Concentration levels, spatial variations and exchanges of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in ambient air, surface water and sediment in Bursa, Türkiye.

In this study, ambient air, surface water and sediment samples were simultaneously collected and analyzed for PCBs to investigate their levels, spatial variations and exchanges between these three compartments at different sampling sites for 12 months in Bursa, Türkiye. During the sampling period, a total of 41 PCB concentrations were determined in the ambient air, surface water (dissolved and particle phase) and sediment. Thus, 945.9 ± 491.6 pg/m3 (average ± STD), 53.8 ± 54.7 ng/L, 92.8 ± 59.3 ng/L and 71.4 ± 38.7 ng/g, respectively. The highest concentrations of PCBs in the ambient air and in water particulate phase were measured at the industrial/agricultural sampling site (1308.6 ± 252.1 pg/m3 and 168.7 ± 21.2 ng/L, respectively), ∼ 4-10 times higher than background sites; while the highest concentrations in the sediment and dissolved phase were measured at the urban/agricultural sampling sites (163.8 ± 27.0 ng/L and 145.7 ± 15.3 ng/g, respectively), ∼ 5-20 times higher than background sites. PCB transitions between ambient air-surface water (fA/fW) and surface water-sediment (fW/fS) were investigated by fugacity ratio calculations. According to the fugacity ratios obtained, volatilization from the surface water to the ambient air was observed at all sampling sites (98.7 % of fA/fW ratios are <1.0). Additionally, it has been determined that there is a transport from the surface water to the sediment (100.0 % of fW/fS ratios are higher than 1.0). The flux values in ambient air-surface water and surface water-sediment environments ranged from -1.2 to 1770.6 pg/m2-day and from -225.9 to 0.001 pg/m2-day, respectively. The highest flux values were measured for PCBs with low chlorine content (Mono-, Di-Cl PCBs), while the lowest flux values were measured for the high chlorine content PCBs (Octa-, Nona- and Deca-Cl PCBs). As it was determined in this study that surface waters contaminated by PCBs have the potential to pollute both air and sediments, it will be important to take measures to protect surface waters.

Concentration levels and an assessment of human health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in honey and pollen.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) accumulate in the food chain due to their physical and chemical properties and adversely affect human health. For this reason, this study aimed to determine the PAH and PCB concentration levels in pollen and honey samples in urban and semi-urban areas and to evaluate the risk of cancer that may occur by ingestion in Bursa, Turkey. The average total concentrations of 14 PAH (∑14PAH) compounds in pollen and honey samples were found to be 304.3 ± 192.3 ng/g (average ± standard deviation) and 650.2 ± 118.1 ng/g for the urban area, and 329.6 ± 160.6 ng/g and 464.3 ± 66.4 ng/g for the semi-urban area, respectively. Similarly, ∑14PCB concentrations in pollen and honey samples were found to be 8.7 ± 3.6 ng/g and 13.0 ± 4.8 ng/g for the urban area and 7.7 ± 2.2 ng/g and 17.4 ± 4.0 ng/g for the semi-urban area, respectively. It was determined that the pollen and honey samples in both sampling areas were affected by local PCB sources. The Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) method determined the relationship between pollen and honey samples. According to the PCC values obtained, it was observed that pollen and honey in both sampling regions exhibited a significant relationship with each other. Finally, while there was no cancer risk for PCBs due to ingestion of honey and pollen in both sampling areas, acceptable cancer risk has been calculated for PAHs.

Atmospheric concentration, spatial variations, and source identification of persistent organic pollutants in urban and semi-urban areas using passive air samplers in Bursa, Turkey.

In this study, the concentration of ambient persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were measured for 12 months in urban and semi-urban areas using a passive air sampler. During the sampling period, a total of 14 PAH (∑14PAH) concentrations measured in urban and semi-urban areas were found to be 54.4 ± 22.6 ng/m3 and 51.7 ± 34.3 ng/m3, respectively. Molecular diagnostic ratios (MDRs) were used to determine PAH sources. According to the MDR values, combustion sources were the most important PAH sources in both sampling areas. However, since the urban area is close to the industrial zone, the combustion sources occurred at high temperatures (> 800 °C), while the sources in the semi-urban area generally consisted of petrogenic fuel combustion. ∑50PCB concentrations measured in the urban and semi-urban areas were found to be 522.5 ± 196.9 pg/m3 and 439.5 ± 166.6 pg/m3, respectively. Homologous group distributions were used to determine the source of PCBs. According to the homologous group distributions, tri-, tetra-, and penta-chlorinated PCBs were dominant in both sampling areas. ∑10OCP concentrations measured in urban and semi-urban areas were found as 242.5 ± 104.6 pg/m3 and 275.9 ± 130.9 pg/m3, respectively. Also, α-HCH/γ-HCH and ß-/(α + γ)-HCH ratios were used to determine the source of OCPs. Lindane was the predominant OCP in both sampling areas.

Organochlorine pesticides in honeybee, pollen and honey in Bursa, Turkey.

g-In this study, the presence of OCP residues in the honeybee, pollen and honey samples in urban and semi-urban areas were investigated. A total of 10 OCP concentrations (∑10OCP) in honeybee samples were 39.14 ± 11.06 ng g-1 for the urban area and 39.93 ± 7.09 ng g-1 for the semi-urban area, respectively. Similarly, ∑10OCP concentrations in pollen and honey samples were estimated to be 21.72 ± 4.43 ng g-1 and 41.83 ± 1.61 ng g-1 for the urban area, 19.77 ± 2.86 ng g-1 and 39.23 ± 3.90 ng g-1 for the semi-urban area, respectively. Also, it was concluded that the existence of OCP residues in both sampling areas was due to the recent use of pesticides. Finally, the cancer risk caused by the consumption of pollen and honey samples was evaluated, and it was found that there was no cancer risk in both sampling areas.

Characterization, source apportionment, air/plant partitioning and cancer risk assessment of atmospheric PAHs measured with tree components and passive air sampler.

In this study, ambient air and olive tree components (leaf and branch) were simultaneously collected and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to investigate their levels and accumulations, temporal variations, possible sources, air-plant partitioning and cancer risks for 12 months. During the sampling period, total of 14 PAH (∑14PAH) concentrations measured in the olive leaves (dissolved and particle phase) and braches (1- and 2-year-old) were 593 ± 472, 81 ± 67, 558 ± 273 and 316 ± 213 ng/g dry weight (DW), respectively. Similarly, the average ∑14PAH concentrations measured in the ambient air was found to be 15 ± 16 ng/m3. Generally, 4-, 5- and 6- ring PAHs were the dominant groups for all tree components, while 2- and 3-ring PAHs were predominant in the air samples. Ring distributions and molecular diagnosis ratios were employed to determine PAH sources in the sampling site. Petroleum and combustion-related sources were found to be important. The Pearson correlation coefficient was allowed to figure out the affinity between PAH levels in the sampling materials and meteorological factors. Temperature and mixing layer height were found to be effective factors on the concentrations. Atmospheric PAH levels were also predicted to employ a bark-air exchange model for determining the PAH movement direction. The predicted/measured ratios were above 1.0. This was probably due to utilizing the branch values rather than bark values in the model. Finally, the risk of cancer has been evaluated. The calculated cancer risks via inhalation were at low levels for adults and children.

Atmospheric concentration, source identification, and health risk assessment of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in two countries: Peru and Turkey.

It is known that some persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are used worldwide, and these pollutants are dangerous for human health. However, there are still countries where measurements of these pollutants have not been adequately measured. Although many studies have been published for determining the concentrations of POPs in Turkey, there are limited studies in Latin American countries like Peru. For this reason, it is essential both to conduct a study in Peru and to compare the study with another country. This study is aimed at determining the atmospheric POPs such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), organochlorine pesticide (OCP), and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations using passive air samplers in Yurimaguas (Peru) and Bursa (Turkey). Molecular diagnosis ratios and ring distribution methods were used to determine the sources of PAHs. According to these methods, coal and biomass combustions were among the primary sources of PAHs in Peru, while petrogenic and petroleum were the primary sources of PAHs in Turkey. Then, α-HCH/γ-HCH and ß-/(α+γ)-HCH ratios were used to determine the sources of OCPs. According to the α-HCH/γ-HCH ratios, the primary sources of OCPs in both countries were lindane. Similarly, according to ß-/(α+γ)-HCH ratios, the HCHs have been historically used in Peru while they were recently utilized in Turkey. Finally, homologous group distributions were used to determine the sources of PCBs. Similar distributions of homologous groups were observed in the sampling sites in both countries. Also, the homologous group distributions obtained have been determined that industrial activities could be effective in the sampling areas in both countries. When the cancer risks that could occur via inhalation were evaluated, no significant cancer risk has been determined in both countries.

Biomonitoring and Source Identification of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Using Pine Tree Components from Three Different Sites in Bursa, Turkey.

Pine trees are used as biomonitoring agents to evaluate atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Due to industrialization, urban construction, and rapid population growth, the city of Bursa is experiencing air pollution. In this study, PAHs were measured in pine tree branches and needles at a wastewater treatment plant site, an industrial site, and semirural site in Bursa for 12 months. The concentrations fluctuated depending on the characteristics of the areas. The lowest concentration value was measured in the semirural site while the highest value was determined in the wastewater treatment plant site. The PAH concentrations in pine needles ranged from 24 to 2565 ng/g dry weight (DW) and in pine branches from 163 to 2871 ng/g DW for 16 PAHs. Naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluorene, and fluoranthene were determined as dominant species in both tree components. Diagnostic ratios, ring profile, principal component analysis, the coefficient of divergence, and the Pearson correlation coefficient methods were used in the definition of sources of PAHs in the sampling sites, although all source identification methods have advantages and disadvantages. According to the results, the PAHs mainly originated from biomass and coal burning, traffic, and mixed sources. It also was concluded that three sampling sites showed higher PAH concentrations during winter, and the main PAH sources were similar.

Determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in honeybee, pollen, and honey samples from urban and semi-urban areas in Turkey.

In recent years, honeybees and bee products such as pollen and honey have been used as bioindicators for monitoring environmental pollution. Unfortunately, there are few studies about polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in honeybees and bee products from Turkey. Honeybee and pollen samples were taken between May and September 2017, and honey samples were taken between July and September 2017 at urban and semi-urban areas in Bursa (Turkey). PCB concentrations measured by gas chromatography-microelectron capture detector (GC-µECD) were found to be 135.46 ± 6.53, 81.47 ± 23.52, and 106.35 ± 21.60 ng g-1 dry weight (dw) for honeybee, pollen, and honey samples in the urban area, respectively; and 126.35 ± 26.54, 67.57 ± 27.34, and 118.88 ± 55.28 ng g-1 dw for honeybee, pollen, and honey samples in the semi-urban area, respectively. Pearson correlation was made between meteorological parameters and pollutant concentrations. According to the correlation results, a significant relationship was found between the pollen and honey results and the total cloudiness and temperature in the semi-urban area. The coefficient of divergence (COD) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) methods were applied to determine the similarities and differences between the pollutant concentrations and sources of the two areas and the temporal variation. According to these two methods, PCB concentrations and emission sources in honeybee and pollen samples in urban and semi-urban areas were generally different in May and June, and similar in August and September.