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Zhang Z, Zhu G, Liu Y, Zhou X, Lin B, Qi Z, Zhang S, Yang Y, Li X, Jin R, Zheng M. Characteristics and degradation mechanisms of polychlorinated naphthalenes in surface soil in Yangtze River Delta, China. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 360:142398. [PMID: 38789053 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Both thermal and environmental processes are significant factors influencing the existing characteristics, e.g., congener distributions, and existing levels, of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) in the environment. Soil plays an important role in the life cycle of PCNs, but degradation of PCNs in soils has never been reported. In this study, we collected surface soil samples from 13 cities in the Yangtze River Delta, which is one of the most crowded areas of China and analyzed the samples for 75 PCNs. The long-range transportation from polluted areas was the major source for PCNs in remote areas, but the PCN profiles in remote areas reported in our previous studies were different from those in human settlement in this study, indicating there is a transformation of PCNs after emissions from anthropogenic activities. Two experiments were then designed to reveal the degradation mechanisms, including influencing factors, products, and pathways, of PCNs in surface soils. Based on the experiments, we found that the major factor driving the losses of PCNs in surface soils was volatilization, followed by photo irradiation and microbial metabolism. Under photo-irradiation, the PCN structures would be destroyed through a process of dechlorination followed by oxidation. In addition, the dechlorination pathways of PCNs have been established and found to be significantly influenced by the structure-related parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zherui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guohua Zhu
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Yahui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Ecological and Environmental Monitoring, Forewarning and Quality Control, Zhejiang Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Center, Hangzhou, 310000, China.
| | - Bingcheng Lin
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
| | - Ziyuan Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shanshan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yueyao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Rong Jin
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| | - Minghui Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China; College of Resource and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Yakan SD, Çelik İE, Özkan K. Abundance and composition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the surface sediments of twelve alpine lakes in the Central Taurus Mountains. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:974. [PMID: 37470877 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11577-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The regions of Bolkar Mountains and Aladağlar accommodate a unique ecosystem in Turkey, due to being in a transitional climate between the continental and the Mediterranean and hosting alpine lakes which are considered as good indicators of regional and atmospheric pollution due to being far from direct human impact. On the other hand, these regions are surrounded by various power plants, and also subject to occasional human activities, where anthropogenic effects are expected to be. Sediment samples were collected from 12 lakes in Central Taurus Mountains, 6 lakes in Bolkar Mountains, and 6 lakes in Aladağlar. Fifteen PAHs, identified as priority pollutants by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as lake water chemical characteristics were determined. The distribution of analyzed PAHs was investigated, and PAH diagnostic ratios were calculated to identify their potential sources. It was a remarkable observation that only low-molecular-weight PAHs exist in the lakes of Aladağlar, whereas high-molecular-weight PAHs are also found in the lakes of Bolkar Mountains, likely reflecting more isolated characteristics of the Aladağlar region. As compatible with this observation, total PAHs (T-PAHs) were found lower in Aladağlar (0.00-105.78 ng/g w.w.) than in Bolkar Mountains (9.08-380.16 ng/g w.w.). Overall, T-PAHs of sampled lakes were found in a similar range when they are compared to the other high-altitude alpine lakes around the world, indicating no significant difference in terms of atmospheric pollution of the global average.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevil Deniz Yakan
- Department of Shipbuilding and Ocean Engineering, Faculty of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - İmran Eren Çelik
- Department of Shipbuilding and Ocean Engineering, Faculty of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Korhan Özkan
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Mersin, Turkey
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Turgut C, Mazmanci MA, Mazmanci B, Yalçın M, Karakuş PK, Atatanir L, Keski M, Henkelmann B, Pfister G, Schramm KW. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) determined by pine needles and semipermeable membrane devices along an altitude profile in Taurus Mountains, Turkey. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 24:7077-7087. [PMID: 28092009 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-8363-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed at different altitudes of Taurus Mountains in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD) and in half-, one-and-a-half-, and two-and-a-half-year-old pine needles. SPMDs were deployed for three different exposure periods: March to September (Summer), September to March (Winter), and March to March (whole year) at eight sites where needle samples were collected. The values of PAHs in needles were between 4.4 to 6066 pg g/fw in half-year-old, 7.2 to 111,115 pg g/fw in 1.5-year-old, and 9.7 to 85,335 pg g/fw in 2.5-year-old needles. Mass of PAHs collected by SPMDs varied from <MDL to 8060 ng/SPMD in winter, from 0.98 to 585 ng/SPMD in summer, and <MDL to 9360 ng/SPMD in whole year deployment, respectively. PAH profiles were dependent on the seasonal differences and locations. Roughly, clear decreasing trends with altitude were observed both with SPMD and needles for many individual and groups of PAHs except for the SPMD-summer short-time data. A cross-plot of Fluo/(Fluo+Pyr) vs Ant/(Ant+Phe) diagnostic ratios indicated grass/wood burning (possibly due to forest fires) in summer and petrogenic combustion in winter. Results of the study showed that SPMD and conifer needles are effective passive samplers to measure PAHs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cafer Turgut
- Faculty of Agriculture, Adnan Menderes University, 09100, Aydin, Turkey.
| | - Mehmet Ali Mazmanci
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Mersin University, 33363, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Birgül Mazmanci
- Faculty of Arts and Science, Department of Biology, Mersin University, 33363, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Melis Yalçın
- Faculty of Agriculture, Adnan Menderes University, 09100, Aydin, Turkey
| | - PerihanBinnur Kurt Karakuş
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Architecture and Engineering, Bursa Technical University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Levent Atatanir
- Faculty of Agriculture, Adnan Menderes University, 09100, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Menekşe Keski
- Ministry of Environment and Urbanism, General Directorate for Environmental Management, Waste Management Department, Balgat, 06520, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bernhard Henkelmann
- Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), MolecularEXposomics, Ingolstädter Landstr.1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Gerd Pfister
- Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), MolecularEXposomics, Ingolstädter Landstr.1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Karl-Werner Schramm
- Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), MolecularEXposomics, Ingolstädter Landstr.1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
- Wissenschaftszentrum Weihenstephan für Ernährung, Landnutzung und Umwelt, Department für Biowissenschaften, Technische Universität München, Weihenstephaner Steig 23, 85350, Freising, Germany
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Bosch C, Andersson A, Kruså M, Bandh C, Hovorková I, Klánová J, Knowles TDJ, Pancost RD, Evershed RP, Gustafsson Ö. Source Apportionment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Central European Soils with Compound-Specific Triple Isotopes (δ(13)C, Δ(14)C, and δ(2)H). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:7657-7665. [PMID: 26053501 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b01190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper reports the first study applying a triple-isotope approach for source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The (13)C/(12)C, (14)C/(12)C, and (2)H/(1)H isotope ratios of PAHs were determined in forest soils from mountainous areas of the Czech Republic, European Union. Statistical modeling applying a Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) framework to the environmental triple isotope PAH data and an end-member PAH isotope database allowed comprehensive accounting of uncertainties and quantitative constraints on the PAH sources among biomass combustion, liquid fossil fuel combustion, and coal combustion at low and high temperatures. The results suggest that PAHs in this central European region had a clear predominance of coal combustion sources (75 ± 6%; uncertainties represent 1 SD), mainly coal pyrolysis at low temperature (∼650 °C; 61 ± 8%). Combustion of liquid fossil fuels and biomass represented 16 ± 3 and 9 ± 3% of the total PAH burden (∑PAH14), respectively. Although some soils were located close to potential PAH point sources, the source distribution was within a narrow range throughout the region. These observation-based top-down constraints on sources of environmental PAHs provide a reference for both improved bottom-up emission inventories and guidance for efforts to mitigate PAH emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Bosch
- †Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - August Andersson
- †Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Kruså
- †Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Bandh
- †Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivana Hovorková
- ‡Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Klánová
- ‡Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Timothy D J Knowles
- §School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS Avon, United Kingdom
| | - Richard D Pancost
- §School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS Avon, United Kingdom
| | - Richard P Evershed
- §School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS Avon, United Kingdom
| | - Örjan Gustafsson
- †Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research, Stockholm University, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
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Zheng Q, Nizzetto L, Liu X, Borgå K, Starrfelt J, Li J, Jiang Y, Liu X, Jones KC, Zhang G. Elevated mobility of persistent organic pollutants in the soil of a tropical rainforest. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:4302-4309. [PMID: 25798739 DOI: 10.1021/es5058677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Semivolatile persistent organic pollutants (POP) are bioaccumulative and toxic contaminants. Their global distribution depends on source distribution, atmospheric transport, degradation, and the exchange with ocean and land surfaces. Forests are crucial terrestrial reservoirs due to the commonly envisaged high capacity of their surface soils to store and immobilize airborne contaminants bound to soil organic matter. Our results show that POPs can be unexpectedly mobile in the soil of a tropical rainforest due to fast litter turnover (leading to rapid POP transfer to the subsoil) and leaching rates exceeding degradation rates especially for more hydrophobic congeners. Co-transport in association with leaching fine particulate and dissolved organic matter appears as a relevant driver of this PCB export. A markedly different distribution pattern is displayed in this soil in comparison to soils of colder environments with lower overall storage capacity. These findings show that biogeochemistry of organic matter degradation and weathering can influence POP soil fate. Because tropical forests represent 60% of the global terrestrial productivity, the highlighted dynamics might have an implication for the general distribution of these contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zheng
- †State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
- ‡Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Luca Nizzetto
- §Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo 0349, Norway
- ∥Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Brno 62500, Czech Republic
| | - Xiang Liu
- †State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Katrine Borgå
- §Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo 0349, Norway
- ⊥Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jostein Starrfelt
- §Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Oslo 0349, Norway
- ⊥Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jun Li
- †State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Yishan Jiang
- †State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Xin Liu
- †State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Kevin C Jones
- #Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
| | - Gan Zhang
- †State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Maliszewska-Kordybach B, Smreczak B, Klimkowicz-Pawlas A. The levels and composition of persistent organic pollutants in alluvial agriculture soils affected by flooding. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2013; 185:9935-48. [PMID: 23877573 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-013-3303-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations and composition of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in alluvial soils subjected to heavy flooding in a rural region of Poland. Soil samples (n = 30) were collected from the upper soil layer from a 70-km(2) area. Chemical determinations included basic physicochemical properties and the contents of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, 16 compounds). The median concentrations of Σ7PCB (PCB28 + PCB52 + PCB101 + PCB118 + PCB138 + PCB153 + PCB180), Σ3HCH (α-HCH + β-HCH + γ-HCH) and Σ3pp'(DDT + DDE + DDD) were 1.60 ± 1.03, 0.22 ± 0.13 and 25.18 ± 82.70 μg kg(-1), respectively. The median concentrations of the most abundant PAHs, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene were 50 ± 37, 38 ± 27, 29 ± 30, 45 ± 36 and 24 ± 22 μg kg(-1), respectively. Compared with elsewhere in the world, the overall level of contamination with POPs was low and similar to the levels in agricultural soils from neighbouring countries, except for benzo[a]pyrene and DDT. There was no evidence that flooding affected the levels of POPs in the studied soils. The patterns observed for PAHs and PCBs indicate that atmospheric deposition is the most important long-term source of these contaminants. DDTs were the dominant organochlorine pesticides (up to 99%), and the contribution of the parent pp' isomer was up to 50 % of the ΣDDT, which indicates the advantage of aged contamination. A high pp'DDE/pp'DDD ratio suggests the prevalence of aerobic transformations of parent DDT. Dominance of the γ isomer in the HCHs implies historical use of lindane in the area. The effect of soil properties on the POP concentrations was rather weak, although statistically significant links with the content of the <0.02-mm fraction, Ctotal or Ntotal were observed for some individual compounds in the PCB group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Maliszewska-Kordybach
- Department of Soil Science and Land Conservation, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Institute, ul. Czartoryskich 8, 24-100, Pulawy, Poland,
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Turgut C, Atatanir L, Mazmanci B, Mazmanci MA, Henkelmann B, Schramm KW. The occurrence and environmental effect of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Taurus Mountains soils. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2012; 19:325-334. [PMID: 21751019 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-011-0561-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2011] [Accepted: 06/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are of global concern due to their ubiquitous presence and toxicity. The occurence of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), -dibenzofurans (PCDFs), co-planar biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCH), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDT), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in forest soil collected from Taurus mountains may have adverse effects on the environment and health. The aim of the study was to investigate the outcome and distribution of POPs in the environment and the possible grasshopper effect along an altitude transect from sea level up to nearly 2,000 m a.s.l at a spatial distance of about 60 km in the southeastern Turkish Mediterranean Sea. METHODS The samples were collected at a height of 121, 408, 981, 1,225, 1,373, 1,639, and 1,881 m above sea level from Taurus Mountains, Turkey. The results were confirmed using high-resolution gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry. RESULTS The levels of the PCDD in forest soil from Taurus Mountains varied from nearly 4 to 12 pg g(-1) dry weight (dw). PCDF concentrations ranged from 2 to 7 pg g(-1) dw. Considerably high DDT levels detected in five stations indicated (3,223-24,564 pg g(-1)) its extensive local application or atmospheric transport. PCB levels were determined between 80 and 288 pg g(-1) dw. HCH concentrations ranged from 141 to 1,513 pg g(-1) dw. The other OCP was between 102 and 731 pg g(-1). CONCLUSION Although the use of POPs has been banned, our results show that they could still be found in Turkey. Their presence may be attributed to the degradation of pesticides which are newly banned and, as well as to the atmospheric migration and deposition. The lattitude of sampling sites, the chemical, and physical parameters of soil have observed no effect on the fate of POPs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cafer Turgut
- Faculty of Agriculture, Adnan Menderes University, 09100 Aydin, Turkey
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Vilavert L, Nadal M, Mari M, Schuhmacher M, Domingo JL. Monitoring temporal trends in environmental levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans: results from a 10-year surveillance program of a hazardous waste incinerator. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2010; 59:521-531. [PMID: 20401654 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-010-9523-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2010] [Accepted: 04/02/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The only hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) in Spain has been operating in Constantí (Tarragona County, Catalonia) since 1999. Before its construction, a surveillance program was initiated to monitor the concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in the neighborhood of the facility. In 2008, 40 soil and 40 vegetation samples were collected and PCDD/F levels determined. The median PCDD/F concentration in soil was 0.49 ng international toxic equivalents (I-TEQ)/kg. Although it meant a nonsignificant decrease of 44% with respect to the preoperational survey, important fluctuations of the levels of PCDD/Fs through time were found in some specific sites. Therefore, a new survey was performed 1 year later (2009) by deleting those sampling sites with inconstant values, which mostly coincided with urban zones. In 2009, the median level of PCDD/Fs in soils was found to be 0.42 ng I-TEQ/kg. In contrast, median PCDD/F levels in vegetation were 1.11 ng I-TEQ/kg, a significant increase compared with previous surveys (range of the median 0.21-0.25 ng I-TEQ/kg). However, this increase was uniformly observed in the entire sampling area, suggesting that lack of rainfall was a key parameter for decreasing plant dilution and wash-up of pollutants on vegetation. This indicates that in surveillance programs, information must be obtained from different sources because the use of a single compartment may yield significant misinterpretation when evaluating temporal trends of environmental pollutants. Human health risks derived from exposure to PCDD/Fs were also assessed for the local population. The results indicated that current concentrations of these contaminants do not pose any additional carcinogenic or noncarcinogenic risk for those people living near the HWI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lolita Vilavert
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Catalonia, Spain
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