Levels of PAHs, PCBs, and toxic metals in Ruditapes philippinarum and Donax trunculus in Marmara Sea, Turkey

Abstract

BACKGROUNDThe manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum and the wedge clam Donax trunculus are economic bivalve species which constitute an important part of the natural bivalve beds in the Marmara Sea, Turkey. Toxic chemicals such as, dioxins, dioxin‐like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and toxic metals are recognized as important health risk factors that threaten public health via food or directly in the environment. In the present study, we aimed to determine and monitor levels of these toxic chemicals in both clam species, R. philippinarum and D. trunculus, between 2013 and 2017.RESULTSAccording to the results, maximum levels of dioxins, PAHs, and toxic metals (lead, cadmium, mercury) during the period were determined as 0.18 pg g−1, 2.43 mg kg−1, and 0.44–0.53‐0.1 mg kg−1, respectively. The level of contaminants in both clam species were determined to be below the threshold or tolerable daily intake values established by the European Commission, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). Seasonal fluctuations were observed to be similar in both species and also in seasons, but elevated levels of PCBs and PAHs were detected in warmer months during the period.CONCLUSIONAs a consequence, toxic chemicals in both clam species were found at low concentrations in this study from the point of view of public health concerns; however, the contaminants should be closely monitored in the future due to their elevated levels in samples. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry

Determination of Trace Elements, Heavy Metals Content, and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of the Pigments Extracted of Donax trunculus shells Gathered from Giresun Coast

“…Within bivalves, the clam Donax trunculus is among the most gathered in species in many countries, including in Turkey. D. trunculus spreads out an Atlantic-Mediterranean warm-temperate exposed sandy beaches (Künili et al, 2021). The studies on D. trunculus gain importance due to consume as food.…”