| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4411172 | Chemosphere | 2011 | 8 Pages |
The concentrations of 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), and 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) were measured in sediment and key species as an initial investigation on PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs contamination in the Mondego estuary (Portugal). The results demonstrated that the values of the total PCDD/Fs (∑PCDD/Fs) concentrations were considerably lower than those of the sum of dl-PCBs (∑dl-PCBs) in all the studied samples. Regarding the contribution of individual congeners, OCDD was the predominant PCDD/F and the mono-ortho PCB 118 and PCB 105 were the dominant PCBs in the majority of the samples. Our results suggest that PCDD/Fs and PCBs behave quite differently along the aquatic food web: ∑PCDD/Fs concentrations were lower in higher trophic-level organisms with fish presenting a distinct PCDD/Fs congeners profile; on the contrary, the higher ∑dl-PCBs values were found in upper-level biota, although not exclusively, and quite similar dl-PCBs congener profiles were observed in nearly all the studied species.
► Initial research on PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in sediment and biota from Mondego estuary. ► ∑PCDD/Fs concentrations were lower in higher trophic-level organisms. ► Higher ∑dl-PCBs values were found in upper-level biota, although not exclusively. ► PCDD/Fs congeners profile found in fish differ from the other samples. ► Similar dl-PCBs congener profiles were observed in the majority of the study species.
