NDL-PCBs in muscle of the European catfish (Silurus glanis): An alert from Italian rivers

• The top predator Silurus glanis reflects the severe pollution by organic matter of Italian Rivers (Northern Italy).
• 33.3% Of the analysed samples exceeded the maximum levels of 125 ng g−1 fresh weight (fw) set by Regulation in fish muscle.
• Po River registered the highest presence of NDL-PCB, with 50% of samples not compliant with EU ML.
• The Σ6PCBs well represented total NDL-PCBs levels.
• The contribution of PCB-153 and PCB-138 together was about 70% of the overall sum of the six congeners.

The non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) highly contribute to the PCB dietary intake of total PCBs. Most of the NDL-PCBs are assumed through ingestion of contaminated fish and fishery products. Therefore, it is important to quantify their presence in aquatic organisms to evaluate human risks associated with fish consumption. The European catfish is a top food-chain predator and is considered a reliable bio-monitoring tool reflecting the state of the environmental organic pollution. From 2006 to 2009, 54 European catfish were captured in four sites covering the area of the Po River (North Italy), and their muscles were analysed to determine the levels of 18 PCBs congeners. All samples presented detectable levels of 18 congeners and, on average, results showed an important presence of NDL-PCBs. The sum of the six congeners (28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180 IUPAC) was used as indicator of the total PCBs concentration. The 33% of the samples analysed exceeded the maximum levels of 125 ng g−1 set by European regulations in fish. The values measured ranged from 19.7 to 1015.4 ng g−1 (mean 135.6 ± 149.8 ng g−1).The concentrations of NDL-PCBs were not related to fish weight or sex, while a significant variability was found among sites (p < 0.05), according to the geographical location of many industrial activities in the catchment area of the Po River. PCB 153 and 138 were present in higher concentrations (40% and 30% respectively). We hypothesise that this is due to their high resistance to metabolic degradation.