title: Occurrence of polybrominated diphenylethers, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and biphenyls in coastal sediments from Spain.
abstract: Fifteen sediment samples were analysed in order to determine their content of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and biphenyls (PCBs). Samples were collected from several hot spots on the Spanish coast, such as the harbours of Almeria and Tarragona, and the mouths of the Besos and Llobregat rivers in Barcelona. A generic analytical procedure based on Soxhlet extraction followed by an automated cleanup system and gas chromatography-ion trap-mass spectrometry was employed for determining the toxic congeners of PCDDs and PCDFs, as well as dioxin-like PCBs. As regards PBDE determinations, a rapid method based on the use of selective pressurized liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization-mass spectrometry was applied. Total toxicity equivalent (WHO-TEQ) values were calculated using the toxicity equivalent factors proposed by WHO for dioxin-like PCBs, PCDDs and PCDFs. WHO-TEQ values ranged from 0.3 to 75 pg/g dry weight (dw), with PCB contribution on the toxicity of the samples between 1 and 84%. Total PBDE levels ranged from 2.7 to 134 ng/g dw, with BDE-209 contribution on the total PBDE contamination between 50 and 99%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, I.I.Q.A.B., C.S.I.C., Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain. eeeqam@cid.csic.es
authors.forename: Ethel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eljarrat
authors.forename: Agustina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De La Cal
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Larrazabal
authors.forename: Begoña
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fabrellas
authors.forename: Amadeo Rodriguez
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Alba
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Borrull
authors.forename: Rosa Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Marce
authors.forename: Damia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barcelo
mesh_terms: D001572:Benzofurans / Q000032:analysis*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D005618:Fresh Water; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D001572:Benzofurans; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; C023614:dibenzofuran; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls