Biological Activity in a Heavily Organohalogen-Contaminated River Sediment (8 pp)

Background, Aims and Scope Sediments of the Spittelwasser creek are highly polluted with organic compounds and heavy metals due to the discharge of untreated waste waters from the industrial region of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany over the course of more than one century. However, relatively few data have been published about the chloroorganic contamination of the sediment. This paper reports on the content of different (chloro)organic compounds with special emphasis on polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), and chlorobenzenes. Existing concepts for the remediation of Spittelwasser sediment include the investigation of natural attenuation processes, which largely depend on the presence of an intact microbial food web. In order to gain more insight in terms of biological activity, we analyzed the capacity of sediment microflora to degrade organic matter by measuring the activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes involved in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Furthermore, the detection of physiologically active bacteria in the sediment, particularly of those known for their capability to reductively dehalogenate organochlorine compounds, illustrates the potential for intrinsic bioremediation processes. Methods PCDD/F and chlorobenzenes were analyzed by gas chromatography(GC)/mass spectrometry and GC/flame ionization detection, respectively. The activities of hydrolytic enzymes were determined from freshly sampled sediment layers using 4-methylumbelliferyl (MUF) or 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-conjugated model compounds and kinetic fluorescence measurements. Physiologically active bacteria from different sediment layers were microscopically visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Specific bacteria were identified by 16S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Results and Discussion The PCDD/F congener profile was dominated by dibenzofurans. In addition, the presence of specific tetra and pentachlorinated dibenzofurans supported the assumption that extensive magnesium production was one possible source for the high contamination. A range of other chloroorganic compounds, including several isomers of chlorobenzenes, hexachlorocyclohexane and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (p-chloro-phenyl)ethane (DDT), was present in the sediment. Activities of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes showed a strong decrease in those sediment layers that were characterized by high contents of absorbable organic halogen (AOX), indicating disturbed organic matter decay. Interestingly, an abnormal increase of cellulolytic enzyme activities below the organochlorine-rich layers was observed, possibly caused by residual cellulose from discharges of sulfite pulping wastes. FISH revealed physiologically active bacteria in most sediment layers from the surface down to the depth of about 60 cm, including members of Desulfitobacterium (D.) and Sulfurospirillum. The presence of D. dehalogenans was confirmed by its partial 16S rRNA gene sequence. Conclusions Results of chemical sediment analyses demonstrated high loads of organochlorine compounds, particularly of PCDD/F. Several years after stopping the waste water discharge to Spittelwasser creek, this sediment remains a main source for pollution of the downstream river system by way of the ongoing mobilization of sediment during high floods. As indicated by our enzyme activity measurements, the decomposition potential for organic matter is low in organochlorine-rich sediment layers. In contrast, the comparably higher enzyme activities in less organochlorine-polluted sediment layers as well as the presence of physiologically active bacteria suggest a considerable potential for natural attenuation. Recommendations and Perspectives From our data we strongly recommend to explore the degradative capacity of sediment microorganisms and the limits for in situ activity towards specific sediment pollutants in more detail. This will give a sound basis for the integration of bioremediation approaches into general concepts to reduce the risk that permanently radiates from this highly contaminated sediment. Submission Editor: Dr. Henner Hollert (Henner.Hollert@urz.uniheidelberg.de)     

某垃圾焚烧厂投产前后周边土壤二英类化合物的分布

为研究垃圾焚烧厂运行对周边土壤二英类化合物（PCDD/Fs）含量的影响,采集了珠三角地区某垃圾焚烧厂投产前和投产后周边土壤样品,分析研究了该垃圾焚烧厂运行对周边土壤中PCDD/Fs含量和组分的变化.结果表明:①2012年（投产前）珠三角地区某垃圾焚烧厂周边土壤PCDD/Fs含量较低,范围为163~591 ng/kg（毒性当量范围为0.198~0.863 ng I-TEQ/kg,I-TEQ为国际毒性当量因子折算的毒性当量值）;2017—2019年（投产后）周边土壤PCDD/Fs含量范围为151~1.75×103 ng/kg（毒性当量范围为0.812~3.88 ng I-TEQ/kg）,与其他研究相比处于较低的水平.②投产后,距该垃圾焚烧厂较近（1.5 km）的采样点（S1）土壤PCDD/Fs含量逐年增长,在较远（5.2 km）但人口较密集的采样点（S3）土壤PCDD/Fs含量整体较高,但呈逐年下降趋势.③投产后,土壤中的17种PCDD/Fs单体组分中,毒性当量贡献率最高的单体为八氯二苯并二英（OCDD）和2,3,4,7,8-五氯二苯并呋喃（2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF）,二者毒性当量贡献率范围为15.7%~45.4%.④在同一采样点土壤PCDD/Fs单体组分年间差异不明显,但同一年份不同采样点差异明显.研究显示,目前该垃圾焚烧厂周边土壤PCDD/Fs含量较低,但仍需要长期监测其可能带来的风险.      

垃圾焚烧中PCDD/Fs的检测

ＰＣＤＤ／Ｆｓ的产生和排放是人们所关注的问题，垃圾焚烧是ＰＣＤＤ／Ｆｓ的一个重要来源。从其生成的反应机理看，ＰＣＤＤ／Ｆｓ主要是由于垃夫中存在氯源和不完全燃烧产生的。对垃圾焚烧后的烟气中的ＰＣＤＤ／Ｆｓ进行检验具有现实的意义。从国内外的分析方法及分析设备的现状比较，建议引起有关部门的足够重视，广泛开发检测工作，以保障人民的生活健康。     

毛细管色谱-多离子检测质谱法测定土壤中2,3,7,8-四氯二苯并二噁(2,3,7,8-TCDD)

环境中的多氯二苯并二(口恶)(口英)(PCDD_s)和多氯二苯并呋喃(PCDF_s)是当今最受重视的污染物之一,其中PCDD_s有75个异构体而PCDF_s有135个异构体,它们的毒性大小显著地依赖于氯原子的取代数和取代位置,由于这类污染物的低溶解度和高的辛醇/水分配系数,主要分布在土壤(85％)和沉积物(14％)中,只有1％进入空气、水和生物体.在自然环境中这类污染物代谢降解速度缓慢,从而增加了环境污染的复杂性.而鉴别这类污染物就成为一个主要研究课题.     

The New Jersey Toxics Reduction Workplan for Ny-Nj Harbor: Distribution of Pcdd/Fs in Ambient Waters

As part of the NJ Toxics Reduction Workplan for NY-NJ Harbor, ambient water samples were collected at fifteen locations along the tidal portions of the Hackensack, Passaic, Raritan, Rahway and Elizabeth Rivers, and in Newark Bay, the Arthur Kill, and Kill van Kull. A Trace Organics Platform Sampler was used to collect a total of 75 suspended sediment phase samples between June 2000 and May 2002. These samples were analyzed for spatial and wet vs. dry weather trends in the 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs; modified USEPA Method 1613b). Mean total PCDD/F (tPCDD/F) concentrations at the sampling locations ranged between 3.8 and 41.5 ng/g. On average, OCDD accounted for almost 80% of the tPCDD/F concentrations; mean total [PCDD/F – OCDD] concentrations ranged between 0.84 and 5.20 ng/g at the sampling locations. Mean 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentrations ranged between 0.003 and 0.28 ng/g, with the highest concentrations (> 0.10 ng/g) along the tidal Passaic and lower Hackensack Rivers, and in upper Newark Bay. Mean tPCDD/F Toxic Equivalency Quotients (TEQ) ranged between 45 and 344 TEQ pg/g, with the highest levels found in the lower Passaic River. Toxicity was primarily driven by 2,3,7,8-TCDD concentrations in the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, and in Newark Bay. Examples of congener distribution patterns at some of the sampling locations are also presented.     

杭州城区环境空气中二口恶英浓度状况研究

依据2009年7月至2012年2月连续3年对杭州城区环境空气中二英（PCDD/Fs）采样分析结果得知，杭州城区环境空气中二英毒性当量质量浓度变化范围为0.13～0.55 pg TEQ/m³，均值为0.34 pg TEQ/m³。城区环境空气中二英浓度季节变化不显著，夏季略低于冬季；城区范围内不同功能区之间二英浓度差别不显著；连续3年监测结果未显现二英年度变化趋势。沙尘暴天气环境空气中二英浓度显著增高，日常天气和烟花爆竹集中燃放天气环境空气中二英形态分布存在明显区别，烟花爆竹集中燃放期间八氯代二苯并-对-二英（OCDD）占总质量浓度比例显著提高。利用IBM SPSS Statistics 19.0统计软件对24个监测结果聚类分析发现，杭州城区环境空气中二英的同类物分布具有明显的“源”分布特征。     

广州某观测点春季大气样品中二NFDA1英日均浓度变化分析

在广州某商住区楼顶开展为期1个月的大气样品连续采样,利用高分辨气相色谱-高分辨质谱仪测定了样品中17种毒性二 NFDA1 英(PCDD/Fs)的含量。结果表明,该采样点位样品二 NFDA1 英I-TEQ浓度范围为0.094~1.34 pg I-TEQ/m³,样品日平均浓度相对偏差范围为3.2%~118.8%,6日平均浓度相对偏差范围为1.2%~60.1%,6日平均值更能较好地反映样品长期平均浓度。气象变化对样品中二 NFDA1 英I-TEQ浓度有明显影响,降雨后样品中的二 NFDA1 英I-TEQ浓度明显低于降雨前,降雨前或降雨中样品的二 NFDA1 英I-TEQ浓度与降雨后样品比值最高达到9.0,样品二 NFDA1 英I-TEQ浓度与PM_2.5的线性相关性高于其与TSP、温度相关性,上述三者的r值和P值分别为0.637、-0.296、0.271和0.611、0.326、0.329。     

An occupational exposure assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofurans in firefighters

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are unintentional byproducts of combustion and industrial processes. Firefighters face the risk of occupational exposure to PCDD/Fs. Congener-specific analyses of 17 PCDD/Fs were performed on 20 serum samples collected from firefighters and fire scene investigators, and four soot samples that had deposited on the surfaces of the fire helmets and were collected after the firefighters had fought fires. The PCDD/F concentrations on the helmets that were contaminated by being worn at the fire scenes were 63-285 times higher than those on a clean helmet. The median serum PCDD/F concentration of the 16 firefighters (12 pg WHO₂₀₀₅-TEQ g⁻¹ lipid) was not different from those of the males from the general Taiwanese population (9.4 pg WHO₂₀₀₅-TEQ g⁻¹ lipid). However, the median PCDD/F level in the four fire scene investigators (15 pg WHO₂₀₀₅-TEQ g⁻¹ lipid) was higher than those in the male from the general Taiwanese population (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.01). Furthermore, the serum samples from the firefighters and fire scene investigators, and the soot samples from the fire scenes presented similarly distinctive PCDD/F profiles that had elevated proportions for 10 PCDF congeners. Limited data indicated that the fire scene investigators were occupationally exposed to PCDD/Fs at the fire scenes. We suggested that the firefighters were not occupationally exposed to PCDD/Fs at the fire scenes due to appropriate protection. However, the fire scene investigators may have had more occupational exposure to PCDD/Fs due to poor protection, and further research must be performed to confirm this.     

基于污泥掺烧的某生活垃圾焚烧厂烟道气、飞灰及炉渣中的二(口恶)英特征

以我国南方某生活垃圾焚烧厂掺烧10%市政污泥的生活垃圾为研究对象,对前/后口废气、飞灰、炉渣及用于掺烧的污泥中17种二(口恶)英的含量进行了测定,并分析了其指纹分布特征.结合焚烧工况及处理设施,从生成机理角度探讨了二(口恶)英的排放特征、毒性当量浓度主成分特征及主要单体的排放因子线性关系.结果表明：掺烧10%的市政污泥后,废气中二(口恶)英的去除率为99.4%,低于国家排放标准;固体废物中二(口恶)英含量为飞灰 > 炉渣 > 污泥.这说明采用高温焚烧和"活性炭喷射+布袋除尘"装置不会影响掺烧10%污泥的达标排放.指纹分布特征表明,前口废气以1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF和OCDD为主,后口废气以OCDD和OCDF为主;飞灰、炉渣及污泥中的主要单体为OCDD、1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD、OCDF、1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF.主成分分析显示,前口废气和飞灰中的二(口恶)英毒性分布特征相似;炉渣和污泥的毒性分布特征相似;后口废气有自身的特征.这说明在相同工况条件下,经同一设施处理的废物中二(口恶)英排放特征相似.排放因子分析表明,2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF和1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF、1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD和1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD与总毒性排放因子具有较强的线性关系,且呋喃类（PCDFs）强于二(口恶)英类（PCDDs）.