Occurrence of Pesticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), and Heavy Metals in Sediments From the Dniester River, Moldova

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate sediments of the Dniester River, in the former Soviet republic of Moldova, for the occurrence of agricultural pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and heavy metals. In October 2001, sediment samples were collected at three locations of the Dniester River: upstream, downstream, and at the tributary of the River Byk. DDT and its metabolites were observed most frequently. Total DDT sediment concentrations ranged from 8.2 to 34.7 ng/g dry weight with the highest average concentration detected at the tributary location. Heptachlor epoxide (< 0.2-3.0 ng/g dry weight), chlordane (< 0.1-6.1 ng/g dry weight), endrin (< 0.2-2.5 ng/g dry weight), phosalone (< 0.2-1.1 ng/g dry weight), and methylparathion (< 0.2-16.8 ng/g dry weight) were also detected. Total PCB concentrations observed in sediments ranged from 68 to 763 ng/g dry wt. Total average PCB concentrations were significantly (p < or = 0.004) higher for sediments from the downstream sampling sites compared to the upstream samples. Tetra- and trichlorobiphenyls accounted for 84 and 88% of the total residues measured in the downstream and tributary locations, respectively. In contrast, heptachlorobiphenyls were the prevailing homologues in sediments from the upstream sampling site, contributing 51% of the total PCB concentration. Predominant PCB homologues were: trichlorobiphenyl congener 28 and 37, tetrachlorobiphenyl congeners 44, 49, 52, 74, 77, and 81, and heptachlorobiphenyl congener 170. Sediment concentrations of SigmaDDE (19.7 ng/g dry weight) in the tributary, heptachlor epoxide (3.0 ng/g dry weight) in the downstream, and nickel (128-170 microg/g dry weight) in all locations exceeded Probable Effect Levels (PELs) established for sediment quality in fresh water, indicating probable environmental stress and the potential for adverse effects to benthic organisms in the Dniester River.

The role of a lowland reservoir in the transport of micropollutants, nutrients and the suspended particulate matter along the river continuum

“…Similar results were reported by Sapozhnikova et al (2005) on the basis of the Dniestr River research. The authors demonstrated that downstream sampling sites had significantly higher concentration of total PCBs as compared with the upstream samples.…”

Detection and measurement of the agonistic activities of PCBs and mono-hydroxylated PCBs to the constitutive androstane receptor using a recombinant yeast assay

“…Less chlorinated PCBs are relatively easily metabolized, are not so highly persistent and are therefore not so readily detected in higher organisms. However, PCBs with low chlorine numbers and their hydroxylated products have been measured in sediments and in aquatic organisms such as mussels and fishes (Sapozhnikova et al, 2005;Sakiyama et al, 2007;Sakiyama, unpublished data). In addition, it has been experimentally shown that PCBs with low chlorine numbers are metabolized to OH-PCBs in the mammalian body (Brandt et al, 1982;Wehler et al, 1989).…”

Polychlorinated Biphenyls Contamination of Sludge in India

“…77, 126 and 169) having dioxin-like properties were reported to be the most toxic congeners [24]. Among them, the congener 77 existed in all samples, and its concentration was not found to be affected with respect to increasing depth profile from 0 to 30 cm.…”