Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in coastal lagoons of the Po River delta: sediment contamination, bioaccumulation and effects on Manila clams.
The large estuary that the River Po forms at its confluence into the Adriatic Sea comprises a multitude of transitional environments, including coastal lagoons. This complex system receives the nutrients transported by the River Po but also its load of chemical contaminants, which may pose a substantial (eco)toxicological risk. Despite the high ecological and economic importance of these vulnerable environments, there is a substantial lack of information on this risk. In light of the recent amendments of the European Water Framework Directive (2013/39/EU), the present study investigated the sediment contamination of six coastal lagoons of the Po delta and its effects on Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum), exposed in situ for 3 months. Sediment contamination and clam bioaccumulation of a wide range of chemicals, i.e. trace metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, Hg, Pb, As), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), alkylphenols (APs), organochlorine compounds (PCBs, DDTs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organotins (TPhT, TBT), suggested a southward increase related to the riverine transports. Where the River Po influence was more direct, the concentrations of contaminants were higher, with nonylphenol and BDE-209 exceeding sediment quality guidelines. Biometric indicators suggested the influence of contamination on organism health; an inverse relationship between PBDEs in sediments and clam condition index has been found, as well as different biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) in the lagoons.
Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Via del Mulino 19, 20861, Brugherio (MB), Italy. casatta@irsa.cnr.it.
Nadia
N
Casatta
Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Via del Mulino 19, 20861, Brugherio (MB), Italy.
Fabrizio
F
Stefani
Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Via del Mulino 19, 20861, Brugherio (MB), Italy.
Fiorenzo
F
Pozzoni
Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Via del Mulino 19, 20861, Brugherio (MB), Italy.
Licia
L
Guzzella
Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Via del Mulino 19, 20861, Brugherio (MB), Italy.
Laura
L
Marziali
Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Via De Blasio 5, 70132, Bari, Italy.
Giuseppe
G
Mascolo
Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Via del Mulino 19, 20861, Brugherio (MB), Italy.
Luigi
L
Viganò
D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000187:drug effects*; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005060:Europe; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated / Q000032:analysis; D045483:Rivers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D006846:Hydrocarbons, Halogenated; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Bioaccumulation; Chronic exposure; Lagoon sediment; Northern Adriatic Sea; Priority substances; Ruditapes philippinarum