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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations were investigated in hepatic tissue of four dolphin species stranded along the south-east coast of Australia between 2006 and 2021; Burrunan dolphin (Tursiops australis), common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), and short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Two Burrunan dolphin populations represented in the dataset have the highest reported global population concentrations of ∑25PFAS (Port Phillip Bay median 9750 ng/g ww, n = 3, and Gippsland Lakes median 3560 ng/g ww, n = 8), which were 50-100 times higher than the other species reported here; common bottlenose dolphin (50 ng/g ww, n = 9), Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (80 ng/g ww, n = 1), and short-beaked common dolphin (61 ng/g ww, n = 12). Also included in the results is the highest reported individual ∑25PFAS (19,500 ng/g ww) and PFOS (18,700 ng/g ww) concentrations, at almost 30 % higher than any other Cetacea reported globally. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was above method reporting limits for all samples (range; 5.3-18,700 ng/g ww), and constituted the highest contribution to overall ∑PFAS burdens with between 47 % and 99 % of the profile across the dataset. The concentrations of PFOS exceed published tentative critical concentrations (677-775 ng/g) in 42 % of all dolphins and 90 % of the critically endangered Burrunan dolphin. This research reports for the first time novel and emerging PFASs such as 6:2 Cl-PFESA, PFMPA, PFEECH and FBSA in marine mammals of the southern hemisphere, with high detection rates across the dataset. It is the first study to show the occurrence of PFAS in the tissues of multiple species of Cetacea from the Australasian region, demonstrating high global concentrations for inshore dolphins. Finally, it provides key baseline knowledge to the potential exposure and bioaccumulation of PFAS compounds within the coastal environment of south-east Australia.

At present the information regarding the occurrence of human pharmaceuticals (PhaCs) in coral reefs and their potential impacts on the associated fauna is limited. To optimize the collection of data in these delicate environments, we employed a solid-phase microextraction (bioSPME) and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) procedure that enabled in vivo determinations in soft corals. Specifically, we researched the antibiotics Ofloxacin Sulfamethoxazole and Clarithromycin, the anti-inflammatory Diclofenac Propyphenazone Ketoprofen and Amisulpride, the neuroactive compounds Gabapentin-lactam, the beta-blocker Metoprolol and the antiepileptic Carbamazepine. Reproducibility was between 2.1% and 9.9% and method detection limits LODs) were between 0.2 and 1.6 ng/g and LOQs between 0.8 and 5.4 mg/g. The method was then applied to establish a baseline for the occurrence of these compounds in the Maldivian archipelago. Colonies of Sarcophyton sp. and Sinularia sp. were sampled along an inner-outer reef transect. Five of the ten targeted PhaCs were identified, and 40% of the surveyed coral colonies showed the occurrence of at least one of the selected compounds. The highest concentrations were found inside the atoll rim. Oxoflacin (9.5 ± 3.9 ng/g) and Ketoprofen (4.5 ± 2.3 ng/g) were the compounds with the highest average concentrations. Outside the atoll rim, only one sample showed contamination levels above the detection limit. No significant differences were highlighted among the two surveyed soft coral species, both in terms of average concentrations and bioconcentration factors (BCFs).

This study was undertaken to investigate the malondialdehyde-trapping ability by m-diphenols and the consequent decrease of malondialdehyde in foods. Olivetol was added to crackers, which were prepared with wheat flour and either oxidized or fresh sunflower, linseed, and camelina oils. When crackers were prepared with oxidized oils, olivetol-containing crackers contained less malondialdehyde (∼30%) than control crackers. This decrease of malondialdehyde content was parallel to the formation of malondialdehyde-olivetol adducts (250-1300 ng/g). When fresh oils were employed, storage produced more malondialdehyde (300-700%) in control than in olivetol-containing crackers. This decrease of malondialdehyde content was also parallel to the formation of malondialdehyde-olivetol adducts (10-90 ng/g). In both cases, the formation of adducts required the contribution of either formaldehyde or acetaldehyde. Obtained results suggest that olivetol not only removed malondialdehyde, but also short chain aldehydes, therefore contributing to the decrease of the content of these toxic aldehydes in phenolic-enriched crackers.

Birds are excellent bioindicators of environmental pollution, and blood provides information on contaminant exposure, although its analysis is challenging because of the low volumes that can be sampled. The objective of the present study was to optimize and validate a miniaturized and functional extraction and analytical method based on gas chromatography coupled to Orbitrap mass spectrometry (GCOrbitrap-MS) for the trace analysis of contaminants in avian blood. Studied compounds included 25 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), 6 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 8 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Four extraction and clean-up conditions were optimized and compared in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and uncertainty assessment. Extraction with hexane:dichloromethane and miniaturized Florisil pipette clean-up was the most adequate considering precision and accuracy, time, and costs, and was thereafter used to analyse 20 blood samples of a pelagic seabird, namely the Bermuda petrel (Pterodroma cahow). This species, endemic to the Northwest Atlantic, is among the most endangered seabirds of the region that in the '60 faced a decrease in the breeding success likely linked to a consistent exposure to dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT). Indeed, p,p'-DDE, the main DDT metabolite, was detected in all samples and ranged bewteen 1.13 and 6.87 ng/g wet weight. Other ubiquitous compounds were PCBs (ranging from 0.13 to 6.76 ng/g ww), hexachlorobenzene, and mirex, while PAHs were sporadically detected at low concentrations, and PBDEs were not present. Overall, the extraction method herein proposed allowed analysing very small blood volumes (∼ 100 µL), thus respecting ethical principles prioritising the application of less-invasive sampling protocols, fundamental when studying threatened avian species.

Producción Científica, Scenedesmus almeriensis microalgae-bacteria consortia were evaluated for the removal of a mixture of tetracycline (TET), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and sulfadiazine (SDZ) from the real liquid fraction of pig slurry in a pilot scale photobioreactor. After 15 days of operation, the reactor was spiked with a mixture of /L of each antibiotic. The experiment ran for 20 additional days. From the liquid phase, antibiotic removal were 77 ± 5 %, 90 ± 14 %, and 60 ± 27 % for TET, CIP, and SDZ, respectively. The antibiotics found in the solid phase were 979 ± 382 ng/g for TET and 192 ± 69 ng/g for SDZ; CIP was not detected in the biomass. The parameters analyzed before and after antibiotic addition showed that the antibiotics did not have a negative effect on the reactor biomass. The removal efficiencies of the analyzed parameters were 64.6 ± 0.6 % for TOC, 56.9 ± 0.6 % for IC, 63.9 ± 0.6 % for TN, 88.6 ± 0.9 % for N-NH, 64.9 ± 0.6 % for N-NO, and 30.1 ± 0.3 % for P-PO. This study demonstrated the good performance of microalgae-based technology for swine manure wastewater treatment, not only in terms of organic matter and nutrient removal, but also regarding the removal of antibiotics. The mass balance analysis of the entire process is presented. Additionally, the present study is a validation of previous laboratory scale batch studies operating in a quasi-continuous mode on veterinary antibiotics (VA) removal efficiencies and kinetics., Junta de Castilla León (UIC 071, CLU 2017-09 y VA080G18), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y Ministerio de Universidades (PID2020-113544RB-I00, PDC2021-121861-C22), EU-FEDER (CLU 2017-09, CL-EI-2021-07, UIC 315)

Mercury (Hg) fulminate was used as a primary fuse in World War (WW) munitions, and may consequently be a Hg source for impacted environments. Mercury is a conspicuous and persistent pollutant, with methylmercury (MeHg) acting as a notorious neurotoxin. Considerable amounts of munitions were intentionally dumped in the North Sea and Baltic Sea following the First and Second WWs. After more than 70 years on the seafloor many munitions have corroded and likely release explosive compounds, including Hg fulminate. The Germany coastal city of Kiel was a manufacturing centre for submarines, and accordingly a prominent target for bombing and post-war disarmament. We collected water and sediment samples around Kiel Bay to assess regional levels and quantify any Hg contamination. The munition dump site Kolberger Heide (KH) and a former anti-aircraft training center Dänisch-Nienhof are situated in Kiel Bay, and were targeted for sampling. Sediment Hg concentrations around KH were notably elevated. Average Hg concentrations in KH sediments were 125 ± 76 ng/g, compared to 14 ± 18 ng/g at background (control) sites. In contrast, dissolved Hg in the water column exhibited no site variations, all ranging between 0.8 and 2.1 pM. Methylmercury in sediments and waters did not have enhanced concentrations amongst sites (<30 pg/g and <50 fM, respectively). Sediment-water exchange experiments showed elevated Hg and MeHg fluxes (i.e. >400 pmol m−2 d−1 MeHg) at one KH location, however remaining cores had low to no Hg and MeHg output (<0–27 pmol m−2 d−1 MeHg). Thus, sediments in Kiel Bay proximate to WW munitions could harbor and form a source of Hg, however water column mixing and removal processes attenuate any discharge from the seafloor to overlying waters.

Pharmaceuticals and microplastics constitute potential hazards in aquatic systems, but their combined effects and underlying toxicity mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, a simultaneous characterization of bioaccumulation, associated metabolomic alterations and potential recovery mechanisms was performed. Specifically, a bioassay on Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) was carried out with polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPLs, 1 mg/L) and citalopram or bezafibrate (500 ng/L). Single and co-exposure scenarios lasted 21 days, followed by a 7-day depuration period to assess their potential recovery. PE-MPLs delayed the bioaccumulation of citalopram (lower mean at 10 d: 447 compared to 770 ng/g dw under single exposure), although reaching similar tissue concentrations after 21 d. A more limited accumulation of bezafibrate was observed overall, regardless of PE-MPLs co-exposure (

Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a well-known class of pollutants which can bioaccumulate and biomagnify with a vast majority being highly persistent. This study aims to determine the biomagnification rates of PFAS in sexually mature striped dolphins and to assess temporal trends on PFAS concentrations over the past three decades (1990-2021) in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea. Thirteen and 17 of the 19 targeted PFAS were detected in the samples of the dolphins' digestive content and liver, respectively, at concentrations ranging between 43 and 1609 ng/g wet weight, and 254 and 7010 ng/g wet weight, respectively. The most abundant compounds in both types of samples were linear perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (n-PFOS) and perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA), which were present in all samples, followed by perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA). Long-chain PFAS (i.e., PFCAs C ≥ 7 and PFSAs C ≥ 6) biomagnified to a greater extent than short-chain PFAS, suggesting a potential effect on the health of striped dolphins. Environmental Quality Standards concentrations set in 2014 by the European Union were exceeded in half of the samples of digestive content, suggesting that polluted prey may pose potential health risks for striped dolphins. Concentrations of most long-chain PFAS increased from 1990 to 2004-2009, then stabilized during 2014-2021, possibly following country regulations and industrial initiatives. The current study highlights the persistent presence of banned PFAS and may contribute to future ecological risk assessments and the design of management strategies to mitigate PFAS pollution in marine ecosystems.

Coumaphos is a veterinary treatment administered for the control of Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies. The detection of its residues, however, has been frequently reported in beeswax. This study is pioneer to investigate whether the honey bee brood is exposed to coumaphos via contact or by ingestion of food resources due to a residue transfer inside the bee hive. This field study addresses two scenarios: 1) after its administration according to the posology using strips inside the bee hives and, 2) placing contaminated wax containing coumaphos at 10 mg/Kg into the bee hives (simulating the use of recycled wax). In bee bread, the average concentrations of residues (mean ± s.d.) were 246.66 ± 772.29 ng/g and 192.55 ± 320.19 ng/g in scenario 1 and 2, respectively. In honey, residue concentration was 1.98 ± 5.41 ng/g and 1.93 ± 6.59 ng/g. In scenario 2, exposure has led to residue detection in all larval stages at concentrations ranging from 51.93 to 383.42 ng/g (larvae), 42.20-58.54 ng/g (prepupae), 18.35-26.24 ng/g (pupae) to 21.92-35.92 ng/g (born bee). This study shows that there is a high risk for the bee brood (larvae) by ingestion of bee bread when the residue concentration is >251.31 ng/g. Residue levels in larvae or in prepupae >42.20 ng/g give rise to a moderate risk.

The increasing consumption of pharmaceuticals, alongside their limited removal in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), have led to their ubiquitous occurrence in receiving aquatic environments. This study addresses the occurrence of 68 pharmaceuticals (PhACs) in the Ebro River Delta region (NE Spain), as well as their distribution in different environmental compartments, including surface water, sediments, biota (river biofilm and fish tissues), and field-collected plastic litter. In addition, their concentrations in serving WWTPs, as possible sources of environmental contamination, were also determined. Our study confirmed the widespread occurrence of PhACs in riverine and, to a more limited extent, coastal environments. Most frequently detected PhACs belonged to analgesics/anti-inflammatories (e.g., ibuprofen) and psychiatric drugs (e.g., venlafaxine) therapeutic groups, followed by antihypertensives (e.g., valsartan) and antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin). Seasonal differences in cumulative levels of PhACs were reported for water and sediments (winter>summer). Despite spatial gradients were not clear along the river, a non-negligible contribution of upstream Ebro sites (reference area) was highlighted, which was unexpected based on the low anthropogenic pressure. Sediments represented a minor attenuation pathway for the selected PhACs, whereas they were more heavily accumulated in biota: fish liver (up to 166 ng/g dw), river biofilms (up to 108 ng/g dw), fish plasma (up to 63 ng/mL), and fish muscle (up to 31 ng/g dw). These findings highlight the importance of biomonitoring in the characterization of polluted areas and prioritization of hazardous substances (e.g., psychiatric drugs) in aquatic systems, and a particular interest of fish plasma as non-destructive biomonitoring matrix. PhACs were also detected on plastic litter, demonstrating their role as environmental sinks for certain PhACs (e.g., analgesics/anti-inflammatories, psychiatric drugs). Overall, the wi

Currently, water scarcity affects more than three billion people. Nevertheless, the volume of treated wastewater discharged into the environment is estimated to exceed 100 m3 per inhabitant/year. These water resources are regularly used in agriculture worldwide to overcome water shortages. Such a practice, however, entails the uptake of waterborne pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), by crops and their further access to the food web, constituting an additional route of human exposure to PPCPs, with potential health outcomes. In this study, the occurrence of 56 PPCPs in tomatoes, lettuce, and carrot, together with soil and irrigation water, was evaluated using a QuEChERS-based methodology for extraction and LC-MS/MS for analysis. The influence of the selected cultivation conditions on the plant uptake levels of PPCPs was assessed. Two irrigation water qualities (secondary and tertiary treatment effluents), two soil compositions (sandy and clayey), two irrigation systems (dripping and sprinkling), and three crop types (lettuce, tomato, and carrot) were tested. Carrots showed the highest load of PPCPs (7787 ng/g dw), followed by tomatoes (1692 ng/g dw) and lettuces (1248 ng/g dw). The most translocated PPCPs were norfluoxetine (fluoxetine antidepressant main metabolite) (521 ng/g dw), and the anti-inflammatory diclofenac (360 ng/g dw). Nine PPCPs, are reported to be accumulated in crops for the first time. Water quality was the most important factor for reducing PPCPs' plant uptake. Overall, the best conditions for reducing PPCP uptake by crops were irrigation with reclaimed water by sprinkling in soils with higher clay content. The risk assessment performed revealed that the crops' consumption posed no risk to human health. This study serves as the first comprehensive assessment of the relevance of diverse cultivation factors on PPCPs' plant uptake under field agricultural practices.

Antibiotics are a group of drugs used for the treatment of bacterial diseases. They are used in both human and veterinary medicine and, although they are not permitted, they are sometimes used as growth promoters. The present research compares two extraction techniques: ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) in order to evaluate their efficiency in the determination of 17 usually prescribed antibiotics in human nails. The extraction parameters were optimized using multivariate techniques. Once both techniques were compared, MAE was selected as optimal due to its greater experimental practicability together with the better extraction efficiencies it provides. Target analytes were detected and quantified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC-MS/MS). The run time was 20 min. The methodology was then successfully validated, obtaining acceptable analytical parameters according to the guide used. Limits of detection were between 0.3 and 3 ng g−1 and limits of quantification were in the range from 1.0 to 4.0 ng g−1. Recovery percentages ranged from 87.5% to 114.2%, and precision (in terms of standard deviation) was less than 15% in all cases. Finally, the optimized method was applied to nails taken from 10 volunteers and the results revealed the presence of one or more antibiotics in all the samples examined. The most commonly found antibiotic was sulfamethoxazole, followed by danofloxacin and levofloxacin. The results demonstrated, on the one hand, the presence of these compounds in the human body and, on the other hand, the suitability of nails as a non-invasive biomarker of exposure.

Parabens are widely used in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry and are widespread in the environment. As endocrine disruptors, parabens have adverse effects on living organisms. However, knowledge of the exposure of domestic animals to parabens is extremely scarce. Therefore, this study assessed the exposure level of dogs to three parabens commonly used in industry (i.e. methylparaben - MeP, ethylparaben - EtP and propylparaben - PrP) using fur sample analysis in liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The presence of parabens has been noted in the samples collected from all dogs included in the study (n = 30). Mean concentrations of MeP, EtP and PrP in the fur of dogs were 176 (relative standard deviation – RSD = 127.48%) ng/g dry weight (dw), 48.4 (RSD = 163.64%) ng/g dw and 79.8 ng/g dw (RSD = 151.89%), respectively. The highest concentrations were found for MeP (up to 1023 ng/g dw). Concentrations of MeP and EtP in males were statistically higher than those in females (p < 0.05). Statistically significantly higher concentration levels of PrP in young animals (up to three years old) were also found. This is the first study concerning the use of fur samples to evaluate the exposure of domestic animals to parabens. The results indicate that an analysis of the fur may be a useful tool of paraben biomonitoring in dogs. The presence of parabens in the canine fur also suggests that these substances may play a role in veterinary toxicology. However, many aspects connected with this issue are not clear and require further study.

In the present work, recycled polyethylene (LDPE) samples of agricultural, post-commercial, post-industrial and post-consumer origin were selected and analysed. The analysis comprised the determination of different contaminants such as metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxin-like biphenyl polychlorides (PCBs), and polychlorinated-dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs). A comparison with one sample of virgin plastic (unrecycled) was performed. The study aimed at stressing the importance of this type of analysis in recycled plastics. Indeed, such an examination will determine the material’s final destination, and the possible origin of the pollutants analysed is investigated. Black post-industrial and post-consumer samples presented the highest concentration of PCBs and PCDD/Fs, attaining a maximum value of 2.40 pg WHO-TEQ/g, while the least toxic sample (post-commercial) presented a toxicity of 0.38 pg WHO-TEQ/g. PAHs content was also much higher in black samples, reaching 514.41 ng/g, while the lowest concentrations were obtained for the post-commercial plastic sample, which did not exceed 38.98 ng/g. The higher PAHs concentrations in the black samples were related to the carbon black content of the black samples, which was 2.00% for black post-industrial sample and 1.51% for post-consumer sample. The PCDD/Fs congener profile observed in almost all samples was very similar to the profile found in the literature on urban air samples, indicating that the plastic is mainly influenced by the environment. The presence of some metals (mainly copper) showed a slight correlation with PCDD/Fs content. The pollutants analysed were found to be significantly reduced during the cleaning processes that are generally carried out in recycling companies.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of emerging substances that have proved to be persistent and highly bioaccumulative. They are broadly used in various applications and are known for their long-distance migration and toxicity. In this study, 65 recent specimens of a terrestrial apex predator (Common buzzard), freshwater and marine apex predators (Eurasian otter, harbour porpoise, grey seal, harbour seal) and their potential prey (bream, roach, herring, eelpout) from northern Europe (United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden) were analyzed for the presence of legacy and emerging PFAS, employing a highly sensitive liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method. 56 compounds from 14 classes were measured; 13 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), 7 perfluoroalkyl sulphonic acids (PFSAs), 3 perfluorooctane sulfonamides (FOSAs), 4 perfluoroalkylphosphonic acids (PFAPAs), 3 perfluoroalkylphosphinic acids (PFPi's), 5 telomer alcohols (FTOHs), 2 mono-substituted polyfluorinated phosphate esters (PAPs), 2 di-substituted polyfluorinated phosphate esters (diPAPs), 6 saturated fluorotelomer acids (FTAS), 3 unsaturated fluorotelomer acids (FTUAs), 2 N-Alkyl perfluorooctane sulfonamidoethanols (FOSEs), 3 fluorotelomer sulphonic acids (FTSAs), 2 perfluoroether carboxylic acids (PFECAs) and 1 chlorinated perfluoroether sulphonic acid (Cl-PFESA). All samples were lyophilized before analysis, in order to enhance extraction efficiency, improve the precision and achieve lower detection limits. The analytes were extracted from the dry matrices through generic methods of extraction, using an accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), followed by clean-up through solid phase extraction (SPE). Method detection limits and method quantification limits ranged from 0.02 to 1.25 ng/g wet weight (ww) and from 0.05 to 3.79 ng/g (ww), respectively. Recovery ranged from 40 to 137%. Method precision ranged from 3 to 20 %RSD. T

Over a period of 12 months, the fate of three hormones, 12 antibiotics and 30 pharmaceutically active substances (PhACs) was investigated during open-air storage without and with composting of anaerobically digested and dewatered sewage sludge. The effect of oxidation conditions during storage on degradation of hormones and PhACs in the sludge biomass was also examined. Under summer and winter conditions in Uppsala County, Sweden, two field-scale sludge windrows were constructed: open-air storage of sewage sludge windrow without composting (NO-COM)) and open-air storage windrow with composting (COM). NO-COM achieved effective removal of ∑Hormones (85%) and ∑Antibiotics (95%), but lower removal of ∑PhACs (34%), during the study year. The top layers of the sludge pile had significantly lower concentrations of ∑PhACs (3100–5100 ng/g ash) than deeper layers (8000–11,000 ng/g ash). After one year of composting, the degradation in the COM windrow resulted in concentrations of ∑Hormones (

Neurodevelopmental delay is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Prenatal metal exposure can potentially cause neurodevelopmental delays in children. This study examines whether prenatal exposure to mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) is associated with the risk of neurodevelopmental delays in children up to 4 years of age. Children enrolled in a prospective birth cohort of the Japan Environment and Children's Study were examined. Hg and Se levels in maternal (n(child )= 48,731) and cord (n(child )= 3,083) blood were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Neurodevelopmental delays were assessed in children between the ages of 0.5 to 4 years using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition. The association between exposure and outcomes was examined using the generalized estimation equation models. In maternal blood, compared to participants with Se levels in the first quartile (83.0 to < 156 ng/g), the odds ratio (95 % confidence intervals) for problem-solving ability in children of mothers in the third (168 to < 181 ng/g) and fourth quartiles (181 to 976 ng/g) were 1.08 (1.01 to 1.14) and 1.10 (1.04 to 1.17), respectively. Furthermore, communication, gross and fine motor skills, and problem-solving delays were also observed. However, prenatal Hg levels in maternal and cord blood and Se levels in the latter were not associated with neurodevelopmental delays in children. Thus, the findings of this study suggest an association between Se levels in maternal blood and slightly increased risks of neurodevelopmental delays in children up to the age of 4 years.

Highlights • Munition compounds were detected in >98% of organisms collected in the southwest Baltic Sea (median 6 pmol/g or ~1 ng/g) • Tissue content of TNT, ADNT, and DANT were significantly elevated in a munitions dumpsite at Kolberger Heide • TNT was rarely detected in fish, whereas the transformation products ADNT and especially DANT were nearly ubiquitous • ADNT and DANT were higher in fish viscera than muscle, suggesting reduced risk to seafood consumers Relic munitions are a hazardous legacy of the two world wars present in coastal waters worldwide. The southwest Baltic Sea has an especially high prevalence of unexploded ordnance and dumped munition material, which represent a large potential source of toxic explosive chemicals (munition compounds, MC). In the current study, diverse biota (plankton, macroalgae, tunicate, sponge, mollusc, echinoderm, polychaete, anemone, crustacea, fish) were collected from the Kiel Bight and a munitions dumpsite at Kolberger Heide, Germany, to evaluate the potential bioaccumulation of explosives and their derivatives (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, TNT; 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, ADNT; 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene and 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene, DANT; 1,3-dinitrobenzene, DNB; and 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane, RDX). One or more MCs were detected in >98% of organisms collected throughout the study region (n = 178), at a median level of 6 pmol/g (approximately 1 ng/g) and up to 2 × 107 pmol/g (TNT in Asterias rubens collected from Kolberger Heide). In most cases, TNT and its transformation product compounds ADNT and DANT were significantly higher in biota from the munitions dumpsite compared with other locations. Generally, DNB and RDX were detected less frequently and at lower concentrations than TNT, ADNT, and DANT. In commercially important fish species (plaice, flounder) from Kolberger Heide, TNT and ADNT were detected in 17 and 33% of samples, respectively. In contrast DANT was detected in every fi

Highlights • Investigation on PFAS in seafood was conducted for the first time in North Africa. • Long-chain PFAS were predominant in seafood from the study area. • Among seafood, crustaceans exhibited the highest concentrations of PFAS. • PFOS was the predominant PFAS compound in most marine species. • Human health risks for PFAS exposure via seafood consumption was minimal. Abstract Despite the ubiquity of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in all environmental compartments, little is known about the pollution they cause on the African continent, neither on levels, nor effects. Here we examined the occurrence and levels of 21 legacy and emerging PFAS in 9 marine species (3 fish, 2 crustaceans and 4 mollusks) collected from Bizerte lagoon, Northern Tunisia. Furthermore, assessment of potential human health risks through consumption of contaminated seafood was examined. This is the first study assessing PFAS in Mediterranean coastal areas of North Africa. Twelve out of the 21 targeted PFAS were detected, evidencing the occurrence of PFAS in seafood from North Africa, albeit at low levels. The Ʃ21PFAS concentrations in all seafood samples ranged from 0.202 ng g−1 dry weight (dw) to 2.89 ng g−1 dw, with a mean value of 1.10 ± 0.89 ng g−1 dw. The profiles of PFAS varied significantly among different species, which might be related to their different trophic level, protein content, feeding behaviour and metabolism. Generally, current exposure to PFAS through seafood consumption indicates that it should not be of concern to the local consumers, at least for those PFAS for which information is available.

Maternal breast milk, which is a complete food for the infant's growth, development, and health, contains fats and lipids making it susceptible to accumulation of lipophilic compounds like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This study aimed at analyzing correlates of measured levels of PAHs in breast milk of nursing mothers to frequently used household fuels and cooking methods in Uganda, and estimate the potential health risks of PAHs to infants through breastfeeding. Sixty breast milk samples were collected from healthy and non-smoking mothers who had lived in Kampala capital city (urban area) and Nakaseke district (rural area) for at least five years. Sample extracts were analyzed for PAHs using a gas chromatograph coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. ∑13PAHs in samples from Kampala ranged from 3.44 to 696 ng/g lw while those from Nakaseke ranged from 0.84 to 87.9 ng/g lw. PAHs with 2–3 rings were more abundant in the samples than PAHs with 4–6 rings. At least 33 % of the variance in the levels of ∑13PAHs in the breast milk samples was attributable to the fuel type and cooking methods used. Nursing mothers who used charcoal for cooking accumulated higher levels of ∑13PAHs in their breast milk samples compared to those who used firewood. Levels of ∑13PAHs in breast milk of mothers increased depending on the cooking methods used in the order; boiling< grilling< deep-frying. In all samples, hazard quotients for PAHs were <1 and estimated incremental cancer risks were all between 10−6 and 10−4, indicating that the health risks to infants due to the ingestion of PAHs in breast milk was tolerable. Further studies with large datasets on PAHs and their derivatives and, larger samples sizes are needed to confirm these findings.

Veterinary pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, are emerging contaminants of concern worldwide. Avian scavengers are exposed to pharmaceuticals through consumption of livestock carcasses used for feeding wildlife for conservation purposes at supplementary feeding stations. Here we tested the hypothesis that griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) would be more exposed to antibiotics (i.e., quinolones) when feeding on livestock carcasses from intensive farming than when they rely on carcasses from extensive farming or wild animals. We sampled 657 adult griffon vultures captured between 2008 and 2012. In addition, we sampled tissues from domestic livestock supplied at feeding stations in the study area between 2009 and 2019; pig (n = 114), sheep (n = 28), cow (n = 1) and goat (n = 2). Samples were analysed by liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). Quinolones were detected in plasma from 12.9% of the griffon vultures analysed. Quinolone prevalence in griffon vultures varied significantly among feeding stations but was also affected by the total amount of carcasses supplemented, especially the mass of pig carcasses. These results aligned with a 21.1% quinolone prevalence in pig carcasses sampled at feeding stations, wherein enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin levels of up to 3359 ng/g and 1550 ng/g, respectively, were found. Given enrofloxacin pharmacokinetics in pig tissues, 5.3% of the analysed pigs may have died no more than one day after treatment. Quinolone presence in vultures was negatively associated with blood lead levels, which mostly originates from lead ammunition and indicates a higher consumption of game animal carcasses. Carcass disposal for feeding avian scavengers must always assess and manage the risks posed by veterinary pharmaceuticals, especially when livestock provided may have died soon after treatment.

Marine mammals are one of the groups of animals most affected by marine pollution including that by organic compounds which, besides bearing recognised harmful effects to adults, they may also affect foetuses through placental transfer. In this study we analysed samples of fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) females and their foetuses collected in the western Iceland summer feeding grounds in 2018. Three different families of organic pollutants: organophosphate esters (OPEs); halogenated flame retardants (HFRs); and short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), were analysed and their placental transfer investigated. HFRs were detected in 87.5% of females and 100% of foetus samples with concentrations that ranged between nd-15.4 and 6.37–101 ng/g lipid weight (lw), respectively. OPEs were detected in all samples, both from females (85.8–567 ng/g lw) and foetuses (nq-1130 ng/g lw). SCCPs were detected in 87.5% of female samples and 100% of foetal samples with concentrations that ranged between nd-30.9 and nq-574 ng/g lw, respectively. For OPE compounds, a significant negative correlation was observed between the logarithm maternal transfer ratio and their log Kow, indicating that a high lipophilicity reduced placental transfer rate. Interestingly, the decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) was the compound with the highest log Kow but also the one that was transferred the most from mothers to foetuses, calling for in-depth research on this pollutant. These results constitute the first evidence of mother-calf transfer of plasticizers and flame retardants in fin whales. Further investigations are needed to determine their potential effects on this species and other groups of animals.

In 2019, sands in nearby runoff streams from public beach showers were sampled on three islands in the State of Hawaii and tested for over 18 different petrochemical UV filters. Beach sands that are directly in the plume discharge of beach showers on three of the islands of Hawaii (Maui, Oahu, Hawai'i) were found to be contaminated with a wide array of petrochemical-based UV-filters that are found in sunscreens. Sands from beach showers across all three islands had a mean concentration of 5619 ng/g of oxybenzone with the highest concentration of 34,518 ng/g of oxybenzone at a beach shower in the Waikiki area of Honolulu. Octocrylene was detected at a majority of the beach shower locations, with a mean concentration of 296.3 ng/g across 13 sampling sites with the highest concentration of 1075 ng/g at the beach shower in Waikiki. Avobenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and benzophenone-2 were detected, as well as breakdown products of oxybenzone, including benzophenone-1, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, and 4-hydroxybenzophenone. Dioxybenzone (DHMB) presented the highest concentration in water (75.4 ng/mL), whereas octocrylene was detected in all water samples. Some of these same target analytes were detected in water samples on coral reefs that are adjacent to the beach showers. Risk assessments for both sand and water samples at a majority of the sampling sites had a Risk Quotient > 1, indicating that these chemicals could pose a serious threat to beach zones and coral reef habitats. There are almost a dozen mitigation options that could be employed to quickly reduce contaminant loads associated with discharges from these beach showers, like those currently being employed (post-study sampling and analysis) in the State of Hawaii, including banning the use of sunscreens using petrochemical-based UV filters or educating tourists before they arrive on the beach.

Oilseed crops are greatly extended all over the world. Their high fat content can interfere during pesticide multiresidue analysis through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This work aimed at overcoming this issue by developing and validating two QuEChERS-based methods for LC-MS/MS determination of 42 pesticides in two fatty food matrices: olives and sunflower seeds. Optimization of the extraction method was achieved following a 26-2 fractional factorial design in a highly cost-effective way. Validation of the multi-residue methods demonstrated improved limits of detection, below the established maximum residue levels (MRLs) for almost all compounds, good precision, and trueness, in compliance with SANTE guidelines. Application of these methods to the analysis of real samples from the Iberian Peninsula showed the presence of some pesticides of relevant environmental concern, including four compounds contained in the Pesticide Action Network International list of highly hazardous pesticides, found at levels between 0.03 ng/g and 104 ng/g.