A comprehensive assessment, source input determination and distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) along with heavy metals (HMs) in reservoir lake sediments from Çanakkale province, Türkiye

Comprehensive research of some semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) at very low levels in Lake and marine waters in Antarctica on-site by SBSE thermal desorption GC-MS/MS: Distribution, source apportionment, ecological and human health implication

Antarctica is not immune to pollution, and Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in Antarctica's water systems can reach the continent through long-range atmospheric transport, ocean currents, and human activities. The aim of this study was investigated the distribution of SVOCs, including PAHs, PCBs, and OCPs, in Antarctic lake and marine waters, assesses their potential sources, and evaluates the ecological and human health risks. The collected water samples were pretreated on-site in Antarctica using the stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) method. Water samples (500 mL) were extracted overnight (16 h), the SVOCs retained in the stir bars were analyzed by Thermal Desorption gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) in a competent laboratory in Türkiye. The method successfully extracted compounds with log Kow values above 2. A total of 33 water samples were analyzed, revealing ΣPAH concentrations between 0.484 and 2.570 ng/L (mean: 1.168 ng/L), ΣPCB between 0.099 and 0.343 ng/L (mean: 0.219 ng/L), and ΣOCP between 0.162 and 1.338 ng/L. Naphthalene, benz(a)anthracene, phenanthrene, and fluorene were the predominant PAHs, while PCB 101, PCB 52, PCB 28, biphenyl, cypermethrin, and beta-HCH were dominant among PCBs and OCPs. Elevated concentrations were observed at M4, L4, L5, and L9. Diagnostic ratios suggest petrogenic sources, particularly fossil fuel combustion and ship transportation emissions. Risk assessment showed that RQ values for SVOCs were below 1 in all samples, indicating negligible environmental risk. Furthermore, BaPeq values confirmed no immediate carcinogenic threat. Health risk analysis suggested that exposure to these pollutants does not pose significant non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks to children or adults based on regulatory criteria.

Dioxin and PCB levels in sea trout with ulcerative disease syndrome

This paper reports concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fish with symptoms of ulcerative disease syndrome (UDS) and in healthy fish collected from the Słupia River in northwestern Poland. Altogether 174 samples from sea trout were analyzed using an isotope dilution technique with high-resolution gas chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The levels determined in material collected from healthy and diseased fish did not raise concerns for human health. All results were below the maximum permitted levels established in European Commission Regulation No 2023/915. However, considering instead fish health, dioxins and PCBs could have a negative effect at the levels detected. The highest concentration of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs (DL- PCBs) was found in diseased sea trout muscles and was 6.19 pg World Health Organization Toxic Equivalents (WHO-TEQ) g-1 fresh weight (f.w.). The most-accumulated dioxin congeners were 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorinated dibenzofuran (TCDF) and 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorinated dibenzofuran (PeCDF). The most abundant DL-PCBs were PCB-118 and PCB-105, and among non-dioxin like PCBs they were PCB-153, PCB-138, and PCB-101. The polluted sea trout environment and exposure to a mixture of chemical pollutants may increase the incidence of disease. The presence of dioxins and PCBs in their bodies may disrupt the functioning of their immune system. Also the time of spawning, when the fish are exhausted, may affect the increase in the incidence of UDS.

Chemo-metric appraisal on the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in marine environment of Alang Ship Breaking Yard, India

This study investigated the comparative assessment of 15 priority USEPA polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine sediments and seawater at the world's largest shipbreaking yard Alang, Gujarat. The ∑PAHs concentration was found in between 0.30 and 31.35 μg/g in marine sediment and 0.02 to 3.22 μg/L found in seawater among all sampling spots. Furthermore among all PAHs fluoranthene showed a higher concentration followed by pyrene, indeno [1,2,3-cd]pyrene, and benz[a]anthracene in marine sediment. Four-ring compounds present higher compared to 2-3 rings, 5 rings, and 6 rings of PAHs from selected study areas. Diagnostic ratios were also applied for the possible sources of identification and present study area contaminated by both pyrogenic and petrogenic sources. The analysed data were also used for correlation study with seawater physicochemical parameters to identify positive correlations for their occurrences. The Nap, Flu, Flt, Pyr and BaA having the strong positive correlation with the seawater quality. Dibenz[a,h]anthracene showing zero coefficient with measured sea water quality. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicates, the control sampling spot is significantly different from other spots and this pattern was found in both sediments and water.

Risk assessment and contaminant characterization of PCBs, PAHs, and heavy metals in Pichavaram mangrove sediments, Tamil Nadu, India

The coastal region of Pichavaram, Tamil Nadu, India, is a critical ecological zone that supports diverse marine life and local livelihoods; however, it faces significant environmental challenges due to contamination from persistent toxic substances (PTSs) and heavy metals, which pose serious ecological and human health risks. In the present study, sediment samples collected from the mangrove environment were tested for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heavy metals. The results revealed elevated concentrations of ∑PCBs (6-124 ng/g) and ∑PAHs (3.19-37.8 ng/g), alongside heavy metals such as Pb (11-26 μg/g), Cd (0.3-0.87 μg/g), Cu (below detectable levels, bdl)-31 μg/g), Ni (bdl-119 μg/g), and Zn (27-109 μg/g), indicating significant environmental contamination. The total PCB concentrations surpassed the guideline values, indicating potential risks to aquatic life. Elevated naphthalene levels in Kodipallam suggest petrogenic inputs from oil spills and urban runoff. Carcinogenic PAHs, including benzo[a]pyrene, are found at high levels in industrial zones such as Killai, and pose moderate ecological risks. Heavy metals such as As (68-140 μg/g), Cr (25-120 μg/g), and Mn (94-471 μg/g) often exceeded the threshold effect levels (TEL) and probable effect levels (PEL), indicating significant ecological risks and potential human health impacts. Coastal sediment contamination, driven by discharges from chemical industries, oil refineries, metal manufacturing, and agricultural runoff, poses long-term risks to marine life and human health through the bioaccumulation of persistent pollutants in the food chain. This study provides crucial baseline data for future monitoring and emphasizes the need for stricter regulatory measures and pollution management strategies. Recommendations include regular sediment quality monitoring, public awareness campaigns on pollution sources, and sustainable practices to mitigate risks, thereby protecting the coastal environment and local communities.

The development of a novel, green, efficient, and eco-friendly GC-MS/MS analytical method for the reliable and rapid determination of dl-PCBs, and PCDD/Fs using hydrogen as a carrier gas and a modified ion source

The polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) are worldwide contaminants, and they tend to accumulate in wide variety of matrices. Therefore, due to the highest accumulation rate and recalcitrancy, their precise quantification makes significant concern about their toxicological effects on both humans and organisms. The objective of the study is that using hydrogen carrier gas instead of helium in gas chromatography with triple quadrupole (GC-MS/MS) systems could contribute to improvements on the analysis of dl-PCBs and PCDD/Fs in environmental matrices. The study evaluates the performance of the analysis time under the desired chromatographic resolution criteria for PCDD/Fs analysis, monitoring the plausible mass spectrum/fragmentation ratio changes, and finally the quantification limits of the targeted most toxic persistent organic compound congeners. The main advantage of using H2 carrier gas is that the analysis time was drastically reduced (∼2.5 times) along with improved resolution due to an increase in peak widths in ∼0.6-0.7 factor. This study emphasized that the resolution was remarkably affected by the hexa congeners of PCDD/Fs; nearly baseline separation was observed. However, the sensitivity was slightly reduced (∼6-7 fold), which affected the calibration starting concentrations (0.8-3.2 pg/μl). The acquired mass spectra indicated that the lower fragment enhancement was noticeable, particularly on higher chlorinated ones (hexa, hepta, and octa congeners). The calculated ortho-effect values (1-58) in this study are consistent with the previous results in the literature (1-66 and 1-83) and supports the conclusion about the observations of lower fragment enhancement. Despite non-detection of hydrogenation, there is a significant difference in the quant/qual ion ratios in the studied compounds between helium and hydrogen carrier gas. The finalized methodology was examined, and the performance of the hydroinert® ion source was assessed over a three-month analysis period with a real sample analysis (RSD ≤17.8 %). The results indicate that hydrogen is a potential and reliable GC-MS/MS carrier gas in dl-PCBs and PCDD/Fs for environmental matrices.

Quantification of heavy metal contamination and source in urban water sediments using a statistically determined geochemical baseline

Geochemical baselines (GBs) play a crucial role in discerning natural variability from anthropogenic impacts on elemental composition within the environment. However, their applicability in quantifying the contribution of pollution sources to heavy metal contamination in sediments remains understudied. This research aimed to assess the degree of contamination and local pollution source attribution by leveraging geochemical baselines derived from statistical techniques, specifically the relative cumulative frequency (RCF) and 2σ-iterative (2σ-I) methods. In the urban water systems of Ma'anshan City, the major iron ore centre in eastern China, we observed concentration ranges of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in 36 sediment samples ranging from 66.89 to 352.08 mg/kg, 22.01 to 133.37 mg/kg, 22.66 to 50.80 mg/kg, 14.66to 264.37 mg/kg and 73.30 to 2707.46 mg/kg, respectively. RCF and 2σ-I techniques yielded similar GBs with no significant differences (p > 0.05). The geo-accumulation index and contamination factor analysis showed a sediment heavy metal accumulation rank of Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni. The contribution percentage of pollution sources varied with land functional type of watershed. For industry-influenced sediments, the contribution of local sources to Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn was significant, with shares of 43%-88%. Overall, this study highlights the valuable insights provided by GBs for effective management of urban aquatic environments.

Asphalt dust influence on the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in crankcase oil stains of a concrete, covered parking structure

Used crankcase oil is an important source of environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Here, we use gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to measure and compare the concentration of PAHs, including alkylated PAHs, in used oil against new and old oil stains and parking dust collected from a concrete, covered, open parking structure to understand the distribution of PAH in crankcase oil stains. PAH concentration in used oils ranges from 606 ng/mg to 1,592 ng/mg. The PAH distribution in used oil does not match that observed in parking oils stains, parking background, or parking dust. A comparison with PAH distributions in traffic related dusts extracted from the literature and dust collected from a neighboring open asphalt-paved parking suggests that covered parking dust includes substantial contributions from asphalt-paved parking dust, road dust, and/or coal tar dust. The parking dust is the most concentrated source of PAHs in the covered parking structure (PAHs up to 4,371 ng/mg), a small contribution of which can alter the distribution of PAHs in oil stains. Even with this contribution, we were able to observe a significant decrease of the ratio of low molecular weight PAHs to high molecular weight PAHs, and a significant increase in values of the phenanthrene/anthracene and fluoranthene/(fluoranthene + pyrene) ratios when oil stains age, suggesting biodegradation is an active attenuation process in covered, open parking structures.

Organic and heavy metal pollutants in dredged sediment of Oran Harbor, Algeria

Harbors on all coasts regularly silt up, receiving sedimentary inputs that progressively reduce the water depths available for navigation. Consequently, they are routinely dredged to guarantee the depths necessary for navigation. Sediments act as a reservoir for anthropogenic contaminants such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that enter the aquatic system associated with particles or in solution. The objective of this study is to assess the state of pollution by POPs and heavy metals such as copper and zinc, used in large quantities in antifouling paints, in the sediments of the port of Oran. These were characterized by different methods: size, XRD, calcination, FTIR, NMR, GC-MS, and AAS, in order to determine their main characteristics and heavy metals and POPs content. The particle size is determined by laser particle size distribution. Thus, sediments from Oran port are composed of means and end sands, silt, and clay. The XRD analysis shows that the sediments consist mainly of silicates and calcite. The organic matter was determined by ignition loss at 450 and 550 °C; it is about 7%. Analysis by FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, and GC-MS of POPs excerpts shows that the sediments are highly polluted by aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (3372 mg/kg). Finally, metals were determined by AAS method. The results show significant pollution of Zn (313.5 mg/kg) and moderate pollution by Cu (75.6 mg/kg).

Historical sedimentary and evolutionary characteristics of POPs and EDCs in typical regions of the three Gorges reservoir, China

The historical sedimentary and evolutionary characteristics of persistent organic pollutants and endocrine disruptors in typical regions of the Three Gorges Reservoir are scarcely studied. Herein, the 96-year data on contaminated sediment history were reconstructed using Caesium 137 isotope dating. Polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in the involved sediment cores ranged from non-detected (ND) to 11.39 ng/g. The concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ranged from ND to 2075.20 ng/g and peaked in the 1970s owing to natural, agricultural and human activities. Further, phthalate esters (PAEs) and heavy metals (HMs) were detected at concentrations ranging from ND to 589.2 ng/g and 12.10-93.67 μg/g, respectively, with highest values recorded in the 1980s owing to rapid industrialisation and insufficient management during China's early reform and development stages. PAE and HM concentrations have increased in recent years, suggesting the need to focus on industrial and agricultural activities that have caused this impact. Although current pollutant concentrations in sediments do not pose a risk to the aquatic ecosystem, they should be continuously monitored.

Ecotoxicological risk assessments and components of persistent organic pollutants and metals in the historical settlement area (Iznik (Nicea) lake) large water resource sediments

The main objectives of this study are to measure permanent organic and inorganic pollutants in detail in an area that hosts historical structures underneath and feeds the huge ecosystem with water, to reveal risk values. Total PAH concentrations in the samples ranged from 43.41 to 202.7 ng/g. Total OCP concentration ranged from 5.15 to 17.98 ng/g, while total PCB concentration ranged from 0.179 to 0.921 ng/g. PCB 28/31, 138, and 153 are the highest detected PCBs. It was found that the lake sediment reached toxic equivalent quotient (TEQ) values of 29.21 for total PAHs and 28.90 for carcinogenic PAHs. Negligible concentration risk quotient had a low to moderate ecological and toxicological risk between 12.91 and 64.42. Highest pollution index value was found 3.81 and the risk index value reached 417.4. It has been revealed that toxicologically risky components accumulate over many years even in the best-protected water resources.