Organic micropollutants (PAHs, PCBs, pesticides) in seaweeds of the lagoon of Venice

Abstract

Samples of seven genera of seaweeds (Ulva, Gracilaria, Porphyra, Grateloupia, Undaria, Fucus and Cystoseira), which can be used as environmental biomonitors and in several applications like human alimentation, animal feeding and cosmetics, were collected in four sampling sites in the Lagoon of Venice in spring and autumn 1999 with the aim of determining the contamination due to organic micropollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs; chlorinated pesticides; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs). On an average, most of the considered species were contaminated especially by PAHs (up to 56 ng g-1 dry wt. (dw)) whereas concentrations of PCBs and pesticides in macroalgal tissues were significantly correlated and did not exceed 5 ng g-1 dw. Among the studied genera the most contaminated by PAHs were Ulva, Undaria and Cystoseira. The highest concentrations of PCBs and pesticides were found in Cystoseira, Fucus and Gracilaria. The least contaminated genus was Porphyra. Although macroalgal specimens were sampled in differently contaminated areas placed from the mainland to the Lido Lagoon mouth, no quantitatively meaningful differences of concentrations were found among the sampling stations.

Distribution and production of macrophytes and phytoplankton in the lagoon of Venice: comparison of actual and past situation

“…3) in coarse and well oxygenated sediments. Exceptionally, a new population was found also in the inner part of the northern basin in an area where this species has never been found before, which confirms the strong changes that have affected the lagoon during the last 15 years (Facca et al, 2002a, b;Sfriso et al, 2003;Pavoni et al, 2003;Secco et al, 2005).…”

Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Seaweed Samples Before and After the Prestige Oil Spill

“…In the Venice lagoon, Pavoni et al (2003) found concentrations below 10 mg/g dry weight (average concentrations) of PAHs (mainly tri-, tetra-aromatic compounds) in seaweed. Gianguzza and Orecchio (2006) examine PAHs in different Sicilian coastal environments.…”

Nutritive and Xenobiotic Compounds in the Alien Algae Undaria pinnatifida From Argentine Patagonia

“…Pavoni et al (2003) studied organic micropollutants, including PAH, in Venice Lagoon. These investigators found that U. pinnatifida was characterized by a greater PAH concentration than other seaweed species, and argued that this is because U. pinnatifida floated partially in a film enriched with PAH during low tides and because its mucilaginous surface is able to easily take pollutants.…”

“…However, due to its known ability to accumulate pollutants (Almela et al 2006;Pavoni et al 2003;Yamada et al 2007), not only its quality but also its human health safety are of interest when assessing its potential use as food. From a legislative point of view, France, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia have established specific regulations for the use of edible seaweeds in human diet (Almela et al 2006;Rupérez and Saura-Calixto 2001).…”