Detection of Adsorbed Chlordecone on Microplastics in Marine Sediments in Guadeloupe: A Preliminary Study

Plastic pollution in the oceans is recognized as a worldwide problem. Since the 1950s, the production of plastics has been increasing and the first reports of microplastics (particles \u3c 500 μm) in the marine environment began to appear in the 1970s. These particles represent a growing environmental problem due to their dispersion in seawater and marine organisms. Additionally, microparticles in general can adsorb pollutants that will then become bioavailable to organisms by being desorbed during digestion, which could be an important pathway for the contamination of organisms. In Guadeloupe and Martinique, an organochlorine pesticide called “chlordecone” was used from 1972 to 1993 in banana plantations and this very persistent pollutant contaminates soils, rivers, and coastal marine areas and accumulates in marine foodwebs. To examine these issues, we had two goals: 1) to assess the contamination of marine sediments by microplastics surrounding Guadeloupe; and 2) to determine the ability of microplastics to adsorb chlordecone, as has been demonstrated for other organochlorine pollutants. To do so, marine sediments were collected in triplicate from 12 sites in coral reef environments around the island. Microplastics from each sample were then enumerated by size, color and shape under a binocular microscope. The results indicate that microplastics are found in all the studied sites and that their distribution could be linked to marine currents or proximity to areas of significant human activities (port activities, agglomeration, etc.). Finally, our preliminary results indicated that chlordecone could be adsorbed onto microplastics, with a concentration ranging from 0.00036—0.00173 µg/µg of microfilter

Contamination des écosystèmes aquatiques par les PCB et PBDE : application à l'estuaire de la Gironde

Parmi la multitude de composés d’origine anthropique qui terminent leur course dans les écosystèmes aquatiques, les Polychlorobiphényles (PCB) connaissent un regain d’intérêt dû à la réévaluation de leur toxicité (perturbateur endocrinien, neurotoxicité) et à l’identification dans de nombreux écosystèmes aquatiques de composés aux propriétés similaires, comme les Polybromodiphényles éthers (PBDE). Dans cette étude des protocoles d’analyse simples, rapides et efficaces, permettant de traiter un grand nombre d’échantillons, ont été mis en place pour la quantification des PCB et PBDE dans les matrices complexes. Ces protocoles ont permis de réaliser des expérimentations en milieux contrôlés et un suivi environnemental de grande ampleur. Une étude en milieux contrôlés des phénomènes d’accumulation et de dépuration des PCB et des PBDE a donc été réalisée sur trois espèces sentinelles : une algue (Isochrysis galbana), un bivalve (Mytilus edulis) et un poisson (Sparus aurata). Les cinétiques d’accumulation ont été réalisées à deux concentrations sur des composés modèles (CB 77, CB 153, BDE 47, BDE 153, chrysène, benzo(a)pyrène, fluoranthène). Parallèlement à ces études en milieu contrôlé, un suivi environnemental des niveaux de contamination des organismes du réseau trophique pélagique de l’estuaire de la Gironde a été réalisé (phase dissoute, phase particulaire, copépodes, mysidacés, gammares, crevettes, anguilles, mulets, flets, soles, maigres). Afin de replacer les niveaux de contamination de l’estuaire de la Gironde dans un contexte plus global, une étude des niveaux de contamination de flets issus des différents estuaires français a également été réalisée. Les résultats montrent un niveau de contamination relativement important en PCB, et un niveau de contamination faible en PBDE.Due to the recent re-evaluation of their toxic properties, the study of environmental distribution of Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) has regained a great interest. At the same time, concentration of similar compounds with similar properties, such as Polybromodiphenylethers (PBDEs), seems to increase in environment. In order to understand transfer phenomenon of PCBs and PBDEs in aquatic ecosystems, fast and reliable analytical methods using ASE (Accelerated Solvent Extraction) and MAE (Microwave Extraction) have been developed. These protocols allow handling a lot of samples per day and managing environmental study and field experiment at large scale. Field experiments on different trophic status (algae (Isochrysis galbana), mussels (Mytilus edulis) and fishes (Sparus aurata)) were realised in order to understand the mechanisms of bioaccumulation or depuration of organic compounds (PCB 77, PCB 153, PBDE 47, PBDE 153, Bap, Fluoranthene, Chrysene). At the same time, Gironde estuary (South west of France) has been selected as a specific study area to study transfer of PCBs and PBDEs in aquatic ecosystems. The contamination of pelagic food web was evaluated by analysing water, particles, crustaceans (copepods, mysids, amphipods, shrimps) and fishes (eels, mullets, meagres, soles and flounders). To compare Gironde estuary contamination to other French Atlantic coast estuaries (Seine, Ster, Loire, Vilaine and Gironde), flounder was selected as a model specie and its levels of contamination were characterised. Results show a relatively low contamination of French estuaries by PBDEs, but PCB contamination is still important and could be problematic particularly if we consider level of contamination of eel in Gironde estuary

Contamination des écosystèmes aquatiques par les PCB et PBDE (application à l'estuaire de la Gironde)

Parmi la multitude de composés d origine anthropique qui terminent leur course dans les écosystèmes aquatiques, les Polychlorobiphényles (PCB) connaissent un regain d intérêt dû à la réévaluation de leur toxicité (perturbateur endocrinien, neurotoxicité) et à l identification dans de nombreux écosystèmes aquatiques de composés aux propriétés similaires, les Polybromodiphényles éthers (PBDE). Dans cette étude des protocoles d analyse simples, rapides et efficaces, permettant de traiter un grand nombre d échantillons, ont été mis en place pour la quantification des PCB et PBDE. Ces protocoles ont permis de réaliser des expérimentations en milieux contrôlés et un suivi environnemental de grande ampleur. Une étude en milieux contrôlés des phénomènes d accumulation et de dépuration des PCB et des PBDE a été réalisée sur trois espèces sentinelles : une algue (Isochrysis galbana), un bivalve (Mytilus edulis) et un poisson (Sparus aurata). Les cinétiques d accumulation ont été réalisées à deux concentrations sur des composés modèles (CB 77, CB 153, BDE 47, BDE 153, chrysène, benzo(a)pyrène, fluoranthène). Parallèlement à ces études en milieu contrôlé, un suivi environnemental des niveaux de contamination des organismes du réseau trophique pélagique de l estuaire de la Gironde a été réalisé (phase dissoute, phase particulaire, copépodes, mysidacés, gammares, crevettes, anguilles, mulets, flets, soles, maigres). Afin de replacer les niveaux de contamination de l estuaire de la Gironde dans un contexte plus global, une étude des niveaux de contamination de flets issus des différents estuaires français a également été réalisée.Due to the recent re-evaluation of their toxic properties, the study of environmental distribution of Polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) has regained a great interest. At the same time, concentration of similar compounds with similar properties, such as Polybromodiphenyl-ethers (PBDEs), seems to increase in environment. In order to understand transfer phenomenon of PCBs and PBDEs in aquatic ecosystems, fast and reliable analytical methods using ASE (Accelerated Solvent Extraction) and MAE (Microwave Extraction) have been developed. These protocols allow handling a lot of samples per day and managing environmental study and field experiment at large scale. Field experiments on different trophic status (algae (Isochrysis galbana), mussels (Mytilus edulis) and fishes (Sparus aurata)) were realised in order to understand the mechanisms of bioaccumulation or depuration of organic compounds (PCB 77, PCB 153, PBDE 47, PBDE 153, Bap, Fluoranthene, Chrysene). At the same time, Gironde estuary has been selected as a specific study area to study transfer of PCBs and PBDEs in aquatic ecosystems. The contamination of pelagic food web was evaluated by analysing water, particles, crustaceans and fishes. To compare Gironde estuary contamination to other French Atlantic coast estuaries (Seine, Ster, Loire, Vilaine and Gironde), flounder was selected as a model specie and its levels of contamination were characterised. Results show a relatively low contamination of French estuaries by PBDEs, but PCB contamination is still important and could be problematic particularly if we consider level of contamination of eel in Gironde estuary.BORDEAUX1-BU Sciences-Talence (335222101) / SudocBORDEAUX1-Lab.Océanogr.Arcacho (330092101) / SudocSudocFranceF

ASE extraction method for simultaneous carbon and nitrogen stable isotope analysis in soft tissues of aquatic organisms

Since lipids are depleted in C-13 relative to proteins and carbohydrates, variations in lipid composition among species and within individuals significantly influence delta C-13 and may result in misleading ecological interpretations. Whereas lipid extraction before IRMS analysis constitutes a way of stable isotope result lipid-normalisation, such a procedure was given up because of the un-controlled effects of the methods used (i.e., "Bligh & Dyer", Soxhlet, etc.) on delta N-15. The aim of this work was to develop a simple, rapid and efficient lipid extraction method allowing for simultaneous C and N stable isotope analysis in the biological soft tissues of aquatic Organisms. The goal was to be free from the lipid influence on delta C-13 values without interfering with delta N-15 values. For that purpose, the modern automated pressurized liquid extraction technique ASE (accelerated solvent extraction) was selected. Eel muscles representative of a broad range of far contents were extracted via ASE by using different semi-polar solvents (100% dichloromethane and 80% n-hexane/20% acetone) and by operating at different temperature (ambient temperature and 100 degrees C) and pressure (750 and 1900 psi) conditions. The results were discussed in terms of lipid extraction efficiency as well as delta C-13 and delta N-15 variability

Lab-scale investigation of the ability of Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler to catch short pesticide contamination peaks

International audienc

Amélioration de la technique de quantification du dichlorvos dans les eaux dans le cadre de la DCE

La DCE a défini des Normes de Qualité Environnementale (NQE) pour les substances identifiées comme prioritaires. Parmi les substances ciblées, le dichlorvos, insecticide acaricide aujourd’hui interdit en France pose un challenge analytique car sa NQE est très faible (NQEeau douce : 0,6 ng/L, NQE eau marine : 0,06 ng/L, ce qui implique de pouvoir atteindre une limite de quantification (LQ) de 0,02 ng/L selon la directive QA/QC (2009/90/CE). L’objectif principal de ce travail est d’atteindre la limite de quantification visée (0,02 ng/L) à travers l’amélioration des techniques d’échantillonnage, d’extraction et d’analyse du dichlorvos. L’analyse est faite en chromatographie en phase liquide. Le mode d’acquisition qui a été choisi pour le développement de la quantification du dichlorvos par spectrométrie de masse en tandem est le mode MRM (Multiple Reaction Monitor). Le type de source utilisée est une source à ionisation par électronébuliseur (ESI : electrospray ionization source) en mode positif. En parallèle de l’amélioration de la méthodologie analytique, un travail particulier a été mené sur la calibration afin d’obtenir un taux d’échantillonnage pour le dichlorvos et le protocole d’extraction des échantillonneurs passifs de type POCIS (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler) a également été optimisé. Les développements réalisés (LC/MS/MS couplé aux capacités de concentration des échantillonneurs passifs de type POCIS) ont permis d’abaisser la limite de quantification du dichlorvos à 0,9 pg/L (ou 0,0009 ng/L) pour une durée d’exposition de 15 jours. Ces performances analytiques obtenues sont compatibles avec le suivi du dichlorvos selon les performances demandées par les directives Cadre sur l’Eau (DCE) (2000/60/EC) et directive QA/QC (2009/90/CE).    

Combined use of passive sampling and in vitro bioassays for the detection of emerging pollutants in surface water

River systems are contaminated by various chemicals, a number of which are described as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) that can be monitored by using in vitro receptor-based bioassays. While estrogen (ER) and aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) activities have been well documented, much fewer information are available on other xenobiotic-sensing or steroid receptors [e.g. pregnane X, (PXR) androgen (AR), glucocorticoid (GR), progestagen (PR) receptors]. In this study, we address the use of multi-receptor approach (ER, AhR, PXR, AR, GR, MR and PR) based on different reporter cell lines combined with passive water sampling with polar organic compounds chemical sampler (POCIS) for the detection of polar emerging compounds in surface waters. This approach has been applied to a river site that is subjected to pharmaceutical industry effluent and where development abnormalities in fish were noted. At three sampling stations located upstream (A) and downstream (B and C) from the pharmaceutical industry, EDC activities were monitored in sediments and POCIS. In sediments, weak to moderate estrogenic and dioxin-like activities were found at the three stations. First analyzed POCIS showed weak PAH-like activity as well as significant PXR and ER activities at the three stations. Interestingly, strong GR activities were recorded at site B and C (Dexa-EQ = 61-69 µg/g) but none at site A. In addition, anti-MR, anti-PR and AR activity were also found downstream from the effluent hence suggesting a release of polar steroid compounds in the water phase. Samples from the other campaigns are still under analyses to assess seasonal variability of the contamination. Chemicals analyses are under investigation to identify contaminants responsible for measured activities