Brominated flame retardants in Caretta caretta sea turtles from the Adriatic Sea

This study evaluated the levels of 10 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and 3 hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) in liver and fat tissue of 45 Caretta caretta stranded along the Adriatic Sea. The analytical methodology was based on gas or liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The mean values of PBDEs and α-HBCDD were 0.83 ± 0.39 and 0.069 ± 0.10 ng g−1 w.w. in liver, while 2.54 ± 0.80 and 0.56 ± 0.47 ng g−1 w.w. in fat tissue, respectively. The levels were higher in fat tissue than in liver. The PBDE profile was similar to that found in aquatic species while for HBCCDs, only the α-isomer was detected. No correlation between the contamination levels and sex and size was found. This study adds information about contamination levels of some brominated compounds in C. caretta, providing a background level in liver and fat tissue of loggerhead sea turtles from the Adriatic Sea. [Display omitted] •C. caretta could ingest and bioaccumulate BFRs from the environment.•Levels of brominated compounds were generally higher in fat tissue than in liver.•Differences emerged between liver and fat tissue in congeners patterns.•No correlation between contamination levels and sex and size was found.