Naslov
DDTs and PCBs in the Adriatic Sea

Autori
Picer, Mladen

Izvornik
Croatica chemica acta (0011-1643) 73 (2000), 1; 123-186

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, pregledni rad, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Mediterranean Sea; Adriatic Sea; chlorinated hydrocarbons; DDTs; PCBs;analysis; levels and trends; water; sediment; marine organisms; gas chromatography

Sažetak
The most measurements and data on highly chlorinated hydrocarbons in the Adriatic were on the total DDTs (insecticide DDT and its metabolites DDE and DDD) and PCBs, which belong to the group of the most persistent organic pollutants. Therefore, this review is focused on these pollutants. A review and discussion of the analytical developments in the determination of DDTs and PCBs in sea environment are presented, including sample treatment, clean up, identification and gas liquid determination. Author has discussed the problem of analysis, and in connection to it, also the problem concerning the obtaining of real data on the distribution of trace residues of persistent chlorinated hydrocarbons in marine environment. The fates of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the sea were discussed concerning pollutant-particle association with surfaces and dynamics in coastal marine environment. Hydrophobic association of pollutants with surfaces and than biological incorporation, aggregation and cycling was also discussed. For DDTs in the Rijeka Bay residence times were in range from 1.3 to 11.5 years and for PCBs from 1.2 to 9.3 years. The levels and trends of DDTs and PCBs in Adriatic Sea air, rain, water, sediments, plankton, plants, shellfish, crabs, fishes, and other marine organisms including seabirds and mammals are reviewed and compared with these pollutants levels in the Mediterranean area. Comparing the averages of DDTs levels in sediments, mussels and three species of fishes (Mullus barbatus, Engraulis encrasicolus and Thynnus thynnus) of the whole Adriatic with the averages of levels these pollutants in the other areas in the Mediterranean, it can be concluded that in three areas of the Mediterranean Sea (Ionian and Aegean sea, Northeast Mediterranean and Balearic sea) levels are higher and in 5 areas (Ligurian sea, Thyrrhenian sea, Southwest Mediterranean, Southeast Mediterranean, and South-central Mediterranean) DDTs levels are lower. Levels of PCBs in these samples are higher in three areas of the Mediterranean region (Balearic sea, Ionian and Eagan sea, Ligurian sea) in comparison with the Adriatic and in five areas (Thyrrhenian sea, Southwest Mediterranean, Southeast Mediterranean, South-central Mediterranean and Northeast Mediterranean) levels of PCBs are lower. Comparison of data reported for DDTs and PCBs levels in different environmental compartments of the Mediterranean and the Adriatic Sea over the last two decades shows a substantial decline these compounds. Nevertheless, localized chronic (''hotspot'') contamination continues. DDTs levels in the fish samples collected from the coastal waters of the Zadar and Dubrovnik areas in the Adriatic showed significant negative yearly trend, but for PCBs, significant positive yearly trend was obtained. Author also present some discussion about using biomarkers for risk estimation of micropollutants in the Adriatic and risk related to acceptable daily intake of chlorinated hydrocarbons into a critical population on the coast.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kemija

POVEZANOST RADA