Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Environmental assessment of persistent organic pollutants in surface sediments of the Danshui River basin, Taipei, Taiwan

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Surface sediments from the Danshui River basin were collected and analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethanes (DDTs). The total concentrations of each category ranged from 96 to 3803 ng g−1 for PAHs, 0.02 to 54.9 ng g−1 for PCBs, and from below the detection limit to 10.3 ng g−1 for DDTs. These values are within the ranges observed for river and estuarine sediments of industrial and urbanized areas in Taiwan and worldwide. A decreasing trend of POP levels was observed in comparison with the levels reported in previous studies. Significant correlations between the levels of compounds and black carbon (BC) were found, suggesting that these POPs and BC may have similar transport processes. Based on sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the ecological risk posed by these POPs toward sediment-dwelling organisms in the Danshui River basin is relatively low. Long-term monitoring of contaminant levels is necessary to develop appropriate management tools due to the importance of the Danshui river basin as a water source for metropolitan areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agarwal T, Khillare P, Shridhar V (2006) PAHs contamination in bank sediment of the Yamuna River, Delhi, India. Environ Monit Assess 123:151–166

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Assunção MA, Frena M, Santos APS, dos Santos Madureira LA (2017) Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments collected from mangroves with different levels of urbanization in southern Brazil. Mar Pollut Bull 119:439–445

    Google Scholar 

  • Besis A, Voutsa D, Samara C (2016) Atmospheric occurrence and gas-particle partitioning of PBDEs at industrial, urban and suburban sites of Thessaloniki, northern Greece: implications for human health. Environ Pollut 215:113–124

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Besombes J-L, Maı̂tre A, Patissier O, Marchand N, Chevron N, Stoklov M, Masclet P (2001) Particulate PAHs observed in the surrounding of a municipal incinerator. Atmos Environ 35:6093–6104

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang G-R (2018) Persistent organochlorine pesticides in aquatic environments and fishes in Taiwan and their risk assessment. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25:7699–7708

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen CS (2005) Ecological risk assessment for aquatic species exposed to contaminants in Keelung River, Taiwan. Chemosphere 61:1142–1158

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen J-Z, Huang S-L, Han Y-S (2014) Impact of long-term habitat loss on the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 151:361–369

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng B-Y, Liu T-C, Shyu G-S, Chang T-K, Fang W-T (2011) Analysis of trends in water quality: constructed wetlands in metropolitan Taipei. Water Sci Technol 64:2143–2150

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng J-O, Cheng Y-M, Chen T-H, Hsieh P-C, Fang M-D, Lee C-L, Ko FC (2010) A preliminary assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon distribution in the Kenting coral reef waters of southern Taiwan. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 58:489–498

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng J-O, Ko FC (2018) Occurrence of PBDEs in surface sediments of metropolitan rivers: sources, distribution pattern, and risk assessment. Sci Total Environ 637:1578–1585

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheng J-O, Ko F-C, Lee C-L, Fang M-D (2016) Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of southern Taiwan in relation to monsoons. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23:15675–15688

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng J-O, Ko FC, Li J-J, Chen T-H, Cheng Y-M, Lee C-L (2012) Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in the surface sediments from inter-tidal areas of Kenting coast, Taiwan. Environ Monit Assess 184:3481–3490

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Colombo JC, Cappelletti N, Barreda A, Migoya MC, Skorupka CN (2005) Vertical fluxes and accumulation of PCBs in coastal sediments of the Río de la Plata estuary, Argentina. Chemosphere 61:1345–1357

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cui S, Fu Q, Ma W-L, Song W-W, Liu L-Y, Li Y-F (2015) A preliminary compilation and evaluation of a comprehensive emission inventory for polychlorinated biphenyls in China. Sci Total Environ 533:247–255

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Doong R-A, Sun Y-C, Liao P-L, Peng C-K, Wu S-C (2002) Distribution and fate of organochlorine pesticide residues in sediments from the selected rivers in Taiwan. Chemosphere 48:237–246

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Erickson MD (2018) Aroclor misidentification in environmental samples: how do we communicate more effectively between the laboratory and the data user? Environ Sci Pollut Res 25:16291–16299

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fang M-D, Lee C-L, Yu C-S (2003) Distribution and source recognition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments of Hsin-ta Harbour and adjacent coastal areas. Taiwan Mar Pollut Bull 46:941–953

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Folk RL (1966) A review of grain-size parameters. Sedimentology 6:73–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao S, Chen J, Shen Z, Liu H, Chen Y (2013) Seasonal and spatial distributions and possible sources of polychlorinated biphenyls in surface sediments of Yangtze Estuary, China. Chemosphere 91:809–816

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Geyer HJ, Rimkus GG, Scheunert I, Kaune A, Schramm K-W, Kettrup A, Zeeman M, Muir DC, Hansen LG, Mackay D (2000) Bioaccumulation and occurrence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and other organic compounds in fish and other organisms including humans, Bioaccumulation–new aspects and developments. Springer, pp 1–166

  • Girones L, Oliva AL, Marcovecchio JE, Arias AH (2020) Spatial distribution and ecological risk assessment of residual organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in South American marine environments. Current environmental health reports 7:147–160

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hafner WD, Carlson DL, Hites RA (2005) Influence of local human population on atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations. Environ Sci Technol 39:7374–7379

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • He D, Zhang K, Cui X, Tang J, Sun Y (2018) Spatiotemporal variability of hydrocarbons in surface sediments from an intensively human-impacted Xiaoqing River-Laizhou Bay system in the eastern China: occurrence, compositional profile and source apportionment. Sci Total Environ 645:1172–1182

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heath E, Ščančar J, Zuliani T, Milačič R (2010) A complex investigation of the extent of pollution in sediments of the Sava River: part 2: persistent organic pollutants. Environ Monit Assess 163:277–293

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang Y, Liu M, Wang R, Khan SK, Gao D, Zhang Y (2017) Characterization and source apportionment of PAHs from a highly urbanized river sediments based on land use analysis. Chemosphere 184:1334–1345

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hung C-C, Gong G-C, Chen H-Y, Hsieh H-L, Santschi PH, Wade TL, Sericano JL (2007) Relationships between pesticides and organic carbon fractions in sediments of the Danshui River estuary and adjacent coastal areas of Taiwan. Environ Pollut 148:546–554

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hung C-C, Gong G-C, Jiann K-T, Yeager KM, Santschi PH, Wade TL, Sericano JL, Hsieh H-L (2006) Relationship between carbonaceous materials and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the sediments of the Danshui River and adjacent coastal areas, Taiwan. Chemosphere 65:1452–1461

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hung C-C, Gong G-C, Ko FC, Chen H-Y, Hsu M-L, Wu J-M, Peng S-C, Nan F-H, Yeager KM, Santschi PH (2010) Relationships between persistent organic pollutants and carbonaceous materials in aquatic sediments of Taiwan. Mar Pollut Bull 60:1010–1017

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang J-J, Lee C-L, Fang M-D, Ko FC, Baker JE (2011) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments of southwest Taiwan: regional characteristics and potential sources. Mar Pollut Bull 62:815–823

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jin X, Lee H-K, Badejo AC, Lee S-Y, Shen A, Lee S, Jeong Y, Choi M, Moon H-B (2016) Decline in sediment contamination by persistent toxic substances from the outfall of wastewater treatment plant: effectiveness of legislative actions in Korea. Chemosphere 153:426–435

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kanzari F, Syakti AD, Asia L, Malleret L, Piram A, Mille G, Doumenq P (2014) Distributions and sources of persistent organic pollutants (aliphatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, PCBs and pesticides) in surface sediments of an industrialized urban river (Huveaune), France. Sci Total Environ 478:141–151

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kilunga PI, Sivalingam P, Laffite A, Grandjean D, Mulaji CK, de Alencastro LF, Mpiana PT, Poté J (2017) Accumulation of toxic metals and organic micro-pollutants in sediments from tropical urban rivers, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Chemosphere 179:37–48

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim AW, Vane CH, Moss-Hayes V, Engelhart SE, Kemp AC (2018) PAH, PCB, TPH and mercury in surface sediments of the Delaware River Estuary and Delmarva Peninsula, USA. Mar Pollut Bull 129:835–845

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim K-S, Lee SC, Kim K-H, Shim WJ, Hong SH, Choi KH, Yoon JH, Kim J-G (2009) Survey on organochlorine pesticides, PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs and HCB in sediments from the Han river, Korea. Chemosphere 75:580–587

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim Y-S, Eun H, Katase T, Fujiwara H (2007) Vertical distributions of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) caused from organochlorine pesticides in a sediment core taken from Ariake bay, Japan. Chemosphere 67:456–463

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ko FC, Pan WL, Cheng JO, Chen TH, Kuo FW, Kao SJ, Chang CW, Ho HC, Wang WH, Fang LS (2018) Persistent organic pollutants in Antarctic notothenioid fish and invertebrates associated with trophic levels. PLoS One 13:e0194147

    Google Scholar 

  • Ko FC, We N-Y, Chou L-S (2014) Bioaccumulation of persistent organic pollutants in stranded cetaceans from Taiwan coastal waters. J Hazard Mater 277:127–133

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kukučka P, Audy O, Kohoutek J, Holt E, Kalábová T, Holoubek I, Klánová J (2015) Source identification, spatio-temporal distribution and ecological risk of persistent organic pollutants in sediments from the upper Danube catchment. Chemosphere 138:777–783

    Google Scholar 

  • Kwon H-O, Choi S-D (2014) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils from a multi-industrial city, South Korea. Sci Total Environ 470-471:1494–1501

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Zhen X, Liu L, Tian C, Pan X, Tang J (2018) From headwaters to estuary: distribution, sources, and ecological risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an intensively human-impacted river, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25:36604–36614

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lin AY-C, Panchangam SC, Chen H-Y (2010) Implications of human pharmaceutical occurrence in the Sindian river of Taiwan: a strategic study of risk assessment. J Environ Monit 12:261–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu G, Liu W, Cai Z, Zheng M (2013) Concentrations, profiles, and emission factors of unintentionally produced persistent organic pollutants in fly ash from coking processes. J Hazard Mater 261:421–426

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Liu C, Xu K, Milliman J, Chiu J, Kao S, Lin S (2008) Flux and fate of small mountainous rivers derived sediments into the Taiwan Strait. Mar Geol 256:65–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu G, Zheng M, Ba T, Liu W, Guo L (2009) A preliminary investigation on emission of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls from coke plants in China. Chemosphere 75:692–695

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Long E, Macdonald D, Smith S, Calder F (1995) Incidence of adverse biological effects within ranges of chemical concentrations in marine and estuarine sediments. Environ Manag 19:81–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Long ER, MacDonald DD (1998) Recommended uses of empirically derived, sediment quality guidelines for marine and estuarine ecosystems. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal 4:1019–1039

    Google Scholar 

  • Lv J, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Zhou C, Guo C, Luo Y, Meng W, Zou G, Xu J (2015) Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediments of Liaohe River: levels, spatial and temporal distribution, possible sources, and inventory. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 22:4256–4264

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacDonald DD, Ingersoll CG, Berger TA (2000) Development and evaluation of consensus-based sediment quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 39:20–31

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Monirith I, Ueno D, Takahashi S, Nakata H, Sudaryanto A, Subramanian A, Karuppiah S, Ismail A, Muchtar M, Zheng J (2003) Asia-Pacific mussel watch: monitoring contamination of persistent organochlorine compounds in coastal waters of Asian countries. Mar Pollut Bull 46:281–300

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moon H-B, Yoon S-P, Jung R-H, Choi M (2008) Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as a source of sediment contamination by toxic organic pollutants and fecal sterols in a semi-enclosed bay in Korea. Chemosphere 73:880–889

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Motelay-Massei A, Ollivon D, Garban B, Teil MJ, Blanchard M, Chevreuil M (2004) Distribution and spatial trends of PAHs and PCBs in soils in the Seine River basin, France. Chemosphere 55:555–565

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Narangarvuu D, Hsu C-B, Shieh S-H, Wu F-C, Yang P-S (2014) Macroinvertebrate assemblage patterns as indicators of water quality in the Xindian watershed. Taiwan JAsia-Pacific Entomol 17:505–513

    Google Scholar 

  • Nascimento RA, de Almeida M, Escobar NCF, Ferreira SLC, Mortatti J, Queiroz AFS (2017) Sources and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organic matter in surface sediments of an estuary under petroleum activity influence, Todos os Santos Bay. Brazil Mar Pollut Bull 119:223–230

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nasir J, Wang X, Xu B, Wang C, Joswiak DR, Rehman S, Lodhi A, Shafiq S, Jilani R (2014) Selected Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in urban atmosphere of Pakistan: concentration, spatial variation and sources. Environ Sci Technol 48:2610–2618

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • National Statistics Taiwan, 2020. Directorate general of budget, accounting and statistics. Archived from the original on 12 January 2020. https://census.dgbas.gov.tw/PHC2010/english/rehome.htm

  • NIEA S104.32B (2016) Environment protection administration. Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Taipei. https://www.epa.gov.tw/niea/70D6D29582D19073

    Google Scholar 

  • Pereira WE, Hostettler FD, Luoma SN, Van Geen A, Fuller CC, Anima RJ (1999) Sedimentary record of anthropogenic and biogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in San Francisco Bay, California. Mar Chem 64:99–113

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu X, Zhu T, Li J, Pan H, Li Q, Miao G, Gong J (2004) Organochlorine pesticides in the air around the Taihu Lake, China. Environ Sci Technol 38:1368–1374

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu X, Zhu T, Yao B, Hu J, Hu S (2005) Contribution of Dicofol to the current DDT pollution in China. Environ Sci Technol 39:4385–4390

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rizzi J, Taniguchi S, Martins CC (2017) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in sediments from an urban- and industrial-impacted subtropical estuary (Babitonga Bay, Brazil). Mar Pollut Bull 119:390–395

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Romano S, Piazza R, Mugnai C, Giuliani S, Bellucci LG, Huu CN, Vecchiato M, Zambon S, Hoai ND, Frignani M (2013) PBDEs and PCBs in sediments of the Thi Nai Lagoon (Central Vietnam) and soils from its mainland. Chemosphere 90:2396–2402

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Samara F, Tsai CW, Aga DS (2006) Determination of potential sources of PCBs and PBDEs in sediments of the Niagara River. Environ Pollut 139:489–497

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt MWI, Skjemstad JO, Czimczik CI, Glaser B, Prentice KM, Gelinas Y, Kuhlbusch TAJ (2001) Comparative analysis of black carbon in soils. Glob Biogeochem Cycles 15:163–167

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh K, Malik A, Mohan D, Takroo R (2005) Distribution of persistent organochlorine pesticide residues in Gomti River, India. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 74:146–154

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Su X, Feng J, Guo L, Liu Q, Sun J (2018) Polychlorinated biphenyls in the Yellow River of Henan section: occurrence, composition, and impact factors. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25:13479–13488

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taiwan EPA, 2007. Project report on the investigation of river environmental and health risk assessment (Unpublished data)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tieyu W, Yonglong L, Hong Z, Yajuan S (2005) Contamination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and relevant management in China. Environ Int 31:813–821

    Google Scholar 

  • Tombesi N, Pozo K, Álvarez M, Přibylová P, Kukučka P, Audy O, Klánová J (2017) Tracking polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediments and soils from the southwest of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina (South eastern part of the GRULAC region). Sci Total Environ 575:1470–1476

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tu YT, Ou JH, Tsang DCW, Dong CD, Chen CW, Kao CM (2018) Source identification and ecological impact evaluation of PAHs in urban river sediments: a case study in Taiwan. Chemosphere 194:666–674

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang G, Peng J, Yang D, Zhang D, Li X (2015) Current levels, composition profiles, source identification and potentially ecological risks of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the surface sediments from Bohai Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 101:834–844

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang H, Xue B, Jin L, Zhou S, Liu W (2011) Polychlorinated biphenyls in surface sediments of Yueqing Bay, Xiangshan Bay, and Sanmen Bay in East China Sea. Chemosphere 83:137–143

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Young S-S, Yang H-N, Huang D-J, Liu S-M, Huang Y-H, Chiang C-T, Liu J-W (2014) Using benthic macroinvertebrate and fish communities as bioindicators of the Tanshui River Basin around the greater Taipei area—multivariate analysis of spatial variation related to levels of water pollution. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 11:7116–7143

    Google Scholar 

  • Yunker MB, Macdonald RW, Vingarzan R, Mitchell RH, Goyette D, Sylvestre S (2002) PAHs in the Fraser River basin: a critical appraisal of PAH ratios as indicators of PAH source and composition. Org Geochem 33:489–515

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Huang J, Yu G, Hong H (2004) Occurrence of PAHs, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in the Tonghui River of Beijing, China. Environ Pollut 130:249–261

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study was supported by grants from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan under project contract MOST-104-2621-M-259-001 and MOST-106-2621-M-259-002.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, Checheng, Pingtung, Taiwan

    Jing-O Cheng & Fung-Chi Ko

  2. Graduate Institute of Hydrological and Oceanic Sciences, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taiwan

    Kon-Kee Liu

  3. Graduate Institute of Marine Biology, National Dong Hwa University, Checheng, Pingtung, Taiwan

    Fung-Chi Ko

Authors
  1. Jing-O Cheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kon-Kee Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fung-Chi Ko
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fung-Chi Ko.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Ester Heath

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 472 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cheng, JO., Liu, KK. & Ko, FC. Environmental assessment of persistent organic pollutants in surface sediments of the Danshui River basin, Taipei, Taiwan. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 44165–44176 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10315-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-10315-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation