Organophosphate ester additives and microplastics in benthic compartments from the Loire estuary (French Atlantic coast).

We report the first empirical confirmation of the co-occurrence of organophosphate esters (OPEs) additives and microplastics (MPs) in benthic compartments from the Loire estuary. Higher median concentrations of MPs (3387 items/kg dw), ∑tri-OPEs (12.0 ng/g dw) and ∑di-OPEs (0.

Spatial and temporal patterns of organophosphate Esters flame retardants and plasticizers in airborne particles over the Mediterranean sea.

We studied the co-occurrence of OPEs and other constituents in atmospheric particles at the two edges of the Mediterranean Sea, under the influence of the transport of polluted air from Europe and dust from the Sahara. The highest OPE concentrations were observed during the summer period in the East Mediterranean and in spring for the NW Mediterranean. The total average atmospheric concentration of ΣOPEs in the NW Mediterranean was 2103 ± 2020 pg m (n = 23) with EHDPP and TCPP to be the predominant OPEs, accounting on average for 46% and 37% of the total ƩOPEs concentrations, respectively.

Effective degradation of organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers in coastal sediments under high urban pressure.

Empirical evidence of the effective degradation at environmentally relevant conditions of organophosphate esters (OPEs) flame retardants and plasticizers in coastal sediments from an impacted area in the NW Mediterranean Sea is provided. Half-lives varied from 23.3 to 77.

Organic additive release from plastic to seawater is lower under deep-sea conditions.

Plastic garbage patches at the ocean surface are symptomatic of a wider pollution affecting the whole marine environment. Sinking of plastic debris increasingly appears to be an important process in the global fate of plastic in the ocean. However, there is insufficient knowledge about the processes affecting plastic distributions and degradation and how this influences the release of additives under varying environmental conditions, especially in deep-sea environments.

Persistent Organic Pollutants Burden, Trophic Magnification and Risk in a Pelagic Food Web from Coastal NW Mediterranean Sea.

The storage capacity, trophic magnification and risk of sixty-two POPs have been evaluated in a well-characterized pelagic food web (including phytoplankton, zooplankton, six fish, and two cephalopods species) from an impacted area in NW Mediterranean Sea. Our results show the high capacity of the planktonic compartment for the storage of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), consistent with their estimated low trophic magnification factors (TMF) of 0.2-2.

Environmental occurrence of phthalate and organophosphate esters in sediments across the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea).

Seven phthalate (PAEs) and nine organophosphate esters (OPEs) were measured in surface sediments across the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea) at twelve stations characterized by different anthropogenic signatures. ∑PAEs and ∑OPEs concentrations ranged from 2 to 766 ng/g DW (av. 196 ng/g DW) and from 4 to 227 ng/g DW (av.

Phthalates and organophosphate esters in surface water, sediments and zooplankton of the NW Mediterranean Sea: Exploring links with microplastic abundance and accumulation in the marine food web.

In this study, surface seawater, sediment and zooplankton samples were collected from three different sampling stations in Marseille Bay (NW Mediterranean Sea) and were analyzed for both microplastics and organic plastic additives including seven phthalates (PAEs) and nine organophosphate esters (OPEs). PAE concentrations ranged from 100 to 527 ng L (mean 191 ± 123 ng L) in seawater, 12-610 ng g dw (mean 194 ± 193 ng g dw) in sediment and 0.9-47 μg g dw (mean 7.

An innovative approach for the simultaneous quantitative screening of organic plastic additives in complex matrices in marine coastal areas.

Aiming the simultaneous determination of widely used organic plastic additives in complex marine matrices, this work proposes a fast and "green" analytical protocol based on quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) technology. The validation of this innovative method on real matrices (i.e.

Occurrence of organic plastic additives in surface waters of the Rhône River (France).

We present here a comprehensive study (1-year regular sampling) on the occurrence of major families of organic plastic additives in the Rhône River surface waters. Potential sources and contaminant export are also discussed. A total of 22 dissolved phase samples were analyzed for 22 organic additives mainly used in the plastic industry, including organophosphate esters (OPEs), phthalates (PAEs) and bisphenols (BPs).

Macro-litter in surface waters from the Rhone River: Plastic pollution and loading to the NW Mediterranean Sea.

We present here the first estimates of floating macro-litter in surface waters from the Rhone River, based on monthly visual observations during 1-year period (2016-2017). Plastic represented 77% of the identified items, confirming its predominance in riverine floating litter. Fragments (2.

Occurrence of perfluoroalkyl substances in the Bay of Marseille (NW Mediterranean Sea) and the Rhône River.

Four perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were analyzed in 62 duplicate surface water samples from the Rhône River and Marseille Bay (France; NW Mediterranean Sea). Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was detected in all samples and exceeded the European Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) values in over 80% of the cases. The most contaminated samples were from the Rhône River (up to 200 ng L ∑ PFAS), as well as those collected near a wastewater treatment plant outlet in Marseille Bay (up to 9 ng L ∑ PFAS).

The Amazon River: A Major Source of Organic Plastic Additives to the Tropical North Atlantic?

The release of emerging organic contaminants is identified among the most critical hazards to the marine environment, and plastic additives have received growing attention due to their worldwide distribution and potential deleterious effects. Here, we report dissolved surface water concentrations of two important families of plastic additives (organophosphate esters (OPEs) and bisphenols) and other related organic compounds (perfluorinated chemicals) measured in the North Atlantic from Cape Verde to the West Indies. We found that OPEs were the most abundant contaminants, reaching remarkably high concentrations in open ocean waters (1200 km offshore of the American Coast, at the location of the Amazon river plume during the sampling period), with up to 1.

Marine vegetation analysis for the determination of volatile methylsiloxanes in coastal areas.

Volatile methylsiloxanes (VMSs) are massively produced chemicals that comprise a wide range of industrial and household applications. The presence of cyclic and linear VMSs in several environmental matrices and ecosystems indicates persistence associated with a potential of (bio)accumulation and food web transfer with possible toxicological effects. Due to the high anthropogenic pressure in its vicinities particularly in summer, coastal areas in Southern European countries are potential hotspots for the presence of VMSs.

Seasonal soil/snow-air exchange of semivolatile organic pollutants at a coastal arctic site (Tromsø, 69°N).

Soils are a major reservoir of semivolatile organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and exert a control on their atmospheric occurrence. We present here an assessment of the atmospheric occurrence and seasonality of soil/snow-air partitioning and exchange of PCBs, PAHs, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) in the arctic city Tromsø, northern Norway. The fugacities of the organic pollutants in soils and snow were determined using a soil fugacity sampler by equilibrating the air concentrations with those in the surface soil/snow.

Atmospheric particle-bound organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers in a North African Mediterranean coastal city (Bizerte, Tunisia).

Organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants and plasticizers have been detected at generally high frequencies (70-98%) for the first time in the atmosphere over the NW African coastal Mediterranean. Results from sixty air samples (total suspended particles, TSP) collected between March 2015 and January 2016 in an urban coastal site (Bizerte, Tunisia) revealed ∑OPE concentrations of ~100-1060 pg m (470 pg m, median) with TCPPs, EHDPP and TiBP exhibiting the higher median concentrations (~110, 100 and 85 pg m, respectively). Spring generally exhibited the lowest concentrations, probably linked to the influence of local meteorological conditions and air mass trajectories to a lesser extent.

Levels and risk assessment of hydrocarbons and organochlorines in aerosols from a North African coastal city (Bizerte, Tunisia).

The aim of this study was to assess, for the first time, the concentrations, sources, dry deposition and human health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in total suspended particle (TSP) samples collected in Bizerte city, Tunisia (North Africa), during one year (March 2015-January 2016). Concentrations of PAHs, AHs, PCBs and OCPs ranged 0.5-17.

Evaluation of quality of life in patients with axial spondyloarthritis and its association with disease activity, functionality, mobility, and structural damage.

To evaluate quality of life (QoL) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and its association with disease activity, functionality, structural damage, and spinal mobility, using patient-reported outcomes. This was an observational, cross-sectional, and single-center study in which 100 consecutive patients with axSpA were included. We obtained from all patients' sociodemographic data and values related to disease activity, functionality, structural damage, mobility, and quality of life.

Occurrence, Loading, and Exposure of Atmospheric Particle-Bound POPs at the African and European Edges of the Western Mediterranean Sea.

A comparative study for 62 toxic chemicals based on the simultaneous monthly collection of aerosol samples during 2015-2016 in two coastal cities at both the African (Bizerte, Tunisia) and European (Marseille, France) edges of the Western Mediterranean basin is presented. Legacy polychlorinated biphenyls (∑PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (∑PCDD/Fs) show generally higher median levels at the African edge (2.1 and 0.

Organophosphate Ester Flame Retardants and Plasticizers in the Global Oceanic Atmosphere.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers and have been detected ubiquitously in the remote atmosphere. Fourteen OPEs were analyzed in 115 aerosol phase samples collected from the tropical and subtropical Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans during the MALASPINA circumnavigation campaign. OPEs were detected in all samples with concentrations ranging from 360 to 4400 pg m for the sum of compounds.

Toxicity assessment of atmospheric particulate matter in the Mediterranean and Black Seas open waters.

Atmospheric deposition of particulate matter (PM) is recognized as a relevant input vector for toxic compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), into the marine environment. In this work we aimed to analyse the biological activity and potential adverse effects of PM constituents to aquatic organisms. Organic extracts of atmospheric PM samples from different sub-basins of the Mediterranean and Black Seas were screened using different toxicological tests.

Organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants and plasticizers in the open Mediterranean and Black Seas atmosphere.

The presence of organophosphate ester (OPE) flame retardants and plasticizers has been confirmed for the first time in the atmosphere over the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Atmospheric aerosol samples were collected during two West-East oceanographic cruises across the Mediterranean and in the southwest Black Sea. This comprehensive assessment of baseline concentrations of aerosol phase OPEs, spatial distribution, and related deposition fluxes reveals levels ranging from 0.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Mediterranean Sea: atmospheric occurrence, deposition and decoupling with settling fluxes in the water column.

∑(30)PAH gas phase concentrations (13-86 and 22-40 ng m(-3) in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, respectively) dominated the atmospheric levels due to the high contribution of phenanthrene, dibenzothiophene and their alkylated derivates. The high variability of PAH atmospheric concentrations in the different sub-basins is due to several factors (i.e.

Persistent organic pollutants in Mediterranean seawater and processes affecting their accumulation in plankton.

The Mediterranean and Black Seas are unique marine environments subject to important anthropogenic pressures due to riverine and atmospheric inputs of organic pollutants. Here, we report the results obtained during two east-west sampling cruises in June 2006 and May 2007 from Barcelona to Istanbul and Alexandria, respectively, where water and plankton samples were collected simultaneously. Both matrixes were analyzed for hexaclorochyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and 41 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners.