PM10-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Cancer Risk Estimation in the Atmosphere Surrounding an Industrial Area of Shanghai, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants in the urban atmosphere. In particular, atmospheric pollution has increasingly become severe in China due to its rapid urbanization and industrialization. In recent years, a few studies have presented information about POPs (such as PAHs, PCBs, OCPs) in aerosols at a molecular level in a limited number of cities such as Beijing, Qingdao and Guangzhou, as well as Hong Kong. Whereas, these cities are located in northern and southern China, respectively, where characteristics of atmospheric pollution might be different from those in the eastern cities, such as Shanghai. Atmospheric particle pollution is a persistent problem in Shanghai, a typical metropolis of China, which has several huge industrial regions. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the present state, properties and sources of PAHs pollution in Shanghai, PM₁₀ samples were collected at Coal-Fired Power Plant (CFP), Chlor-Alkali Chemical factory (CAC) and Coking and Chemical factory (CCF) in an industrial area, during the period, November 2004–September 2005. The concentrations of 16 PAHs were analyzed using the HPLC with UV visible detector. The results showed that the mean value of total PAHs in the industrial area was 64.85 ng m^?3; 3-ring PAHs were found at low levels, while 4-, 5- and 6-ring PAHs were found at high levels. The levels of BaP were 3.07 and 7.16 ng m^?3 at Chlor-Alkali Chemistry Factory and Coking and Chemistry Factory sites, respectively. PAHs levels exhibited distinct seasonal variation, with the highest level in autumn and the lowest in summer. The major source of PAHs at the industrial area was fossil fuel combustion, coal-burning, industrial furnaces including others. There was a very significant correlation of PAHs levels between CCF and CAC (R ²?=?0.91). The average concentration of BaP in the industrial area during the sampling period was 5.95 ng m^?3. It could be concluded the local population appears to be exposed to significantly high cancer risk (exceeding 2 ng m^?3 in autumn and winter) as compared to the population of other areas.     

Annual dynamics of persistent organic pollutants in various aquatic matrices: a case study in the Morava River in Zlín district,Czech Republic

Purpose

A multi-compartment monitoring study was performed to characterize the effect of environmental variables, such as temperature and water flow as well as sediment characteristics, on the distribution and transport of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in a dynamic river system during 1 year in an industrial region in central Europe.

Materials and methods

Waterborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were assessed over a period of 1 year at five sampling sites in the Morava River in the Czech Republic. Contaminants were measured monthly in riverbed sediments, freshly deposited sediments, water samples and passive samplers.

Results and discussion

Sediments are the main carrier of POPs in the river. Distinguishable patterns of PAHs, OCPs and PCBs in sediment indicate that their origin is from distinct sources and different transport pathways. The PAHs were identified as the dominant contaminant group of compounds with a mean concentration in sediment of 5,900 μg kg^?1. Such concentrations are up to 10 times higher than in the Danube River, into which Morava drains. In contrast, mean concentrations of PCBs, hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its breakdown products (DDTs) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB) of 6.0, 0.4, 4.2 and 6.0 μg kg¹, respectively, are similar to those in the Danube. With some exceptions, no significant difference in composition of surficial riverbed sediments and those collected using sediment traps was observed. Despite the presence of potential local pollutant sources, the differences in contaminant concentrations between sites in the region were in most cases not significant. Variations in POP concentrations in sediments are mainly induced by high flow events, whereas seasonal variability was not observed.

Conclusions

The changes in contaminant concentrations in Morava River sediments are induced by episodic high flow events that cause erosion of contaminant-containing particles and their deposition at suitable downstream sites.     

PAH and PCB removal efficiencies in Umeå (Sweden) and Šiauliai (Lithuania) municipal wastewater treatment plants

Dissolved concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the influents and effluents of two municipal sewage treatment plants (STPs) were monitored over 16- (Umeå, Sweden) and 22- (?iauliai, Lithuania) day sampling periods. Sampling was performed using a passive sampling technique (semipermeable membrane devices; SPMDs) for sequestration of the dissolved (readily bioavailable) fraction of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Removal efficiencies for individual low molecular weight (LMW) PAH compounds varied from 84% to levels at which the compounds were not detected in effluents from Umeå. The corresponding efficiencies of the ?iauliai plant were 33–95%. Measurements revealed that dissolved concentrations of most of the PCBs and some of the high molecular weight (HMW) PAHs increased during the conventional wastewater treatment at both plants. The release of dissolved PAHs and PCBs in the effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants might increase the environmental contamination by readily bioavailable pollutants in the recipient waters; the rivers Umeälven and Kulpè. SPMDs were found to be suitable sampling tools for long-term (weeks-month) integrative monitoring of trace concentrations of the dissolved fraction of hydrophobic pollutants in the wastewater process, since the sampling and clean-up steps were easy to perform.     

Selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the rhizosphere of sewage sludge-treated soil: implications for the biodegradability of POPs

The impact of regular application of sewage sludge or farmyard manure on the organic contaminant loads in soil was assessed in a model rhizobox experiment. Two soils originating from a long-term field crop rotation and fertilizer experiment running since 1996 were used. The total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) contents were determined in the rhizosphere and bulk soil. The results showed low but still detectable contents of PCBs and OCPs in the soil, substances which were banned a few decades ago. Among the OCPs, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites reaching up to 18.2 µg kg^?1 of the soil even exceeded the preventive levels for these compounds in agricultural soils, i.e. 7.5 µg kg^?1 of soil. For PBDEs, PFOA, and PFOS, their contents in the soil significantly increased with sewage sludge application. The enhancement of the potential biodegradability of the POPs in the rhizosphere was confirmed only for hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), where, the level of γ-HCH increased significantly in the rhizosphere soil compared to bulk soil. Thus, natural attenuation of POPs in the soil-plant system seems to be insufficient for most of the investigated compounds.     

A Thermo-Cavitation Method to Determine Organochlorine Pesticides in Gas and Particle Phases Collected in Polyurethane Foam Used in Passive Air Samplers

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are globally dispersed substances considered to have adverse effects on health and ecosystems. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are POPs. OCPs can be collected from the air by passive samplers using polyurethane foam (PUF). POPs in PUF are generally extracted by Soxhlet, considered as reference extraction method. We offer a different methodology approach to extract 16 OCPs from the PUF. This technology extracts, filters, collects the sample and evaporates the solvent, without sample transfer. It is a modification of the ultrasound-assisted extraction micro-scale cell (M-UAE-MSC) previously patented by our group. A full factorial experimental design (2³ centred) was used to optimise the extraction conditions. The most desirable conditions were 50 °C, 40% ultrasound potency and 20-min extraction time, two extractions. OCP recoveries ranged from 67 to 110%. OCP recoveries were equivalent by M-UAE-MSC and Soxhlet techniques. The method was not suitable for five OCPs, and further refinement is needed. Method linearity (r²) was ≥?0.98. Limits of detection were observed between 1.2 and 4.6 ng PUF^?1, while limits of quantification were found between 3.9 and 15.2 ng PUF^?1. The method was applied to determine OCPs collected by PUF passive samplers in Mexico. Endosulfan I was the OCP most frequently observed. The M-UAE-MSC optimised extraction conditions, decreased the extraction time from several hours to less than 1 h and reduced three times the solvent consumption with respect to Soxhlet. This afforded a decrease in the waste generation and a reduction in the OCP-extraction cost up to 80%. The results of this study reveal an efficient and consistent procedure, as well as a simpler, faster, cost-saving and more environmentally friendly method to determine OCPs collected by PUF in passive samplers compared to Soxhlet extraction.     

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Trace Metals in Sediments from a Coastal Lagoon (Northern Adriatic, Italy)

Surface sediments (0–5 cm) were analysed to provide information on levels, spatial trends and sources of the 16 USEPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), 15 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and trace metals (copper, chromium, mercury, nickel and zinc) in channel and wetland habitats of Pialassa Baiona lagoon (Italy). The highest levels of PAHs, PCBs and Hg (3,032–87,150, n.d.–3,908 and 1.3–191 mg kg⁻¹) were mainly found at channel habitats close to industrial sources. Pyrogenic PAH inputs were significant, with a predominance of four-ring PAHs and combustion-related PAHs in both channel and wetland habitats. Among PCB congeners, chlorination class profiles show that penta- and hexachlorinated PCBs are the most prevalent homologues accounting for approximately 33% and 47% of the total PCB concentrations in channel sediments. Total toxicity equivalent factors (TEQs) of potentially carcinogenic PAHs varied from 348 to 7,879 μg kg⁻¹ and from 4.3 to 235 μg kg⁻¹ in channel and wetland sediments; calculated TEQs for dioxin-like PCB congeners at channel habitats ranged from n.d. to 86.7 μg kg⁻¹. Comparison of PAHs, PCBs and metal levels with Sediment Quality Guidelines suggests that more concern should be given to the southern area of the lagoon for potential risks of carcinogenic PAHs, dioxin-like PCBs and mercury.     

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Singapore's Coastal Marine Environment: Part II,Sediments

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can enter the marine environment from a variety of anthropogenic sources. As some PAHs are known or suspected carcinogens and mutagens, their potential hazard to human health and the natural environment warrants investigation. This is the first reported study on the prevalence and concentration of PAHs in marine sediments from Singapore's coastal environment, and accompanies the report by Basheer et al. (2003) on the measurement of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in seawater. The concentration of 16 PAH, classified as USEPA priority pollutants were analysed in sediments from 22 sample stations located within the northeastern and southwestern regions of Singapore's marine waters. The total PAH concentration varied between 15.22 μg g^-1 and 82.41 μg g^-1 in the northeastern region and between 13.63 μg g^-1 and 84.92 μg g^-1in the southwestern region. The highest concentration of total PAH i.e. 84.92 μg g^-1 was recorded at a site adjacent to a petrochemical refinery. Among the sixteen individual PAHs, chrysene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzo[a]anthracene were most prevalent in the sediments. The relatively low kinetic/thermodynamic isomer ratios for PAHs suggest that PAHs of pyrogenic origin are predominant in Singapore's coastal environment. The distribution of higher molecular weight i.e. (4–5 ring) individual PAHs corresponded to mixture profiles typical of those originating from high temperature combustion processes subjected to photolytic degradation during long-range atmospheric transportation. A comparison of total PAH concentration data for sediments collected from Singapore relative to those reported for other countries indicates a moderate level of PAH contamination in Singapore's coastal marine sediments.     

Persistent organic pollutant concentrations in air‐ and freeze‐dried compared to field‐fresh extracted soil samples of an eastern Slovak deposition gradient

Sample preparation affects the results of the determination of persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations in soils. We compared the extraction results of POPs from air‐ and freeze‐dried with field‐fresh samples. We determined the concentrations of 21 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 14 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 35 horizons of forest soils (Lithosols and Cambisols) along a deposition gradient caused by a chemical factory in Strá?ske (eastern Slovakia). The organic C (C_org) concentrations of the studied samples ranged 14‐477 g kg^‐1, the sum of 21 PAH (Σ 21PAHs) concentrations 53‐6870 μg kg^‐1, and that of 14 PCBs (Σ 14PCBs) 0.12 96 μg kg^‐1. The benzofluoranthenes were the most abundant PAHs, and the hexa‐chlorinated PCBs 138 and 153 were the most abundant PCBs. The deposition gradient was reflected by decreasing PAH and PCB storages in the organic layer with increasing distance from the chemical factory (Σ 21PAHs: 82‐238, Σ 14PCBs: 0.34‐2.3 g ha^‐1). The PAH concentrations in air‐ and freeze‐dried samples were consistently lower than those in field‐fresh extracted samples. For naphthalene, this was mainly attributable to volatilization losses during drying. Naphthalene losses decreased with increasing C_org concentrations. For all other PAHs, drying reduced the extractability; the latter was correlated with the water content of the samples. The differences in most PCB concentrations among the sample preparation methods were small (within the determination error of ±15 %) and inconsistent. However, PCBs 8, 28, 52, and 209 had markedly higher concentrations in dried than in fieldfresh extracted samples. The increased recovery of low‐chlorinated PCBs in dried samples may be explained by redistribution of PCBs from higher to lower contaminated samples via the drying room atmosphere because there were no PCBs in analytical blanks. This assumption is supported by a close correlation between the octanol‐air distribution coefficient and the up to hexa‐chlorinated PCB concentrations (normalized to those in field‐fresh extracted samples) in air‐ (r = ‐0.90) and freeze‐dried (r = ‐0.86) samples. Our study shows that each sample preparation method has its specific advantages and disadvantages. Sample drying results in a standardization to a well‐defined water content and facilitates homogenization; therefore it increases the reproducibility of POP determinations. Extraction of field‐fresh samples reduces volatilization losses and contamination risks.     

Monitoring Estrogen Compounds in Wastewater Recycling Systems

We determined the concentrations and residue patterns of 20 persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), including hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), chlordane-related compounds (CHLs), mirex, dieldrin, endrin, and aldrin, in muscle of rainbow trout from Lake Mashu, Japan. Total concentrations of OCPs varied from 1.0 to 132 ng g^?1 lipid weight. α-HCH was the most prevalent OCP contaminant in the fish muscle. Using the daily fish consumption in Japan (95.2 g), the mean weight of a Japanese adult (50.0 kg), and residual pesticide concentrations, we calculated the estimated daily intakes of γ-HCH, DDTs, CHLs, and dieldrin for humans to be 0.39, 0.48, 0.68, and 0.08 ng kg^?1 day^?1, respectively. Judging from acceptable daily intakes established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization, we believe that these OCP levels would not adversely affect human health.     

Persistent organic pollutants in the natural environments of the city of Bratsk (Irkutsk Oblast): Levels and risk assessment

The contents of persistent organic pollutants (POPs)—polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs)—in the natural environments of an industrial city (Bratsk) of Irkutsk oblast have been studied. Features of the spatial and seasonal distribution of the PCBs and OCPs in the soils and the atmospheric air have been revealed. The structure of the homological and congeneric composition of the PCBs in the soils and the atmospheric air has been shown. Parameters of the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks for human health from the impact of the PCBs and OCPs present in the soils and the atmospheric air have been determined.     

Spatial,seasonal and ecological risk assessment of organohalogenated contaminants in sediments of Swartkops and Sundays Estuaries,Eastern Cape province,South Africa

Purpose

Run-off from industrial and agricultural activities has continued to be a major source of organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) in the environment. Swartkops (SWE) and Sundays Estuaries (SDE) located in the city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, were selected for this study because of their proximity to industrial and agricultural activities.

Materials and methods

In this study, we determined the levels, seasonal occurrence as well as the ecological risk monitoring of 18 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), 17 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and six polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the sediments of SWE and SDE using a gas chromatograph coupled with a micro electron capture detector.

Results and discussion

HCHs, BDE-17, tri- and tetra-CBs dominated the OHC profiles in sediments of both estuaries. The respective concentration ranges of OCPs, PCBs and PBDEs in SDE sediment were 0.06–0.93 μg g^?1 dw, 0.08–1.71 μg g^?1 dw and 0.08–32.41 ng g^?1 dw while that of SWE in that order were 0.10–4.70 μg g^?1 dw, 0.07–3.80 μg g^?1 dw and 0.11–130.21 ng g^?1 dw. The high concentrations of OHCs in SWE may be due to the high usage of its surrounding area for industrial activities. The concentrations of all OHCs with exception of PCBs were higher in spring for both estuaries probably due to the heavy rain experienced during spring season. Cluster analysis and spatial distribution of OHCs indicated that samples around the Motherwell Canal in the SWE were more polluted. Total organic carbon (TOC) was strongly correlated with most OHCs in SWE revealing that TOC controls the sorption of OHCs in this estuary. Risk analysis showed that most sampling points had PCBs and HCHs concentration greater than their respective sediment quality guideline (SQGL) indicating a high risk to benthic species in SDE and SWE.

Conclusions

Samples collected from the SWE were more polluted than those collected from the SDE probably due to the extensive use of the catchment of SWE for industrial activities. In comparison with SQGL, most sampling points had PCBs and HCHs concentrations greater than their respective ERL and TEL values, indicating the potential risk to biota in SDE and SWE. Thus, an urgent need to manage and mitigate the OHCs concentrations in these estuaries is recommended.

     

中国南亚热带农业土壤中的多环芳烃

The contributions of persistent organic pollutants （POPs） from the subtropical regions of China to pollution of the global environment have been paid great attention; however, little is known about the state of POPs in agricultural ecosystems within these regions of China. This study primarily revealed the state of the contamination and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PAH） in agricultural soils in the subtropical regions. 115 surface soils （0-20 cm） were sampled in the breadbaskets of these regions. The concentrations and types of PAH were determined using gas chromatography linked to mass spectrometry （GC-MS）. The total PAH concentrations ranged from 22.1 to 1 256.9 ng g^-1 with a mean of 318.2 ± 148.2 ng g^-1. In general terms, the current PAH concentrations were lower than most PAH levels reported in a number of investigations from different countries and regions. PAH isomer ratios indicated that pyrolytic origins, such as fossil fuel combustion related to vehicle tail gas and industrial emissions, were the dominant sources of PAH in the southern subtropical areas of China. Although PAH concentrations decreased with decreasing pollution, population, and traffic density, to a great extent PAH compositions were similar throughout subtropical soils, with naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and benzo（b）fluoranthene being dominant.     

Contamination of highly weathered urban soils in Uberlândia,Brazil

We determined heavy metal, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in 18 topsoils of Uberlândia (420,000 inhabitants, Brazil) and in 3 rural topsoils. Concentrations of Al (11—124 g kg^—1) and Fe (13—109 g kg^—1) are large because of desilification. Concentrations of Cd (0.1—0.5 mg kg^—1), Cr (13—72), Cu (6—154), Mn (28—974), Ni (4—29), Pb (3—26), Zn (4—107), the sum of 20 PAHs (=Σ20PAHs:7—390 μg kg^—1), and the sum of 14 PCBs (=Σ14PCBs:0.05—1.25) are comparable to or below background concentrations in temperate soils except for Cu at two sites. More than 67% of the metals are strongly bound in Fe oxides and silicates; metals are more bioavailable in the urban than in the rural soils. The most abundant PAHs in the urban soils, on average, are naphthalene (19.0 ± 13.4% of Σ20PAHs) and the benzo(b+j+k)fluoranthenes (11.4 ± 6.7%); the most abundant PCBs are nos. 138 (23.3 ± 11.0% of Σ14PCBs) and 153 (14.3 ± 6.4%). The rural soils contain larger percentages of low molecular PAHs and up to tetra‒chlorinated PCBs than the urban soils. The different pollutant concentrations and patterns in the studied tropical compared with many temperate soils indicate different sources and fate.     

吉林省典型工农业地区多介质样品中有机氯农药和多氯联苯分布特征

采用气相色谱-电子捕获检测器分析了吉林省典型工农业地区表层土壤、水稻、玉米及稻田水样品中包括HCHs、DDTs在内的有机氯农药（OCPs）和7种多氯联苯（PCBs）指示性单体的含量。结果表明,表层土壤中OCPs（HCHs＋DDTs）平均含量排序为梅河口夏季（98.9ng·g-1）〉长春市（81.2ng·g-1）〉吉林市（72.6ng·g-1）〉梅河口秋季（25.2ng·g-1）,PCBs排序为梅河口夏季（98.7ng·g-1）〉长春市（平均61.0ng·g-1）〉吉林市（50.3ng·g-1）〉梅河口秋季（27.1ng·g-1）,梅河口土壤中PCBs异构体中以PCB28和PCB52为主;DDTs含量较高的地区为吉林市和长春市,其旱地土壤有利于DDTs的残留;所有水稻籽粒样品中均检出了HCHs和DDTs残留,水稻和玉米中HCH和DDTs的残留均低于国家食品卫生标准的限值,水稻秧苗和玉米秆茎样品中∑7PCBs含量都分别高于水稻和玉米籽粒样品中∑7PCBs含量;水稻田水中OCPs含量都低于国家地表水质标准限值。     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in peat and plants from selected peat‐bogs in the north‐east of Poland

The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed in samples of peat and of two plant species (Pinus sylvestris and Ledum palustre) overgrowing peat‐bogs in the north‐east of Poland. Peat samples were collected from different depths according to the stratigraphic profile of the peat bogs. The total concentrations of the 16 anthropogenic PAHs (15 from the US EPA list and benzo[e]pyrene) in all peat samples were between 70 and 439 ng g^—1. The concentration for the same compounds in pine needles (Pinus sylvestris) and Dutch Myrthe leaves (Ledum palustre) varied between 194 and 1039 ng g^—1. A noticeably high fluorene concentration in Dutch Myrthe leaves was found at some sites. In all peat samples 3‐ring compounds were predominant (55 to 319 ng g^—1). There were less 4‐ring PAHs (15 to 110 ng g^—1) and the least common PAHs were 5‐ring and 6‐ring compounds (0 to 81 ng g^—1 for both groups). In some peat samples, the perylene concentration largely exceeds of the total concentration of all the other PAHs investigated. The high content of perylene in bottom layers could result from the processes of perylene sorption from water during peat‐bog formation or from biogenic formation of perylene.     

One-Hundred-Year Sedimentary Record of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Urban Lake Sediments from Wuhan, Central China

The concentrations and depositional fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in a dated sediment core collected from Donghu Lake, central China. Total concentrations of 16 PAHs ranged from 33.32 to 937.24 ng?g^?1 based on dry weight. Depositional fluxes of total PAHs, ranging 15.84?C387.37 ng?cm^?2?year^?1, were in relatively higher levels compared with those in the cores collected from other areas of China. The concentrations and fluxes of total and individual PAHs changed dramatically with depth, reflecting energy usage changes and closely following the historical economic development in central China. Since the initiation of the ??Reform and Opening-Up policy?? in the late 1970s, the levels of PAHs, especially the high-molecular-weight carcinogenic PAHs, increased rapidly and reached the highest value in recent years, indicating the growth of incomplete combustion of coal and petroleum with the development of economy in this area. Furthermore, analysis of isomer ratios and principle component analysis commonly revealed the main contribution of anthropogenic pyrolytic source to PAH contamination in the largest urban lake of China.     

白洋淀鱼类体内多氯联苯积累特征及其毒性评价

针对持久性有机污染物在水生生物体内易于积累的特性,利用气相色谱与质谱联用技术（GC-MS）,检测了白洋淀8种鱼类体内多氯联苯（PCBs）含量,并分析了同系物组成特征。根据白洋淀鱼类检测到同系物情况,计算毒性当量（TEQ）并进行评价。白洋淀8种鱼类体内PCBs平均含量范围是55.85~1 485.74 ng.g-1脂肪重,从高到低的顺序依次为黄颡〉黄鳝〉乌鳢〉泥鳅〉鲤鱼〉鳙鱼〉鲫鱼〉鲇鱼。在8种鱼类PCB同系物组成中,四氯联苯和五氯联苯是主要的同系物,其相对百分含量为52.0%~84.3%。这种组成模式反映了白洋淀地区有多氯联苯工业品的使用历史。8种鱼类体内PCBs的毒性当量（TEQ）范围是0.09~1 412.87 pg TEQ.g-1脂肪重,其大小顺序依次为鳙鱼〉鲫鱼〉鲇鱼〉黄颡〉黄鳝〉鲤鱼〉乌鳢〉泥鳅。结果表明,白洋淀淀区部分鱼类已经受到PCBs一定程度的污染,应引起重视。     

Atmospheric mercury concentrations above mercury contaminated mill tailings in the Carson River Drainage Basin,NV

During processing of the historic Comstock Ore, Virginia City, NV, an estimated 5.5 × 10⁹ g of metallic mercury (Hg) were released into the Carson River Drainage Basin. The Bessels Mill site is one of at least 75 locations where Hg was used to amalgamate the gold and silver from the ore. Although the mill is no longer standing, Hg contaminated tailings attest to its past location. Mercury concentrations in samples of tailings from the Bessels Mill site are as high as 1570 μg/g. Mercury concentrations vary spatially over the site. Total Hg concentrations in air measured directly over the site are well above regional background levels (1 to 7.1 ng/m³). The highest average atmospheric Hg concentration measured at the site was 240 ng/m³ for October 1993. The estimated range of Hg flux to the atmosphere from the site was 37 to 500 ng/m² hr. Atmospheric Hg concentrations varied seasonally, diurnally and spatially. Atmospheric Hg concentrations varied as a function of Hg concentration, soil and air temperature, wind speed and surface morphology.     

Is the long-term application of sewage sludge turning soil into a sink for organic pollutants?: evidence from field studies in the Czech Republic

Purpose

Long-term microscale field experiments established at four sites in the Czech Republic (since 1996) were used for an assessment of the severity of the wide-scale contamination of treated soils by persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) as a result of the long-term regular pollutant load via sewage sludge and farmyard manure applications and for an estimation of the potential environmental risk caused by long-term pollutant inputs to agricultural soils.

Material and methods

The experimental plots were treated as follows: (i) NPK mineral fertilization (NPK); (ii) sewage sludge (SS1); (iii) sewage sludge applied at three times the rate compared to SS1 (SS2); (iv) farmyard manure (FYM); and (v) untreated control. Except for antibiotics, which showed results for all analyses below the detection limit, all groups of the analyzed compounds showed measurable contents in the treated soils.

Results and discussion

Among the POPs, the levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were detected at two locations at levels exceeding the Czech preventive values for their contents in agricultural soils (7.5 μg/kg for dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane family, 20 μg/kg for hexachlorbenzene, and 10 μg/kg for α-hexachlorocyclohexane), regardless of the treatment. Similarly, elevated contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were occasionally observed without any substantial relationship to the fertilizer application scenario. Thus, these contaminants are connected with atmospheric deposition in the given areas (PAHs) and their long-term stability (OCPs) even several decades after their ban; the role of the fertilizer composition was negligible.

Conclusions

The levels of per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances, brominated flame retardants, and synthetic musk compounds tended to increase in the sewage sludge–treated plots, indicating that sewage sludge can contribute to the abundance of these compounds in soil, although the contaminant levels determined do not represent a direct environmental risk. The levels of these contaminants in sewage sludge and sludge-treated soils should be regularly monitored in further research.

     

Ambient concentration and precipitation scavenging of atmospheric organic pollutants

Trace organic compounds were measured in air and rainfall at a rural site in Texas. Chlorinated hydrocarbons and phthalic acid esters (PAEs) were present at concentrations of ng m^?3 in air and ng L^?1 in precipitation. The most abundant compounds measured in air were PAEs > toxaphene > chlordane > hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) > others. In rainfall the concentration order was PAEs > toxaphene > HCHs > DDTs > chlordane >- PCBs > others. An inverse correlation between concentration and rainfall amount was observed for most compounds. A model of precipitation scavenging of these compounds considered both scavenging of gas-phase and particle-bound compounds from the atmosphere. Good agreement was obtained between theoretical and measured concentrations. Results indicate that scavenging of a small amount of particle-bound compound can account for >98% of wet deposition for insoluble organic pollutants. Gas-phase scavenging is important for the more soluble compounds such as HCH.