Brominated flame retardants in Caretta caretta sea turtles from the Adriatic Sea

Abstract

This study evaluated the levels of 10 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 3 hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in liver and fat tissue of 45 Caretta caretta stranded along the Adriatic Sea. The analytical methodology was based on gas or liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The mean values of PBDEs and α-HBCDD were 0.83 ± 0.39 and 0.069 ± 0.10 ng g^-1 w.w. in liver, while 2.54 ± 0.80 and 0.56 ± 0.47 ng g^-1 w.w. in fat tissue, respectively. The levels were higher in fat tissue than in liver. The PBDE profile was similar to that found in aquatic species while for HBCCDs, only the α-isomer was detected. No correlation between the contamination levels and sex and size was found. This study adds information about contamination levels of some brominated compounds in C. caretta, providing a background level in liver and fat tissue of loggerhead sea turtles from the Adriatic Sea.

Keywords: Adriatic Sea; BFRs; Contamination pattern; HBCDDs; PBDEs; Sea turtle.