Accumulation of PCBs, PAHs, plasticizers and inorganic elements in Hexanchus griseus from the strait of Messina (Central Mediterranean sea)

AbstractThis study investigates the inorganic elements and the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulated in liver of a sexually mature Hexanchus griseus living in the Mediterranean Sea. The casual finding of a specimen in the Strait of Messina (April 2018) allowed us to carefully analyse its liver which can be considered a very important biological indicator. The determination of inorganic elements was carried out by ICP-MS technique. Quantitative determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and poly-chloro-biphenyl compounds (PCB), distinguished in dioxine-like (DL) and not-dioxine-like (NDL) derivates, has been carried out by HRGC/MS and HRGC-MS/MS respectively. Worrying levels of PCB-DL (TEQ = Σ(PCB-DL)*TEF = 5.96 ng g−1), PCB-NDL (Σ(PCB-NDL) = 1390.4 ng g−1) together with the presence of pesticides and plasticizers were found in the shark liver oil. The levels of heavy metals were below the legal limits.