorine pesticides—all of which are indicators of environmental pollution—were analyzed in cork bark samples from three regions in Spain and one in Portugal. In addition, the concentrations of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) and 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) were also analyzed.Our results show only very low concentrations of lindane, γ-HCH (<2.6 ng g⁻¹) and its byproducts α-HCH (<3.5 ng g⁻¹) and β-HCH (<0.6 ng g⁻¹).Among the DDT and its metabolites, only two were found: p,p′-DDT was found in a cork sample from Extremadura (0.1 ng g⁻¹) and p,p′-DDE was present at a maximum concentration of 2.9 ng g⁻¹ in a cork sample from Castile-La Mancha. However, all concentrations were well below the legal limit established by Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 (10 ng g⁻¹ in foodstuffs). We can conclude, therefore, that the cork samples we studied complied with food safety standards.     

Levels,profile and distribution of Dechloran Plus (DP) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in the environment of Pakistan

No scientific data is available on emerging contaminants including Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) and Dechloran Plus (DP) levels in the environment in Pakistan. Levels of PBDEs and DP were determined in the soil, sediment and atmospheric samples along the stretch of River Ravi in Punjab Province. Average concentrations of ΣPBDEs in atmosphere, soils and sediments were 36 pg m⁻³, 40 ng g⁻¹ and 640 ng g⁻¹. BDE-209 was the most abundant PBDE congener, showing that deca-BDE accounts for most of the total PBDE emitted in the environment of Pakistan. Total DP levels were calculated as 88 pg m⁻³, 0.8 ng g⁻¹ and 1.9 ng g⁻¹ in air, soil and sediment samples, respectively. The lower average fractions of anti-DP showed significant differences to those of the technical mixtures, indicating the lack of DP production source in Pakistan.