Dioxins and PCBs in solid matter from the river Elbe, its tributaries and the North Sea (longitudinal profile, 2008)

The most recent longitudinal sampling profile, taken in 2008 from the river Elbe and its tributaries Vltava (Moldau), Mulde, Spittelwasser, Saale, Bode the Stör and the North Sea near Helgoland, shows contaminations of solid matter with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (dioxins, PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). While the dioxin contamination is mainly located along the German part of the catchment, PCBs are more abundant in the Czech section. In some of the 43 solid samples investigated high levels of contamination were detected. Selected orientation benchmarks for dioxins and PCBs in sediments and fish are exceeded, suggesting potential hazards for organisms in the contaminated rivers and for human consumption. Elevated dioxin concentrations in the Spittelwasser-Mulde system and the Saale catchment, together with consistent dioxin congener patterns Elbe downstream of the confluence, indicate that the region of Bitterfeld-Wolfen is the predominant source of the dioxin pollution, which can be traced until far off shore in the sediments of the North Sea near Helgoland. Thermal metal, presumably Magnesium production via fused salt electrolysis during the 2nd world war is the most probable primary, historic source of the dioxin contamination. The spatial distribution of dioxins as seen in 2008 matched well with earlier campaigns in 2002, both for aquatic solids and alluvial soils, suggesting minor change of the situation since then. Also the samples from the North Sea revealed elevated levels of dioxins that display the congener pattern from the Bitterfeld-Wolfen Region. In contrast to the PCDD/Fs, PCBs are mainly present in the in the Upper Elbe in the Czech Republic. After the German border PCBs display an overall decrease. Other than PCDD/Fs, PCB emissions into the Elbe cannot be attributed to a dominant source or region. Indicator PCBs did rise more or less constantly in concentration until the German border, suggesting a variety of cumulative emission sources along the whole Czech stretch. Thus, no specific recommendation on how to decrease the PCB pressure on the River Elbe can be given on the basis of the data acquired in this study. Detailed regional scale monitoring in the Czech stretch, together with the evaluation of production statistics regarding potential PCB sources are needed here. After all the PCB toxicity in eel is exceeding that of PCDD/F up to an order of magnitude (investigations of eels taken after the flood event in August 2002). As an amendment to the chemical analyses, two Ah-receptor based bioassays (DR CALUXR and EROD), which display the dioxin–like activity of all pollutants present, were performed on a subset of the samples (blind study). For The DR CALUXR the comparison revealed a good agreement between the HRGC/HRMS results along the German stretch and the bioassay. However, along the Czech section of the Elbe the DR CALUXR displayed a 10 times higher dioxin-like activity than the chemical analyses. This suggests that the solid material in the Czech section contains additional persistent dioxin-like acting pollutants. In comparison to the DR CALUXR test, the EROD assay displayed even higher dioxin-like activities. The differences can be explained by the fact that the clean up procedure for the DR CALUXR eliminated the less persistent organic pollutants in the extract, while the EROD procedure remained sensitive to those. Regarding the risk for the aquatic food chain and the human diet, the reduction of PCBs in the River Elbe ecosystem appears crucial as indicated by the dominance of the PCB over the PCDD/Fs in toxicity equivalents detected in eel samples.JRC.H.1-Water Resource

HCHs in solid matter from the River Elbe, its tributaries and the North Sea

The River Elbe (Czech: Labe ) is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It originates in the Krkonoše Mountains of northwestern Czech Republic before traversing Bohemia (Czech Republic), then Germany and flowing into the North Sea at Cuxhaven, 110 km northwest of Hamburg. Its total length is 1,094 km. The Elbe’s major tributaries are the Vltava (German: Moldau), Saale, Havel, Mulde, SchwarzeElster, and Ohre rivers. The Elbe River basin, comprising the Elbe and its tributaries, has a catchment area of 148,268 km2, the fourth largest in Europe. The basin spans four countries, with its largest parts in Germany (65.5%) and the Czech Republic (33.7%). Much smaller parts lie in Austria (0.6%) and Poland (0.2%). The basin is inhabited by 24.5 million people (1). Organochlorine pesticides are man-made organics chemicals. Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) have been extensively used and are therefore found widely distributed in the environment. HCHs are listed under the Stockholm Convention on POPs (persistent organic compound) and are included into the priority list of Water Frame Directive. Here we show the results of HCHs in solids matter of 35 different sites along the River Elbe, selected tributaries, and the North SeaJRC.H.1-Water Resource

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) at the JRC Ispra Site: Air Concentrations, Congener Patterns and Seasonal Variation-Results from the 1st Year of Atmospheric Monitoring of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) at the Ispra EMEP Station

With the aim of gathering information on atmospheric POPs concentrations in one of the ¿monitoring holes¿ in Europe, a monitoring and research atmospheric site was set up at the JRC Ispra Site. Regular monitoring activities started on April 2005 and finished on March 2007 in this first stage. Air and precipitation samples were collected regularly throughout this period. First results obtained on PCBs ambient air concentrations (7 indicator PCBs: 28, 52, 101, 118, 153, 138 and 180) from the first year of monitoring (April 2005-2006) are presented in this report. In addition, congener patterns, air gas/particulate phase partition and seasonal variation are discussed. The range of ¿7 PCB total (gas + particulate phases) monthly averaged concentration during the sampling period varied from 76 ± 17 to 31 ± 5 pg m-3. Concentrations are within the range of those reported for rural, semi-rural or remote areas around the world. A seasonal variation of air concentrations was observed, with higher levels in summer months (higher average temperatures) and lower values in winter (lower average temperatures). In addition, indications of seasonal variation affecting congener patterns and the gas - particulate phase partition for the studied PCB were found. PCBs were in general predominant in the air gas phase, dominating therefore the contribution to the total airborne concentration, although the percentage in the gas phase decreases when increasing level of chlorination and during the low temperature season (winter months). A one year data set of PCB ambient air concentrations has been generated, constituting a useful dataset that now remains available for further use, such as inclusion in the EMEP network or for POPs fate modelling validation and future risk assessment of POPs in sub-alpine locations. More results for other target POPs are under processing and are expected to be reported soon.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

EU-wide Enviromental and Exposure Monitoring of Dioxins, PCBS and Other Persistent Organic Pullutants (POPs) in Butter and Correlations to Published Air Data

The project is a pilot and is aimed at evaluating whether a robust relationship can be established between POPs in commercially available milk products when compared to analytical data on POPs in ambient air. The experimental approach is based on 2 sets of diary product samples: 1. The 2001 milk survey with 88 milk samples from 68 locations in Europe 2. The 2007 organic diary product survey with 85 samples collected directly from farms in Europe. Dioxins, PCB and pesticides are analyzed in all samples and compared to regional air data collected from literature.JRC.DDG.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

A Compilation of Europe-Wide Databases from Published Measurements of PCBs, Dioxins and Furans

Chemical risk assessment always entails an evaluation of expected environmental concentrations of substances; these concentrations may be predicted using mathematical models or may be chosen on the basis of experimental observations and monitoring activities. The work discusses the usefulness and limitations in building compilations of published monitoring data by describing a feasibility study on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), for which observed concentration data were retrieved from scientific journal articles published between 2000 and 2009. These chemicals are typical POPs and are of constantly high concern for their potential adverse effects on human health and ecosystems. PCBs were mainly used by the power industry in electrical transformers, capacitors, hydraulic equipment, and as lubricants. PCDD/Fs are formed as unintentional by-products of chemical manufacturing and incineration processes, as well as natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, and biomass burning. Emissions from incineration of industrial wastes such as metal reclamation and domestic heating (especially in central Europe) are considered as current sources of PCDD/Fs to the environment. A database of published observed concentrations of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in air, soil sediments and water was built as described in details in the report. As continental scale assessment is aimed more at the evaluation of the regional distribution of contamination, we excluded from the database those measurements taken close to known PCB or PCCD/F pollution sources of exceptional entity such as waste incinerators or contaminated sites. After presenting and interpreting the results of the literature search, we critically examine the completeness and usability of this information, and the usefulness of data compilations in the framework of chemical risk assessment.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

PCDD/F, PCB and HCB in Soil and Ash from Brick Production Sites in Kenya, South Africa and Mexico

The implementation of the Stockholm Convention implies the generation of national emission inventories for Dioxins and Furans. So far little is known about the emissions from processes typically applied in Developing countries. Among the processes with a high activity and a high pollution potential (since wastes are often co-incinerated) is brick making. In the follow up of emission measurements at brick kilns in Mexico (MX) soil and bottom ashes were collected around these sites and compared to samples from brick making sites in South Africa (SA) and Kenya (KY) . Through the comparison of the impact on the nearby environment we tried to verify, whether the Emission Factors obtained from the measurements in Mexico can be applied to other regions where no measurements are available and where no adequate infrastructure exists to conduct. The levels in soil and ash were low in SA and KY (wood and coal fired kilns) and at a comparable level to the MX sites where virgin wood or LPG was used. The soils around waste derived fuel fired kilns in MX were somewhat higher, but still at levels that can e found in rural environments of the Northern Hemisphere. Apart from the overall confirmation of the applicability of the emission factors obtained from the study in MX, the very low level in the background soils investigated confirms the global North/South gradient of POPs pollution.JRC.H.1-Water Resource

Wet deposition and atmospheric mercury monitoring in Celestún, Yucatán, México, as part of the Global Mercury Observation System - Mercury concentration in ambient air - Results 2012

This report describes work conducted by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre in the contest of GMOS (Global Mercury Observation System). GMOS is an FP VII funded large-scale collaborative project aiming at the establishment of a Global Mercury Observation System including ocean-based, ground-based and atmospheric measurement activities under the umbrella of the GEO/GEOSS and the UNEP’s Mercury program. Within this 5 year project that started in 19 Nov 2010, JRC got the task to set-up a ground based station for measuring total atmospheric Mercury in Yucatán, Mexico. The system is fully automatic and transmits the acquired raw data via internet to the JRC for data analysis and evaluation prior to further reporting to the GMOS coordinator. Moreover, the time series obtained for Hg will be reported in the framework of Task Force on Hemispheric Transport of Air Pollution (LRTAP-Convention) co-chaired by the JRC (Climate change Unit). In order to assist the JRC in the set up and routine maintenance of the Hg monitoring station, cooperation was initiated with the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change - Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (INECC-SEMARNAT) in Mexico City and DUMAC foundation in Yucatán. INECC agreed to assist the JRC in selecting an appropriate site partner, support maintaining the instrumentation, taking care of the wet deposition sampling/dispatch logistics, and supply meteorological data from the selected site. Data regarding the total gaseous mercury concentration in air measured during the year 2012 at Celestún, Yucatán, México are here reported. The annual TGM average obtained from 44537 data was 1.047 ± 0.271 ng/m3. The minimum value (0.50 ng/m3) was registered from February to May; the lowest monthly average (0.752 ng/m3) was recorded in April. The maximum value (2.822 ng/m3) was observed in March, while the highest monthly average TGM value was obtained in June (1.388 ng/m3).JRC.H.1-Water Resource

Releases of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PAHs and HCB Through Bottom Ashes from Brick Kilns Operating with Different Kind of Fuels - Results from a Pilot Study in Mexico - A Contribution to the Update and Review of the Standardized Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Dioxin and Furan Releases

The Standardized Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Dioxin and Furan Releases is aimed at supporting the parties to the Stockholm Convention (SC) on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in setting up their national implementation plan, which includes the characterization of unintentional releases of POPs (in this case PCDD/Fs, PCBs and HCB) from all relevant sectors. To this end the toolkit combines sector specific activity data with related emission factors for releases to air, land, water, residues and products. In 2007 the Expert Group for updating and improving the Toolkit, chaired by the Secretariat of the SC (SSC) and UNEP, identified priority areas of reasearch. The group highlighted the need for screening POPs sources that so far are poorly characterized in the Toolkit. Among these, brick kilns in developing countries were given highest priority since so far, no data were available. The Expert Group recommended as a first step to measure soil or vegetation samples close to (small) brick kilns in developing countries to obtain preliminary orientation as to the impact from this source. In the fore field of the experimental planning the question in how far different kinds of fuels, in particular waste derived fuels, may impact the formation of POPs was approached through the analyses of bottom ashes from kilns co-incinerating waste in comparison with brick kilns operated with virgin wood. The results from bottom ash reveal a distinct impact on the presence of POPs in the brick making process when waste is co-incinerated, thus suggesting to include the brick kilns operated with waste fuels as a different category into the toolkit and to include the issue of co-incineration of waste into the experimental set up. The emission factors via the bottom ashes itself rangeJRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Comparison of Monitoring Approaches for Selected Priority Pollutants in Surface Water - An Initiative in support to the Water Framework Directive Chemical Monitoring Activity

Laboratories from seven EU Member States under the coordination of the Joint Research Centre and in collaboration with the Provincia di Ferrara participated in a technical on-site project during which sampling and analytical methodologies for chemical monitoring according to proposed WFD provisions have been compared. Laboratories had been invited to take samples from a river according to their standard protocols and to analyse them for PAHs, PBDE and Nonyl-, Octylphenol. It was shown that it is possible to analyse contaminants at relevant levels. Results showed also that currently only experienced laboratories can achieve the required performance, indicating the need for improvement at European level.JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

PCDD/PCDF, PCB, and Hexachlorobenzene in soil, bottom ash and products from brickmaking sites in developing countries - Results from surveys in Kenya, Mexico, and South Africa. A contribution to the Standardized Toolkit for Identification and Quantification of Dioxin and Furan Releases in support to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

The report combines the results from soil sampling campaigns executed in Mexico, South Africa and Kenya in order to assess the impact of artisanal brick making on local environments. Moreover the study serves indirectly (through the comparison of the impact on soils), whether the emission factors for brick kilns obtained in in a separate study in Mexico can be applied to other developing countries. These emission factors will be introduced into the calculation scheme for the National Emission Inventories of unintentional POP's releases ("dioxin toolkit) which is the reporting tool under the reporting obligations laid down in the Stockholm Convention of POPs. Results revealed, that the soils in Mexico are higher contaminated then in South Africa and Kenya, most probably due to the practice of co-incineration of waste (oils), whereas in Africa coal or virgin biomass are used as fuels. In so far the emission factors obtained in Mexico apparently represent the upper range of emission factors for brick making.JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource