Monitoring of organic pollutants in marine environment by semipermeable membrane devices and mussels: accumulation and biochemical responses

This study involves the monitoring of organic pollutants using transplanted mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) as bioindicator organisms and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) as passive samplers. Mussels and SPMDs were deployed to marinas, shipyards and shipbreaking yards on the coastal area of Turkey and retrieved after 60 days. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine pesticide (OCP) compounds were analysed with high-resolution GC-MS. Total PAH concentrations in SPMDs and mussels ranged from 200 to 4740 ng g sampler^?1 and from 7.0 to 1130 ng g^?1 in wet weight (ww). PCB and OCP concentrations in SPMDs changed between 0.04–200 and 4.0–26 ng g sampler^?1, respectively. The highest PCB (190 ng g^?1 ww) and OCP (200 ng g^?1 ww) concentrations in mussels were measured at shipyard stations. A strong correlation was observed between the PAH and PCB concentrations in SPMDs and mussels. Enzyme assays (acetylcholinesterase, ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathion reductase and carboxylesterase activities) were performed as biomarkers to reveal the effects of pollution on the mussels. There was no clear relationship found between the enzyme levels and the pollutant concentrations in mussels. Integrated biomarker responses were calculated to interpret the overall effect of pollutants.

     

Occurrence of persistent organic pollutants in sediments and biota from Portugal versus European incidence: A critical overview

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are widespread compounds, such as organohalogenated compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides, which can be found in all types of environmental compartments. Their presence in the aquatic environment is a worldwide problem, with emphasis on sediments which act as depository and consequently as a source of hydrophobic, recalcitrant and harmful compounds. Besides, these pollutants might affect the reproduction and mortality of living organisms, diverging in their potential to bioaccumulate in tissues. The present paper aims to review the occurrence of POPs in sediments and biota from the coastal, estuarine and river areas of Portugal. The list of the studied compounds comprises organohalogenated compounds, PAHs, organometallic compounds, pesticides, sterols, fatty acids and pharmaceutical compounds. The contamination of sediments by various pollutants is presented, such as PAHs up to 7,350 ng g^?1 found in Sado estuary and polychlorinated biphenyls up to 62.2 ng g^?1 in the case of sediments collected in Ria de Aveiro. The occurrence of these persistent toxic substances in sediments demonstrates aquatic contamination from agricultural, industrial and urban discharges and the concern about the potential risks to aquatic organisms, wildlife and humans. In fact, several classes of POPs have also been found in biota, such as polychlorinated biphenyls up to 810.9 ng g^?1 in sentinel fish from the Douro River estuary and pesticides in bivalves from the Sado River estuary. The importance of further systematic research on sediments and biota is here highlighted to compare the contamination of these two reservoirs; to assess their spatial and temporal variation; and to determine other classes of POPs that were not investigated yet (e.g., industrial compounds, estrogens and many classes of pharmaceuticals).     

Field use of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) for passive air sampling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Opportunities and limitations

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were used for measurements in air of twelve polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in two Genoa locations, both on building roofs, distant 300 m from each other. The first, site A, was in front a dismissing steel complex and the second, site B, was in an urban area overlooking a busy thoroughfare. SPMDs were deployed contemporary at the two sites, in nine monthly samplings, from April 2007 to May 2008. The amount of sequestered PAHs, in sites A and B, ranged between 61–267 ng SPMD^?1 d^?1 and 50–535 ng SPMD^?1 d^?1, respectively.PAHs profiles highlighted seasonal differences and suggested the possible role of different PAHs sources in the two areas. In particular, the contribution of remediation works of the steel complex was observed in site A. Moreover, a naphthalene leak from a tank, into the former industrial area, and a fire broke out near site A, were registered by time-integrated measurements of SPMDs.However, the strong dependence between amount of sequestered PAHs and air temperature needs further studies to distinguish between uptake rate variability and seasonal contribution of different sources. Finally, to measure air concentrations with reasonable accuracy, it should be very important to have certified sampling rates for all individual PAHs.     

Use of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs)

Triolein-containing semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) were employed as passive samplers to provide data on the bioavailable fraction of organic, waterborne, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in streams flowing through a highly polluted industrial area of Bitterfeld in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. The contamination of the region with organic pollutants originates in wastewater effluents from the chemical industry, from over one-hundred years of lignite exploitation, and from chemical waste dumps. The main objective was to characterise time-integrated levels of dissolved contaminants, to use them for identification of spatial trends of contamination, and their relationship to potential pollution sources. SPMDs were deployed for 43 days in the summer of 1998 at four sampling sites. The total concentration of pollutants at sampling sites was found to range from a low of 0.8 microgram/SPMD to 25 micrograms/SPMD for PAHs, and from 0.4 microgram/SPMD to 22 micrograms/SPMD for OCPs, respectively. None of the selected PCB congeners was present at quantifiable levels at any sampling site. A point source of water pollution with OCPs and PAHs was identified in the river system considering the total contaminant concentrations and the distribution of individual compounds accumulated by SPMDs at different sampling sites. SPMD-data was also used to estimate average ambient water concentrations of the contaminants at each field site and compared with concentrations measured in bulk water extracts. The truly dissolved or bioavailable portion of contaminants at different sampling sites ranged from 4% to 86% for the PAHs, and from 8% to 18% for the OCPs included in the estimation. The fraction of individual compounds found in the freely dissolved form can be attributed to the range of their hydrophobicity. In comparison with liquid/liquid extraction of water samples, the SPMD method is more suitable for an assessment of the background concentrations of hydrophobic organic contaminants because of substantially lower method quantification limits. Moreover, contaminant residues sequestered by the SPMDs represent an estimation of the dissolved or readily bioavailable concentration of hydrophobic contaminants in water, which is not provided by most analytical approaches.     

Relationship between carbonaceous materials and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the sediments of the Danshui River and adjacent coastal areas, Taiwan

Persistent organic pollutants, POPs (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls) can seriously and deleteriously affect environmental quality and human health. These organic pollutants are exhibiting high affinities to solid phases and thus, quickly end up in sediments. To better understand the role of carbonaceous materials in the transport and distributions of POPs in terrestrial and near-shore environments, concentrations of PCBs and carbonaceous materials (including total organic carbon, black carbon and total carbohydrates), were determined in surface sediments of the Danshui River and nearby coastal areas, Taiwan. Total concentrations of PCBs in the sediments ranged from non-detectable to 83.9 ngg(-1), dry weight, with the maximum value detected near the discharge point of the marine outfall from the Pali Sewage Treatment Plant. These results suggest that the sewage treatment plant has discharged PCBs in the past and the concentrations are still high due to their persistence; alternatively, PCBs are still being discharged in the estuarine and near-shore environment of the Danshui River. Organic carbon and black carbon concentrations correlated well with those of total PCBs in the sediments, suggesting that both organic carbon and black carbon significantly affect the distribution of trace organic pollutants through either post-depositional adsorption, or by co-transport of similar source materials. The field results demonstrate that black carbon and plays an important role in the general distribution of PCBs, while concentrations of some specific PCBs are affected by both black carbon and organic carbon concentrations.     

Source Type Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Surface Sediments from the Muar River and Pulau Merambong,Peninsular Malaysia

This article is the most recent report of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Muar River and Pulau Merambong, Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 16 priority pollutant PAHs in addition to methylphenanthrene among alkylated PAHs were analyzed in surface sediments during May 2013. Total PAHs ranged from 212 to 440 and 151 to 412 ng g^?1 dw in sediments from the Muar River and the Pulau Merambong, respectively. The Muar River showed an increasing trend of PAH concentrations, while no previous data exist for the Pulau Merambong. Generally, mixed petrogenic and pyrogenic sources of PAHs with predominance of the latter were detected in the study area. Effective management of oil pollution has caused a drastic decrease in petrogenic sources of PAHs.     

持久性有机污染物的环境分布与生物危害

介绍了国内外持久性有机物的研究进展，分析了中国典型地区中的持久性有机污染物的分布情况，其中淮河中下游的PAHs含量较高，而大连湾检测出的DDTs和PCBs含量均高于其他地区。持久性有机污染物可以在动植物体内不断富集，据分析，有机污染物在鱼类的富集因子可高达1124．1，持久性有机污染物通过食物链的富集逐级放大，对全球生态构成潜在巨大的威胁。近年来，由于持久性有机污染物的影响，在世界各地出现了动物的死亡、甚至灭绝的现象，而且有机污染物在人体内的蓄积，会对人体产生极大的的影响。最后，就当前存在的问题，提出了对策与建议，指出了该领域的发展方向。     

Occurrence of priority organic pollutants in Strymon river catchment, Greece: inland, transitional, and coastal waters

Twenty-five sampling stations were selected in order to monitor persistent organic pollutants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine (OC) pesticides and total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)) in surface water from Kerkini Lake, the Strymon River, its main tributaries and estuary in N. Aegean Sea during January to July, 2008, according to recent European Union (EU) guidelines. The data were divided among the high (January to April) and the low flow season (May to July). Generally, the values for organic pollutants were within the range reported worldwide for surface water. Elevated PAHs concentrations were observed compared with other places in Greece. Anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene exceeded maximum allowable concentration (MAC) of the relative EU guideline. Also, concentrations above MAC were observed for OCs, γ-HCH, and a-endosulfan. Despite the fact that it is banned since 1972, Aldrin was detected during the monitoring season (from limit of detection (LOD) to 15 ng L(-1)). Total PCB concentrations ranged from LOD to 162 ng L(-1). In addition, the load of organic pollutants was estimated in April (high flow) and June (low flow) in selected sampling stations. According to this estimation, napthalene, anthracene, and fluoranthene (PAHs), total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), aldrin, and total PCBs had the highest load. Taking into account the relative EU guidelines concerning the pollutants studied, the water quality in the Strymon River catchment could be characterized as poor, which can lead to negative impacts to its biota.     

Compositional fractionation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mosses (Hypnum plumaeformae WILS.) from the northern slope of Nanling Mountains,South China

High mountains may serve both as condenser for vapor phase persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and as barrier/sink for particulate associated less volatile POPs. The fractionation of POPs along altitudinal profiles is of interest in understanding the role of high mountains in the atmospheric transport of POPs. In the present study, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a selected moss species, Hypnum plumaeformae WILS, from two altitudinal profiles on the northern slope of Nanling mountains in Southern China were analyzed and compared with those in air samples. The total PAH concentration in the mosses was 310–1340 ng g⁻¹ dry weight, with phenanthrene being the most abundant. The distribution patterns of PAHs in the moss samples matched well with those in bulk atmosphere deposition in the adjacent source areas. The PAH distribution pattern in the mosses was a composite of both particle-associated and vapor phase PAHs, with heavy PAHs are susceptible to uptake/retention by mosses than light PAHs. A plot of log (C_moss/C_air) against log K_oa gave a good linear relationship in the log K_ao range of 6.7–10.2. It is suggested that the widely spread moss, H. plumaeformae WILS, can be used as an effective tool in the biomonitoring of atmospheric PAHs pollution in East Asia. The concentrations of most PAHs in the mosses generally declined with increasing altitude. In addition, there was a shift in compound pattern with an increase in the proportion of light PAHs (2–3 rings), a decrease in heavy PAHs (5–6 rings) and a relatively stable content of 4-ring PAHs. A combination of particulate scavenging and cold condensation are proposed as the major mechanisms for the compositional fractionation of PAHs along the altitudinal profile.     

Pollution sources and occurrences of selected persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in sediments of the Mekong River delta, South Vietnam

The Mekong River delta is one of the largest agricultural land in the Southeast Asia. It plays a very important role for agriculture and fisheries in South Vietnam. However, comprehensive studies on the environmental pollution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in Mekong River delta have not been carried out in recent years. In this study, we collected sediment samples from the Mekong River to evaluate the contamination and ecological risks caused by several POPs. The contamination pattern of POPs was DDT>PCBs>CHLs>HCHs>HCB. DDTs are the most abundant pollutants, their concentration ranging from 0.01 to 110 ng/g dry wt, followed by PCBs (0.039-9.2 ng/g dry wt). DDTs and PCBs concentrations were higher in sediment from adjacent to urban areas than those from rural and agricultural sites, suggesting urban areas as important point sources of DDTs and PCBs to the river. Ratio of p,p'-DDT/p,p'-DDE was lower compared to those previously reported. However, some samples still had the ratio higher than 0.5, indicating recent input of DDT into the aquatic environments. This result shows that although the magnitude of contamination decreased over time, recent inputs of DDTs to the river still occur. Some sediment samples had concentrations of DDT compounds higher than the standards from the Canadian Environmental Quality Guideline, suggesting continuous monitoring for POPs contamination in the Mekong River is necessary.     

Global pilot study for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) using PUF disk passive air samplers

Polyurethane foam (PUF) disks were deployed at global background sites, to test logistical issues associated with a global monitoring network for persistent organic pollutants (POPs). alpha-HCH, exhibited relatively high and uniform concentrations (17-150 pg/m3) at temperate and arctic sites with elevated concentrations associated with trans-Pacific inflow. Concentrations were much lower (<5 pg/m3) in Bermuda, Chile and Cape Grim. Concentrations for gamma-HCH, the main component of lindane, were spatially similar to the alpha-HCH pattern but lower in magnitude (typically, <10 pg/m3). Chlordane concentrations (sum of cis-chlordane, trans-chlordane and trans-nonachlor) were also low (<10 pg/m3). Dieldrin concentrations were in the range 2-25 pg/m3 at most sites but elevated in Bermuda. Back trajectories suggest that advection from Africa and the US may contribute. Endosulfan, a popular current-use pesticide, exhibited highest concentrations ranging from tens to hundreds of pg/m3. There was good agreement between duplicate samplers at each site and PUF disk-derived air concentrations agreed with high volume data. Few logistical/analytical problems were encountered in this pilot study.     

Application of semipermeable membrane device for assessing toxicity in drinking water

Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) mimic passive diffusive transport of bioavailable hydrophobic organic compounds through biological membranes and their partitioning between lipids and environmental levels. Our study was developed on a surface water treatment plant based in Turin, Northern Italy. The investigated plant treats Po River surface water and it supplies about 20% of the drinking water required by Turin city (about one million inhabitants). Surface water (input) and drinking water (output) were monitored with SPMDs from October 2001 to January 2004, over a period of 30 days. The contaminant residues, monthly extracted from SPMDs by dialysis in organic solvent, were tested with the Microtox^TM acute toxic test and with the Ames mutagenicity test. Same extracts were also analyzed with gaschromatography—mass spectrometry technique in order to characterise the organic pollutants sampled, especially Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Although the PAHs mean concentration is about one hundred times lower in the output samples, the mean toxic units are similar in drinking and surface water.

Our data indicate that the SPMD is a suitable tool to assess the possible toxicity in drinking water.     

Persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals in adipose tissues of patients with uterine leiomyomas and the association of these pollutants with seafood diet, BMI, and age

Background, aim, and scope  

Persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals can cause diseases in women, however, the relationships of these pollutants and uterine leiomyomas (UL), which are non-cancerous tumors of the uterus, are unclear. This study focused on the quantification of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and heavy metals in subcutaneous and visceral fat obtained from patients with UL and in subcutaneous fat of a control group of women without UL to determine if there were any correlations between concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals and the incidence of UL.     

Aerobic biotransformation of decabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-209) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Aerobic biodegradation of decabromodiphenyl ether (PBDE-209) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa under the influence of co-metabolic substrates and heavy metal cadmium ion was studied, The results showed that certain amount of co-metabolic substrates, such as glucose, sucrose, lactose, starch, and beef extract, would promote the biodegradation of PBDE-209, among which glucose most favorably accelerated PBDE-209 degradation by about 36% within 5 d. The highest degradation efficiency was reached at the ratio of PBDE-209 and glucose 1:5 while excessive carbon source would actually hamper the degradation efficiency. Exploration of influences of cadmium ion on PBDE-209 biodegradation indicated that degradation efficiency was stimulated at low concentrations of Cd²⁺ (0.5–2 mg L⁻¹) while inhibited at higher levels (5–10 mg L⁻¹), inferring that the heavy metals of different concentrations possessed mixed reactions on PBDE-209 bioremoval. Bromine ion was produced during the biotransformation process and its concentration had a good negative correlation with the residues of PBDE-209. Two nonabromodiphenyl ethers (PBDE-208, PBDE-207), four octabromodiphenyl ethers (PBDE-203, PBDE-202, PBDE-197, PBDE-196) and one heptabromodiphenyl ethers (PBDE-183) were formed with the decomposition of PBDE-209, demonstrating that the main aerobic transformation mechanism of PBDE-209 was debromination.     

Pine needle and semi-permeable membrane device derived organochlorine compounds (OCPs) concentrations in air in Mersin Province to Taurus,Turkey

Abstract

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were analyzed in three different ages (half-, 1.5-, 2.5-year-old) for needles and semi permeable membrane devices (SPMDs) at three deployment periods from sea level to 1881 meter above sea level. Individual HCHs concentrations ranged between 1.4 and 129?pg/g fw depending on the age and sampling season while 2.5-year-old needles showed higher HCHs levels compared to half and 1.5- year-old. Correlation between elevation and HCH concentration in SPMDs was found but not in needle samples. Concentrations of HCHs in SPMDs indicated clearly cold condensation effect on accumulation in winter period and increased with altitude. Concentrations of DDTs in half and 1.5-year-old needles were lower than 2.5-year-old needles. The highest total concentration of DDTs was detected in 1-year-period SPMD. Higher concentrations were found in 2.5-year-old needles for other OCPs. Seasonal and altitude-dependent changes were not observed for other OCPs in SMPDs. Total accumulation of OCPs in SPMDs were found higher than in needles. On the contrary, an increased accumulation rate was observed for HCHs in SPMD. In general, Total concentrations of DDTs and HCHs were similar to total of other OCPs in all altitudes when dominating endosulfan wasnot taken into account in the computation of total concentration of other OCPs.     

Influence of Baltimore's Urban Atmosphere on Organic Contaminants over the Northern Chesapeake Bay

ABSTRACT

Air and precipitation samples were collected along an urban to over-water to rural transect across the northern Chesapeake Bay as a preliminary investigation into the spatial extent of elevated atmospheric concentrations of urban-derived persistent organic pollutants. Air samples were collected daily from June 3–9, 1996, along the transect as part of the Atmospheric Exchange over Lakes and Oceans project. Total (gas + particle bound) atmospheric polycy-clic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations [∑-PAH] ranged from 0.4 to 114 ng/m³, and gas phase polychlorinated bi-phenyl concentrations [∑-PCB] ranged from 0.02 to 3.4 ng/m³. Strong concentration gradients were found for both PAHs and PCBs, with the highest concentrations in the city and the lowest at the downwind rural site. Gas and particle bound PAHs varied independently in the city, possibly due to strong but geographically separated emission sources. A precipitation event collected during westerly winds contained fourfold higher ∑-PAH and twelvefold higher ∑-PCB concentrations at the over-water site than at the rural background location, further indicating that the urban plume extends from Baltimore, MD, over the northern Chesapeake Bay over a spatial scale of approximately 30 km.     

Semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) for monitoring PCDD and PCDF levels from a paper mill effluent in the Androscoggin River, Maine, USA

Paper mill effluents may contain polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) that are normally generated due to chlorinated bleaching of pulp and paper. We used the semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) to monitor PCDD/F levels upstream and downstream of a paper mill on the Androscoggin River, in Jay (ME). Following the 36 day deployment, SPMD dialysis and cleanup, the samples were analyzed by HRGC/HRMS. Total concentrations of PCDD/Fs in SPMDs (sum of all tetra-through octachlorinated congeners) ranged from 4.71 pg g(-1) to 26.26 pg g(-1). Five out of the targeted 17 toxic congeners were detected, including: 2,3,7,8-TCDF; 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF; 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF; 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD and OCDD. Permeability reference compounds (PRCs) were used for in situ calibration of the SPMD sampling rate (Rs). In all sites, water concentrations were the highest for OCDD (0.081-0.103 pg l(-1)), and the lowest for 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF (0.005-0.009 pg l(-1)). There was not a consistent pattern of upstream-downstream gradient in the PCDD/F levels. This suggested that processes other than the mill in Jay (multiple sources, river dynamics) governed the flux of PCDD/Fs in the sampling locations. The SPMD results were validated by comparison to other studies on the Androscoggin River and elsewhere, confirming the potential of the device as a useful monitoring technique for PCDD/Fs in large river systems.     

Passive air sampler as a tool for long-term air pollution monitoring: Part 1. Performance assessment for seasonal and spatial variations

The potential of passive air sampling devices (polyurethane foam disks) to assess the influence of local sources on the quality of the surrounding environment was investigated. DEZA Valasske Mezirici, a coal tar and mixed tar oils processing plant, and Spolana Neratovice, a chemical factory with the history of high production of organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs), were selected as the point sources of PAHs, and OCPs, respectively. Levels of PCBs, OCPs and PAHs were determined for all sampling sites and sampling periods. The study brought useful data about the air concentrations of POPs in the investigated regions. More important, it provided information on the transport and fate of POPs in the vicinity of local sources of contamination useful for the estimation of their influence. Very good capability of passive samplers to reflect temporal and spatial fluctuation in concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in the ambient air was confirmed which makes them applicable for monitoring on the local scale.     

Emissions behavior and distribution of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) from cement kilns in China

The production of cement in China is accompanied by various emissions, such as fine particulate matter, heavy metals, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon dioxide…. Moreover, cement kiln presents a potential health risk to its surroundings, linking to emissions of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), in brief dioxins. Flue gas samples were collected from five typical cement kilns during twelve runs and were used to evaluate the levels and distribution of PCDD/Fs in the emissions from cement kilns. The PCDD/Fs concentrations (136 congeners) and I-TEQ values ranged from 2.3 to >40 ng/m³ and 9.3?～?90.8?×?10^?3 ng I-TEQ/m³, respectively, which were lower than the emission standard in China (0.1 ng I-TEQ/m³). In weight units, the dominant congeners were OCDD, 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF, and OCDF; 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF is the largest contributor (36–66 %) to the total I-TEQ value of twelve runs. HxCDF and TCDF were the first two most abundant homologue groups (12–85 and 4–52 %), and the homologue concentration decreased with rising chlorine number for PCDDs. In addition, there was no marked difference in homologue profiles when solid wastes (refuse-derived fuel and municipal solid waste) and hazardous wastes (DDT and POPs) were combusted as supplemental fuels. The use of various supplemental fuels had no obvious effect on the fingerprint of PCDD/F homologues. Moreover, there was no significant difference in levels of PCDD/Fs emission due to the diversity of production capacity, which were consistent with reported previously. Air pollution control device had effect on the homologue profiles, and cement system with electrostatic precipitators (ESP) had more fractions of octachloro congeners to the total.     

A wintertime study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in indoor and outdoor air in a big student residence in Algiers,Algeria

The wintertime concentrations and diel cycles of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated to atmospheric particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter lesser than 10 μm were determined at the biggest student residence in Algeria located in Bab-Ezzouar, 15 km southeast from Algiers city area. Samplings were carried out from December 2009 to March 2010, and organic compounds were characterized using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection. Volatile PAHs were also monitored inside some student residence rooms in order to evaluate the impact of indoor air pollution to student health. For the sake of comparison, aerial concentrations of n-alkanes and PAHs were determined in parallel in the Oued Smar industrial zone and two suburban areas, all located in Algiers. Total concentrations recorded in CUB1 student residence ranged from 101 to 204 ng?m^?3 for n-alkanes and from 8 to 87 ng?m^?3 for PAHs. Diel cycles have shown that, while concentrations of n-alkanes peaked at morning and afternoon–evening and dropped at night, those of PAHs exhibited higher levels at morning and night and lower levels at afternoon–evening, likely due to the reactivity of some PAHs. As expected, the indoor levels of PAHs were larger than in the outdoor of the student residence and were of serious health concern. Overall, the concentrations of n-alkanes and PAHs were as high as those observed in the industrial zone and higher than the two suburban sites.