The Polychaete Sabella Spallanzanii as PCBs and PAHs Bioindicator: A Case Study from 2006 to the Present

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic pollutants widespread in the marine environment. They have attracted considerable attention due to their high toxicity, persistence, and ability to bioaccumulate in several marine organisms. The polychaete Sabella spallanzanii (Gmelin, 1791) is a widely distributed species throughout the Mediterranean where it is commonly found in sheltered shallow areas and up to 30 m depth in more exposed waters. This study was designed to assess contamination levels of PCBs and PAHs in specimens of S. spallanzanii collected in different Apulia coastal areas. The obtained data showed that PCB levels in sediments and S. spallanzanii were significantly different among the considered stations and a positive correlation was observed between the animal's length and PCBs in sediments. Preliminary data on PAHs showed polychaetes can bioaccumulate effectively also aromatic hydrocarbon compounds. These results seem to indicate that S. spallanzanii is a suitable bioindicator of PCBs and PAHs pollution in marine coastal areas.