The last 50 years of organic contamination of a highly anthropized tributary of the Po River (Italy). (15th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Viganò, Luigi; Guzzella, Licia; Marziali, Laura; Mascolo, Giuseppe; Bagnuolo, Giuseppe; Ciannarella, Ruggero; Roscioli, Claudio
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 326:Part B(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01-15
• Subjects: Organic micropollutants -- Sedimentary records -- Lambro River -- Sediment transport -- Ecological risk; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116665
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: We examined the temporal profiles of many organic micropollutants analysed in a sediment core sampled from a highly anthropized tributary of the Po River, the Lambro River. Analysed for extractable organic halogens (EOX), total petroleum hydrocarbons (C10 –C40 TPH), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), common legacy pollutants (DDTs, PCBs), halogenated flame retardants (PBDEs, DBDPE, TBBPA-bis, TCBPA, TBBPA, HBCDs), organotins (TBT, TPhT), antimicrobials (TCS, TCC), fragrances (AHTN, HHCB) and phthalates (DMP, DEP, DnBP, BBP, DEHP, DnOP), the dated sediment core revealed the historical record of 50 years of chemical contamination discharged into the Lambro and thereby the Po River. In this regard, the peak levels of PCBs and DDTs found in Lambro sediments were also identified in other sediment cores collected from the Po River prodelta in the Adriatic Sea, thus hundreds of kilometres downstream (Combi et al., 2020). The highest risk to aquatic organisms was associated with decades of high levels of C10 –C40 TPH, PBDEs, PCBs, PAHs, DDTs, EOX, TCC, AHTN and DEHP, which in different periods of the contamination history, showed exceedances of guideline/threshold values. C10 –C40 TPH and TCC, for example, were very high in the 1960s, whereas PCBs, DDTs, and PBDEs, peaked from the 1980s onward. The corresponding sums of PEC quotients ranged between 0.48 and 28.63, with a mean value (±SD) for the entire recording period of 10.62 ± 9.83. Environmental legislations and improved wastewater treatments were the main drivers of the recent downward trends observed for most of the chemicals investigated. Floods in turn resulted in macroscopic yet temporary improvements in the chemical quality of the tributary, conveying contaminated sediments into the Po River. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Many chemicals analysed in a sediment core of a highly polluted tributary of the Po River. The 50-year contamination record showed long exceedances of guideline/threshold values. Polluting peaks from the Lambro River had corresponding peaks in the Adriatic Sea. Most of the chemicals investigated have endocrine disrupting potentials.