Microplastics in the Indian and South Atlantic oceans translocate to gills, digestive glands, and muscle of the chokka squid Loligo reynaudii.

Comparative microplastic (MP) data for cephalopods between oceans is scarce. Our aim was to quantify, characterise, and compare MPs in gills, digestive gland, and mantle of chokka squid from the South Atlantic Ocean (SAO) and Indian Ocean (IO) off the coast of South Africa. South African squid had more MPs compared with other studies (means = 2.0 and 0.4 in SAO and IO squid mantle, respectively). Blue fibres were dominant. Identifiable MPs were polyethylene. Despite IO water having higher MP concentrations than the SAO, SAO squid had higher MP concentrations. Dilution by growth is the likely reason for the lower MP concentrations. Fibres were shorter in SAO than IO squid. However, we could not explain why fibre and mantle lengths from both oceans were positively correlated. Squid may not be the best indicator of marine MPs. The characteristics of MPs in squid can be used to track stocks and migrations.

Metals and co-presence of other pollutants in mussels (Perna perna) around Algoa Bay: Human consumption safety concerns.

Elevated metal concentrations can become harmful to marine organisms and to humans that consume them. Metal concentrations at multiple sites around Algoa Bay, South Africa, were last investigated in the 1980s. We collected wild brown mussels (Perna perna) from seven sites around Algoa Bay, and quantified metallic elements using ICPMS. Metallic element concentrations differed significantly among the sampling sites and correlated with pollution sources at specific sites. The concentration of Pb in mussels at one site slightly exceeded South African limits. Based on the South African estimated daily intake, the target hazard quotient, and South African metal limits, mussels from Algoa Bay are safe for human consumption, except possibly from one site. However, combined with data on bisphenols and benzophenone UV filters in P. perna from the same sites, we suggest a possible health concern to consumers.

Polyhalogenated Compounds (Halogenated Natural Products and POPs) in Sardine (Sardinops sagax) from the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Halogenated natural products (HNPs) and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were quantified in South African sardines (Sardinops sagax) from one site in the South Atlantic Ocean and one in the Indian Ocean. At both sites, HNPs [2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-heptachloro-1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrrole (Q1), mixed halogenated compound 1 (MHC-1), 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (2,4,6-TBA), 2'-MeO-BDE 68 (BC-2), and 6-MeO-BDE 47 (BC-3)] were 1 order of magnitude higher concentrated than anthropogenic POPs [mainly polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), ∼3 ng/g lipids]. MHC-1 and Q1 were the major HNPs in the samples from both sites, contributing with up to 49 and 52 ng/g lipids, respectively. The same 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p'-DDE)/PCB ratio suggested that the major POPs were evenly distributed at both sites. Different ratios of Q1/MHC-1 in the samples from the Indian (∼2:1) and South Atlantic (∼1:1) Oceans indicated that the occurrence of HNPs in seafood is difficult to predict and should be investigated more in detail. The PCB levels in sardines were found to pose no risk to human consumers, whereas HNPs could not be evaluated because of the lack of toxicological data.

Halogenated natural products and anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants in chokka squid (Loligo reynaudii) from three sites along the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean coasts of South Africa.

Chokka squid (Loligo reynaudii) from three sites along the South African coast were analyzed for halogenated natural products (HNPs) and anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants (POPs). HNPs were generally more than one order of magnitude more abundant than POPs. The most prevalent pollutant, i.e. the HNP 2,3,3',4,4',5,5'-heptachloro-1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrrole (Q1), was detected in all chokka squid samples with mean concentrations of 105, 98 and 45 ng/g lipid mass, respectively, at the Indian Ocean (site A), between both oceans (site B) and the South Atlantic Ocean (site C). In addition, bromine containing polyhalogenated 1'-methyl-1,2'-bipyrroles (PMBPs), 2,4,6-tribromophenol (2,4,6-TBP, up to 28 ng/g lipid mass), polybrominated methoxy diphenyl ethers, MHC-1, TBMP and other HNPs were also detected. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were the predominant class of anthropogenic POPs. PCB 153 was the most abundant PCB congener in chokka squid from the Indian Ocean, and PCB 138 in samples from the South Atlantic Ocean and between both oceans.