Occurrence of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in soils and sediments from Eastern Romania

Authors: Dragan, Doina¹; Cucu-Man, Simona²; Dirtu, Alin C.²; Mocanu, Raluca²; Vaeck, Luc Van³; Covaci, Adrian¹

Source: International Journal of Environmental and Analytical Chemistry, Volume 86, Number 11, 15 September 2006 , pp. 833-842(10)

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd

Abstract:

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), such as DDT and analogues, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), were measured in surface soils and sediments from Eastern Romania. Thirty-nine soil samples from the forested zone, eight soil samples from a municipal waste-disposal site, and 10 sediment samples from the Bahlui River along the Iassy city were analysed using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and gas chromatography coupled to electron capture detection or mass spectrometry. The low mean concentrations of OCPs (11-31 and 22-84ngg −1 for HCHs and DDTs, respectively) and PCBs (8-43ngg −1 ) in soil samples from the forested zone suggest that contamination at most of these sites occurred predominantly through atmospheric transport from zones where these compounds were used and subsequently through atmospheric deposition. Contrarily, soil samples collected in the vicinity of a waste-disposal site near Iassy contained higher mean levels of PCBs (278ngg −1 , range 34-1132ngg −1 ) than OCPs (6 and 101ngg −1 of soil for HCHs and DDTs, respectively). The sediment samples collected along the Bahlui river throughout the Iassy city revealed higher mean levels of PCBs (59ngg −1 , range 24-158ngg −1 ) compared with OCP levels (2 and 37ngg −1 of soil for HCHs and DDTs, respectively). Furthermore, PCB profiles and concentrations in the sediment samples varied considerably along the river due to a wide variety of sources, such as different industries and waste sites. Although their sources are difficult to evaluate, the presence of POPs at most sites (especially at the waste-disposal site) may constitute a potential health hazard.

Keywords: Organochlorine pesticides; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Soil; Sediment; Romania

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03067310600665571

Affiliations: 1: Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium 2: Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, University `Al. I. Cuza' - Iassy, Carol. I Blvd. 11, 700506 Iassy, Romania 3: Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, MITAC, Campus Drie Eiken, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium

Publication date: 2006-09-15

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