Occurrence of POPs in sediments and tissues of European eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) from two Italian lagoons: Varano and Orbetello

1 - Total levels of persistent organic pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in sediments and edible tissues (muscle and liver) from a fish species of great local commercial interest (Anguilla anguilla L., yellow phase) were determined in Varano and Orbetello lagoons, Italy.
2 - The aim of this study was to improve knowledge on relationships occurring among levels of chemicals in sediments and fish tissues relating them reciprocally and to different intensities of human pressure.
3 - Studied ecosystems were selected due to the notable scientific knowledge acquired by previous detailed research on meteorology, geomorphology, hydrodynamics, types and distribution of local factors linked to different sources of human-made pollution. Samplings were performed in July 2009 according to a logic model based on a priori defined factors of interest and obtained results were statistically analysed in order to evaluate the significance of observed data segregation related to the selected factors.
4 - Concerning levels measured in sediments, significant differences were observed between lagoons in terms of .PAHs and .OCPs. According to National and international recognised sediment quality guidelines, results evidenced the occurrence of non-critical POPs values in sediments.
5 - Results on sediments are associated to very high levels in eel's tissues. Concerning eels, Orbetello lagoon is characterized by significant higher values of .OCPs than Varano, evidencing the presence of an important OCPs local source.
6 - Different human pressure levels produce significant differences in both sediments and eel's tissues in Varano and Orbetello lagoons.

1. 本研究针对意大利瓦拉诺（Varano）与奥尔贝泰洛（Orbetello）潟湖开展检测，测定了当地极具本地商业价值的经济鱼类——欧洲鳗鲡（Anguilla anguilla L.，黄色阶段）的沉积物及其可食用组织（肌肉与肝脏）中各类持久性有机污染物（Persistent Organic Pollutants, POPs）的总含量，涵盖多氯联苯（Polychlorinated Biphenyls, PCBs）、有机氯农药（Organochlorine Pesticides, OCPs）与多环芳烃（Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, PAHs）三类污染物。
2. 本研究旨在深化对沉积物与鱼类组织中化学污染物水平间相互关联，及其与不同强度人类活动压力间关联机制的认知。
3. 本次研究选取的生态系统，此前已针对其气象、地貌、水动力特征，以及与不同人为污染源相关的本地因素类型与分布开展了详尽研究，积累了充分的科学认知基础。本研究于2009年7月按照基于预先明确的目标因素构建的逻辑模型开展采样工作，所得实验数据均经过统计分析，以评估与所选因素相关的观测数据分组的显著性差异。
4. 针对沉积物中测得的污染物水平，两个潟湖在多环芳烃（.PAHs）与有机氯农药（.OCPs）含量上均存在显著差异。依据国内外公认的沉积物质量指南，本研究结果显示，沉积物中持久性有机污染物（POPs）含量均处于非临界风险水平。
5. 沉积物的污染物水平与鳗鲡组织中的高污染物含量存在显著关联。就鳗鲡样本而言，奥尔贝泰洛潟湖的有机氯农药（.OCPs）含量显著高于瓦拉诺潟湖，这表明当地存在较为重要的有机氯农药污染源。
6. 不同强度的人类活动压力，在瓦拉诺与奥尔贝泰洛潟湖的沉积物及鳗鲡组织中均造成了显著的污染物水平差异。