Abstract
The spatial distribution of various organochlorinated compounds (PCBs and ОCPs (DDTs, HCB, and HCHs)) were investigated in sediments of Serbia's stretch of the Danube River. The obtained concentrations appeared to be relatively low in comparison with other river sediments worldwide. The results demonstrated a wide range of concentrations (µg/kg dry weight) with the following decreasing order: Σ6DDTs (0.70 - 16.65) > Σ 7PCBs (0.25 - 3.54) > Σ 5HCH (0.04 - 2.28) > HCB (0.06 - 0.62), with a dominance of o,p’ -DDT. Relatively higher ΣDDT concentrations and high DDT/DDE + DDD ratios in two sampling locations near the industrial cities indicates a current DDT usage, probably linked to public health concerns. Compositional analyses indicated that hexa- and hepta-PCBs were dominant for PCBs. Our results indicated that the contamination with PCBs came from nonpoint deposition, such as atmospheric contribution and surface runoff, for lightly chlorinated congeners and point source deposition, such as the industrial sources along river flow, for highly chlorinated congeners, whereas OCPs originate mainly from old residues and new usage of pesticides in agriculture and aquaculture. These results contribute to the sparse regional database for organochlorinated compounds in the Danube basin.
Highlights
In recent years, the accelerated accrual in the human population and industrialization has led to an increase in the waste and emission of contaminants in all environmental compartments
The highest concentration levels of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were detected in the areas of the most developed industrial centers in AP Vojvodina near Bačka Palanka city (Neštin: 3.54 μg/kg dry weight (d.w.)) and Pančevo (Ritopek: 3.27 μg/kg d.w.), which is the consequence of today's active industrial activities amplified by the historical pollution of industrial waste released into the environment of such past, and possible accumulation of these toxic pollutants in the Danube sediment after NATO bombing in 1999
The PCB values obtained in this study were lower compared to the Joint Danube Survey 1 and 2 [7] expedition, which examined the influence of organic pollutants at the Serbian part of the Danube during 2007 and 2013
Summary
The accelerated accrual in the human population and industrialization has led to an increase in the waste and emission of contaminants in all environmental compartments. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and chlorinated pesticides (e.g., DDTs, HCB, HCHs, etc.), are an important group of persistent organic compounds (POPs) included in the Stockholm Convention: they are globally distributed and their properties cause worldwide concern as toxic environmental contaminants [2, 3] in a warming world.
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