Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/25730
Title: Organochlorine accumulation on a highly consumed bivalve (Scrobicularia plana) and its main implications for human health
Authors: Grilo, T. F. 
Cardoso, P. G. 
Pato, P. 
Duarte, A. C. 
Pardal, M. A. 
Keywords: PCBs; HCB; Scrobicularia plana; Bioaccumulation; Trophic transfer; Human health
Issue Date: 2013
Publisher: Elsevier B.V.
Serial title, monograph or event: Science of the Total Environment
Volume: 461-462
Abstract: Contamination by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) was investigated along a spatial gradient in water, sediments and in commercially important bivalve species Scrobicularia plana, from Ria de Aveiro (Portugal). Organochlorines dissolved in water were below detection limit and concerning suspended particulate matter, only PCBs were quantified, ranging from 3.8 to 5.8 ng ∙ g−1 DW (Σ13PCBs). There was a distinct spatial gradient regarding PCB accumulation in sediments. The highest concentrations were found in deeper layers and closest to the pollution source, decreasing gradually along a 3 km area. Contamination in sediments exceeded the Canadian and Norwegian sediment quality guidelines, inducing potential toxic effects in related biota. PCBs tended to bioaccumulate throughout S. plana lifespan but with different annual rates along the spatial gradient. The maximum values were found in older individuals up to 3+ years old, reaching 19.4 ng ∙ g−1 DW. HCB concentrations were residual and no bioaccumulation pattern was evident. Congeners 138, 153 and 180 were the most accumulated due to their abundance and long-term persistence in the environment. In the inner area of the Laranjo Bay (0.6 km2), the species was able to remove up to 0.4 g of PCBs annually from sediments into their own tissues, which is consequently free for trophic transfer (biomagnification). Concerning human health, and despite the high concentrations found in sediments, PCB levels in bivalves do not exceed the limit established by the European Union for fishery products and are largely below tolerable daily intake. Although PCBs in Scrobicularia plana are present at low levels, their impact to human health after consumption over many years might be harmful and should be monitored in future studies.
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/25730
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.04.096
Rights: openAccess
Appears in Collections:FCTUC Ciências da Vida - Artigos em Revistas Internacionais

Files in This Item:
File Description SizeFormat
1-s2.0-S0048969713005378-main(1).pdf659.72 kBAdobe PDFView/Open
Show full item record

SCOPUSTM   
Citations

17
checked on Mar 25, 2024

WEB OF SCIENCETM
Citations 5

16
checked on Mar 2, 2024

Page view(s)

276
checked on Mar 26, 2024

Download(s)

340
checked on Mar 26, 2024

Google ScholarTM

Check

Altmetric

Altmetric


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.