title: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) in surface sediments from Monastir Bay (Tunisia, Central Mediterranean): occurrence, distribution and seasonal variations.
abstract: An assessment of PCB and PBDE contamination of surface sediments in Monastir Bay was carried out in two contrasted seasons of the year. Samples were collected from 5 sites and analyzed for the ∑7 marker PCBs (i.e. PCBs 28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153 and 180) and ∑4 PBDE congeners (PBDEs 47, 99, 119 and 153) by GC/ECD. Concentrations of both PCBs and PBDEs showed seasonal variations. PCB concentrations were in the range of 3.1-9.3 ng g(-1) and 1.1-8.1 ng g(-1) in wet and dry season respectively, and sediments were considered moderately contaminated with PCBs. All PCBs analyzed were detected in surface sediments. PCB 153 and 52 congeners showed the highest relative abundance in both winter and summer. PBDE concentrations ranged from not detect to 0.1 ng g(-1), with only BDE-47 congener detected in sediments and only in winter. Analysis of spatial and seasonal variations indicated that PCB distribution is governed by hydrodynamics and temporal variability of inputs. While the PCB contamination appeared to be mainly land-based, PBDEs are suspected to originate from atmospheric deposition.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemical and Environmental Toxicology, Higher Institute of Agriculture, Chott-Mariem, 4042 Sousse, Tunisia. nouira.taoufik@gmail.com
authors.forename: Taoufik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nouira
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Risso
authors.forename: Lassaad
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chouba
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Budzinski
authors.forename: Hamadi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boussetta
mesh_terms: D061006:Bays / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D014416:Tunisia; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Monastir Bay; Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs); Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); Surface sediments