Bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals, pesticides and PFASs in mussel´s visceral mass and haemolymph

Human activities pose an important impact for coastal environments. Particularly aquatic fuana is afflicted by the discharge of organic pollutants of anthorpogenic origin. Furthermore, recent studies show sinergies between diffferent pollutants, such as interactions between the presence of microplastics and organic pollutants intake [1]. Mussels are of a high environmental value, as filters feeders they are potential indicators of the ocurrence of organic pollutants and environment quality. In adittion, they are suitable for in-lab aquarium experiments, such as bioacumulation studies, which provide insigth about fate of pollutants in the organisms. In the present study, Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) was employed to assess the bioaccumulation of 20 pollutants, including pesticides, PFASs and pharmaceuticals. Mussels were purchased in a local market and distributed randomly in three groups: a group exposed to the mix of pollutants and the presence of microplastics (P+M), a group exposed just to the mix of pollutants (P) and the control group (C). Mussels were exposed to the pollutants through water and food from day 0 to 28 (exposition stage). Then, the water was replaced and the mussesl remained in the aquariums for 30 aditional days (depuration stage) to observe their capability to depurate the pollutants. Haemolypmh from mussels was extracted using solid phase extraction (SPE) with Phree™ phospholipid removal cartridges. On the other hand, the visceral mass was extracted using QuEChERS combined with dispersive solid phas extraction (dSPE) using Enhanced Matrix Removal (EMR-Lipid) clean-up. Both extracts were analysed by LC-MS/MS. Results for visceral mass showed variable concentrations for several pesticides, pharmaceuticals and PFASs during the exposition stage. However, just 2 PFASs and 4 pesticides were detected during the depouration stage. These results suggest effective bioaccumulation for these 6 compounds. On the other hand, haemolymph showed concentrations of 2 pesticides, 2 pharmaceuticals and 1 PFAS during the exposition stage, but no compounds were detected during the depuration stage. Slight differences in the concentrations were found when the mussels were exposed to microplastics. Results suggest that the presence of microplastics influenced a higher bioaccumulation for several PFASs and pesticides. Furthermore, they also suggest that the presence of microplastics can influence the depuration capability of mussels for different organic pollutants. However, further research ins need to elucidate the particularities of this processes. References [1] Vieira Y, Lima EC, Foletto EL, Dotto GL. 2021. Microplastics physicochemical properties, specific adsorption modeling and their interaction with pharmaceuticals and other emerging contaminants. Sci. Total Env. 91: 1103-1113. Acknowledgment: This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) through the project CICLIC -subproject WETANPACK (RTI2018-097158-B-C31) and by the Generalitat Valenciana through the project ANTROPOCEN@ (PROMETEO/2018/155); R. Álvarez also knowledge the same institutions for his FPI grant BES-2016-078612.