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Organic Contaminants in the Marine Environment of Manila Bay, Philippines

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Abstract

Organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) were determined in sediments and oysters’ soft tissues (Cassostrea gigas) collected in selected sites of Manila Bay. Overall, the concentration levels were very low. In sediments, PCBs were the compounds present in higher concentrations, with Σ13PCB congeners averaging 0.69 ± 0.46 ng/g (dry weight), followed by ΣDDT averaging 0.53 ± 0.28 ng/g and Σchlordane with 0.26 ± 0.28 ng/g. Concentrations measured in oysters averaged 20 ± 17 ng/g (dry weight) for Σ13PCB and were higher than ΣDDT, with 9.5 ± 2.4 ng/g, and Σchlordane, with 3.8 ± 3.1 ng/g. No dissolved residues of polar compounds, such as herbicides, and organophosphorous and organochlorine pesticides were found in the bay water. In general, results showed that concentrations of organochlorine pesticide residues, such as DDT, hexachlorocyclohexane, chlordane, lindane, endosulfan, and heptachlor in sediments and oysters were low in comparison with other coastal areas in Asia, although PCB concentrations in oysters were relatively high in some zones of Manila Bay and indicative of loose control of industrial chemical waste discharges into the bay. Nevertheless, current concentrations of persistent organochlorine contaminants in sediments were under threshold effect levels (TELs) and chronic toxic effects are, thus, unlikely to generate impairment of marine biota in Manila Bay.

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Acknowledgments

Support for this research is gratefully acknowledged. The NCPC project was supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Research Contract No. 7977/MC. This project was supported by the Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA) through the IAEA. The IAEA is grateful for the support provided to its Marine Environment Laboratories by the government of the Principality of Monaco.

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Correspondence to Fernando P. Carvalho.

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Carvalho, F.P., Villeneuve, JP., Cattini, C. et al. Organic Contaminants in the Marine Environment of Manila Bay, Philippines. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 57, 348–358 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-008-9271-x

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