Spatial distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls in High Tatras lake sediments

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 20; no. 9; pp. 6594 - 6600
• Main Authors: van Drooge, Barend L., Grimalt, Joan O., Stuchlík, Evzen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-09-2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Altitude; Aluminum; Aquatic Pollution; Arctic zone; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Cellulose; Concentration (composition); Congeners; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Europe, Eastern; Freshwater; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Lake sediments; Lakes; Mountain lakes; Mountains; PCB; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - chemistry; Research Article; Sediments; Sensors; Spatial distribution; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Pollution Control; Europe, Eastern; Poland; Eastern Europe; Tatra Mountains; Polychlorinated biphenyls; High mountain lake sediments; High Tatras
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1719-5

The objective of the present study was to gain insight on the spatial distribution of seven polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in the High Tatras mountain range in Eastern Europe. Twenty high mountain lakes were sampled on their top-core sediment. Despite the relative uniform composition of PCB congeners among the lakes, there are important differences in the observed concentrations. Moderate top-core sediment concentrations of PCB congeners were observed (1.9 to 38 ng/g dw for ∑PCB) in comparison to other high mountain or Arctic areas. The variation in PCB concentrations can partly be explained by a possible altitudinal effect, resulting in higher PCB concentrations at higher (colder) altitudes. Part of this enhanced accumulation of PCBs could be caused by external factors (topography and meteorology) and internal lake factors (sediment dynamics). Many of these factors were not quantified for all individual lakes and their influence could, therefore, only be studied for some.