Analysis of target contaminants in top predators plays a key role for understanding their conservation but also their potential use as sentinels in environmental monitoring studies due to their high trophic position in food webs. Under the framework of the EU funded LIFE APEX project (www.lifeapex.eu), it was possible to bring together sample collections and analytical laboratories in order to produce a guide for generic sample preparation and analysis, characterize predominant chemical mixtures in the environment, improve chemical risk management, and strengthen EU regulation and mitigation measures. Liver from apex predators (buzzards, otters, seals, harbour porpoise) and muscles from prey (breams, roaches, eelpouts and herrings) have been provided from European Specimen Banks, research collections and Natural History Museums and selected to provide a spatial distribution across selected sites in Northern Europe (UK, DE, NL, SE). 67 samples were analysed for the presence of PCBs, HCB, PBDEs and emerging contaminants (ECs) using established methodologies. In particular, we focused the attention on dl-PCBs and indicator PCBs, and the main congeners of the three PBDE commercial mixtures. PCB and PBDE concentrations showed higher levels in prey than in predators and different contamination for each country. In general, the otters were the most contaminated animal species for all countries. Results exceeded from a hundred to a thousand times the EQS for penta-BDE (2013/39/EU) in few of our samples. Except bream samples from Germany, HCB concentrations did not exceed the EQS established from the same EU Directive. Furthermore, the wide-scope target screening results indicated the presence of hundreds of ECs in the tested samples, like plant protection products, stimulants, sweeteners, industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals and psychoactive drugs. Numerous transformation products from various classes of compounds were also detected in livers from apex predators, underlying the power of wide-scope target screening. In total 15 out of 30 target per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances were detected in the samples with wide-spread occurrence and high potential of bioaccumulation through the food chain, since their concentration was orders of magnitude higher in apex predator in comparison with their prey. PFOS was the most abundant compound of this class, especially in otters from all tested countries, and was the compound that presented a 100% frequency of appearance.

Investigation of legacy and emerging organic contaminants in top predators and their prey to support chemicals management

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.