Perfluorinated compounds in the Pearl River and Yangtze River of China

A total of 14 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) were quantified in river water samples collected from tributaries of the Pearl River (Guangzhou Province, south China) and the Yangtze River (central China). Among the PFCs analyzed, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were the two compounds with the highest concentrations. PFOS concentrations ranged from 0.90 to 99 ng/l and <0.01–14 ng/l in samples from the Pearl River and Yangtze River, respectively; whereas those for PFOA ranged from 0.85 to 13 ng/l and 2.0–260 ng/l. Lower concentrations were measured for perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorooctanesulfoamide (PFOSA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), perfluorononaoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA). Concentrations of several perfluorocarboxylic acids, including perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA), perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA), perfluorohexadecanoic acid (PFHxDA) and perfluorooctadecanoic acid (PFOcDA) were lower than the limits of quantification in all the samples analyzed. The highest concentrations of most PFCs were observed in water samples from the Yangtze River near Shanghai, the major industrial and financial centre in China. In addition, sampling locations in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River with a reduced flow rate might serve as a final sink for contaminants from the upstream river runoffs. Generally, PFOS was the dominant PFC found in samples from the Pearl River, while PFOA was the predominant PFC in water from the Yangtze River. Specifically, a considerable amount of PFBS (22.9–26.1% of total PFC analyzed) was measured in water collected near Nanjing, which indicates the presence of potential sources of PFBS in this part of China. Completely different PFC composition profiles were observed for samples from the Pearl River and the Yangtze River. This indicates the presence of dissimilar sources in these two regions.     

EU-wide survey of polar organic persistent pollutants in European river waters

This study provides the first EU-wide reconnaissance of the occurrence of polar organic persistent pollutants in European river waters. More than 100 individual water samples from over 100 European rivers from 27 European Countries were analysed for 35 selected compounds, comprising pharmaceuticals, pesticides, PFOS, PFOA, benzotriazoles, hormones, and endocrine disrupters. Around 40 laboratories participated in this sampling exercise. The most frequently and at the highest concentration levels detected compounds were benzotriazole, caffeine, carbamazepine, tolyltriazole, and nonylphenoxy acetic acid (NPE₁C). Only about 10% of the river water samples analysed could be classified as “very clean” in terms of chemical pollution. The rivers responsible for the major aqueous emissions of PFOS and PFOA from the European Continent could be identified. For the target compounds chosen, we are proposing “indicative warning levels” in surface waters, which are (for most compounds) close to the 90th percentile of all water samples analysed.     

The relationships between mercury and selenium in plankton and fish from a tropical food web

Background, aim, and scope  Selenium (Se) has been shown to reduce mercury (Hg) bioavailability and trophic transfer in aquatic ecosystems. The study of methylmercury (MeHg) and Se bioaccumulation by plankton is therefore of great significance in order to obtain a better understanding of the estuarine processes concerning Hg and Se accumulation and biomagnification throughout the food web. In the western South Atlantic, few studies have documented trace element and MeHg in fish tissues. No previous study about trace elements and MeHg in plankton has been conducted concerning tropical marine food webs. Se, Hg, and MeHg were determined in two size classes of plankton, microplankton (70–290 μm) and mesoplankton (≥290 μm), and also in muscle tissues and livers of four fish species of different trophic levels (Mugil liza, a planktivorous fish; Bagre spp., an omnivorous fish; Micropogonias furnieri, a benthic carnivorous fish; and Centropomus undecimalis, a pelagic carnivorous fish) from a polluted estuary in the Brazilian Southeast coast, Guanabara Bay. Biological and ecological factors such as body length, feeding habits, and trophic transfer were considered in order to outline the relationships between these two elements. The differences in trace element levels among the different trophic levels were investigated. Materials and methods  Fish were collected from July 2004 to August 2005 at Guanabara Bay. Plankton was collected from six locations within the bay in August 2005. Total mercury (THg) was determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) with sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. MeHg analysis was conducted by digesting samples with an alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution followed by dithizone-toluene extraction. MeHg was then identified and quantified in the toluene layer by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). Se was determined by AAS using graphite tube with Pin platform and Zeeman background correction. Results and discussion  Total mercury, MeHg, and Se increased with plankton size class. THg and Se values were below 2.0 and 4.8 μg g⁻¹ dry wt in microplankton and mesoplankton, respectively. A large excess of molar concentrations of Se in relation to THg was observed in both plankton size class and both fish tissues. Plankton presented the lowest concentrations of this element. In fish, the liver showed the highest THg and Se concentrations. THg and Se in muscle were higher in Centropomus undecimalis (3.4 and 25.5 nmol g⁻¹) than in Micropogonias furnieri (2.9 and 15.3 nmol g⁻¹), Bagre spp (1.3 and 3.4 nmol g⁻¹) and Mugil liza (0.3 and 5.1 nmol g⁻¹), respectively. The trophic transfer of THg and Se was observed between trophic levels from prey (considering microplankton and mesoplankton) to top predator (fish). The top predators in this ecosystem, Centropomus undecimalis and Micropogonias furnieri, presented similar MeHg concentrations in muscles and liver. Microplankton presented lower ratios of methylmercury to total mercury concentration (MeHg/THg) (34%) than those found in mesoplankton (69%) and in the muscle of planktivorous fish, Mugil liza (56%). The other fish species presented similar MeHg/THg in muscle tissue (of around 100%). M. liza showed lower MeHg/THg in the liver than C. undecimalis (35%), M. furnieri (31%) and Bagre spp. (22%). Significant positive linear relationships were observed between the molar concentrations of THg and Se in the muscle tissue of M. furnieri and M. liza. These fish species also showed significant inverse linear relationships between hepatic MeHg and Se, suggesting a strong antagonistic effect of Se on MeHg assimilation and accumulation. Conclusions  Differences found among the concentrations THg, MeHg, and Se in microplankton, mesozooplankton, and fishes were probably related to the preferred prey and bioavailability of these elements in the marine environment. The increasing concentration of MeHg and Se at successively higher trophic levels of the food web of Guanabara Bay corresponds to a transfer between trophic levels from the lower trophic level to the top-level predator, suggesting that MeHg and Se were biomagnified throughout the food web. Hg and Se were positively correlated with the fish standard length, suggesting that larger and older fish bioaccumulated more of these trace elements. THg, MeHg, and Se were a function of the plankton size. Recommendations and perspectives  There is a need to assess the role of selenium in mercury accumulation in tropical ecosystems. Without further studies of the speciation of selenium in livers of fishes from this region, the precise role of this element, if any, cannot be verified in positively affecting mercury accumulation. Further studies of this element in the study of marine species should include liver samples containing relatively high concentrations of mercury. A basin-wide survey of selenium in fishes is also recommended.     

Occurrence, sources, and inventory of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) in soils from Chongming Island, the Yangtze River Delta (YRD)

Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) is a concern due to their large usage combining with physico-chemical properties and toxicity to wildlife and human. However, very limited data were reported on HBCDs in soils, especially from rural area. In this study, 22 soil samples were collected from Chongming Island at estuary of the Yangtze River Delta, to investigate the level, diasteroisomer profile, potential sources, and mass inventory of HBCDs. The total concentrations ranged from not detected to 93.8 pg g⁻¹ dry weight (dw) with a mean of 23.3 pg g⁻¹ dw, which was at the low end of the global levels. The wide distribution of HBCDs in soils suggested that the local emissions of HBCD-containing materials and/or the inputs via atmospheric transport from other regions were two possible sources. Variation of HBCDs levels was observed in different types of soils. Woodland, tideland and road soils contained slightly higher HBCDs than those of farmland and grassland. Overall, γ-HBCD was the dominant diasteroisomer in soils, followed by α-HBCD and β-HBCD. Significant but weak correlations were only found between α-HBCD and β-HBCD versus TOC content in soils. Currently, the mass inventory of HBCDs in soils of Chongming Island was 5.3 kg. Based on these data, we gave perspective on human intake of HBCDs via soil ingestion by age. Local resident’s intakes ranged from 15.5 to 97.8 fg kg body weight⁻¹ d⁻¹, in which children are exposed more than adults.     

海河干流、大沽排污河沉积物中有机氯农药的残留状况

调查了海河干流和大沽排污河沉积物中持久性有机氯杀虫剂(OCPs)的残留状况.在所选取的16个断面沉积物样品中均有大量HCHs、DDTs检出,表明海河和大沽排污河的DDT和HCH污染相当严重.海河沉积物中HCHs和DDTs总质量浓度分别为3.30～75.96、1.57～221.57 ng/g.大沽排污河沉积物中HCHs和DDTs的残留量分别为2.30～124.61、11.28～237.30ng/g.与国内外部分河流表层沉积物中HCHs、DDTs的含量相比,海河和大沽排污河沉积物中有机氯农药含量较高.最后根据两条河流沉积物中的OCPs的残留量,分析了其可能的污染源.     

Concentrations and distributions of 18 organochlorine pesticides listed in the Stockholm Convention in surface sediments from the Liaohe River basin,China

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were analyzed in 26 surface sediment samples from the Liaohe River basin, and the distributions of and potential environmental risks posed by OCPs in the basin were evaluated. Eighteen OCPs listed in the Stockholm Convention were determined using isotope-dilution gas chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry. This is the first study of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) in the Liaohe River basin sediments. The total OCP concentrations were 0.39–68.06 ng g^?1 dry weight. The total α-, β-, γ-, and δ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), the total dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT – p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD), p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), o,p^'-DDT, and p,p′-DDT), and the HCB concentrations in the sediment samples were 0.1–28.48 ng g^?1 (mean 4.01 ng g^?1), 0.08–6.52 ng g^?1 (mean 3.07 ng g^?1), and 0.18–24.8 ng g^?1 (mean 4.38 ng g^?1), respectively. The HCB concentrations were higher than the concentrations of the other OCPs, and the HCHs and HCB together were the dominant OCPs. β-HCH was the most abundant HCH isomer. The concentrations of DDTs and other OCPs were relatively low, and the (DDE+DDD)/DDT ratios (>0.5) and DDD/DDE ratios (<1) indicated that no recent DDT inputs had occurred in the Liaohe River system. The main sources of HCHs were probably the historical production and agricultural use of HCH in the study area. The DDT and HCH concentrations were generally below or similar to the concentrations that have been found in other parts of the world. An ecotoxicological evaluation indicated that HCHs in surface sediments pose slight risks to human and ecological health in the Liaohe River basin.     

城市河流水质常规评价技术研究

运用综合水质标识指数法,对我国河流水质评价面临的关键技术问题,包括水质评价方法、水质评价项目,水质级别评价,水环境功能区达标评价、水质定性评价、河流及水系整体水质比较、水质随时间和空间变化等作了明确界定,并介绍了在上海河流水质评价中的应用。     

秦淮河上游水体大型底栖无脊椎动物群落结构及水质生物评价

2009年4月用D形网半定量采样法调查秦淮河上游25个点位的大型底栖无脊椎动物群落多样性,共获得63个大型底栖无脊椎动物分类单元;其中,水生昆虫5目12科30属,软体动物9科11属19种,寡毛纲2科7属9种。结果表明,生物指数(Biotic Index,BI)比Shannon-Wiener多样性指数的评价结果更接近实际情况,BI与ρ(TN)(r=0.44,p0.05)和ρ(NH3-N)(r=0.40,p0.05)之间显著相关,Shannon-Wiene多样性指数与ρ(TN)(r=-0.19,p0.05)和ρ(NH3-N)(r=0.44,p0.05)无显著性相关。生物评价表明秦淮河上游水质受到严重污染,句容地区的水质要优于南京。     

望虞河西岸九里河中四种除草剂的污染现状

基于气相色谱-质谱联用(GC-MS)法结合固相萃取(SPE)前处理技术,建立了水中4种除草剂氯草定、阿特拉津、乙草胺和异丙甲草胺残留的分析方法,于2018年春(4、5月)、秋(9、10月)和冬(1、3月)季对太湖流域望虞河西岸九里河水体中4种除草剂的污染现状进行调查分析。结果表明,4种除草剂的加标回收率为71. 2%～108%,RSD均10%,方法检出限为3. 5～6. 0 ng/L。九里河水体中氯草定、阿特拉津、乙草胺和异丙甲草胺4种除草剂质量浓度分别为未检出～0. 025 7,0. 019 1～1. 19,未检出～0. 026 0和未检出～0. 094 3μg/L。4种除草剂中阿特拉津最高值接近《地表水环境质量标准》(GB 3838—2002)限值,其他3种其值较低,氯草定首次在太湖流域水体中检出。     

长三角地区台风危险性定量分析

台风灾害是影响我国最主要的自然灾害之一。由于地处西北太平洋西侧,长三角地区每年都会受到台风的侵袭。根据中国气象局公布的1949-2010年西北太平洋台风最佳路径数据,首先提取了影响长三角16个城市的台风最大风速数据,分别从台风影响频次、强度和最大风速极值分布的角度定量地分析了各个城市的台风灾害危险性,并通过对比分析得出了台风灾害危险性在长三角地区的分布状况。结果显示,台风影响频次和强度都呈现从东南向西北递减的趋势,综合台风影响频次、强度和极端台风重现水平,这16个城市可以划分为3个危险等级:"高危险"城市,包括台州、绍兴、宁波和舟山;"中危险"城市,包括杭州、上海、嘉兴、湖州、无锡和苏州;"低危险"城市,包括南通、常州、镇江、南京、泰州和扬州。致灾因子危险性定量评估是灾害风险评估中重要的一环,研究结果可供制定长三角地区台风灾害防灾规划参考。