Polychlorinated dibenzo-P-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBS) in bivalve mollusk from Galician Rías (N. W., SPAIN)

The concentrations of PCDD/Fs (2,3,7,8-chlorosubstituted) and three dioxin-like PCBs (PCB 77, PCB 126 and PCB169) were analyzed in bivalve mollusk collected in several Galician Rías between 2006 and 2014. Levels of Total PCDD/Fs ranged from 0.03 to 0.62 pg WHO-TEQ g−1 wet weight. Total dl-PCBs values were higher than Total PCDD/Fs and ranged from 0.01 to 2.11 pg WHO-TEQ g−1 wet weight. These concentrations were below those considered safe for human consumption. The PCDD/Fs profile was dominated by 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF and 2,3,7,8-TCDF with a percentage of 24.95 and 23.87 of the Total PCDD/Fs, respectively. In relation to Total dl-PCBs, CB126 was the priority congener with the highest TEF value (0.1). Principal component analysis (PCAs) indicated a clear separation between the northern (Rías de Ferrol and Coruña) and southern Rías (Ría de Pontevedra and Vigo). The northern Rías were the highest contaminated one. Temporal trends showed important reduction rates suggesting that the regulations on dioxin like contaminants have been effective for quality waters in Galician Rías.