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Phthalate esters (PAEs) are emerging pollutants commonly found in plastic products. Thus, increasing plastic pollution in the marine environment amplify their entry and potential impacts on aquatic species. Likewise, pollutants may accumulate in top predators such as sharks and are highly consumed in many countries. Therefore, this study evaluated the concentrations of 10 PAEs plasticizers in commercially important Indian Ocean silky sharks Carcharhinus falciformis and their toxicity risks in children and adults. Results showed the concentrations of ΣPAEs in shark muscle ranging between 5,402–34,577 ng/g ww. PAEs in silky shark muscles appeared to be six times higher in locations near the coasts (islands) with higher anthropogenic impacts. Low molecular weight PAEs like DMP and DnBP dominated PAEs in shark muscle tissues. Moreover, the PAE levels in shark muscles did not significantly increase with length and weight, indicating their relative impacts in all shark sizes. For the estimate of the daily intakes (EDI), the DEHP was 32 μg/kg bw/day in preschool children and 23 μg/kg bw/day in adults (the DEHP Reference Dose (RfD) of 20 μg/kg bw/day). Toxicity risk assessment showed unacceptable levels indicating long-term dietary risks for consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of pollutants in the semi-enclosed waters of ports has long been a concern. This study assessed the pollution status, sources, and toxicity risks of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments of 7 major ports in Taiwan. Total PAHs concentrations in sediments ranged between 8.4 and 572.5 ng/g dw, with an average of 112.4 ± 136.5 ng/g dw. The 3- and 4-ring PAHs (63 %) were the major constituents of PAHs in the sediments. Diagnostic ratios and positive matrix factorization analyses indicated that PAHs in sediments were mainly contributed by biomass combustion (45.0 %), coal combustion (31.5 %), and vehicle emissions and related fossil fuels (23.5 %). The results of ecological risk assessment showed a low–medium risk of PAHs in the sediments outside the port, whereas most of the sediments within the port presented a medium–high risk. An assessment of the possible human health risks indicated that PAHs were present at acceptable levels. [Display omitted] • Significant accumulation of PAHs in sediments of commercial ports in Taiwan. • Biomass and coal combustion are the main sources of PAHs in sediments. • Coal-fired power plants near ports are a source of PAHs in sediments. • TEQ of PAHs in the port sediments may pose moderate–high ecological risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) pose risks to both aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study investigated MPs in the shells and soft tissues of hard clams (Meretrix taiwanica) cultured in the inland waters of Taiwan. This study further developed two novel risk indices for assessing the potential ecological and health consequences of MPs. Moreover, the metal concentrations in the clam's soft tissues and the associated consumption health risks were investigated. Clamshells contained significant amounts of MPs with an average abundance of 16.6 ± 6.9 MPs/ind., which was higher than in the soft tissues (2.7 ± 1.7 MPs/ind.). The distribution and sizes of MPs in shells and soft tissues were similar, primarily small-sized (<2 mm, >99 %), blue (>65 %), and fibrous (>99 %). Dominant MP polymer types included rayon (83.5 %), polyethylene terephthalate (11.8 %), and polyacrylonitrile (3.6 %). The proposed MP potential ecological risk index indicates a higher potential ecological MP risk in soft tissues (302−423) than in shells (270−278) of the clams. The MP potential hazard risk index showed that the risk of exposure to MP through shellfish consumption decreased with age. The total hazard index (THI) value suggested negligible health hazards from metal exposure through shellfish consumption. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between MPs and metal concentrations in soft tissues, suggesting that metals bound to MPs contribute minimally to the total accumulated metals in clam's soft tissues. This study confirms the presence of MPs in clam shells and provides a novel tool to assess the potential ecological and health risks associated with MPs in shellfish. [Display omitted] • Abundance of microplastics (MPs) in clamshells is greater than in soft tissues. • The majority of MPs in clams are small-sized fibrous rayon and PET polymers. • The potential ecological and health risk indices of shellfish MPs are proposed. • Exposure to metals from eating shellfish should not cause adverse health effects. • Shellfish consumption poses greater health risks to toddler than older consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focusing on 27 rare filter-feeding megamouth sharks (Megachasma pelagios) captured as a by-catch of drift gillnet fishery in the Pacific Ocean to the east of Taiwan, this study analyzes the concentrations of 24 elements in their muscle, discusses the bioaccumulation of each element and the correlation between different elements, and assesses the potential health risks of consuming megamouth shark muscle. Among the 24 elements, mean concentrations of Ga, Ag, Li, Bi, Hg, Co, and Cd were relatively low ranging from 10−3 to 10−1 mg/kg, those of Pb, Ba, Mn, Ni, As, Cr, B, Sr, Cu, and Zn ranged from 10−1–101 mg/kg, and those of Fe, Ca, Al, K, Mg, Ti, and Na were relatively high ranging from 101 to 103 mg/kg. The toxic element content index was most significantly correlated with the concentration of Cu. Hence, this study recommends that the concentration of Cu could be used as an indicator of metal accumulation in megamouth shark muscle. The log bioconcentration factor (BCF) ranged from less than 0 to 7.85 in shark muscle. For elements with a concentration of less than 100 μg/L in seawater, the log BCF was inversely proportional to their concentration in seawater. According to the correlation analysis, the accumulation of elements in muscle of megamouth sharks is primarily affected by the concentrations of dissolved elements in seawater, except that the accumulation of Hg, As, Cu, Ti, Al, and Fe appears to be mainly affected by feeding behaviors. The assessment of the health risk of consuming megamouth shark muscle showed that its total hazard index was greater than 1. This suggests that the long-term or high-frequency consumption of megamouth shark muscle may cause health hazards due to the accumulation of trace elements, particularly those with a large contribution of health risk, including As, Hg, and Cu. Image 1 • Reveals the profile of 24 elements in the muscle tissue of Megachasma pelagios. • Cu level may be used as an indicator of metal accumulation in megamouth shark muscle. • Metal in seawater with level <100 μg/L inversely correlated with its log BCF in muscle. • Feeding behavior seems mainly affecting on element bioaccumulation of shark. • Long-term eating megamouth shark muscle may cause adverse risk to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The level and distribution of 16 USEPA Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) in aquaculture farmed fish (Mugil cephalus and Oreochromis mossambicus) and shellfish (Corbicula fluminea Formosa and Meretrix lusoria) were determined in Taiwan and then assessed cancer and non-cancer risks for those consuming these kinds of seafood. Results indicated that C. fluminea Formosa accumulated the highest average concentration of total PAHs (43.0 ± 11.3 ng/g wet weight) while M. lusoria contained the lowest concentration (20.0 ± 5.8 ng/g) among all species. The low-molecular-weight PAHs were dominant for both fish and shellfish, which consistent with other studies. Notably, parts of high-molecular-weight PAHs were found in shellfish whereas that was little in fish. The calculated hazard quotients (HQ) of all PAHs were smaller than 1 and the incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR) for Benzo[ a ]pyrene were below 1 × 10−5, suggesting that PAHs in the collected seafood could pose a low hazard to residents. Although the results indicated that the studied seafood is safe for human consumption, children and seniors post relatively higher risks, suggesting that it needs to continue monitoring and control the PAHs concentration in seafood and the associated environments. [Display omitted] • Level of 16 PAHs in five famous seafood collected from aquaculture in western Taiwan was measured. • Level in bivalves showed a higher proportion of high-molecular-weight PAHs than that in fish. • Although no risk for all populations consuming the 5 seafood, the slightly high risk for children and seniors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]