Naslov
Levels and trends of PCBs and DDTs in the Mediterranean Reageon

Autori
Picer, Mladen

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, pp prezentacija, znanstveni

Izvornik
Regional Workshop, UNEP-GEF-Region IV, Priority Setting Meeting, Barcelona, Spain ; 26-28.06.2002 / - , 2002

Skup
Regional Workshop, UNEP-GEF-Region IV, Priority Setting Meeting

Mjesto i datum
Barcelona, Španjolska, 26.06.2002. - 28.06.2002

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Pozvano predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
PCB; DDT; Mediterranean; Environment

Sažetak
A substantial amount of information exists on the distribution of PTSs in the different environmental compartments of the Region. However, this is mainly the result of research campaigns rather than the existence of monitoring networks. In consequence, data available mainly deal with local studies, or hot spot situations. Data is often missing for some compartments, particularly atmosphere, ground and drinking waters, soils and sewage sludges, etc. Significant geographical data gaps also exist, particularly for the South and South-eastern Total DDT concentrations in sediments vary from <0.25 to 885 ng/g at different locations, and PCBs from 1.3 to 7274 ng/g, the higher levels corresponding to localised &#8220; hot spots&#8221; , near sewage outfalls of big cities or at the mouths of large rivers (e.g. Rhone and Seine). Similarly, freshwater and marine organisms, extensively used in biomonitoring, show PTSs concentrations closely associated to their habitats. Levels up to 400 &micro ; ; ; g/g ww of DDTs and 1400 &micro ; ; ; g/g ww of PCBs have been found in the blubber of Mediterranean marine mammals (dolphins), values which are higher than those found in similar species living in the Atlantic. The marine environment is by large the compartment most widely studied, probably due to its regional importance but also to the incentive of the Barcelona and OSPAR Conventions. Comparison between Western and Eastern Mediterranean basins has been approached using the Audouin&#8217; s Gull eggs. Levels are significantly and consistently higher in the Western than in the Eastern basin, and, in general, significantly higher than in samples from the North Atlantic or the Arctic. Few long-term temporal trend monitoring in fish, mussels and seabird eggs has been carried out in the Northern Mediterranean. A general decline of DDTs has been reported for marine biota along the Mediterranean coasts of France and Italy, and from the Adriatic Sea between 1960s and 1990s, which is consistent with the regulatory restrictions on production and use of this compound. The French monitoring network of coastal pollution shows, during the period 1979-1998, general decreasing trends in the order: DDT>HCHs>>PCBs>PAHs, although they are not so evident for the latter two, indicating a steady source of these contaminants in the Mediterranean ecosystem. Results also suggest that atmospheric concentrations of PCBs have remained approximately constant during the past decade. A number of reports have identified some geographical areas of concern. These include estuaries (e.g. Seine, Rhone, Ebro, Po and Nile), coastal enclosures (e.g. Izmit and Iskenderun Bays, Venice Lagoon, etc.) coastal areas (e.g. NW Mediterranean and Northern Adriatic), inland waters (e.g. Po, Ebro, Seine, Kupa and Lepenica rivers) and dumpsites (e.g. Durres, Skopje, Alger, Mustaganem, etc.). Apart from areas of intense local contamination, compounds of regional concern are PCBs, DDT, HCHs, PAHs, HCB and TBTs. Other compounds e.g., phthalates, alkylphenols, PBDE/PBBs are suspected to be ubiquitous but data are lacking. Comprehensive studies have been conducted in a limited number of cases, e.g. in the NW Mediterranean, in the Adriatic coast, including the Venice Lagoon, or in the area affected by the Balkans war. Some of these case studies are described for illustrating the approaches followed to assess the sources and fate of PTSs. ix Based on the limited data available, it is unlikely that present levels of chlorinated pesticides would adversely affect marine and continental higher organisms.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kemija

POVEZANOST RADA