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Accounting for water levels and black carbon-inclusive sediment-water partitioning of organochlorines in Lesser Himalaya, Pakistan using two-carbon model

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Abstract

This study was designed to monitor organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in riverine water of Lesser Himalaya along the altitude. Further, the sediment-water partitioning employing organic carbon and black carbon models were assessed. Results revealed higher water levels of organochlorine pesticides (0.07–41.4 ng L−1) and polychlorinated biphenyls (0.671–84.5 ng L−1) in Lesser Himalayan Region (LHR) of Pakistan. Spatially, elevated levels were observed in the altitudinal zone (737–975 masl) which is influenced by anthropogenic and industrial activities. Sediment-water partitioning of OCPs and PCBs were deduced using field data by employing one-carbon (fOCKOC) and two-carbon Freundlich models (fOCKOC + fBCKBCCWnF−1). Results suggested improved measured vs predicted model concentrations when black carbon was induced in the model and suggested adsorption to be the dominant mechanism in phase partitioning of organochlorines in LHR.

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Funding

This research was supported by the Higher Education Commission, Pakistan under National Research Program for Universities (Project No. 20-4730/R&D/HEC/14/1188). Usman Ali is highly thankful to Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for awarding fellowship to Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, UK under International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

    Usman Ali & Riffat Naseem Malik

  2. Centre for Chemicals Management, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK

    Andrew James Sweetman & Kevin C. Jones

Authors
  1. Usman Ali
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  2. Andrew James Sweetman
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  3. Kevin C. Jones
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  4. Riffat Naseem Malik
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Correspondence to Usman Ali.

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Responsible editor: Hongwen Sun

Highlights

• Comparatively higher water levels of OCPs and PCBs were observed in Neelum-Jhelum river system of Lesser Himalaya.

• Elevated levels were found close to the urbanized altitudinal zone.

• Two-carbon Freundlich model better improve the measured vs predicted concentrations for Neelum-Jhelum river system of Lesser Himalaya.

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Ali, U., Sweetman, A.J., Jones, K.C. et al. Accounting for water levels and black carbon-inclusive sediment-water partitioning of organochlorines in Lesser Himalaya, Pakistan using two-carbon model. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 24653–24667 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1940-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-1940-3

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