Distribution and fate of legacy and emerging contaminants along the Adriatic Sea: A comparative study. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Combi, Tatiane; Pintado-Herrera, Marina G.; Lara-Martin, Pablo A.; Miserocchi, Stefano; Langone, Leonardo; Guerra, Roberta
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 218(2016)
• Page Start: 1055
• Page End: 1064
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: Emerging contaminants -- Adriatic mud-wedge -- Hazard quotients -- Total mass -- Contaminant accumulation; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.08.057
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: The spatial distributions and fates of selected legacy and emerging compounds were investigated and compared in surface sediments sampled along the Adriatic mud-wedge and in deep-sea regions from the southern Adriatic basin. Results indicated that the concentrations of legacy contaminants (PAHs, PCBs and DDTs) and emerging contaminants (tonalide, galaxolide, EHMC, octocrylene, BP3 and NP) ranged from 0.1 to 572 ng g −1 and from <LOD to 40.7 ng g −1, respectively. In general, higher concentrations and estimated burdens were detected in the northern Adriatic, highlighting the importance of the Po River as the major contributor for the inputs of legacy and emerging contaminants to sediments in the Adriatic Sea. Nevertheless, the prevalence of some UV filters and fragrances in the central and southern Adriatic indicates that the proximity to tourist areas and WWTPs discharges seems to affect the distribution of those compounds. The accumulation of contaminants in the deep-sea areas supports the inference that this region may act as an important repository for contaminants within the Adriatic Sea. Estimated annual contaminant accumulation reveals that both, legacy and emerging contaminants accumulate preferentially in the northern Adriatic (40–60% of the total annual contaminant accumulation), where the presence of legacy, and to a lesser extent emerging contaminants, are likely to pose an immediate or long-term hazard to resident biota. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Levels and burden estimations of legacy and emerging contaminants were assessed. The Po River seems to be a major contributor of legacy and emerging contaminants. The deep Adriatic basin represents an important repository for contaminants. Abstract : Legacy and emerging contaminants accumulate preferentially in the northern Adriatic. Large-scale circulation transfers sediment-bound contaminants to deep-sea regions in the southern Adriatic.