title: PCB bioaccumulation in three mullet species--a comparison study.
abstract: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are lipophilic contaminants that tend to accumulate in organisms. PCBs were detected in Chelon labrosus, Liza aurata and Liza ramada, along different age groups. L. ramada presented the highest concentration, and it increased with age, whereas C. labrosus and L. aurata concentration remained constant. L. ramada high concentration can be attributed to its ecological niche, since this species is able to accumulate PCBs along its different age groups even in low environmental contamination conditions. PCBs 101, 118, 138, 149, 153, 170 and 180 were the congeners that more contributed to these species contamination, being PCB 138 and 153 the congeners with higher concentration. Mullets are edible in many countries, being important in fisheries and aquaculture. L. ramada is the most common mullet for capture and human consumption. All species presented concentrations below the regulation limit establish by the European Union, and therefore safe for human consumption.
authors.affiliation: CFE, Center for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. joana.baptista@student.biologia.uc.pt
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baptista
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pato
authors.forename: Sílvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.forename: Armando C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Pardal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005062:European Union; D005398:Fisheries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000378:metabolism*; D017747:Seafood / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D023701:Smegmamorpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000378:metabolism*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls