Distribution of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in sediment and plants from a cont...

• Author(s): Nunes, Margarida ; Vernisseau, Anaïs ; Marchand, Philippe ; Le Bizec, Bruno ; Ramos, Fernando ; Pardal, M. A.
• Date: 2014
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10316/25520
• Origin: Estudo Geral - Universidade de Coimbra
• Subject(s): Persistent organic pollutants; PCDD/Fs; PCBs; Sediiment; Halophytes; Sarcocornia perennis; Halimione portulacoides; Estuary
• Document Type: Article
• Language: English

Description

Concentrations and profiles of 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl- PCBs)were investigated in sediment and plants collected from a salt marsh in the Tejo estuary, Portugal. The highest PCDD/F and dl-PCB concentrations were detected in uncolonized sediments, averaging 325.25±57.55 pg g−1 dry weight (dw) and 8,146.33±2,142.14 pg g−1 dw, respectively. The plants Sarcocornia perennis and Halimione portulacoides growing in PCDD/F and dl-PCB contaminated sediments accumulated contaminants in roots, stems, and leaves. It was observed that PCDD/F and dl-PCB concentrations in roots were significantly lower in comparison with stems and leaves. In general, concentration of ΣPCDD/Fs and Σdl-PCBs in H. portulacoides tissues were found to be twofold higher than those in S. perennis, indicating a difference in the accumulation capability of both species. Furthermore, congener profiles changed between sediments and plant tissues, reflecting a selective accumulation of low chlorinated PCDD/Fs and non-ortho dl-PCBs in plants. This work was financially supported by the FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, through a PhD grant attributed to MN Cardoso (SFRH/BD/46969/2008) co-funded by the POPH/FSE.