The research has focused the attention on the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water, sediment and common eels (Anguilla anguillae) in the urban area of Tevere River. These compounds can derived from point (e.g. oil spill) or non-point (e.g. atmospheric deposition) sources and are one of the most widespread organic pollutants. The selected PAHs are belong to the EC priority list of dangerous substances (fluoranthene, benzo (b) fluoranthene, benzo (k) fluoranthene, benzo (a) pyrene, benzo (g,h,i) perylene, indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene). Some of them are known or suspected carcinogens, and are linked to other health problems. They are primarily formed by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as wood, coal, diesel, fat, tobacco. The Tevere River is the second largest river in Italy, it crosses industrial districts, agricultural and urbanised areas including the city of Rome, before flowing into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Water and bed sediment were collected from five sampling sites along the most polluted stretch of the river in the neighbourhood of Rome; samples of fish were collected only from one site that was located in the southern part of Rome, 382 km from the source and downstream a municipal WWTP effluent. Solid matrices (sediment and fish's muscle) were extracted by sonication while water samples were extracted and preconcentrated by C18 SPE cartridges. Final extracts were analysed by HPLC and fluorescence detection. The results have shown the presence of these compounds in all the samples analyzed. The most polluted compartment was sediment with values that ranging between 21 to 41 ng/g (sum of the six PAHs) followed by water samples with a content between 5 to 28 ng/L; values of concentration of total PAHs in muscles of common eels varied from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 7 ng/g f. w. These results are in agreement with other values reported in literature for European rivers and can represent a possible factor of risk for environmental health.
Distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons between water, sediment and common eels (Anguilla anguilla) in the urban stretch of Tevere river
Patrolecco L;Ademollo N;Capri S;Pagnotta R
2008
Abstract
The research has focused the attention on the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water, sediment and common eels (Anguilla anguillae) in the urban area of Tevere River. These compounds can derived from point (e.g. oil spill) or non-point (e.g. atmospheric deposition) sources and are one of the most widespread organic pollutants. The selected PAHs are belong to the EC priority list of dangerous substances (fluoranthene, benzo (b) fluoranthene, benzo (k) fluoranthene, benzo (a) pyrene, benzo (g,h,i) perylene, indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene). Some of them are known or suspected carcinogens, and are linked to other health problems. They are primarily formed by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as wood, coal, diesel, fat, tobacco. The Tevere River is the second largest river in Italy, it crosses industrial districts, agricultural and urbanised areas including the city of Rome, before flowing into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Water and bed sediment were collected from five sampling sites along the most polluted stretch of the river in the neighbourhood of Rome; samples of fish were collected only from one site that was located in the southern part of Rome, 382 km from the source and downstream a municipal WWTP effluent. Solid matrices (sediment and fish's muscle) were extracted by sonication while water samples were extracted and preconcentrated by C18 SPE cartridges. Final extracts were analysed by HPLC and fluorescence detection. The results have shown the presence of these compounds in all the samples analyzed. The most polluted compartment was sediment with values that ranging between 21 to 41 ng/g (sum of the six PAHs) followed by water samples with a content between 5 to 28 ng/L; values of concentration of total PAHs in muscles of common eels varied from a minimum of 1 to a maximum of 7 ng/g f. w. These results are in agreement with other values reported in literature for European rivers and can represent a possible factor of risk for environmental health.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
