Luisa R. Bordajandi

Study on PCBs, PCDD/Fs, organochlorine pesticides, heavy metals and arsenic content in freshwater fish species from the River Turia (Spain)

In this study samples of common trout, European eel and barbel have been analysed for the levels of heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and the metalloid arsenic (As). Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), including three non-ortho substituted PCBs, 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and DDT and its two main metabolites were also analysed in some selected samples, in order to evaluate the extent of contamination of the River Turia basin. All samples presented detectable levels of the elements analysed, presenting zinc the highest concentrations. European eel was the species found to highly accumulate these contaminants. Regarding organochlorinated compounds, seven samples exhibited detectable levels of the most toxic PCDD/Fs congener, the 2,3,7,8-TCDD. Non-ortho PCBs were not detected or not quantified in almost all samples and the sum of the individual PCB congeners determined were low compared to other aquatic ecosystems with similar fish species.

Dietary intakes of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in Spain

Congener-specific analyses of seventeen 2,3,7,8-substituted PCDD/Fs, three non-ortho and 8 mono-ortho dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were performed on 258 Spanish foodstuff samples, mainly of animal origin, for 2000–03. Daily dietary intakes of PCDD/Fs and PCBs, expressed as toxic equivalents (WHO-TEQs), were estimated by combining food consumption data from the Spanish National Institute Statistics survey and concentration levels measured in individual samples, using upper bound determination values (not detectable = limit of detection). The calculated dietary intake of PCDD/Fs for a person weighing 70 kg was 1.35 ± 0.11 pg WHO-TEQs kg−1 bw day−1, and 3.22 ± 0.75 pg WHO-TEQs kg−1 bw day−1 if dioxin-like PCBs (non- and mono-ortho PCBs) were included, showing the importance of their inclusion in monitoring studies. Both values were within the range of tolerable daily intake (TDI) proposed by the WHO (1–4 pg WHO-TEQs kg−1 bw day−1). The current levels are lower than earlier intakes estimates conducted in Spain. Meat and meat products accounted for more than 35% of the intake, followed by milk and milk products (29%), vegetables oils (19%), fish and sea food (11%) and eggs (4%). Dioxin-like PCBs are an important component in the total WHO-TEQs in foodstuffs. This is particularly true for the fish food group, where the total WHO-TEQs is dominated by dioxin-like PCBs (up to 80% of WHO-TEQs in some cases).

Optimisation of the GC-MS conditions for the determination of the 15 EU foodstuff priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

European legislation has recently established a list of 15 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to be monitored in foodstuff. Thus, the accurate determination of these compounds has become a highly relevant issue. The fact that some of these European Union (EU) PAHs differ from those typically analysed, requires the re-evaluation of the instrumental conditions for the proper determination of the new target compounds. In this study, the influence of the stationary phase and dimensions of the GC capillary column on the chromatographic resolution of the 15 EU PAHs has been investigated. Apolar (DB-5 type) and medium polar (DB-17 type) stationary phases with different lengths and film thickness have been evaluated for the separation of the target compounds, with special emphasis on those coelutions involving isomers such as the three benzofluoranthenes included in the EU PAHs. In addition, the influence of the injection technique and the column dimensions on the recovery of the high molecular mass PAHs has been studied. A programmable temperature vaporising (PTV) injector has been used in three different operational modes and the results were compared to those obtained using on-column injection. The experimental parameters involved in the injection step were optimised by using experimental design.

Evaluation of organochlorine compounds in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and their main prey (Columba livia) inhabiting central Spain.

The population of peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus sbs. brookei) inhabiting the Regional Park of southeastern Madrid (RPSM), Spain, has experienced an increase of unsuccessful pairs (from 15% among a total of 20 pairs in 1995 to 55% among a total of 18 pairs in 2001). Traditionally, this area has been known to be contaminated with organochlorine compounds and toxic metals, which are known to be deleterious to the reproductive system of birds. During the breeding seasons of 2000 and 2001, contaminant residues were measured in unhatched eggs of peregrine falcons and liver of their main prey, to determine if they could be affecting the survival of the population. The most abundant contaminants were ortho-polychlorinated biphenyls (ortho-PCBs), ranging from 202.56 to 3,335.16 ng/g (wet wt) in falcon eggs and from 10.25 to 53.51 ng/g (wet wt) in pigeon livers. In all samples, the 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) were detected, although these levels never exceeded 20 pg/g (wet wt). The major contributor to total toxic equivalent quantities (TEQs) were non-ortho-PCBs. Organochlorine levels found in this study may contribute to the entire suite of stressors that are negatively affecting the peregrine population.