Occurrence of PCDD/PCDFs, dioxin-like PCBs, and PBDEs in surface sediments from the Neva River and the Eastern Gulf of Finland (Russia)

Abstract

A total of 26 samples of surface sediments collected in the Neva River (including the St. Petersburg city area) and in the Russian part of the Gulf of Finland were analyzed for 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), and 10 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The concentrations of total PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in sediments ranged from < 0.05 to 219 pg g d.w. and from 44 to 246,600 pg g d.w. respectively. The total World Health Organization toxic equivalent (WHO-TEQ) values varied between 0.01 and 59.0 pg g. In the majority of cases, the PCDD/F and dl-PCB concentrations do not exceed the threshold effect level (TEL) recommended by Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) as quantitative target for the sum of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs. The congener profile indicates that combustion is the primary source of PCDD/Fs in most of the studied samples. For the PCBs, the historical use of technical PCB products was identified as the major source. ΣPBDE concentrations ranged from 0.004 to 1.8 ng g d.w. The congener profile results show that BDE-47 (tetra-BDE) is the dominant congener in sediment samples. According to the sediment and water quality guidelines established in the EU (PNEC) and in Canada (FEQG), all the samples studied can be classified as lowly contaminated by PBDEs. The sediment concentrations of PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs, and PBDEs measured in this study were comparable to or lower than those reported for other areas of the Baltic Sea.

Persistent Halogenated Organic Pollutants in Deep-Water-Deposited Particulates from South China Sea

“…Based on our results, OCDD and OcBDF are the main constituents of PCDD/Fs and PBDD/Fs, respectively, and PCB-105 and -118 are the main constituents of DL-PCBs in marine-deposited particulates. In previous studies [ 65 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 ], dioxin-like compounds were found in sea water and sea sediments in open sea areas. If only dioxin-like compounds are considered, in the present study, the PBDF levels were the highest in the deposited particulates, followed by PCDD, DL-PCB, and PCDF, in that order.…”

Simultaneous Determination of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and 2,3,7,8-TCDF in Water Samples by LLE-LTP and HPLC-DAD

“…Water samples heated in a microwave oven inside plastic containers (polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) were analyzed due to the possibility of the formation of PCDD/Fs in the presence of heat and chlorine organic compounds. 6,32 All samples were analyzed in triplicate.…”

“…These compounds have also been formed in pulp and paper companies, as well as by chemical and pesticide industries. 1,6 In general, polychlorinated dioxins and furans are lipophilic substances with low volatility and they show halflives of 7 to 10 years in humans and 25 to 100 years in the environment. 7 In addition, these compounds are resistant to chemical and biological degradations, therefore they are persistent in the environment.…”

Distribution Pattern of Dioxins in Sediment Cores from the Xiangxi River, a Tributary of Three Gorges Reservoir, China

“…The most important sources of PCDD/F are the organochlorine industries, the incineration of mixed waste, metal smelting, refining and the chlorine bleaching of pulp; they present a threat to animal and human health with their persistence and toxicity [2]. In aquatic ecosystems, PCDD/Fs are particle-associated in abiotic compartments, but for biota, they are primarily associated with lipids due to the hydrophobic/lipophilic properties, which lead to the tendency of PCDD/Fs to accumulate in sediments [3]; consequently, the sediment becomes an important secondary emission source, which constitutes a particular threat to the associated biota and other organisms throughout the food web. The contamination status of PCDD/F in sediment is important for the environmental safety of aquatic ecosystems.…”