Rasha Ishaq

PCBs, PCNs, PCDD/Fs, PAHs and Cl-PAHs in air and water particulate samples--patterns and variations

Methodology for the determination of biologically active polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), non-ortho PCBs, polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was used to investigate concentrations and patterns of certain chlorinated PAH (Cl-PAH) in source related samples using synthetic reference mixtures. Thus, in addition to the above mentioned compounds, mono-heptachlorosubstituted fluorenes, phenanthrenes/anthracenes and pyrenes/fluoranthenes (Cl-PAHs) were measured in vapour and particulate air samples from urban road tunnels, samples of settling particulate matter (SPM), and in bottom sediment samples from two point source locations (pulp and paper, and Mg-plant/Fe-Mn-smelter/chlor-alkali) and in the Baltic Sea. Concentrations in air samples followed: PAHs>PCBs>PCNs>non-ortho PCBs or Cl-PAHs>PCDD/Fs. SPM samples collected at increasing distance to the urban area of Stockholm showed: PAHs>PCBs>PCNs>PCDD/Fs>non-ortho PCBs or Cl-PAHs. For all compound groups there was a tenfold (Cl-PAHs fivefold) concentration decrease in SPM samples from highest levels in the urban water area to lowest levels at a distance of 26 km from city centre. PCB profiles of SPM showed similarities with combined profiles of Aroclor 1242 and 1254. PCN profiles of SPM showed similarities with combined profiles of Halowax 1099 and 1014. A correlation with concentration of all tested Cl-PAH and their corresponding parent PAH was found only for Cl-fluorene.

Patterns and levels of organochlorines (DDTs, PCBs, non-ortho PCBs and PCDD/Fs) in male Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from the Baltic Sea, the Kattegat-Skagerrak Seas and the west coast of Norway

Abstract Patterns and levels of chlorinated aromatic contaminants (DDTs, PCBs, non- ortho PCBs and PCDD/Fs) in blubber tissue were compared among six sample groups of male harbour porpoises ( Phocoena phocoena ) from the Baltic Sea, the Kattegat-Skagerrak Seas and the west coast of Norway. A principal component and classification analysis showed that mature harbour porpoises from the Baltic had significantly different contaminant patterns than animals from the Kattegat-Skagerrak and Norway. ANOVAs showed that mature porpoises from the Baltic had higher levels of ΣPCB and several individual PCBs and PCDD/Fs than the Kattegat-Skagerrak and the Norwegian samples and higher ΣDDT than the Norwegian. A comparison between immature porpoises showed that Baltic animals had higher levels of ΣPCDD/F than the corresponding sample from the Kattegat-Skagerrak. The levels of ΣDDT, ΣPCB and Σnon- ortho PCB were significantly higher in animals collected during 1978–81 compared to animals collected in 1988–90 indicating a temporal decline of these organochlorines in the Kattegat-Skagerrak Seas. The contaminant levels recorded in the Baltic Sea are a serious cause for concern and could have management implications for the already threatened harbour porpoises in this area.

An automated HPLC separation method with two coupled columns for the analysis of PCDD/Fs, PCBs AND PACs

Abstract A new automated separation method is described for the analysis of polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) and related compounds in complex environmental matrices. This high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method utilises a coupled column system consisting of an amino column and a porous graphitic carbon (PGC) column and allows for elution of the columns in both directions individually and in combination. The method combines the group separating properties of the amino column with the high selectivity of the carbon column for planar aromatic compounds. The switching of the columns is made in an automated mode and the system delivers five relevant fractions ready for injection on GC/MS. These fractions contain /1/ aliphatic/monoaromatic compounds, /2/ polycyclic aromatic compounds, /3/ PCBs with 2 or more chlorine atoms in ortho position (di-tetra-ortho PCBs), /4/ PCBs with one chlorine atom in ortho position (mono-ortho PCBs) and /5/ non-ortho PCBs and PCDD/Fs. The HPLC separation method presented reduces the time for analysis and improves the reproducibility.

PCDDs and PCDFs in water, sludge and air samples from various levels in a waste water treatment plant with respect to composition changes and total flux

Abstract A flux estimate of PCDDs and PCDFs through a waste water treatment plant has been made on an annual basis. The samples were collected from different steps in the treatment procedure within the plant i.e. inlet and outlet water, different sludge types and air samples. From the surroundings of the plant were collected samples of urban air, storm sewer water (urban runoff), plant discharge water and settling particulates from a sediment trap downstream the plant discharge. Differences in congener profiles were found between the samples taken within the plant compared to those collected outside. The flux of PCDD and PCDF equivalents through the plant was found to be approximately 0.4 – 0.5 g/year and the major part was taken away as digested sludge.

Organochlorine compounds in the Gulf of Bothnia: sediment and benthic species

Surface sediment, amphipods (Monoporeia affinis), isopods (Saduria entomon) and fourhorn sculpins (Oncocottus quadricornis) were collected at two coastal stations in the Gulf of Bothnia, one in the Bothnian Bay and the other in the Bothnian Sea. The objective was to study the concentrations, composition profiles, bioaccumulation features and spatial differences of organochlorine compounds such as hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), DDTs, hexachlorobenzene (HCBz), chlordanes (CHLs), dieldrin, Mirex and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). All groups of compounds were found in every sample investigated, with the exception of Mirex that was not detected in the sediment samples. The concentrations for e.g. PCBs and CHLs ranged from 700 to 2400 and 70 to 400 ng/g lipid in the specimens. For the corresponding sediments the results were 9.0-9.3 ng/g dw for PCBs and 0.54-0.57 ng/g dw for CHLs, respectively. Bioaccumulation differences between the species with regard to both degree of and type of compound were observed. The highest accumulation potential was found for the cyclodiene compounds including CHLs and Mirex in isopod. Finally, there were only small concentration and bioaccumulation differences between the two stations.

Tissue distribution of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and non-ortho chlorinated biphenyls (non-ortho CBs) in harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Swedish waters.

Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and non-ortho chlorinated biphenyls (non-ortho CBs) were analysed in blubber, nuchal fat, liver, muscle, kidney and brain of three male harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from the west coast of Sweden. To estimate spatial variation, PCNs and non-ortho CBs were analysed in six blubber samples collected at different anatomical sites of each animal. Highest wet weight concentrations of sigma PCNs were detected in the lipid rich tissues (blubber and nuchal fat) and liver (520-730 and 520 pg/g, respectively) and lowest in brain (22 pg/g). TetraCNs were most abundant in muscle, kidney and brain, while the hexaCNs were most abundant in the lipid rich tissues and liver. The highest lipid weight concentration recorded (11 ng/g) was for the hexaCN congeners no. 66/67 in liver. These coeluting hexaCN congeners accounted for 80-100% of total hexaCNs in all tissues examined. Concentrations of sigma non-ortho CBs were highest in lipid rich tissues (220-280 pg/g wet weight). Non-ortho CB no. 77 and 169 constituted between 62-86% and 4.9-9.3%, respectively, of total sigma non-ortho CBs. No major variation of sigma non-ortho CB concentrations was found between the six different blubber sites but higher sigma PCN concentrations (wet weight) were found dorsally at the peduncle. Toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQs) showed that non-ortho CB no. 126 was the main contributor to total TEQs in all tissues, except liver in which hexaCN congener nos. 66/67 contributed to about 50% of total TEQs.