Deposition of organochlorine pesticides, PCBs (Aroclor 1268), and PBDEs in selected plant species from a Superfund Site at Brunswick, Georgia, USA.

Deposition of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in Loblolly pine needles (Pinus taeda) collected in and around a Linden Chemicals and Plastics (LCP) Superfund Site at Brunswick, Georgia, USA. For the comparison, foliage of eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) was also collected to monitor contaminant levels. This study revealed that concentrations of OCPs, PCBs and PBDEs ranged from 0.75-10, 3.4-15 to 0.05-3, ng/g wet wt, respectively in both plant species. Total OCPs concentrations in pine needles decreased from 10 to 2.3 ng/g; and total PCBs decreased from 28 to 9.3 ng/g between 1997 and 2006. To our knowledge, this is the first report on PBDEs concentrations in pine needles and red cedar foliage samples from the Superfund Site at Brunswick, Georgia, USA.

Influence of zinc on cadmium induced haematological and biochemical responses in a freshwater teleost fish Catla catla.

The haematological (Hb, RBC, WBC) and biochemical (protein and glucose) profiles of a freshwater fish Catla catla were studied under sub-lethal toxicity of cadmium chloride for 25 days (Treatment I). In addition, the influence of zinc on cadmium toxicity was investigated for haematological and biochemical parameters (Treatment II). In both the experiments, blood haemoglobin and plasma protein level decreased in the treated fish. However, WBC, RBC and plasma glucose levels were increased in Treatment I, while Treatment II showed mixed results. In Treatment II the alterations of both haematological and biological parameters were minimal compared with Treatment I. The alterations of these parameters are discussed as non-specific biomarkers against metal toxicity in aquatic organisms.

Perfluoroalkyl sulfonates and perfluorocarboxylates in two wastewater treatment facilities in Kentucky and Georgia.

Discharge of effluents from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a route for the introduction of certain organic contaminants into aquatic environments. Earlier studies have reported the occurrence of perfluorochemicals in effluents from WWTPs. In this study, contamination profiles of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), including perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFASs; PFOS, PFOSA, PFHxS) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFACs; PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFDoDA, PFUnDA), were determined in samples collected at various stages of wastewater treatment during different seasons. The two WWTPs selected for this study represent rural (Plant A, Kentucky) and urban (Plant B, Georgia) areas. PFOS was a major contaminant in samples from Plant A (8.2-990 ng/g dry wt in solid samples and 7.0-149 ng/L in aqueous samples), followed by PFOA (8.3-219 ng/g dry wt in solid samples and 22-334 ng/L in aqueous samples). PFOA was the predominant contaminant in samples from Plant B (7.0-130 ng/g dry wt in solid samples and 1-227 ng/L in aqueous samples), followed by PFOS (<2.5-77 ng/g dry wt in solid samples and 1.8-22 ng/L in aqueous samples). PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA, and PFOSA were detected in most of the samples, whereas PFUnDA and PFDoDA were detected in very few samples. Concentrations of some PFCs, particularly PFOA, were slightly higher in effluent than in influent, suggesting that biodegradation of some precursors contributes to the increase in PFOA concentrations in wastewater treatment processes. No large-magnitude seasonal variations in concentrations were found, although mass flow of PFCs was higher in winter than in summer. In general, samples from the rural plant in Kentucky contained greater concentrations of PFCs than did those from the urban plant in Georgia. Incineration of sludge reduced the PFC levels significantly. The mass flows of PFCs in these two plants were several hundreds of mg/day, comparable to flow values reported earlier.

Occurrence and fate of polycyclic musks in wastewater treatment plants in Kentucky and Georgia, USA.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a potential of source of polycyclic musks in the aquatic environment. In this study, contamination profiles and mass flow of polycyclic musks, 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta[gamma]-2-benzopyran (HHCB), 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (AHTN), and HHCB-lactone (oxidation product of HHCB), in two WWTPs, one located in Kentucky (Plant A, rural area) and the other in Georgia (Plant B, urban), USA, were determined. HHCB, AHTN and HHCB-lactone were detected in the influent, effluent, and sludge samples analyzed. The concentrations in wastewater samples varied widely, from 10 to 7,030 ng/l, 13 to 5,400 ng/l, and 66 to 790 ng/l, for HHCB, AHTN, and HHCB-lactone, respectively. Sludge samples contained HHCB at <0.02-36 microg/g dry weight, AHTN at <0.02-7.2 microg/g dry weight, and HHCB-lactone at <0.05-17 microg/g dry weight. Based on the daily flow rates and mean concentrations of polycyclic musks, the estimated discharge of total polycyclic musks to the rivers was 21 g/day from Plant A and 31 g/day from Plant B. Mass balance analysis suggested that only 30% of HHCB and AHTN entering the plants was accounted for in the effluent and the sludge. Removal efficiencies of HHCB and AHTN in the two WWTPs ranged from 72% to 98%. In contrast, HHCB-lactone concentrations increased following the treatment. Concentrations of polycyclic musks in sludge were on the order of several parts per million. Incineration of sludge at one plant reduced the concentration of polycyclic musks.

Chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants in blood of black and turkey vultures from Savannah River Site, South Carolina, USA.

Blood of adult and juvenile black and turkey vultures in the Savannah River Site of South Carolina, USA was analyzed for the presence of 2,3,7,8-chlorine substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (2,3,7,8-PCDDs), dibenzofurans (2,3,7,8-PCDFs), -dioxin-like and -di-ortho polychlorinated biphenyls. Concentration ranges of 2,3,7,8-PCDD/DFs in blood of black and turkey vultures were 14.2-34.6 and 8.7-56.2 pg/ml wet wt., respectively. Dioxin-like PCBs were in the ranges of 815-4627 and 753-3611 pg/ml wet wt. respectively, in black and turkey vultures. Considerable concentrations of two congeners of di-ortho PCBs were noticed in the ranges of 1415-10325 and 663-7500 pg/ml respectively, in black and turkey vultures. Comparatively, greater toxic equivalency (TEQ) were observed in blood of turkey vultures with the ranges of 3.2-20, whereas black vulture contained 1.8-8.4 pgTEQ/ml wet wt. basis. The species-specific accumulation profiles of PCDD/DFs and dioxin-like PCBs may reflect the different feeding habits, ecology, metabolic capacity and migratory movements of these two scavenging species.