Final Activity Report Summary - PILICA (Bioaccumulation and distribution pattern of persistent organic pollutants in the Pilica River basin: An ecohydrology approach)
Bioaccumulation and spatial distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Pilica River sediment and biota was examined in order to assess the relationship between contaminant levels, watershed characteristics, and human activity. The general aim of the project was to provide information for ecosystem - based approach to management of freshwater ecosystems to ensure their sustainability and good water quality standards. The Pilica River, located in the central area of Poland, a tributary to the Vistula river, was hypothesised to receive inputs of POPs through atmospheric deposition, agricultural runoff, and wastewater discharge. Sediment, invertebrate, and fish samples were collected at six locations along the Pilica river and analysed for PCBs, PCDD/DFs, and organochlorine pesticides (OPs).
Sediment concentrations of PCBs and PCDD/DFs reflected differences in anthropogenic activity along the river corridor with levels elevated in the residential - industrial areas compared to other areas. In sediment PCDD/DFs reached up 27 pg g-1, TEQPCDD/Fs 1.9 pg g-1, and indicator PCBs 0.5 ng g-1dry mass. Total PCBs in the invertebrate Dreissena polymorha reached up to 111 ng g-1 lipid, in fish fry Rutilus rutilus were in the range of 46 - 390 ng g-1 lipid, in pike E. lucius, with body length of 20-55 cm, were in the range of 567 -1707 ng g-1 lipid. OP concentrations in E. lucius ranged from 1.22 to 1.84 µg g-1 lipid with greatest contribution of pp-DDE which, depending on location, reached up to 56 - 87 % of total OPs.
Concentrations of total PCBs and OPs in fish, similarly to contaminant levels in sediment, were related to the characteristics of the sampling locations i.e. PCBs and heptachlor were greater in the residential - industrial areas while total DDTs in the rural area. Trophic transfer factors (TTFs) were in the range of 2.2 -5.3. Biota sediment accumulation factors for indicator PCBs (BSAFs iPCBs) in E. lucius reached two digit values. The results of the study suggest that fish fry, because of its feeding ecology, has the capability to reflect spatial and temporal differences in contaminant levels and therefore may be a potential bioindicator for POPs monitoring. Notwithstanding site-specific differences in contaminant levels, the results indicate that the Pilica River is relatively low contaminated in respect to PCBs and PCDD/DFs as compared to DDTs.
Sediment concentrations of PCBs and PCDD/DFs reflected differences in anthropogenic activity along the river corridor with levels elevated in the residential - industrial areas compared to other areas. In sediment PCDD/DFs reached up 27 pg g-1, TEQPCDD/Fs 1.9 pg g-1, and indicator PCBs 0.5 ng g-1dry mass. Total PCBs in the invertebrate Dreissena polymorha reached up to 111 ng g-1 lipid, in fish fry Rutilus rutilus were in the range of 46 - 390 ng g-1 lipid, in pike E. lucius, with body length of 20-55 cm, were in the range of 567 -1707 ng g-1 lipid. OP concentrations in E. lucius ranged from 1.22 to 1.84 µg g-1 lipid with greatest contribution of pp-DDE which, depending on location, reached up to 56 - 87 % of total OPs.
Concentrations of total PCBs and OPs in fish, similarly to contaminant levels in sediment, were related to the characteristics of the sampling locations i.e. PCBs and heptachlor were greater in the residential - industrial areas while total DDTs in the rural area. Trophic transfer factors (TTFs) were in the range of 2.2 -5.3. Biota sediment accumulation factors for indicator PCBs (BSAFs iPCBs) in E. lucius reached two digit values. The results of the study suggest that fish fry, because of its feeding ecology, has the capability to reflect spatial and temporal differences in contaminant levels and therefore may be a potential bioindicator for POPs monitoring. Notwithstanding site-specific differences in contaminant levels, the results indicate that the Pilica River is relatively low contaminated in respect to PCBs and PCDD/DFs as compared to DDTs.