Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in sediments from river and artificial lakes in Serbia

Abstract

In an attempt to evaluate the toxicological condition of the most important river and artificial lakes in Serbia, 52 grab-samples were collected from different locations. Sediment samples were analyzed for PCBs (PCB 28, PCB 52, PCB 101, PCB 138, PCB 153, PCB 180, and PCB 194), organochlorine pesticides (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, benzene hexachloride, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, endrin, dieldrin, DDE, p,p′-DDD, p,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDT, and methoxychlor), triazine herbicides (atrazine, simazine, and propazine) and PAHs (fluoranthene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[g,h,i]perylene, indeno[1,2,3,-c,d]pyrene). The principal objective was to establish the considered basins. The content of triazine herbicides were below the detection limits (<MDL) in all sediment samples. Total contents of PCBs ranged from <MDL to 57.0μgkg−1 and PAHs from <MDL to 728μgkg−1. The concentrations of organochlorine pesticides ranged from <MDL to 113μgkg−1. The most abundant organochlorine pesticide was the DDT and its degradation products. Obtained result shows ongoing recent inputs of DDTs to the rivers. The evaluations suggest that environmental persistent toxic substances levels are generally relatively low, although organochlorine pesticides may be an issue in some areas of the basin (Tisa, Sava, and Topčiderska river).