Persistent organic pollutants in wood fiber–contaminated sediments from the Baltic Sea

Dahlberg, Anna-Karin; Apler, Anna; Vogel, Lisa; Wiberg, Karin; Josefsson, Sarah

doi:10.1007/s11368-020-02610-6

Cited by 19 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…All field measurements are presented in Apler et al (2014Apler et al ( , 2019Apler et al ( , 2020, Dahlberg et al (2020), Dahlberg et al (2021), andLöfroth et al (2021).…”

Section: Field and Laboratory Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sediments have been (and are still) contaminated with metals and POPs by a range of point and diffuse sources. In Sweden, historically unregulated discharges of wastewater from pulp and paper factories resulted in the accumulation of sediments rich in cellulose fibers and wood chips along the Swedish coast (Apler et al, 2019(Apler et al, , 2020Dahlberg et al, 2020Dahlberg et al, , 2021. Subaqueous, relatively thick cellulose rich deposits (further denoted as fiberbanks) have been found in shallow-water coastal areas close to the mills, and on nearby deeper seabed areas, fiber-rich sediments have formed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fiberbanks differ from more natural, minerogenic sediments by their high fibrous organic content and low densities; some fiberbanks are almost buoyant due to inherent gas production from microbial degradation (Apler et al, 2019;Snowball et al, 2020). No organisms seem to thrive in the fiberbank deposits with the exception of some bacteria (Dahlberg et al, 2021) and the deposits are contaminated with POPs, such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and many metals, including mercury (Hg) (Norrlin and Josefsson, 2017;Apler et al, 2019;Dahlberg et al, 2020). Analyses of benthic biota from fiber-rich sediments show that organisms bioaccumulate the contaminants present in their habitat, thus acting as a vector for transfer to organisms at higher trophic levels (Dahlberg et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing the Risk of Contaminant Dispersion From Fibrous Sediments of Industrial Origin

et al. 2021

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Unregulated discharges of wastewater from pulp and paper factories resulted in the formation of relatively thick organic (cellulose) rich sediments in shallow waters along the Swedish coast. These deposits are known as fiberbanks and are contaminated by persistent organic pollutants (POPs), metals and methylmercury, which can be dispersed by diffusion and advective processes coupled to propeller wash, high river discharges, strong wind waves and submarine landslides. Based on a case study of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), one group of prevalent POPs in the fiberbanks, we present a probabilistic approach to estimate the potential risk of dispersion of fiberbank contaminants. The approach allows for estimation of the dispersal pathways that dominates the risk within a given time and provides more insight about the significance of various dispersion processes. We show that it is highly likely that chemical diffusion and advection triggered by ship-induced resuspension will disperse PCBs (sum of seven congeners; Σ7PCB) above a threshold level for environmental impact, while the likelihood of river and wind-wave generated resuspension dispersion pathways are lower (∼20%, respectively). We further show that there is approximately 5% likelihood that a submarine landslide will disperse Σ7PCB above the threshold level. The study implies that the governing parameters for risk assessment specifically should include reliable data on contaminant concentration, water depth above the fiberbank, estimation of concerned fiberbank areas, time duration of erosive fluid flows and measured diffusion. The approach provides insight into the importance of various dispersion processes. We suggest that it can be applied to support risk assessment, especially when there are limited available data and/or knowledge about the system under study.

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“…All field measurements are presented in Apler et al (2014Apler et al ( , 2019Apler et al ( , 2020, Dahlberg et al (2020), Dahlberg et al (2021), andLöfroth et al (2021).…”

Section: Field and Laboratory Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing the Risk of Contaminant Dispersion From Fibrous Sediments of Industrial Origin

et al. 2021

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“…USA, Brazil and Canada have the largest three pulp and paper industries in the world, and Sweden comes in the fourth place. The relatively long water residence time in the Baltic Sea makes it susceptible to accumulation of pollutants, and considerable efforts have been made to survey and make inventories of sites of lignocellulose-bearing sediments around the Swedish coast of the Baltic Sea (Dahlberg et al 2020;Norrlin et al 2016). Despite that the release of lignocellulose-rich wastewater into rivers, lakes and the Sea has been prohibited in Sweden since 1969, accumulated amounts of lignocellulose-bearing sediments are still present on the Baltic Sea floor and on the bottom of rivers and lakes in Sweden (Severin et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Two types of lignocellulose-bearing sediments can be distinguished: (1) pure lignocellulosic sediments (often referred to as fibrebanks in the Scandinavian literature); a relatively thick deposit that consists mainly of fibrous residues and wood chips, and (2) lignocellulose-rich sediments, which is a thinner layer of lignocellulosic material, mixed with naturally deposited clayey sediments (Apler et al 2019). The lignocellulose-bearing sediments are typically heavily polluted by toxic elements (metals and metalloids) and persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), chlorinated pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and they are often located in shallow waters, entailing a serious threat, both to human and ecological welfare (Apler et al 2019;Dahlberg et al 2020). Due to the persistence of the pollutants, the lignocellulose-bearing sediments pose a serious pollution problem today, half a century after the latest discharges.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polluted lignocellulose-bearing sediments as a resource for marketable goods—a review of potential technologies for biochemical and thermochemical processing and remediation

Haller

Paladino

Dupaul

et al. 2021

Clean Techn Environ Policy

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Lignocellulose-bearing sediments are legacies of the previously unregulated wastewater discharge from the pulp and paper industry, causing large quantities of toxic organic waste on the Baltic Sea floor and on the bottom of rivers and lakes. Several km2 are covered with deposits of lignocellulosic residues, typically heavily contaminated with complex mixtures of organic and inorganic pollutants, posing a serious threat to human and ecological health. The high toxicity and the large volume of the polluted material are challenges for remediation endeavours. The lignocellulosic material is also a considerable bioresource with a high energy density, and due to its quantity, it could appeal to commercialization as feedstock for various marketable goods. This study sets out to explore the potential of using this polluted material as a resource for industrial production at the same time as it is detoxified. Information about modern production methods for lignocellulosic material that can be adapted to a polluted feedstock is reviewed. Biochemical methods such as composting, anaerobic digestion, as well as, thermochemical methods, for instance, HTC, HTL, pyrolysis, gasification and torrefaction have been assessed. Potential products from lignocellulose-bearing sediment material include biochar, liquid and gaseous biofuels, growing substrate. The use of a contaminated feedstock may make the process more expensive, but the suggested methods should be seen as an alternative to remediation methods that only involve costs. Several experiments were highlighted that support the conception that combined remediation and generation of marketable goods may be an appropriate way to address polluted lignocellulose-bearing sediments. Graphic abstract

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Using Fish as a Sentinel in Risk Management of Contaminated Sediments

Karlsson

Waldetoft

Hållén

et al. 2022

Arch Environ Contam Toxicol

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Sediments polluted by historical emissions from anthropogenic point sources are common in industrialized parts of the world and pose a potential threat to the function of aquatic ecosystems. Gradient studies using fish as a bioindicator are an option to assess the ecological impact of locally polluted areas. This study investigates the remaining effects of historical emissions on sediments outside ten Swedish pulp and paper mills using perch (Perca fluviatilis). The aim has been to obtain a general picture of the impact area of local deposits of cellulose fiber-rich sediments containing elevated levels of trace metals, e.g., Hg, and organochlorines, e.g., dioxins. In addition to analyzing contaminant levels in muscle and liver tissue, morphological measures in the fish that constitute biomarkers for health and reproductivity were measured. Another aim was to augment existing historical data sets to observe possible signs of environmental recovery. Overall, the results indicate only a minor elevation in contaminant levels and a minor impact on the fish health status in the polluted areas, which in several cases is an improvement from historical conditions. However, exceptions exist. Differences in the ecosystems' responses to pollution loads are primarily explained by abiotic factors such as water turnover rate, bottom dynamic conditions, and water chemistry. Weaknesses in the sampling methodology and processing of data were identified. After minor modifications, the applied survey strategy has the potential to be a management tool for decision-makers working on the remediation of contaminated areas.

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Persistent organic pollutants in wood fiber–contaminated sediments from the Baltic Sea

Cited by 19 publications

References 31 publications

Assessing the Risk of Contaminant Dispersion From Fibrous Sediments of Industrial Origin

Assessing the Risk of Contaminant Dispersion From Fibrous Sediments of Industrial Origin

Polluted lignocellulose-bearing sediments as a resource for marketable goods—a review of potential technologies for biochemical and thermochemical processing and remediation

Using Fish as a Sentinel in Risk Management of Contaminated Sediments

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