Occurrence_of_polybrominated_diphenyleth.pdf - OCCURRENCE...

OCCURRENCE OF POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYLETHERS,
POLYCHLORINATED DIBENZO-P-DIOXINS, DIBENZOFURANS AND
BIPHENYLS IN COASTAL SEDIMENTS (NW ADRIATIC SEA, ITALY)
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous and persistent contaminants in the marine environment [1],
[2]. PCDDs and PCDFs (PCDD/Fs) and PCBs are released from various sources, such as incinerators, chemical industries, and municipal wastewater effluents. The
contamination in the marine environment also includes a variety of brominated flame retardants [3]. This group of emerging pollutants includes polybrominated diphenyl
ethers (PBDEs), which are used in a variety of commercial applications (plastics, textiles, electronic circuitry and other materials) to prevent fires. Due to their
hydrophobic properties, these compounds tend to strongly partition to particulate matter in the marine environment and settle through the water column to the sediments,
which act as their final sink. 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. Although the area is a wetland of international importance (RAMSAR Convention, EU Wild Birds
Directive, EU Habitats and Species Directive), significant agricultural, urban and industrial activities have released toxic chemical pollutants into the lagoon.
EXPERIMENTAL
Four sampling areas were selected combining the distance from industrial inputs
(near and far) and the distance from the sea (near and far) (Figure 1). Two areas
were located near to the anthropogenic disturbance (i.e. industrial area), along the
southern edge of the lagoon (areas 1 and 2), and two areas were located