PBDEs in the supralittoral environment: The sandhopper Talitrus saltator (Montagu) as biomonitor?

Abstract

a b s t r a c tIn this study we evaluated the use of Talitrus saltator as biomonitor of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) contamination of the supralittoral zone of Mediterranean sandy shores, an area characterized by a strong input of contaminants but not yet investigated about the presence of these pollutants. We detected the presence of twenty PBDE congeners in amphipods and sand samples collected along the Tyrrhenian coast of central Italy. Eight congeners were detected in all samples. Among them, the BDE-209 was the most abundant in both amphipods and sand samples followed by BDE-99, BDE-153 and BDE-47 in animals, and BDE-99, BDE-47 and BDE-100 in sediment. The RPBDEs in amphipods was higher (on the average 2.5-5-fold) than in sand for almost the totality of congeners detected and each sampling site, suggesting the good capacity of sandhoppers to accumulate these pollutants. Moreover statistical analysis revealed significant differences in PBDE concentrations recorded in tissues of T. saltator among sampling sites. Therefore our results suggested the possible utilization of T. saltator as a biomonitor of PBDE contamination of the supralittoral zone of Mediterranean sandy shores.

A first European scale multimedia fate modelling of BDE-209 from 1970 to 2020

“…BDE-209 is also present in Spanish pine tree needles (Ratola et al, 2011), Spanish white stork eggs (Munoz-Arnanz et al, 2011), Danish blue mussels (Christensen and Platz, 2001), Swedish peregrine falcon eggs (Johansson et al, 2011), Spanish peregrine falcon eggs (Guerra et al, 2012), Mediterranean sandhoppers (Ungherese et al, 2012) and a range of biota in the Scheldt estuary, Netherlands (Van Ael et al, 2012). PBDEs, including the congener BDE-209, have been found in liver and kidney cells of East Greenland polar bears at concentrations of tens of ng/g, demonstrating their capacity for longrange transport to remote regions (Sonne et al, 2012).…”

Demographic history, genetic structure and gene flow in a steppe-associated raptor species

“…The Montagu's harrier Circus pygargus is perhaps the best example of raptor species specialized in such steppe habitats, which has also adapted well to farmland habitats [23,24]. This species is widely but patchily distributed across the Palearctic region and undertakes long-distance migrations [25] (Figure 1).…”

A genotoxicity study on Talitrus saltator (Crustacea, Amphipoda) exposed to lead and benzo(a)pyrene

“…Being at the base of the food chain makes talitrid amphipods extremely well suited as bioindicators of anthropogenic contaminants in coastal regions. The assessment of their ability in bioaccumulation of various xenobiotics (e.g., heavy metals, PAHs) was the subject of recent investigations (e.g., Morrison et al 2017;Ugolini et al 2012aUgolini et al , 2012bUngherese et al 2010Ungherese et al , 2012Ungherese et al , 2016.…”

“…Among the sandhoppers, Talitrus saltator sensu lato (s. l.), which digs temporary refuges a few centimeters below the surface of the damp belt of sandy beaches, represents the majority of animal biomass in the supralittoral zone and an important food source for many invertebrates. Talitrus saltator has been the subject of studies on its genetic divergence (e.g., De Matthaeis et al 1998, 2000 and, more recently, it was also used as a bioindicator of environmental alterations including those due to heavy metal contamination (Ungherese et al 2010(Ungherese et al , 2012(Ungherese et al , 2016Ugolini et al 2012aUgolini et al , 2012bMorrison et al 2017).…”