Global Pollution Monitoring of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Using Skipjack Tuna as a Bioindicator

Citations Over TimeTop 1% of 2004 papers

Abstract

To elucidate the global distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), these chemicals were determined in the muscle of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) collected from offshore waters of various regions in the world (Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia, Seychelles, and Brazil, and the Japan Sea, East China Sea, South China Sea, Indian Ocean, and North Pacific Ocean). PBDEs were detected in almost all the skipjack tuna collected from the locations surveyed (from < 0.1 to 53 ng/g of lipid), indicating widespread contamination by these compounds in the marine environment. Residue levels of PBDEs in these samples from the northern hemisphere seem to be higher than those from the southern hemisphere, which is plausibly due to larger usage of these compounds in the northern hemisphere. Higher concentrations of PBDEs were detected in the samples from waters around the East China Sea (up to 53 ng/g of lipid). Developing countries around the East China Sea are supposedly the "hot spots" releasing these chemicals into the marine environment. With regard to the composition of PBDE congeners, the percentage contribution by lower brominated congeners (BDE15, -28, and -47) showed an increasing trend with increasing latitude. On the other hand, higher brominated congeners (BDE153, -154, and -183) showed a reverse trend. These patterns suggest that lower brominated congeners of PBDEs (di-, tri-, and tetra-BDEs) were preferentially transported from pollution sources to northern colder regions through the atmosphere. PBDEs may have a high potency to cause global pollution like PCBs.

Related Papers

• → Mercury content in the white and dark muscle of Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) along the canning process: Implications to the consumers(2016)23 cited
• → Food Component Characteristics of Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis) and Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares) Roes(2006)12 cited
• → Identification of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), mackerel tuna (Euthynnus affinis), and skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) using deep learning(2021)5 cited
• Review and perspectives on skipjack tuna fishery under global climate change(2014)
• Catch, Effort and Standardized CPUE of the Skipjack Tuna from Taiwanese Tuna Purse Seine Fishery in the Central and Western Pacific(2001)