Organochlorines and dioxin-like compounds in green-lipped mussels Perna viridis from Hong Kong mariculture zones

Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine (OC) pesticides and dioxin-like compounds were measured in green-lipped mussels, Perna viridis, collected from seven mariculture zones in Hong Kong between September and October in 2002 in order to evaluate the status, spatial distribution and potential sources of pollution in these areas. Concentrations ranged from 300 to 4400 ng/g lipid weight for total OCs and 170–1000 ng/g lipid weight for total PCBs (based on 28 congeners). Relatively smaller DDT concentrations in mussels compared with previous studies suggest reduced discharges of DDTs from nearby regions into Hong Kong waters. Detection of a mixture of HCH isomers in the mussels indicated that Hong Kong waters were predominantly contaminated by technical HCHs rather than lindane. Mussel samples from all sampling locations elicited significant dioxin-like activity in the H4IIE-luc bioassay. The greatest magnitude of dioxin-like response (39 pg TEQ/g wet wt.) was detected in mussels from Ma Wan in the western waters of Hong Kong, which is strongly influenced by the Pearl River discharge. Human health risk assessment was undertaken to evaluate potential risks associated with the consumption of the green-lipped mussels. Risk quotient (RQ) for dioxin-like compounds was greater than unity suggesting that adverse health effects may be associated with high mussel consumption.     

Profiles of nonylphenol isomers in surface waters from Sri Lanka

Isomer-specific concentrations of nonylphenol (NP) and their predicted estrogenic potency were investigated in Sri Lankan waters for the first time. The total concentration of 13 NP isomers ranged from 90 to 1835 ng/L, while the predicted estrogenic equivalent concentration ranged from 0.072 to 1.38 ng 17β-estradiol (E2)/L. Bire Lake, located in the central area of the commercial capital, Colombo, had the highest contamination among the studied locations. These data show that NP levels in Sri Lankan waters are well within the recently reported concentrations in other regions of the world. The spatial differences in NP concentrations suggest that NP contamination in Sri Lanka may be widespread, and comprehensive study is vital.     

Effects of 17beta-estradiol on the reproduction of Java-medaka (Oryzias javanicus), a new test fish species

17β-estradiol (E2) is a female hormone which is known to be one of the strongest estrogenic chemicals in the environment. The present study investigated the effects of E2 on the reproduction of the estuarine fish, Java-medaka (Oryzias javanicus). Starting from the embryonic stages, Java-medaka was exposed for 6 months to 9.5, 16, 68, 159 and 243 ng/l of E2. The fecundity of Java-medaka exposed to E2 levels >16 ng/l was significantly lower than that of the control. The appearance of secondary sexual characteristics seemed to be inhibited by exposure to 159 and 243 ng/l E2. Vitellogenin concentrations in the liver of male fish exposed to 68, 159 and 243 ng/l were significantly higher than that of the control. Thirty-three and sixty percent of male fishes exposed to 159 and 243 ng/l, respectively, had testis-ova. These results suggest that reproduction in the Java-medaka, especially the male fish, could be affected by exposure to E2 concentrations greater than 16 ng/l.     

Determination and load of organophosphorus and organochlorine pesticides at water from Jiulong River Estuary,China

Seventeen organic phosphorus pesticides (OPs) and 18 organic chlorine pesticides (OCs) at water from Jiulong River Estuary (JLRE) are determined by SPE–GC–(FPD and μECD). The contents of the total OPs (17) ranged from 134.8 to 354.6 ng/l (the mean is 227.2 ng/l). Total OCs concentrations varied from 115.4 to 414.7 ng/l in water (mean 237.7 ng/l). The levels of total hexachlorocyclohexane in water varied from 31.95 to 129.8 ng/l (mean 62.51 ng/l), and those of total DDTs were in the range 19.24–96.64 ng/l (mean 48.69 ng/l). The distribution and behavior characteristics of OPs indicate that five main OPs (methamidophos, dichlorvos, malathion, omethoate and dimethoate) occupied the most part of the total OPs, in addition, the sources of the OPs (mainly from current usage) are not stable. While the OCs mainly came from early application and were more stable. The OPs did not have obvious correlation with the dissoved organic carbon and suspended particulate matter at water from JLRE. It maybe due to the complicated hydrological kinetics in the estuary, and the higher water solubility and weak absorption (with organic matter) action of OPs. When compared with other areas, the OPs and OCs level in JLRE are some moderate.     

Occurrence of estrogen-like substances in the marine environment of the Northern Mediterranean Sea

Evidence has been presented that a number of environmental agents perturbs the function of the sex hormone signalling pathways in marine animals.

In this work the estrogenic/antiestrogenic activity of coastal marine water samples from five sites of the Northern Mediterranean Sea was assayed using a recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain (RMY326 ER-ERE) transfected with the human estrogen receptor . Extraction of potential EDCs from seawater was performed in columns packed with XAD-2 resins.

The estrogenic activity was calculated as percentage of the activity of 17β-estradiol (10 nM) and it ranged from 4.8% and 59.03%, significantly depending on sampling site (p = 0.0013) and season (p < 0.05). Antagonistic activity of extracts was also detected and the percentage of inhibition of estradiol-dependent β-galactosidase induction ranged to 52.8%. These results point the reliability of the yeast assay as a first level screening test to assess the quality of aquatic environments.     

Levels of estrogenic compounds in Xiamen Bay sediment, China

Concentrations of seven estrogenic compounds, i.e., estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethynylestradiol(EE2), diethylstilbestrol (DES), nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP) and bisphenol A (BPA), were determined in sediments and pore water from Xiamen Bay in China, and their distributions and potential risks in the Bay were assessed. Total estrogenic compounds concentrations varied from 49.20 to 1230.69 ng/g dw in sediments and from 102.33 to 4376.60 ng/L in pore water. The highest levels of these compounds were found at Yundang Lagoon. The results showed that estrogenic compounds in Xiamen Bay originated mainly from municipal wastewaters. Compared with other areas, Xiamen Bay was contaminated with high levels of estrogen hormones. This contamination poses a potential threat to benthic organisms. Although a good relationship (r = 0.94) was observed between the estrogenic compounds concentrations and total organic carbon (TOC) contents in sediments, which did not indicate that the sediment organic matter favors the accumulation of the detected estrogenic compounds.     

Assessment of butyl- and phenyltin pollution in the coastal environment of Korea using mussels and oysters

Butyl- and phenyltin residues in bivalves were quantified around the coast of Korean peninsula in 1995–1998 and 2001. Butyltin compounds were detected at all the sites surveyed, whereas phenyltins were detected at 41 out of 67 sites in 1995–1998. Tributyltin (TBT) concentrations in bivalves ranged 48–2800 ng Sn/g on dry weight basis. Triphenyltin (TPT) concentrations ranged <3–1820. The mean TPT concentration was 3.5 times less than that of TBT. Spatial distribution of TBT was closely related to boating and dry-docking activities. TPT concentration in bivalves showed significant correlation with TBT. Concentrations of TBT in bivalves, 2001 are not significantly changed compared to those in 1995–1998. However, TPT concentrations in bivalves steeply decreased in 2001. High concentration of TBT and lesser extent TPT and their nation-wide distribution indicate that organotins are one of major organic pollutants in the marine environment of Korea.     

Measurement of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in plastic resin pellets from remote islands: toward establishment of background concentrations for International Pellet Watch

Plastic resin pellets collected from remote islands in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans and the Caribbean Sea were analyzed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichloro-diphenyltrichloroethane and its degradation products (DDTs), and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs). Concentrations of PCBs (sum of 13 congeners) in the pellets were 0.1-9.9 ng/g-pellet. These were 1-3 orders of magnitude smaller than those observed in pellets from industrialized coastal shores. Concentrations of DDTs in the pellets were 0.8-4.1 ng/g-pellet. HCH concentrations were 0.6-1.7 ng/g-pellet, except for 19.3 ng/g-pellet on St. Helena, where current use of lindane is likely influence. This study provides background levels of POPs (PCBs<10 ng/g-pellet, DDTs <4 ng/g-pellet, HCHs <2 ng/g-pellet) for International Pellet Watch. Sporadic large concentrations of POPs were found in some pellet samples from remote islands and should be considered in future assessments of pollutants on plastic debris.     

Trace organic contamination in biota collected from the Pearl River Estuary, China: a preliminary risk assessment

The marine ecosystem of the Pearl River Delta, located on the southern coast of China, has been heavily exploited following the rapid economic growth that has occurred since the 1980s. This investigation aimed to elucidate trace organic contamination in marine biota inhabiting the Pearl River Delta area. Biota samples, including green-lipped mussels (Perna viridis), oysters (Crassostrea rivularis) and shrimp (Penaeus orientalis) were sampled from 16 stations fringing the Estuary. Elevated concentrations (on a dry weight basis) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (27.8–1041.0 ng/g), petroleum hydrocarbons (1.7–2345.4 μg/g), polychlorinated biphenyls (2.1–108.8 ng/g), DDTs (1.9–79.0 ng/g), and hexachlorocyclohexanes (n.d.–38.4 ng/g) were recorded. A human health risk assessment was conducted to estimate the risk to local residents associated with the consumption of biota collected from the Pearl River Estuary. The results indicated that PCBs were at levels that may cause deleterious health effects in populations that consume large amounts of seafood. However, it would be instructive to establish health criteria for trace organic contaminants that are specific to the local populations, in order to derive a more accurate and relevant health risk assessment.     

Levels of chlorinated hydrocarbons and trace metals in bivalves and nearshore sediments from the Dominican Republic

Bivalves (Crassostrea rizhophorae, Isognomon alatus, Codakia orbicularis Linné, and Tellina fausta) and sediment samples collected from 12 locations along the Dominican Republic coastline were used to assess the degree of nearshore contamination by selected chlorinated hydrocarbons and heavy metals. Concentrations of total chlordanes, DDTs and PCBs ranged from 0.51 to 7.47 ng/g, < MDL to 30.9 ng/g and 11.3 to 82.3 ng/g, and from < MDL to 1.73 ng/g, 0.21 to 12.5 ng/g and 0.46 to 41.9 ng/g in bivalves and surface sediments, respectively. The concentration ranges of predominantly anthropogenic Cu, Pb and Zn were 3.08–866 μg/g, 0.08–1.46 μg/g and 22.9–4380 μg/g in bivalve soft parts and 1.01–111 mg/g, 0.420–134 μg/g and 1.96–277 μg/g in surface sediments, respectively. Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.290 to 7.02 μg/g and from 0.096 to 0.565 μg/g in both matrices. The relatively high Hg concentrations found in bivalves from two stations in Bahia Samana, near to a known source of past Hg contamination in the sediments, require a more in-depth survey of the area. In general the concentrations of selected chlorinated hydrocarbons and trace metals, compared with those reported for the same matrices in the Caribbean and west Atlantic coastal areas, show at present the existence of only very localized contamination problems in the Dominican Republic.     

PAH contamination of western Irish Sea sediments

Concentrations of the sum of 15 PAHs in 22 surficial sediment samples from the western Irish Sea ranged from below 100 ng g⁻¹ in sandy sediments to a maximum of 1422 ng g⁻¹ in the centre of the mud basin. The concentrations are typical of coastal shelf sediments, but greater than those observed for aquatic sediments remote from known anthropogenic sources. Organic C and the % sediment <15 μm were positively correlated with ΣPAH. ΣPAH was normalised to organic C and particle size (i.e. expressed as ΣPAH/C^org and ΣPAH/%<15 μm) and significant relationships were still observed with organic C and %<15 μm. The results are discussed in the context of using organic C to normalise concentrations of PAHs to assess contamination levels in sediments.     

Perfluorinated compounds in estuarine and coastal areas of north Bohai Sea, China

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in water, sediment, soil, and biota collected from estuarine and coastal areas of the north Bohai Sea, China, were determined by use of HPLC-MS/MS. Significant concentrations of PFCs were found in water (mean: 18.4 ng/l) and biologic samples (fish: 265 ng/g dw), while concentrations of PFCs in soils and sediments were less. The predominately detected compound was perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), with a maximum concentration of 30.9 ng/l in water and 791 ng/g dw in fish. Concentrations of PFCs were significantly greater in the Liaohe River system than other locations, which suggests point sources in this urbanized and industrialized region. PFOS concentrations in water and biota were both less than the reported threshold concentrations. Detection of PFCs at relatively great concentrations in various environmental matrices from this region suggested that further studies characterizing concentrations of PFCs, their sources and potential risk to both humans and wildlife are needed.     

Variations in the depth distribution of phosphorus in soil profiles and implications for model-based catchment-scale predictions of phosphorus delivery to surface waters

The PSYCHIC process-based model for predicting sediment and phosphorus (P) transfer within catchments uses spatial data on soil-P derived from the National Soil Inventory (NSI) data set. These soil-P values are based on bulked 0–15 cm depth and do not account for variations in soil-P with depth. We describe the depth distribution of soil-P (total and Olsen) in grassland and arable soils for the dominant soil types in the two PSYCHIC study catchments: the Avon and the Wye, UK. There were clear variations in soil-P (particularly Olsen-P) concentrations with depth in untilled grassland soils while concentrations of total-P were broadly constant within the plough layer of arable soils. Concentrations of Olsen-P in arable soils, however, exhibited maximum values near the soil surface reflecting surface applications of fertilisers and manures between consecutive ploughing events. When the soil-P concentrations for the surface soil (0–5 cm average) were compared to both the profile-averaged (0–15 cm) and the NSI (0–15 cm) values, those for the surface soil were considerably greater than those for the average 0–15 cm depth. Modelled estimates of P loss using the depth-weighted average soil-P concentrations for the 0–5 cm depth layer were up to 14% greater than those based on the NSI data set due to the preferential accumulation of P at the soil surface. These findings have important implications for the use of soil-P data (and other data) in models to predict P losses from land to water and the interpretation of these predictions for river basin management.     

Continuing observation of disturbed reproductive cycle and ovarian spermatogenesis in the giant abalone, Haliotis madaka from an organotin-contaminated site of Japan

Histological examination of gonads as well as chemical analysis of organotin compounds in tissues of the giant abalone, Haliotis madaka, was conducted to evaluate continuing endocrine disruption in abalone populations in Japan. Abalone specimens were collected from two different areas, Tsushima as a reference site and Jogashima as a site representative of declining abalone populations where serious organotin contamination had been observed, each month from January 1998 to March 1999. Scores were given to the development stages of reproductive cells in the ovary and testis. The degree of sexual maturation was evaluated by calculating the mean value of a histogram of these scores for the reproductive cells of each abalone. The temporal variations in degree of sexual maturation showed that female and male abalone from Tsushima matured synchronously, while those from Jogashima did not, which were similar to results of the previous study during September 1995–November 1996. Approximately 19% of the female abalone from Jogashima were masculinized with an ovo-testis, which was also similar to the result of the previous study. The masculinization of female abalone is reported to be induced by tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPhT) from antifouling paints. Concentrations of the sum of butyltins (TBT, dibutyltin (DBT) and monobutyltin (MBT): ΣBTs) and the sum of phenyltins (TPhT, diphenyltin (DPhT) and monophenyltin (MPhT): ΣPhTs) in the muscle of abalone from Jogashima (n = 73) of 7.8 ± 9.0 ng/g wet wt. and 4.5 ± 6.8 ng/g wet wt., respectively, were significantly higher than those from Tsushima (n = 87) of 4.7 ± 4.9 ng/g wet wt. and 0.8 ± 1.7 ng/g wet wt., respectively (p < 0.05 for ΣBTs; p < 0.001 for ΣPhTs), although concentrations of TBT and TPhT in the muscle of abalone from Jogashima (n = 73) of 2.2 ± 2.5 ng/g wet wt. and 5.8 ± 5.1 ng/g wet wt., respectively, were insignificantly and significantly higher than those from Tsushima (n = 87) of 0.4 ± 0.6 ng/g wet wt. and 0.5 ± 0.9 ng/g wet wt., respectively, (p > 0.05 for TBT; p < 0.001 for TPhT). Thus, endocrine disruption as well as contamination by organotins in the giant abalone from Jogashima is still persisting.     

PBDEs, methoxylated PBDEs and HBCDs in Japanese common squid (Todarodes pacificus) from Korean offshore waters

Little information is available on the levels of brominated compounds found in biota from the Korean Peninsula. In this study, Japanese common squids (Todarodes pacificus) were analyzed for 38 polybrominated diphenyl ethers, two methoxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers and three stereoisomers of hexabromocyclododecane (α, β, and γ-HBCD) from the east and western coasts of the Korean Peninsula. Among 38 PBDEs, 10 PBDEs were detected and their total concentrations ranged from 21 to 292 ng/g lipid wt with a mean concentration of 108 ng/g lipid wt, while two MeO-BDEs and three isomers of HBCDs were detected in all samples. BDE47 showed the highest residual level, followed by BDE99, 154, 153, 28/33. Concentrations of PBDEs and MeO-BDEs were not significantly different between the both sides of the Korean Peninsula; however, HBCD concentrations were higher levels in the East/Japan Sea than the Yellow Sea, indicating that HBCD sources possibly exist in Japan.     

Butyltin compounds in a sediment core from the old Tilbury basin, London, UK

Sections from a sediment core taken from the River Thames were analysed for butyltin species using gas chromatography with species-specific isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Results demonstrated that in most samples tributyltin concentrations of 20–60 ng/g accounted for <10% of the total butyltin species present, which is in agreement with data from other sediment samples which were historically contaminated with tributyltin. Vertical distribution of the organotin residues with depth throughout the core, with data on organochlorine compounds and heavy metals allowed for the construction of a consistent hypothesis on historical deposition of contaminated sediments. From this it was possible to infer that the concentrations of tributyltin in sediments deposited during the early 1960s were in the order of 400–600 μg/g by using degradation rate constants derived by other workers. Such values fall well within the range quoted for harbour sediments in the literature.     

Trace contaminant concentrations in the Kara Sea and its adjacent rivers, Russia.

Trace organic (chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, PAHs and dioxins/furans) and trace metal concentrations were measured in surficial sediment and biological tissues (i.e., worms, crustaceans, bivalve molluscs, and fish livers) collected from the Russian Arctic. Total DDT, chlordane, PCB and PAH concentrations ranged from ND to 1.2, ND to <0.1, ND to 1.5 and <20-810 ng g(-1), respectively, in a suite of 40 surficial sediment samples from the Kara Sea and the adjacent Ob and Yenisey Rivers. High sedimentary concentrations of contaminants were found in the lower part of the Yenisey River below the salt wedge. Total dioxins/furans were analysed in a subset of 20 sediment samples and ranged from 1.4 to 410 pg g(-1). The highest trace organic contaminant concentrations were found in organisms, particularly fish livers. Concentrations as high as 89 ng g(-1) chlordane; 1010 ng g(-1) total DDTs; 460 ng g(-1) total PCBs; and 1110 ng g(-1) total PAH, were detected. A subset of 11 tissue samples was analysed for dioxins and furans with total concentrations ranging from 12 to 61 pg g(-1). Concentrations of many trace organic and metal contaminants in the Kara Sea appear to originate from riverine sources and atmospheric transport from more temperate areas. Most organic contaminant concentrations in sediments were low; however, contaminants are being concentrated in organisms and may pose a health hazard for inhabitants of coastal villages.     

Anelastic structure of the upper mantle beneath the northern Philippine Sea

We investigated the upper mantle anelastic structure beneath the northern Philippine Sea region, including the Izu-Bonin subduction zone and the Shikoku Basin. We used regional waveform data from 69 events in the Pacific and the Philippine Sea slabs, recorded on F-net and J-array network broadband stations in western Japan. Using the S–P phase pair method, we obtained differential attenuation factors, δt^*, which represent the relative whole path Q. We conducted a tomographic inversion using 978 δt^* values to invert for a fine-scale (50–100 km) three-dimensional anelastic structure.

The results shows two high-Q regions (Q_P>1000) which are consistent with the locations of the Pacific and the Philippine Sea slabs. Also there is a low-Q (Q_P110) area extending to the deeper parts (350–400 km) of the model just beneath the old spreading center and the Kinan Seamount Chain in the Shikoku Basin. A small depth dependence of the laterally averaged Q_P was found, with values of 266 (0–250 km), 301 (250–400 km), and 413 (400–500 km).     

Identification and quantification of pesticides, industrial chemicals, and organobromine compounds of medium to high polarity in the North Sea

Solid-phase extraction of 20 L seawater samples enabled the enrichment and determination of a wide array of organic substances, including compounds of medium to high polarity, in the pg/L-range. A number of contaminants was detected and quantified throughout the North Sea, among them the pesticides dichlobenil (2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile), metolachlor and terbuthylazine as well as the industrial chemicals dichloropyridines (DCPy, 4 isomers) and nitrobenzene. Concentrations attained values up to 1.4 ng/L for dichlobenil, 0.83 ng/L for terbuthylazine, 0.61 ng/L for metolachlor, 0.13 ng/L for 2,6-DCPy, 4.37 ng/L for nitrobenzene and 1-8 ng/L for tris(chloropropyl)phosphates (TCPP). A number of North Sea water samples was screened for non-target compounds, revealing the presence of further contaminants, e.g., lindane and TCPP, as well as several biogenic and/or anthropogenic organobromine substances, among which bromoindols, -phenols and -anisoles were identified.     

Pesticides in Sediments From Queensland Irrigation Channels and Drains

Pesticide concentration in sediment from irrigation areas can provide information required to assess exposure and fate of these chemicals in freshwater ecosystems and their likely impacts to the marine environment. In this study, 103 sediment samples collected from irrigation channels and drains in 11 agricultural areas of Queensland were analysed for a series of past and presently used pesticides including various organochlorines, synthetic pyrethroids, benzoyl ureas, triazines and organophosphates. The most often detected compounds were endosulphans (, β and/or endosulphan sulphate) which were detectable in 78 of the 103 samples and levels ranged from below the limit of quantification (0.1 ng g⁻¹ dw) up to 840 ng g⁻¹ dw. DDT and its metabolites were the second most often detected pesticide investigated (74 of the 103 samples) with concentrations up to 240 ng g⁻¹ dw of ∑DDTs. Mean ∑endosulphan and ∑DDT concentrations were 1–2 orders of magnitude higher in sediments from the irrigation areas which are dominated by cotton cultivation compared to those which are dominated by sugarcane cultivation. In contrast to these insecticides, the herbicides diuron, atrazine and ametryn were the compounds which were most often detected in sediments from irrigation drains in sugarcane areas with maximum concentrations in areas of 120, 70 and 130 ng g⁻¹ dw, respectively. In particular during flood events, when light is limiting, transport of these photosynthesis inhibiting herbicides from the sugarcane cultivation areas to the marine environment may result in additional stress of marine plants.