Work

PCBs contamination in water and Mytilus edulis along the north Portuguese Atlantic Ocean coastline and analysis of potential carcinogenic risk to human health

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Seven seawater polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in water (DAP), suspended particulate matter (SPM), and blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) collected from four beaches in northwest Portugal. PCBs were extracted using solid-phase-extraction, ultrasound-extraction and QuEChERS before GC-MS analysis. The two-year annual average concentrations of PCBs in DAP, SPM and the four-year analysis in mussels were ∼ 4.4 ng/L, ∼15.9 μg/kg, and ∼ 56.0 μg/kg. The results suggest higher concentrations of PCBs in summer for SPM and in spring for mussels, mainly those collected close to the Ave River estuary. The origins of PCBs remain uncertain. Risk assessment shows that PCBs in water are unlikely to harm local biota due to their low thyroid hormone toxicity equivalents (TEQ-TH; ∼1.4E-04 ng/L and ∼ 4.1E-04 μg/kg) and on WHO toxicity equivalents (TEQ-WHO; ∼2.1E-05 ng/L and ∼ 4.9E-05 μg/kg). However, the lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR) for humans consuming local bivalves is concerning, as it exceeds 1.0E-06.

Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin

DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116823

Authors: Ana Margarida Esteves, Rodrigo Alves, Eduardo Rocha, Maria João Rocha

Institutions: Universidade do Porto, Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental

Language: English

Topic: Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact

Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, Clean water and sanitation, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,630