Abstract
The aim of this study is to investigate present-day contamination levels of selected organic pollutants (POPs) in channel side bars and identify their sources. The studied area is located on the Odra River in the north-eastern part of the Czech Republic (at the border between the Czech Republic and Poland), between the city Bohumín and Odra´s confluence with Olše River. Sediment samples were taken directly from the channel side bars and subsequently measured for grain size analysis, concentrations of total organic carbon (TOC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and specific biomarkers (terpenoids). Three main facies were recognized in channel side bars. Grain-size analysis showed the predominance of silt fraction, followed by variable sand contents, whereas the contents of clay fraction were almost stable. No statistically significant correlation was found between grain size and the concentrations of POPs except a weak correlation between PAHs, PCBs and sand fraction. POPs including PAHs, PCBs and OCPs showed high variability. In all samples, the sum of PAHs (maximumvalue of 78.1 mg kg-1) greatly exceeded the Czech preventive limit for dry soil. The sources of PAHs were analysed by employing diagnostic ratios and plots of specific PAH compounds. The results showed a high degree of correspondence suggesting a petrogenic origin associated with direct input into the river system. Relatively high concentrations of PAHs are a consequence of the vicinity of the pollution source and location in natural river reach enabling sedimentation of polluted sediments. Concentrations of PCB, hexachlorobenzene and DDT metabolites were almost insignificant in most of the samples, except for several samples having higher PCB values (maximum value of 47.6 μg kg-1). Specific biomarker compounds were used as an indicator of the presence of fossil matter, and H29 17α(H),21β(H) hopane showed the highest concentrations. The homohopane index indicated petroleum and vehicle exhausts origin. TOC revealed a positive correlation with specific biomarkers (homo hopanes and 16 α(H)- phyllocladane, hexachlorbenzene and PCB.
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