Distribution patterns of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in marine sediments and wild mussels from Galicia coast (Northwestern Spain)

摘要

To know distribution patterns of polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in the marine environment from Galicia, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) no. 31, 28, 52, 101, 118, 153, 105, 138, 156, and 180 were isolated by Soxhlet extraction in wild mussels and surface marine sediments; the quantification was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD). PCBs 101, 138, 153, and 180 were the most abundant congeners in all samples analyzed. Distribution of PCB congeners was shifted in favor of higher chlorinated compounds. By means of multivariate techniques of data exploration, such as hierarchical cluster analysis and principal components analysis, mussel samples from contaminated (Ferrol and A Coruna zones) areas were clearly separated from uncontaminated (all the other samples) areas. Sediment samples were more heterogeneous. If tri- and tetrachlorinated biphenyls were considered when carrying out the multivariate analysis, Vilaboasamples formed a group differentiated from the other sample.