Preliminary results of pollutants biomonitoring in coastal marine and transitional waters of Apulia region (Southern Italy).

The present work reports on the preliminary results from a biota monitoring program, started during 2008 by the Apulian Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Protection (ARPA Puglia) in collaboration with the CNR-Institute for Coastal Marine Environment of Taranto. This project is mainly targeted toward the monitoring of the coastal water quality, using mussels as bioindicators, and the identification of contamination spatial trends. Mussels were sampled in 11 stations located along the marine coastal and transitional waters of the Apulian region, including both south-western Adriatic and Ionian areas. The analyzed contaminants were heavy metals, chlorinated pesticides, chlorinated solvents, organophosphate pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), alkylphenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organotin compounds. Results were also compared with national and international regulations. The maximum concentration of mercury (0.29 mg kg-1 d.w.) was found in the Mar Piccolo, near the mouth of Galeso River. The sum of PAH concentrations ranged from not detectable to 284.7 ìg kg-1 d.w. (Mar Piccolo). Concerning chlorinated pesticides, only 4,4' DDE was found with the maximum concentration in the Mar Piccolo (second inlet) and near the mouth of Ofanto River (26.9 and 18.7 ìg kg-1 d.w. respectively). The sum of PCB congeners ranged from 2.2 (mouth of Candelaro River) to 383.8 ìg kg-1 d.w. near the mouth of Galeso River. The results show that the "biota" is still a relevant target of exposure to contaminants and, for this reason, biomonitoring activities are very important tools for human health and ecosystem risk assessment.