Trace contaminant concentrations in the Kara Sea and its adjacent rivers, Russia.

Trace organic (chlorinated pesticides, PCBs, PAHs and dioxins/furans) and trace metal concentrations were measured in surficial sediment and biological tissues (i.e., worms, crustaceans, bivalve molluscs, and fish livers) collected from the Russian Arctic. Total DDT, chlordane, PCB and PAH concentrations ranged from ND to 1.2, ND to <0.1, ND to 1.5 and <20-810 ng g(-1), respectively, in a suite of 40 surficial sediment samples from the Kara Sea and the adjacent Ob and Yenisey Rivers. High sedimentary concentrations of contaminants were found in the lower part of the Yenisey River below the salt wedge. Total dioxins/furans were analysed in a subset of 20 sediment samples and ranged from 1.4 to 410 pg g(-1). The highest trace organic contaminant concentrations were found in organisms, particularly fish livers. Concentrations as high as 89 ng g(-1) chlordane; 1010 ng g(-1) total DDTs; 460 ng g(-1) total PCBs; and 1110 ng g(-1) total PAH, were detected. A subset of 11 tissue samples was analysed for dioxins and furans with total concentrations ranging from 12 to 61 pg g(-1). Concentrations of many trace organic and metal contaminants in the Kara Sea appear to originate from riverine sources and atmospheric transport from more temperate areas. Most organic contaminant concentrations in sediments were low; however, contaminants are being concentrated in organisms and may pose a health hazard for inhabitants of coastal villages.     

A study of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the livestock waste compost of Hong Kong, PR China

Composting is one of the waste disposal methods adopted for disposal of livestock waste in Hong Kong. The composting livestock waste normally undergoes 6-8 weeks fermentation, followed by 16-20 weeks maturation. The matured compost is sold as soil conditioner in the local market. In 2006, feedstock material and a time-series of compost samples were collected throughout the fermentation and maturation process from the Sha Ling Composting Plant in the New Territories. The feedstock material and compost samples were analyzed for contents of three unintentional persistent organic pollutants (POPs), i.e. dioxins/furans, dioxin-like PCBs and total PCBs. These POPs are unintentionally produced by-products of chemical industrial processes and combustion processes. Selected heavy metals were also analyzed, which served as conservative tracers to determine potential mass loss during the composting process. Levels of contamination by these POPs were found to be low in the matured compost for sale. The mean concentrations (lower-upper bound) of total dioxins/furans, total dioxin-like PCBs and total PCBs were 2.01-2.05 ng I-TEQ/kg dw, 0.04-0.05 ng WHO-TEQ/kg dw and 1.55-1.55 microg/kg dw, respectively. Progressively elevated levels of these POPs were observed in the compost samples during the fermentation process. Analysis of the congener profiles revealed that the heptaCDD and octaCDD were the main contributors to the observed increase in dioxin/furan content. The possible sources of dioxins/furans in the compost were discussed. The study results established a local dioxins/furans emission factor specific to the trade and provided a better estimate of the annual dioxins/furans emission for the livestock waste composting activity in Hong Kong.     

A study of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the livestock waste compost of Hong Kong, PR China

Composting is one of the waste disposal methods adopted for disposal of livestock waste in Hong Kong. The composting livestock waste normally undergoes 6–8 weeks fermentation, followed by 16–20 weeks maturation. The matured compost is sold as soil conditioner in the local market. In 2006, feedstock material and a time-series of compost samples were collected throughout the fermentation and maturation process from the Sha Ling Composting Plant in the New Territories. The feedstock material and compost samples were analyzed for contents of three unintentional persistent organic pollutants (POPs), i.e. dioxins/furans, dioxin-like PCBs and total PCBs. These POPs are unintentionally produced by-products of chemical industrial processes and combustion processes. Selected heavy metals were also analyzed, which served as conservative tracers to determine potential mass loss during the composting process. Levels of contamination by these POPs were found to be low in the matured compost for sale. The mean concentrations (lower–upper bound) of total dioxins/furans, total dioxin-like PCBs and total PCBs were 2.01–2.05 ng I-TEQ/kg dw, 0.04–0.05 ng WHO-TEQ/kg dw and 1.55–1.55 μg/kg dw, respectively. Progressively elevated levels of these POPs were observed in the compost samples during the fermentation process. Analysis of the congener profiles revealed that the heptaCDD and octaCDD were the main contributors to the observed increase in dioxin/furan content. The possible sources of dioxins/furans in the compost were discussed. The study results established a local dioxins/furans emission factor specific to the trade and provided a better estimate of the annual dioxins/furans emission for the livestock waste composting activity in Hong Kong.     

A study of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the livestock waste compost of Hong Kong,PR China

Composting is one of the waste disposal methods adopted for disposal of livestock waste in Hong Kong. The composting livestock waste normally undergoes 6–8 weeks fermentation, followed by 16–20 weeks maturation. The matured compost is sold as soil conditioner in the local market. In 2006, feedstock material and a time-series of compost samples were collected throughout the fermentation and maturation process from the Sha Ling Composting Plant in the New Territories. The feedstock material and compost samples were analyzed for contents of three unintentional persistent organic pollutants (POPs), i.e. dioxins/furans, dioxin-like PCBs and total PCBs. These POPs are unintentionally produced by-products of chemical industrial processes and combustion processes. Selected heavy metals were also analyzed, which served as conservative tracers to determine potential mass loss during the composting process. Levels of contamination by these POPs were found to be low in the matured compost for sale. The mean concentrations (lower–upper bound) of total dioxins/furans, total dioxin-like PCBs and total PCBs were 2.01–2.05 ng I-TEQ/kg dw, 0.04–0.05 ng WHO-TEQ/kg dw and 1.55–1.55 μg/kg dw, respectively. Progressively elevated levels of these POPs were observed in the compost samples during the fermentation process. Analysis of the congener profiles revealed that the heptaCDD and octaCDD were the main contributors to the observed increase in dioxin/furan content. The possible sources of dioxins/furans in the compost were discussed. The study results established a local dioxins/furans emission factor specific to the trade and provided a better estimate of the annual dioxins/furans emission for the livestock waste composting activity in Hong Kong.     

Levels and patterns of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and biphenyls in surface sediments from the western Baltic Sea (Arkona Basin) and the Oder River estuarine system

Surface sediment samples were collected from the western Baltic Sea (Arkona Basin) and the Oder River estuarine system in May and August 1995 and analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and biphenyls. Contents of PCDF (sum) and PCDD (sum) varied from 2.5 to 820.0 pg g⁻¹ dw and from 12.7 to 2991.0 pg g⁻¹ dw, respectively. PCB contents (sum of 23 congeners) ranged between < 130.0 and 16267.0 pg g⁻¹ dw. Only slight variations in PCDF/D and PCB contents on dry weight basis were found between the Oder River estuarine system and the open Baltic Sea. TOC-normalization of the data showed an approximately homogen PCDF/D distribution in the study area. The distribution pattern for PCDF/D and PCB may be attributed to high sediment dynamics combined with transport processes from the temporary sedimentation basin (Oderhaff) to the deeper parts of the Baltic Sea.     

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in harbor sediments from Sea Lots, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were determined in nearshore marine surficial sediments from three locations in Trinidad. Sediments were sampled at Sea Lots on the west coast, in south Port-of-Spain Harbor, south of Sea Lots at Caroni Lagoon National Park, and on Trinidad’s east coast at Manzanilla. Total PCB concentrations in Sea Lots sediments ranged from 62 to 601 ng/g (dry weight {dw}), which was higher than at Caroni and Manzanilla, 13 and 8 ng/g dw, respectively. Total OCP concentrations at Sea Lots were ranged from 44.5 to 145 ng/g dw, compared with 13.1 and 23.8 n/g (dw), for Caroni and Manzanilla respectively. The concentrations of PCBs and of some OCPs in sediments from Sea Lots were above the Canadian interim sediment quality guidelines. To date, this data is the first report on the levels of PCBs and other organochlorine compounds from Trinidad and Tobago.     

Occurence and Transport of Organic Micro-contaminants in Sediments of the Odra River Estuarine System

Over ninety surface sediment samples (0...3 cm) were collected in the Odra river estuarine system – from the Oderhaff, the Pomeranian Bight, the Peenestrom, the Greifswald Bodden – and the Arkona Basin between 1994 and 1996 and analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) and biphenyls (PCB), and p,p′-dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) including their metabolites. The contents of all investigated organochlorines in the sediments of the western part of the Oderhaff (Kleines Haff) were only slightly higher and more homogenously distributed compared to the values of the Pomeranian Bight and the Greifswald Bodden. PCB contents (sum of 23 congeners) in surface sediments ranged between <130 and 9 550 pg/g (given for dry weight, dw). The results of individual PCB congeners showed that high contents of hexa- and heptachlorinated compounds (PCB 138, 153, 180) were present in the entire area investigated. Generally, low levels of PCDD/F were found in surface sediments of the Odra river estuarine system due to small industrial activities in the catchment area. Contents of PCDF (sum) and PCDD (sum) varied from 2.5 to 820 pg/g (dw) and from 13 to 2 991 pg/g (dw), respectively. The congener contents of PCDF showed a nonuniform picture between the Oderhaff and the Arkona Basin. In contrast, the congener profiles of PCDD showed approximately similar patterns at nearshore and offshore stations, with highest values of OCDD (octa CDD). We assume that most of the particulate-bound micro-contaminants (PCB, PCDD/F) are deposited in the eastern part of the Oderhaff (Stettin Lagoon), which acts as a temporary trap and opurificationπ basin for the suspended particulate matter (SPM). One pathway for further transport of the particles seems to be the way on a small sedimentation strip along the island of Usedom via the “Saßnitz-trough” into the deeper parts of the western Baltic Sea.     

Dioxin-like compounds in sediments from the Daliao River Estuary of Bohai Sea: distribution and their influencing factors

The concentrations, compositional profiles, and potential ecological risk of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) in sediments of the Daliao River Estuary were investigated. Total concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PCNs were in the range of 11.3-133.2 ng/kg dry weight (dw), 1 971-37 632 ng/kg dw and 33.1-284.4 ng/kg dw, respectively. The total TEQ values varied from 0.37 to 4.08 ng/kg dw, with the dominant contributions by PCDD/Fs, then by PCBs and PCNs. The spatial distributions of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PCNs in the river estuary were much related to hydrodynamic conditions. The risk of contamination to the deeper sea was increased in the flood seasons. Moreover, our data confirmed that both organic matter in sediments and molecular properties of dioxin-like compounds were the factors which strongly influenced the partition behavior of these dioxin-like compounds between sediments and water phase in the estuarine zone.     

Perylene dominates the organic contaminant profile in the Berau delta, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

The geographical distributions of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene, and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethene (4,4'-DDE) were studied in the Berau delta (East Kalimantan, Indonesia), using sediment sampling and passive water sampling with semipermeable membrane devices. High concentrations of perylene were observed in sediments (54-580 ng g(-1) dry weight), and water (1-680 pg L(-1)). Perylene accounted for about 60% of the total concentrations of PAHs in the sediment. The relative abundance of the other PAHs was indicative of petrogenic sources. Concentrations of PCBs, hexachlorobenzene, and 4,4'-DDE in sediments were below or close to the detection limit (～ 0.02 ng g(-1)). The analysis of a sediment core revealed no appreciable changes in the concentration of target compounds over the past three decades. We show that sediment sampling and passive water sampling are complementary techniques, and propose to bring the results of both methods to the same concentration scale, using locally derived sediment-water partition coefficients.     

Historical records of organic pollutants in sediment cores

Analyses of sediment core samples are primary sources of historical pollution trends in aquatic systems. Determining organic compounds, such as POPs, in the dated sediments enables the estimation of their temporal concentration changes and the identification of the contaminant origin in local regions. Wars, large-scale fires, economical transitions, and bans on certain chemicals are reflected in the sediment organic compound concentrations. The high POP concentrations in surficial sediments suggest that these chemicals, even after being banned, remain in the environment. Furthermore, vertical profiles can help in understanding the sedimentation process and in estimating effective countermeasures against pollution. Moreover, studies published during the period 1991–2013 on PAHs, PCBs, OCPs, dioxins and dioxin-like compound concentrations in sediment core samples are reviewed.     

Distribution and bioaccumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides residues in sediments and Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) from along the Mid-Western coast of Korea

The distribution and bioaccumulation features of PCBs, DDTs, and HCHs were investigated in the sediments and Manila clams collected from along the Mid-Western coast of Korea. The measured concentrations of ΣPCBs, ΣDDTs and ΣHCHs were 1.08–3.5, 0.12–0.35 and 0.090–0.30 ng g⁻¹ dw in sediment, and 33–390, 7.4–46 and 6.3–27 ng g⁻¹ lipid in Manila clam, respectively. Their levels were found to be relatively lower than those of other contaminated areas and the consumption of Manila clam from these areas seems to be safe for human health according to calculated lifetime cancer risk and hazard indices. The ΣPCBs and ΣDDTs concentrations in sediments showed a significant relationship to those in clams. The significant correlation was observed between BSAF in clams and K_ow for each PCB congeners and DDT metabolites. These findings support that the PCBs and DDTs levels, which are highly hydrophobic chemicals, in clam reflect the sediment pollution through bioaccumulation.     

Accumulation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in sediments of the Venice Lagoon and the industrial area of Porto Marghera

Two sediment cores collected from the central Venice Lagoon and five from the canals of the nearby industrial area were studied in order to assess the temporal evolution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) delivery and present trends. The most polluted site is C12, in the Brentella Canal, with a total equivalent (TEQ) concentration of 2858 and 64,130 ng kg-1 at the surface and at 18-20 cm depth, respectively. High values can be also found in the Nord Industrial Canal and in the Salso Canal: 3000 and 2500 ng kg-1, respectively. Lagoon samples are much less contaminated, with TEQ downcore maxima of 22 and 53 ng kg-1, being influenced by pollutants stored in sediments of the canals only occasionally. Sediment chronology, based on 210Pb and 137Cs activity-depth profiles, shows that the highest fluxes occurred in the 1970s and early 1980s, and that pollution is now decreasing. Homologue profiles can distinguish PCDD/Fs from different sources: combustion for octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) and stripping of VCM for octachlorinated dibenzofuran (OCDF) alone, whereas several activities carried out in the past within the industrial area can be responsible of the overall contamination by furans.     

Integrative assessment of coastal pollution: Development and evaluation of sediment quality criteria from chemical contamination and ecotoxicological data

Elutriate embryo-larval bioassays with sea-urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) were conducted concurrently with chemical analyses of sediments and biota as part of an integrative assessment of pollution in highly productive coastal regions. High metal contents and organic compounds in sediments and mussels were found in localised areas from the inner part of the estuaries indicating a clear anthropogenic influence. In particular, average maximum concentrations of 2803 mg Cu/kg dw, 776 mg Pb/kg dw, 2.5 mg Hg/kg dw and 5803 μg ∑₇PAHs/kg dw were measured in sediments from the most polluted sites. Significant correlations were observed between sediment chemistry and toxicity bioassays. Moreover, the Mantel test revealed a significant correlation (r_M=0.80; p<0.01) between sediment pollutant concentrations and toxicity data profiles. In addition, sediment quality criteria were used to help in the ecological interpretation of sediment chemistry data and to identify pollutants of concern. The toxicity bioassays identified polluted sites and quantified the level of toxicity, providing a cost-effective tool to complement the routine chemical monitoring currently conducted in European coastal waters with ecologically relevant information. This is in line with the recent European legislation that advocates the use of biological tools with the ultimate aim of protecting marine resources from anthropogenic substances that will affect their sensitive early life stages.     

Distribution and source apportionments of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in mariculture sediments from the Pearl River Delta, South China

Surface and core sediments collected from six mariculture farms in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) were analyzed to evaluate contamination levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The ∑PCBs (37 congeners) concentrations ranged from 5.10 to 11.0 ng g(-1) (mean 7.96 ng g(-1)) in surface and 3.19 to 22.1 ng g(-1) (mean 7.75 ng g(-1)) in core sediments, respectively. The concentrations were significantly higher than that measured in the sediments of their corresponding reference sites, whereby the average enrichment percentages were 62.0% and 42.7% in surface and core sediments, respectively. Significant correlations (R2=0.77, p<0.05) of PCB homologue group proportions between fish feeds and surface mariculture sediments suggested that fish feed input was probably the main source for the enrichment of PCBs. Due to the fact that PCBs could be transferred along food chains, PCB contamination in fish feeds and mariculture sediments should not be overlooked.     

Survey of dioxins in Tokyo Bay bottom sediment

This paper examines dioxin profiles in bottom sediments from Tokyo Bay, Japan using sedimentation dating based on 210Pb measurements and dioxin measurements based on particle size distributions. Dioxin concentrations in surface sediment ranged from 3.2 to 52 pg-TEQ g(-1), with the concentrations in the bay back and central region being higher than those at the front of the bay. The vertical dioxin concentration in sediment core samples showed peak levels from years 1962 to 1980, with the maximum being 110 pg-TEQ g(-1). Principal component analysis indicates that the main source of dioxins in bottom sediment from the back of bay are herbicides such as CNP, while in the front of bay atmospheric deposition due to incineration activities are responsible. Dioxins in bottom sediment were mainly found in the particles <75 microm in size.     

Distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in the water, sediment and fish from the Pearl River estuary, China

The concentrations and distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls were determined in water, surface sediments and fishes from the estuaries of Pearl River, PR China. The results showed that the concentrations ranged from 2.47 ng l-1 to 6.75 ng l-1 in water, from 11.13 ng g-1 to 23.23 ng g-1 in sediments (dry weight) and from 68.64 ng g-1 to 316.85 ng-1 in fish (lipid weight). It was found that the feeding habits of fish were very significant in the accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls and pattern of congeners. Carnivorous and benthic fishes such as eel (Anguilla japonica) and Chinese sea catfish (Arius sinensis) were found to have high concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls and of high-chlorinated congeners, while herbivores such as shad (Clupanodon punctatus) and mullet (Mugil cephalus) exhibited an opposite trend. Congeners IUPAC Nos. 153, 138, 118, 87/81, 170 and 52 were found frequently in most samples (both sediment and fish). In comparison with other places in the world, the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediment and fish from the estuary of Pearl River were low.     

Dioxins and PCBs in Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) from the North-East Atlantic

The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) is a high-trophic fish species present in Arctic waters. The present study aimed to determine concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDDs/Fs), dioxin-like (DL) PCBs and six non-dioxin-like (NDL) PCBs in muscle and liver from 10 female Greenland sharks collected between 2001 and 2003 from Icelandic waters. The mean total concentrations of PCDDs/Fs were 13 and 530pg/g fat for muscle and liver, respectively, and show enrichment in the liver. Concentrations of DL-non-ortho PCBs were also higher in liver compared to muscle with mean concentrations of 7.8 and 0.36ng/g fat, respectively. No enrichment in the liver was found for DL-mono-ortho- and NDL-PCBs. No correlation was found between the size range studied and total concentrations of the compounds analyzed. Total WHO-TEQs (PCDDs/Fs and DL-PCBs) ranged between 7.1-70 and 54-1500pg/g fat in muscle and liver, respectively.     

Environmental contamination associated with a marine landfill (‘seafill’) beside a coral reef

In Bermuda, bulk waste such as scrap metal, cars, etc., and blocks of cement-stabilized incinerator ash (produced from burning garbage) are disposed of in a foreshore reclamation site, i.e., a seafill. Chemical analyses show that seawater leaching out of the dump regularly exceeds water quality guidelines for Zn and Cu, and that the surrounding sediments are enriched in multiple contaminant classes (metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum hydrocarbons, dioxins and furans, polychlorinated biphenyls and an organochlorine pesticide), i.e., there is a halo of contamination. When compared against biological effects-based sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), numerous sediment samples exceeded the low-range values (where biological effects become possible), and for Hg and Zn exceeded the mid-range value (where they become probable). A few metres away from the edge of the 25 acre dump lies a small coral patch reef, proposed here as most contaminated coral reef in the world.     

Concentrations and hazard assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in shark liver from the Mediterranean Sea

Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (DDTs), were determined in the liver of two different shark species Prionace glauca (blue shark) and Dalatias licha (kitefin shark) from the Mediterranean Sea. In blue shark liver, the concentrations of PCBs (2482 ngg(-1)) and DDTs (2392 ngg(-1)) were comparable, while in kitefin shark the hepatic concentrations of DDTs (4554 ngg(-1)) were significantly higher than those of PCBs (1827 ngg(-1)). Contamination levels differed between species, with kitefin shark showing consistently higher concentrations of DDTs, and blue shark higher levels of PCBs. Congener-specific PCB profiles, similar between the two species were dominated by the higher chlorinated congeners (hexachlorobiphenyls: 62.8-63.9%, penta-: 15.2-21.3%, hepta-: 13.4-14.5%) with most of the lower chlorinated congeners being absent or present at very low levels. In both species, the total 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenz-p-dioxin toxic equivalent (TEQs) concentrations (blue shark: 2.51 pg/g; kitefin shark: 1.46 pg/g) seem to be relatively modest. Regards to DDT component pattern, p,p'-DDE was dominant in the liver of both species (blue shark: 81.5%; kitefin shark: 38.0%), while the percentage composition of the other metabolites was differently characterized. The composition pattern of DDTs and the low value of p,p'-DDE/DDTs ratio in the specimens from Ionian Sea suggest that organochlorine pesticide contamination is still continuing in this marine environment.     

The use of transplanted cultured mussels (Mytilus edulis) to monitor pollutants along the Ninety Mile Beach, Victoria, Australia— II. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans

Commercially cultured strings of mussels were transplanted to five sites along the Ninety Mile Beach, Victoria, Australia, to assess the operational impact of an ocean outfall on bioaccumulation of dioxins and furans. The monitored outfall discharges a complex effluent containing secondary treated domestic, industrial and pulp and paper mill effluent as well as oil and gas production waste waters. Mussels were deployed twice yearly for a period of 3 years, with both pre-discharge and post-discharge data collected. Mussel tissue furan concentrations were generally below detection limits, whereas dioxins were detected in all tissue samples. Tissue dioxin congener profiles were similar to unpolluted seawater, with penta-, hepta- and octa-substituted dioxin congeners being detected in the highest concentrations. Tissue concentrations of dioxins and furans in deployed mussels provided no evidence to suggest that bioaccumulation of dioxins discharged from the ocean outfall was occurring.