Occurrence of polybrominated diphenylethers, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and biphenyls in coastal sediments (NW Adriatic Sea, Italy)

Abstract

In this study, sediment samples were analyzed to determine levels and spatial trends of contaminants associated with historical industrial activities in the area (PCDDs/PCDFs, DL-PCBs), compared to more modern industrial chemicals (PBDEs). Samples were collected from Pialassa Baiona, an eutrophic coastal lagoon located along the northern Adriatic coast of Italy. The area is a wetland of international importance (RAMSAR Convention, EU Wild Birds Directive, EU Habitats and Species Directive), but significant agricultural, urban and industrial development have released toxic chemical pollutants into the lagoon [4]. Sediment sampling was designed in order to take into account of the natural land-sea gradient, typical of the transitional water bodies, and the anthropogenic disturbance gradient, which in this case is geographically orthogonal to the natural gradient, and the high spatial heterogeneity