Analysis of organic micropollutants in sediment samples of the Venice Lagoon, Italy

Abstract

Abstract. Surlhce sediment samples were collected at six locations of the Lagoon of Venice reflecting potential different contamination sources ,and representative of different hydrological situations. Analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofiJrans (PCDD/PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). polycyclic ~omatic hydrocarbons (PtM-Is), linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) and coprost,'mol have been carried out by gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) to m~sess file influence of various pollution sources: urban, industrial and combustion processes. PAHs, PCBs, coprostanol, and LABs showed the highest levels in the sample collected wilhin the city of Venice (Canal Grande) indicating a vet 5' hea', 5, contamination due to combustion sources and to the domestic waste waters directly entering the canals of the city. The highest levels of PCDD/PCDFs were lbund in samples collected near the industrial area of Porto Margbera. The investigation on the PCDD/PCDFs homologue profiles suggested the presence of two different sources tbr fllese pollutants, one due to combustion processes and another one due to the cbemical processes of Porto Marghera.

Steroid Fingerprint Analysis of Endangered Caspian Seal (Pusa caspica) through the Gorgan Bay (Caspian Sea)

“…Spatial variation in the level of fecal sterols herein reported, especially coprostanol (seawater: 45.1–20.3 ng L –1 ; surface sediment: 90.2–70.3 ng g –1 dw; SPMs: 187.7–157.6 ng g –1 dw) is comparable to literature data of other bay regions worldwide such as in the southwest Gulf of Mexico (100–168 ng g –1 dw), Santos Estuary (42.8 ng g –1 dw) and the Sao Sebastiao Channel (6.9–21.7 ng g –1 dw) in Brazil, and Macao Estuary, southern China (150–280 ng g –1 dw) . However, the mean concentration of coprostanol in Gorgan Bay is lower than that found in the Kuwait Bay (29–2420 ng g –1 dw), Black Sea Ukraine (170–2600 ng g –1 dw) and Black Sea Russia (54–5400 ng g –1 dw), Babitonga Bay, Brazil (30–6080 ng g –1 dw), and Venice Lagoon, Italy (40–4410 ng g –1 dw) . Nonetheless, in many of these areas the high levels of coprostanol are affected by the sampling site, short/long-term or acute/chronic nature of outfall close to intertidal sediments, and distance from the main point-source of sewage outfalls …”

“…56 However, the mean concentration of coprostanol in Gorgan Bay is lower than that found in the Kuwait Bay (29−2420 ng g −1 dw), 57 Black Sea Ukraine (170−2600 ng g −1 dw) and Black Sea Russia (54−5400 ng g −1 dw), 58 Babitonga Bay, Brazil (30−6080 ng g −1 dw), 59 and Venice Lagoon, Italy (40− 4410 ng g −1 dw). 60 Nonetheless, in many of these areas the high levels of coprostanol are affected by the sampling site, short/long-term or acute/chronic nature of outfall close to intertidal sediments, and distance from the main point-source of sewage outfalls. 57 The highest level of coprostanol is expected as a proxy for human-feces (anthropogenic sources), microbial reduction synthesis from cholesterol, feces of marine mammals (whales and seals), bird guano, and other terrestrial mammalian animals (cats or livestock).…”

Transport of Gas-Phase Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to the Venice Lagoon

“…Due to its position between the upland drainage and the sea, the Lagoon of Venice has been subject to important anthropogenic inputs of nutrients and pollutants, which have increased greatly with industrial and agricultural development. There are several studies of the impact of industrial and urban activities on the quality of the water and sediment of the lagoon ( − ) but very little is known about the role of the aerosol on chemical contamination of the Venice ecosystem. This study is part of a project evaluating the transport of pollutants to the Venice atmosphere by aerosol to answer specific queries raised by policy makers and public administrators.…”