Assessing the chemical burden of the North-East Atlantic ecosystem through targeted and untargeted HRMS-based approaches
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Human activities have introduced significant amounts of anthropogenic chemicals into marine ecosystems, posing threats to aquatic biodiversity and human health. Although, traditional marine monitoring focus primarily on legacy pollutants, the presence and potential risks associated with complex emerging chemical mixtures should not be neglected. In the context of the present study organized via OSPAR Commission and supported by NORMAN network, 52 marine samples were gathered from North-East Atlantic Ocean. State-of-the-art HRMS-based analytical workflows were employed to identify their chemical fingerprint. 132 organic pollutants were identified through wide-scope target screening of more than 2,400 environmentally relevant organic pollutants. The HRMS data were digitally stored in NORMAN DSFP and 134 additional chemicals were tentatively identified through suspect screening of more than 65,000 chemicals. The list included legacy pollutants, along with emerging pollutants, their metabolites and transformation products. A simplified environmental risk assessment was conducted, aiming to prioritize substances based on their potential risks to the marine ecosystem. This study provides a valuable snapshot of the marine pollution, offering insights into chemical occurrence and risks. The findings can support marine scientists, environmental managers and policymakers in identifying pollutant sources, understanding their impacts, and informing regulatory measures to mitigate threats to marine ecosystems. • Extensive HRMS-based monitoring in marine samples from the North-East Atlantic Ocean. • Wide-scope target screening revealed the presence of 132 organic pollutants. • Additional substances were identified and semi-quantified through suspect screening. • Prioritization of chemicals was performed to support pollution policy initiatives. • The prioritization list included legacy (PAHs, PFAS and PCBs) and emerging chemicals.
Source: Journal of Hazardous Materials
Authors: Georgios Gkotsis, Maria-Christina Nika, Nikiforos Alygizakis, Konstantinos Vasilatos, Antonia Athanasopoulou, Jonathan L. Barber, Rob Berbee, Thierry Burgeot, Susana Galante Oliveira, Johan Gustafsson, Alejandro Iglesias Campos, Ulrike Kammann, Torben Kirchgeorg, Jan Koschorreck, Aourell Mauffret, Mário Mil-Homens, Martin Mørk Larsen, Anne Munch Chistensen, Johan Näslund, Peter Oswald, Dag Øystein Hjermann, Koen Parmentier, Ulrike Pirntke, Andrew Power, Anne L. Soerensen, Irene Van der Stap, Lucia Viñas, Peter von der Ohe, Lynda Webster, Simon Wilson, Jaroslav Slobodnik, Nikolaos S. Thomaidis, Brendan McHugh
Institutions: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Environmental Institute, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Rijkswaterstaat, Ifremer, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, University of Aveiro, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany, German Environment Agency, Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute, Aarhus University, Danish Ministry of Environment, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Institute of Natural Sciences, Atlantic Technological University, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Scottish Government, Arctic Monitoring And Assessment Programme, Marine Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,340
Funders: Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer, A.G. Leventis Foundation, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico, Centro de Estudos Ambientais e Marinhos, Universidade de Aveiro, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
OpenAlex ID: W4409744109