Assessment of the contamination by 2,4,6-tribromophenol of marine waters and organisms exposed to chlorination discharges.

2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP) is implied in the production of brominated flame retardants but is also a major chlorination by-product in seawater. A growing number of studies indicate that TBP is highly toxic to the marine biota, but the contribution of anthropogenic sources among natural production is still under question concerning its bioaccumulation in marine organisms. Here, several water sampling campaigns were carried out in the industrialized Gulf of Fos (northwestern Mediterranean Sea, France) and clearly showed the predominant incidence of industrial chlorination discharges on the TBP levels in water, at the 1-10 ng L level in average and reaching up to 580 ng L near the outlets.

Influence of environmental and dietary exposures on metals accumulation among the residents of a major industrial harbour (Fos-sur-Mer, France).

Objectives: We sought to determine whether the residents living closer to the core industrial zone (Fos-sur-Mer) had higher trace metals blood and urinary levels than residents who lived further away (Saint-Martin-de-Crau).

Materials And Methods: As part of The INDEX study, we measured the following trace metals into blood and urine samples of 138 participants (80 in the core industrial zone and 58 in the reference area): Antimony, Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Mercury, Nickel, Lead and Vanadium. Participants were recruited using a stratified random sampling method and had to meet the following inclusion criteria: 30-65 years old, living in the area since at least 3 years, not working in the industrial sector, non-smoker.

Underestimation of Anthropogenic Bromoform Released into the Environment?

Bromoform (CHBr) belongs to very-short-lived substances (VSLSs), which are important precursors of reactive bromine species (BrOx) contributing to tropospheric and stratospheric chemistry. To date, most models calculating bromine product emissions to the atmosphere only consider the natural production of CHBr from marine organisms such as macroalgae and phytoplankton. However, CHBr has many other anthropogenic sources (coastal industrial sites, desalination and wastewater plants, ballast waters, and seawater toilets) that may drastically increase the amounts emitted in the atmosphere.

Effects of meteorological conditions and topography on the bioaccumulation of PAHs and metal elements by native lichen (Xanthoria parietina).

The bioaccumulation of PAHs and metal elements in the indigenous lichens Xanthoria parietina was monitored during two years at a quarterly frequency, in 3 sites of contrasted anthropic influence. The impact of the meteorological factors (temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, wind speed) was first estimated through principal component analysis, and then by stepwise multilinear regressions to include wind directions. The pollutants levels reflected the proximity of atmospheric emissions, in particular from a large industrial harbor.

Occurrence and speciation of chlorination byproducts in marine waters and sediments of a semi-enclosed bay exposed to industrial chlorinated effluents.

Chlorination of seawater is one of the most effective technologies for industrial biofouling control. However, chlorination leads to the formation of halogenated chlorination byproducts (CBPs) associated with potential risks to environmental and human health. The present study investigated the occurrence and distribution of CBPs in the Gulf of Fos, a semi-enclosed bay where chlorinated effluents of multiple industrial plants are discharged.

Characterization of atmospheric emission sources in lichen from metal and organic contaminant patterns.

Lichen samples from contrasted environments, influenced by various anthropic activities, were investigated focusing on the contaminant signatures according to the atmospheric exposure typologies. Most of the contaminant concentrations measured in the 27 lichen samples, collected around the industrial harbor of Fos-sur-Mer (France), were moderate in rural and urban environments, and reached extreme levels in industrial areas and neighboring cities (Al up to 6567 mg kg, Fe 42,398 mg kg, or ΣPAH 1417 μg kg for example). At the same time, a strong heterogeneity was noticed in industrial samples while urban and rural ones were relatively homogeneous.