The content of five classes of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the atmospheric depositions and sediments of an area interested by a steelmaking plant, a state highway and urban settlements were investigated. Samples were collected through a wet and dry sampler onto the roof of a primary school or core drilled from the sediments of a nearby pond and analyzed for PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PAHs, PBDEs and PCNs in order to assess the role of different sources on direct emissions in atmosphere and transfer to other environmental compartments. The method was tested with reference materials, laboratory and field blanks. The results show higher fluxes of POPs in winter depositions, with PAH levels up to 6500 ng m_2 d_1. Patterns and diagnostic ratios suggest that the main sources are fuel and wood combustion. PCDD/Fs are present at background level, with maximum total fluxes of 17 pg m_2 d_1 in depositions and concentrations of 7 pg g_1 in sediments. All concentrations peak at mid-level in the sediment core and then decrease towards surface, as an effect of regulatory limitations and update to modern industrial technologies.
Assessing the influence of local sources on POPs in atmospheric depositions and sediments near Trento (Italy)
Rada, Elena Cristina;Ionescu, Gabriela;Schiavon, Marco;Ragazzi, Marco;
2014-01-01
Abstract
The content of five classes of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the atmospheric depositions and sediments of an area interested by a steelmaking plant, a state highway and urban settlements were investigated. Samples were collected through a wet and dry sampler onto the roof of a primary school or core drilled from the sediments of a nearby pond and analyzed for PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PAHs, PBDEs and PCNs in order to assess the role of different sources on direct emissions in atmosphere and transfer to other environmental compartments. The method was tested with reference materials, laboratory and field blanks. The results show higher fluxes of POPs in winter depositions, with PAH levels up to 6500 ng m_2 d_1. Patterns and diagnostic ratios suggest that the main sources are fuel and wood combustion. PCDD/Fs are present at background level, with maximum total fluxes of 17 pg m_2 d_1 in depositions and concentrations of 7 pg g_1 in sediments. All concentrations peak at mid-level in the sediment core and then decrease towards surface, as an effect of regulatory limitations and update to modern industrial technologies.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione
