Tissue-specific bioaccumulation of a wide range of legacy and emerging persistent organic contaminants in swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from Seychelles, Western Indian Ocean

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is a major marine resource of high economic value to industrial and artisanal fisheries. As a top predator with a long lifespan, it is prone to accumulate high levels of contaminants. The bioaccumulation of a wide range of both legacy and emerging persistent organic contaminants was investigated in the muscle, liver and gonads of swordfish collected from the Seychelles, western Indian Ocean. The detection of all target contaminants, some at frequencies above 80%, highlights their widespread occurrence, albeit at low levels. Mean concentrations in muscle were 5637, 491 and 331 pg g−1 ww for organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), respectively. ∑BFR mean concentrations were far below, i.e. 47 pg g−1 ww. The data are among the first obtained for such a high diversity of contaminants in an oceanic top predator worldwide and constitute a benchmark of the contamination of Indian Ocean ecosystems. •Wide range of organic contaminants investigated in swordfish from the Seychelles•Major contaminants were chlorinated (OCPs, PCBs) and fluorinated (PFASs) compounds.•All contaminants at low levels in Indian Ocean compared to other oceans worldwide•Tissue-specific distribution driven by contaminant affinities to lipids or proteins•No difference in contaminant concentrations in male and female swordfish