INTAKE OF ESSENTIAL MINERALS AND METALS VIA COSUMPTION OF SEAFOOD FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

Edible marine species (fish and cephalopod molluscs) from the Mediterranean Sea were analyzed for their metal content (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn. and Ni). Human health risks posed by these elements via dietary intake of seafood were assessed based on the provisional tolerable weekly intake, reference dose, and recommended dietary allowances. Metal concentrations varied widely among the different organisms, indicating species-specific accumulation. On a wet weight basis, the maximum concentrations of Hg were found in fish (1.56 mu g g(-1)), and the maximum concentrations of cadmium were found in cephalopod molluscs (0.82 mu g g(-1)), whereas for Pb the concentrations were generally low (fish, 0.01 to 1.18 mu g g(-1); cephalopod molluscs, 0.03 to 0.09 mu g g(-1)). For the essential metals, cephalopods had higher concentrations (Cr, 0.40 mu g g(-1); Zn, 33.03 mu g g(-1); Cu, 23.77 mu g g(-1); Ni, 2.12 mu g g(-1)) than did fish (Cr, 0.17 mu g g(-1); Zn, 8.43 mu g g(-1); Cu, 1.35 mu g g(-1); Ni, 1.13 mu g g(-1)). The estimated weekly intake of Cd and Pb indicated increased health risks through the consumption of various seafoods. Conversely, a health risk was ascribed to the intake of Hg from consumption of certain fish, such as albacore (10.92 mu g kg(-1) body weight) and thornback ray (5.25 mu g k(-1) body weight). Concerning the essential metals, cephalopod mollusc consumption made an important contribution to daily dietary intake of Cu, Zn, and Ni

Potential human health risks from metals (Hg, Cd and Pb)and polychorinated biphenyls (PCBs)via seafood consumption: Estimation of target hazard quotients (THQs) and Toxic equivalents (TEQs)

Edible marine species (fish, cephalopod molluscs, crustaceans) from the Adriatic Sea were analyzed for content in heavy metals (Hg, Cd and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Health risks to human via dietary intake of seafood were assessed by the target hazard quotients (THQs) and the toxic equivalent factors (TEFs). Mercury maximum concentrations corresponded to fish (0.07-1.56 microg g(-1)w.w.), followed by cephalopod molluscs (0.10-0.55 microg g(-1)w.w.), and crustaceans (0.27-0.33 microg g(-1)w.w.). Cadmium levels in cephalopods (0.18-0.59 microg g(-1)w.w.) were higher than those in fish (0.01-0.05 microg g(-1)w.w.) and crustaceans (0.02-0.04 microg g(-1)w.w.), while for Pb the concentrations were generally low (fish: ND-1.18 microg g(-1)w.w., cephalopods: ND-0.17 microg g(-1)w.w., crustaceans: ND-0.03 microg g(-1)w.w.). For PCBs, concentrations in fish, cephalopods and crustaceans ranged between 141 and 3,406 ng g(-1)l.w., 190 and 542 ng g(-1)l.w., and 202 and 429 ng g(-1)l.w., respectively. Cd and Pb THQ values as well as estimates of PCB TEQ exposure indicated the absence of health risks through consumption of the various seafood. In contrast, mercury TEQs values due to consumption of certain fish species (albacore, rosefish and thornback ray) indicated that human health risk might be of concern

Concentrations and hazard assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in shark liver from the Mediterranean sea

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (DDTs), were determined in the liver of two different shark species Prionace glauca (blue shark) and Dalatias licha (kitefin shark) from the Mediterranean Sea. In blue shark liver, the concentrations of PCBs (2482 ng g(-1)) and DDTs (2392 ng g(-1)) were comparable, while in kitefin shark the hepatic concentrations of DDTs (4554 ng g(-1)) were significantly higher than those of PCBs (1827 ng g(-1)). Contamination levels differed between species, with kitefin shark showing consistently higher concentrations of DDTs, and blue shark higher levels of PCBs. Congener-specific PCB profiles, similar between the two species were dominated by the higher chlorinated congeners (hexachlorobiphenyls: 62.8-63.9%, penta-: 15.2-21.3%, hepta-: 13.4-14.5) with most of the lower chlorinated congeners being absent or present at very low levels. In both species, the total 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenz-p-dioxin toxic equivalent (TEQs) concentrations (blue shark: 2.51 pg/g; kitefin shark: 1.46 pg/g) seem to be relatively modest. Regards to DDT component pattern, p,p'-DDE was dominant in the liver of both species (blue shark: 81.5%; kitefin shark: 38.0%), while the percentage composition of the other metabolites was differently characterized. The composition pattern of DDTs and the low value of p,p'-DDE/DDTs ratio in the specimens from Ionian Sea suggest that organochlorine pesticide contamination is still continuing in this marine environment. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Heavy metals in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Ionian Sea (Italy)

Concentrations of six heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, and Sn) were determined in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected between June and September 1997 from 10 locations along a sound formed by two inlets (Mar Piccolo) near the Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy). The average concentrations of the heavy metals found in mussels samples were 0.15 mg/kg for Hg, 1.19 mg/kg for Pb, 0.64 mg/kg for Cd, 0.31 mg/kg for Cr, 5.15 mg/kg for Zn, and 0.54 mg/kg for Sn. The concentrations of heavy metals in mussels from the first inlet did not differ greatly from those observed in mussels from the second inlet. The concentrations of heavy metals in the mussels analyzed were below acceptable levels for human consumption.

Total and subcellular distribution of trace elements(Cd, Cu, and Zn) in the liver and kidney of green turles (Chelonia mydas) from the mediterranean Sea

This study investigated the subcellular distribution of Cd, Cu and Zn in liver and kidney of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) stranded along the Italian coast of the South Adriatic Sea (Eastern Mediterranean). Cd and Zn mean concentrations did not differ significantly between liver (4.26 lg g1 and 34.53 lg g1, respectively) and kidney (5.06 lg g1 and 26.39 lg g1, respectively), whereas the levels of Cu were significantly higher in liver (32.75 lg g1) than in kidney (8.20 lg g1) (p < 0.009). Most of Cd, Cu and Zn was present in hepatic and renal cytosol, and their concentrations increased with total levels in both organs, indicating that cytosol has a crucial role in metal accumulation. Cd and Cu in hepatic and renal cytosol were present mostly in metallothionein fractions (MTs), whereas Zn was fractionated into MTs and high-molecular-weight-substances (HMWS). The comparison with the results of other investigations on individuals of the same species collected in different marine areas shows good agreement relatively to essential metals. For Cd our data are comparable with those encountered in specimens from the Mediterranean Sea (Cyprus) confirming the homogeneity of the area comprising the southeastern basin of the Mediterranean Sea from an ecological point of view

Total mercury levels in muscle tissue of swordfish (Xiphias glaudius) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) from the Mediterranean Sea (Italy)

This study was carried out to determine the current levels of total mercury in the muscle tissue of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) caught in the Mediterranean Sea with the purpose of ascertaining whether the concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission Decision. In addition, specimens of each species were divided into different ranges of weight to investigate the influence of size on mercury accumulation in order to provide data upon which commercial fishing strategies and marketing of swordfish and bluefin tuna may be based. Higher mean levels of total mercury were found in bluefin tuna (1.02 mug g(-1) wet wt) than in swordfish (0.49 mug g(-1) wet wt). In 4.3% of swordfish and in 44.3% of bluefin tuna analyzed, total mercury concentrations exceeded the maximum level fixed by the European Commission Decision (Hg = 1 mug g(-1) wet wt). Besides, for bluefin tuna the total mercury level variability observed, due to size, suggests that there should be greater regulatory control by the authorities

Polychlorinated Biphenyl and Organochlorine Pesticide Residues in Lophius budegassa from the Mediterranean Sea (Italy)

Persistent organochlorines, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, including coplanar congeners and DDT compounds, were measured in the liver of a teleost species: namely, Lophius budegassa. The mean concentrations of PCBs (1249 ng/g wet wt) were comparable with DDTs mean levels (1459 ng/g wet wt). Among DDTs the compound found at the highest concentration was p, p'-DDE representing 76% of the total DDT burden. The PCB profiles were dominated by congeners 153, 180, and 138 accounting for 49.8%, 16.0% and 13.7% of the total PCBs. The total 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalent (TEQs) of six coplanar PCBs, including mono- and non-ortho congeners, was 0.98 pg/g wet wt. The congeners with highest TEQs values were non-ortho-congeners followed by mono-ortho ones. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Polyciclic aromatic hydrocarbon distribution in sediments from the Mar Piccolo (Ionian Sea), Italy

The basin of Mar Piccolo with an area of 2,176 . 10(4) m(2) and with a water volume of about 152 . 10(6) m(3), lies at the north of Taranto. It is divided by two strips of land into the first and the second inlet and it is connected with the Mar Grande basin (Ionian Sea) through two narrow passages, Canal of Porta Napoli and Canal Navigabile. Some superficial rivers drain into the basin: Galeso, with a more significant flow, in the upper part of the first inlet; Marrese Canal and Cervaro river in the upper part of the second inlet. More, eight urban discharges drain directly into the basin, and the most significant is Canale D'Aiedda (south, second inlet). Mar Piccolo, because of its characteristic of semi-enclosed basin with marked problems of water exchange due mainly to moderate sea-tides, represents a marine ecosystem where biological balances have been modified, in relation to the anthropic development and, in particular, the large industrial settlement. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants and occur primarily as a result of anthropogenic inputs, while a little contribution comes from events as forest fires (Compaan et al., 1992). Transport to the marine environment occurs both via surface waters and the atmosphere; because of their low aqueous solubilities, PAHs tend to adsorb to particulate material and to be deposited to the underlying sediments (Law & Biscaya, 1994), where they can accumulate to high concentrations. Due to their wide environmental distribution, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties, PAHs merit concerted environmental monitoring. The objective of this study was to determine the concentrations, distribution and sources of PAHs in surface sediments from the Mar Piccolo (Ionian Sea), adjacent area of Taranto harbour one of the mains in Italy