Article
Environmental Sciences
Staci L. Capozzi, Kelly L. Francisco, Briana L. Stahl, Mohson Al Hello, Marcia S. Meixler, Lisa A. Rodenburg
Summary: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the dominant contaminant in the Upper Hudson River (UHR), and in 2017, it was found that about 2% of the PCBs in the sediment came from sources other than General Electric (GE). The analysis of fish PCB data showed that about 13% of the PCBs in the fish also came from non-GE sources. The non-GE PCBs had an average concentration of 240 ppb in the fish, exceeding the remedial goals.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinrui Yang, Jicheng Hu, Wenming Chen, Te Bu, Jun Jin
Summary: This study investigated the atmospheric concentrations and sources of PCBs, PCNs, and PCDD/Fs in a steppe in North China. The results showed that wood and coal combustion were the main sources of PCBs and PCNs, while highly chlorinated homologs dominated the PCDD/Fs. Legacy capacitor impregnating agents and transformer oils also significantly contributed to the pollution of PCBs and PCNs. Long-range transport was not the main source of persistent organic pollutants in the ranch atmosphere.
ACS EARTH AND SPACE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Gabryszewska, Barbara Gworek
Summary: This study investigated the impact of municipal waste landfill on the release of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to the environment in relation to groundwater flow directions. The analysis showed that groundwater flow direction influenced PCB concentration in groundwater due to low solubility of PCBs. Additionally, the strong sorption of PCBs to organic matter prevented the influence of groundwater flow directions on PCB content in soils and plant tissues. The largest PCB deposition zone was found to be located approximately 50 meters from the contamination source.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yun Zhang, Chuyuan Wang, Liyu Du
Summary: The study evaluated the occurrence, distribution, toxicity equivalence, and health risks of dl-PCBs in surface sediments from the Liaohe River Protected Area. The results showed that the PCBs in sediments mainly came from electronic waste and paint additives, with relatively lower levels of toxic equivalent quantity compared to previous data. Human health risk assessment indicated that the cancer-related hazardous ratio was within an acceptable range.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mandar Bokare, Nathalie Lombard, Samuel Magee, Dev Murali, Upal Ghosh
Summary: This study used passive samplers to measure the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the air of Washington DC and quantified the air-water exchange by comparing it with measurements in the water phase. The results refute the long-standing understanding that air is a source of PCBs to the river, and the volatilization rate is lower than previously estimated.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sophia Vauclin, Brice Mourier, Andre-Marie Dendievel, Philippe Marchand, Anais Venisseau, Amandine Morereau, Hugo Lepage, Frederique Eyrolle, Thierry Winiarski
Summary: This study reconstructed the temporal trends of both legacy and novel BFRs in sediment cores along the Rhone River. It was found that while legacy BFRs peaked in concentration from the mid-1970s to the mid-2000s and stabilized by the mid-2010s, novel BFRs had concentrations two to four orders of magnitude lower and showed no decrease in recent years. Understanding the sources, contamination load, repartition in the environment, and toxicity of novel BFRs is necessary before their concentrations reach hazardous levels.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Benjamin Nyilitya, Stephen Mureithi, Marijn Bauters, Pascal Boeckx
Summary: This study identified the main sources of nitrate in the Nyando River basin of Kenya and emphasized the importance of optimizing animal manure use, land conservation measures, and improving sanitation systems to control excess nitrate discharge. Multiple methods, including hydrochemistry, stable isotopes, and a Bayesian mixing model, were used to determine nitrate sources and their spatial-temporal variation in the basin, revealing the significance of manure and sewage as leading sources of nitrate input.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amanda Camara de Souza, Ana Caroline Cabral, Josilene da Silva, Renato Rodrigues Neto, Cesar C. Martins
Summary: The study presented the baseline levels, inventories, and risk assessment of PCBs and OCPs in surface sediment of the Doce River mouth before the rupture of the Fundao Dam. Results showed a low potential of PCBs and OCPs accumulation before the dam failure, with the decrease of Doce River flow being a main factor contributing to seasonal variations.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shayla D. Williams, Jo-Ann P. McCrary
Summary: Chemical fingerprinting was suggested as a method to identify habitat use by young bluefish, with distinct clustering of bluefish by sampling year. There was a consistent shift towards heavier chlorinated homologs as size increased, while pesticide accumulation patterns varied seasonally and interannually in the bluefish sampled from the Hudson River Estuary.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zorana Kljakovic-Gaspic, Marija Dvorscak, Tatjana Orct, Ankica Sekovanic, Darija Klincic, Karla Jagic, Dora Sebescen, Elena Klasicek, Davor Zanella
Summary: The anthropogenic impact on the aquatic environment of the Rasa River in Croatia was investigated. The study used yellow European eel as a biological indicator to analyze PBDEs, PCBs, DDT isomers, and major and trace elements. The results showed generally low contamination levels in the surrounding area, with organic contaminants increasing in muscle with lipid content, length, weight, and body condition. Metal(loid) levels decreased or remained unchanged with increasing size, except for a few elements that accumulated in the liver at the downstream location.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francesco Donato, Marco Moneda, Nazario Portolani, Angelo Rossini, Sarah Molfino, Silvia Ministrini, Giovanni Battista Contessi, Silvia Pesenti, Giuseppe De Palma, Alice Gaia, Elena Zanardini, Claudio Vito Sileo, Michele Magoni
Summary: This study investigated the association between PCB serum levels and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a PCB-polluted area. The results suggest that PCBs may play a role in the development of HCC.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cao Jianrong, Liu Yanjun, Yu Sujie
Summary: The occurrence of organic pollutants, specifically polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), was assessed in soil samples collected from two sub-regions in the Yellow River Delta, China. The concentrations of PAHs and PCBs varied in the soil samples, with higher concentrations found in the oil field area. The main source of PAHs was determined to be petroleum input, while low-chlorine congeners of PCBs were more prevalent in the oil field area. The study suggests that PCB emissions in the Yellow River Delta are influenced by both the Gudong oilfield and other industrial sources.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lili Long, Xinghua Tang
Summary: This study investigated the association between exposure to organochlorine pesticides and hearing loss in adults, finding a positive correlation between exposure to certain organochlorine pesticides and hearing loss.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Samuel A. Nutile, Yucheng Shao
Summary: Single-point Tenax extractions are an effective method for estimating the bioaccessibility of hydrophobic organic contaminants. This study evaluated the reusability of Tenax beads by comparing bioaccessible PCB concentrations measured with differently aged beads. The results showed that the repeated use of Tenax beads did not impact the bioaccessible estimates, demonstrating the applicability of this extraction technique in risk assessment.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Li-Hsuan Wang, Li-Ru Chen, Kuo-Hu Chen
Summary: Xenoestrogens (XEs) are substances that mimic endogenous estrogens to affect physiological functions, either synthetic or natural, with endocrine disrupting properties. While XEs may be associated with reproductive disorders and congenital malformations, they are more likely to exhibit tissue-specific and non-genomic actions at relatively low estrogen concentrations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)