Assessment of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs and PBDEs in Mediterranean striped dolphins

Bio-accumulation of high levels of persistent organic pollutants represent a serious conservation concern for Mediterranean marine odontocetes. In this study, blubber samples from 10 striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) stranded along the Italian coasts during 2015–2016 were analyzed. All specimens showed dl-PCBs > PBDEs ≫ PCDD/Fs. Median concentrations were 1820 ng/g l.w., 456 ng/g l.w. and 23.9 pg/g l.w., respectively. dl-PCBs accounted...