Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Occurrence, ecological risk assessment, and spatio-temporal variation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water and sediments along River Ravi and its northern tributaries, Pakistan

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

Abstract

Ecological risk assessment, spatio-temporal variation, and source apportionment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were studied in surface sediments and water from River Ravi and its three northern tributaries (Nullah Deg, Nullah Basantar, and Nullah Bein) in Pakistan. In total, 35 PCB congeners were analyzed along 27 sampling stations in pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The ∑35PCB concentration ranged from 1.06 to 95.76 ng/g (dw) in sediments and 1.94 to 11.66 ng/L in water samples, with hexa-CBs and tetra-CBs as most dominant homologs in sediments and water matrixes, respectively. The ∑8DL-PCB levels were 0.33–22.13 ng/g (dw) and 0.16–1.95 ng/L in sediments and water samples, respectively. The WHO-toxic equivalent values were ranged from 1.18 × 10−6 to 0.012 ng/L and 1.8 × 10−6 to 0.031 ng/g in water and sediments matrixes, respectively. The ecological risk assessment indicates considerable potential ecological risk during pre-monsoon season (\( {E}_r^i \) = 95.17) and moderate potential ecological risk during post-monsoon season (\( {E}_r^i \) = 49.11). The industrial and urban releases were recognized as key ongoing sources for high PCB levels in environment. Therefore, we recommend more freshwater ecological studies to be conducted in the study area and firm regulatory initiatives are required to be taken in debt to the Stockholm Convention, 2001 to cop up with PCB contamination on emergency basis.

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
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ali N, Eqani SAMAS, Malik RN, Neels H, Covaci A (2013a) Organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) in human serum of mothers and children from Pakistan with urban and rural residential settings. Sci Total Environ 461-462:655–662

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ali N, Malik RN, Mehdi T, Eqani SAMAS, Javeed A, Neels H, Covaci A (2013b) Organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) in the serum and hair of pet cats and dogs: biosentinels of indoor pollution. Sci Total Environ 449:29–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ali N, Mehdi T, Malik RN, Eqani SAMAS, Kamal A, Dirtu AC, Neels H, Covaci A (2014) Levels and profile of several classes of organic contaminants in matched indoor dust and serum samples from occupational settings of Pakistan. Environ Pollut 193:269–276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.01.037

  • Ali U, Syed JH, Mahmood A, Li J, Zhang G, Jones KC, Malik RN (2015) Influential role of black carbon in the soil–air partitioning of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the Indus River Basin, Pakistan. Chemosphere 134:172–180

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ali U, Li J, Zhang G, Mahmood A, Jones KC, Malik RN (2016) Presence, deposition flux and mass burden of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from Mehmood Booti Drain sediments, Lahore. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 125:9–15

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • American Public Health Association (2005), Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 21st edition. American public health association/ American water works association/Water environment federation, Washington, DC, USA.

  • Arblaster J, Ikonomou MG, Gobas FA (2015) Toward ecosystem-based sediment quality guidelines for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Integr Environ Assess Manag 11:689–700

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arslan M, Imran A, Khan QM, Afzal M (2015) Plant–bacteria partnerships for the remediation of persistent organic pollutants. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24:4322–4336

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baqar M, Arslan M, Mahmood A (2014) GIS mapping to determine river pollution. Coordin 10:46–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Baqar M, Arslan M, Sadef Y, Mahmood A, Qadir A, Ahmad SR (2017) Persistent organic pollutants: potential threat to ecological integrities in term of geno-toxicity and oxidative stress. Hum Ecol Risk Assess. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2017.1292843

  • Biterna M, Voutsa D (2005) Polychlorinated biphenyls in ambient air of NW Greece and in particulate emissions. Environ Int 31:671–677

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Breivik K, Sweetman A, Pacyna JM, Jones KC (2002) Towards a global historical emission inventory for selected PCB congeners—a mass balance approach: 1. Global production and consumption. Sci Total Environ 290(1–3):181–198

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buekens A, Stieglitz L, Hell K, Huang H, Segers P (2001) Dioxins from thermal and metallurgical processes: recent studies for the iron and steel industry. Chemosphere 42:729–735

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) (2001) Canadian sediment quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life: summary tables. Canadian Environmental Guidelines, CCME, Winnipeg http://ceqg-rcqe.ccme.ca/download/en/244 (accessed 04.06.17)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carvalho FP, Villeneuve JP, Cattini C, Thuan DD, Nhan DD (2009) Polychlorinated biphenyl congeners in the aquatic environment of the Mekong River, South of Vietnam. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 83:892–898

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty P, Sakthivel S, Kumar B, Kumar S, Mishra M, Verma VK, Gaur R (2014) Spatial distribution of persistent organic pollutants in the surface water of River Brahmaputra and River Ganga in India. Rev Environ Health 29:45–48

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty P, Khuman SN, Selvaraj S, Sampath S, Devi NL, Bang JJ, Katsoyiannis A (2016a) Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in River Brahmaputra from the outer Himalayan Range and River Hooghly emptying into the Bay of Bengal: occurrence, sources and ecotoxicological risk assessment. Environ Pollut 219:998–1006

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chakraborty P, Zhang G, Li J, Selvaraj S, Breivik K, Jones KC (2016b) Soil concentrations, occurrence, sources and estimation of air-soil exchange of polychlorinated biphenyls in Indian cities. Sci Total Environ 562:928–934

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chi KH, Chang MB, Kao SJ (2007) Historical trends of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs in sediments buried in a reservoir in Northern Taiwan. Chemosphere 68:1733–1740

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cui S, Fu Q, Guo L, Li YF, Li TX, Ma WL, Wang M, Li WL (2016) Spatial-temporal variation, possible source and ecological risk of PCBs in sediments from Songhua River, China: effects of PCB elimination policy and reverse management framework. Mar Pollut Bull 106:109–118

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Desmet M, Mourier B, Mahler BJ, Van Metre PC, Roux G, Persat H, Lefèvre I, Peretti A, Chapron E, Simonneau A, Miège C, Babut M (2012) Spatial and temporal trends in PCBs in sediment along the lower Rhône River. France Sci Total Environ 433:189–197

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Djedjibegovic J, Marjanovic A, Sober M, Skrbo A, Sinanovic K, Larssen T, Grung M, Fjeld E, Rognerud S (2010) Levels of persistent organic pollutants in the Neretva River (Bosnia and Herzegovina) determined by deployment of semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD). J Environ Sci Health B 45:128–136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drouillard KG, Jezdic I, O'Rourke SM, Gewurtz SB, Raeside AA, Leadley TA, Drca P, Haffner GD (2013) Spatial and temporal variability of PCBs in Detroit River water assessed using a long term biomonitoring program. Chemosphere 90:95–102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Echols KR, Brumbaugh WG, Orazio CE, May TW, Poulton BC, Peterman PH (2008) Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 55:161–172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Kady AA, Abdel-Wahhab MA, Henkelmann B, Belal MH, Morsi MK, Galal SM, Schramm KW (2007) Polychlorinated biphenyl, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran residues in sediments and fish of the River Nile in the Cairo region. Chemosphere 68:1660–1668

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • EPA (2004a). Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) ID–Definitions. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/toxteam/pcbid/defs.htm

  • Eqani SAMAS, Malik RN, Katsoyiannis A, Zhang G, Zhang G, Chakraborty P, Mohammad A, Jones KC (2012a) Distribution and risk assessment of organochlorine contaminants in surface water from River Chenab. Pakistan. J. Environ. Monit. 14:1645–1654

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eqani SAMAS, Malik RN, Zhang G, Mohammad A, Chakraborty P (2012b) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the sediments of the River Chenab. Pakistan Chem Ecol 28:327–339

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eqani SAMAS, Malik RN, Zhang G, Cincinelli A, Rasheed A, Qadir A, Bokhari H, Mohammad A, Jones KC, Katsoyiannis A (2013) Uptake of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by river water fish; the case of River Chenab. Sci Total Environ 450-451:83–91

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eqani SAMAS, Cincinelli A, Mehmood A, Malik RN, Zhang G (2015) Occurrence, bioaccumulation and risk assessment of dioxin-like PCBs along the Chenab river, Pakistan. Environ Pollut 206:688–695

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farooq S, Eqani SAMAS, Malik RN, Katsoyiannis A, Zhang G, Zhang Y, Li J, Xiang L, Jones KC, Shinwari ZK (2011) Occurrence, finger printing and ecological risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Chenab River, Pakistan. J Environ Monit 13:3207–3215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fiedler H, Abad E, van Bavel B, de Boer J, Bogdal C, Malisch R (2013) The need for capacity building and first results for the Stockholm Convention Global Monitoring Plan. Trends Anal Chem 46:72–84

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fu JM, Mai BX, Sheng GY, Zhang G, Wang XM, Peng PA, Xiao XM, Ran R, Cheng FZ, Peng XZ, Wang ZS, Tang UW (2003) Persistent organic pollutants in environment of the Pearl River Delta, China: an overview. Chemosphere 52:1411–1422

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gakuba E, Moodley B, Ndungu P, Birungi G (2015) Occurrence and significance of polychlorinated biphenyls in water, sediment pore water and surface sediments of Umgeni River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Environ Monit Assess 187:568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gennings C, Sabo R, Carney E (2010) Identifying subsets of complex mixtures most associated with complex diseases: polychlorinated biphenyls and endometriosis as a case study. Epidemiology 21:S77–S84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hakanson L (1980) An ecological risk index for aquatic pollution control.a sedimentological approach. WaterResearch 14 (8):975-1001

  • Harman C, Grung M, Djedjibegovic J, Marjanovic A, Sober M, Sinanovic K, Fjeld E, Rognerud S, Ranneklev SB, Larssen T (2013) Screening for Stockholm Convention persistent organic pollutants in the Bosna River (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Environ Monit Assess 185:1671–1683

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heath E, Scancar J, Zuliani T, Milacic 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

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hellar-Kihampa H, De Wael K, Lugwisha E, Malarvannan G, Covaci A, Van Grieken R (2013) Spatial monitoring of organohalogen compounds in surface water and sediments of a rural-urban river basin in Tanzania. Sci Total Environ 447:186–197

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hong SH, Yim UH, Shim WJ, Oh JR, Lee IS (2003) Horizontal and vertical distribution of PCBs and chlorinated pesticides in sediments from Masan Bay. Korea Mar Pollut Bull 46:244–253

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hsieh CY, Lee CL, Kuo WC, Chen TC, Wang YK, Yu BY (2011) PCBs in Donggang River Watershed sediments, Taiwan. J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng 46:480–489

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Iqbal M, Breivik K, Syed JH, Malik RN, Li J, Zhang G, Jones KC (2015) Emerging issue of e-waste in Pakistan: a review of status, research needs and data gaps. Environ Pollut 207:308–318

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jamil N, Baqar M, Shaikh IA, Javaid I, Shahid A, Khalid R, Ahsan N, Qadir A, Arslan M (2015) Assessment of mercury contamination in water and soil surrounding a chlor-alkali plant: a case study. J Chem Soc Pakistan 37:173–178

    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

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Keithmaleesatti S, Thirakhupt K, Pradatsudarasar A, Varanusupakul P, Kitana N, Robson M (2007) Concentration of organochlorine in egg yolk and reproductive success of Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1758) at Wat Tan-en non-hunting area, Phra Nakhorn Si Ayuthaya Province, Thailand. Ecotox Environ Saf 68:79–83

    Article  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

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kobayashi, J., Serizawa S, Sakurai T, Imaizumi Y, Suzuki N, Horiguchi T (2010) Spatial distribution and partitioning of polychlorinated biphenyls in Tokyo Bay, Japan. J Environ Monit 12:838–845

  • Lai Z, Li X, Li H, Zhao L, Zeng Y, Wang C, Gao Y, Liu Q (2015) Residual distribution and risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls in surface sediments of the Pearl River Delta, South China. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 95:37–44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Letcher RJ, Bustnes JO, Dietz R, Jenssen BM, Jørgensen EH, Sonne C, Verreault J, Vijayan MM, Gabrielsen GW (2010) Exposure and effects assessments of persistent organohalogen contaminants in arctic wildlife and fish. Sci Total Environ 408:2995–3040

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li J, Zhang G, Guo L, Xu W, Li X, Lee CS, Ding A, Wang T (2007) Organochlorine pesticides in the atmosphere of Guangzhou and Hong Kong: regional sources and long-range atmospheric transport. Atmos Environ 41:3889–3903

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Q, Cheng X, Wang Y, Cheng Z, Guo L, Li K, Su X, Sun J, Li J, Zhang G (2017) Impacts of human activities on the spatial distribution and sources of polychlorinated naphthalenes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. Chemosphere 176:369–377

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu Q, Jürgens MD, Johnson AC, Graf C, Sweetman A, Crosse J, Whitehead P (2017) Persistent organic pollutants in sediment and fish in the River Thames Catchment (UK). Sci Total Environ 576:78–84

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lugo-Ibarra KC, Daesslé LW, Macías-Zamora JV, Ramírez-Álvarez N (2011) Persistent organic pollutants associated to water fluxes and sedimentary processes in the Colorado River delta, Baja California, México. Chemosphere 85:210–217

    Article  CAS  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 22:4256–4264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmood A, Malik RN, Li J, Zhang G (2014a) Levels, distribution profile, and risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water and sediment from two tributaries of the River Chenab, Pakistan. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21:7847–7855

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmood A, Syed JH, Malik RN, Zheng Q, Cheng Z, Li J, Zhang G (2014b) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in air, soil, and cereal crops along the two tributaries of River Chenab, Pakistan: concentrations, distribution, and screening level risk assessment. Sci Total Environ 481:596–604

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malik RN, Rauf S, Mohammad A, Eqani SAMAS, Ahad K (2011) Organochlorine residual concentrations in cattle egret from the Punjab Province, Pakistan. Environ Monit Assess 173:325–341

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malik RN, Mehboob F, Ali U, Katsoyiannis A, Schuster JK, Moeckel C, Jones KC (2014) Organo-halogenated contaminants (OHCs) in the sediments from the Soan River, Pakistan: OHCs (adsorbed TOC) burial flux, status and risk assessment. Sci Total Environ 481:343–351

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Minomo K, Ohtsuka N, Hosono S, Nojiri K, Kawamura K (2011) Seasonal change of PCDDs/PCDFs/DL-PCBs in the water of Ayase River, Japan: pollution sources and their contributions to TEQ. Chemosphere 85:188–194

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Montuori P, Cirillo T, Fasano E, Nardone A, Esposito F, Triassi M (2014) Spatial distribution and partitioning of polychlorinated biphenyl and organochlorine pesticide in water and sediment from Sarno River and Estuary, southern Italy. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 21:5023–5035

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mumtaz M, Mehmood A, Qadir A, Mahmood A, Malik RN, Sabir AM, Li J, Zhang G (2016) Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) in rice grains and straw; risk surveillance, congener specific analysis, distribution and source apportionment from selected districts of Punjab Province, Pakistan. Sci. Total Environ. 543:620–627

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakata H, Kawazoe M, Arizono K, Abe S, Kitano T, Shimada H, Li W, Ding X (2002) Organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyl residues in foodstuffs and human tissues from China: status of contamination, historical trend, and human dietary exposure. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 43:473–480

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neamtu M, Ciumasu IM, Costica N, Costica M, Bobu M, Nicoara MN, Catrinescu C, van Slooten KB, De Alencastro LF (2009) Chemical, biological, and ecotoxicological assessment of pesticides and persistent organic pollutants in the Bahlui River, Romania. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 16:S76–S85

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Omar WA, Mahmoud HM (2017) Risk assessment of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and trace metals in River Nile up- and downstream of a densely populated area. Environ Geochem Health 39:125–137

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Özyürek NA, Gedik K, Şiltu E, İmamoğlu I (2013) Levels and sources of polychlorinated biphenyls in Ankara creek sediments, Turkey. J Environ Sci Health; Part A 48:800–808

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, J.S., 2000. Atmospheric deposition of PAHs, PCBs, and pesticides to the South Texas Bays, Galveston Bay and Corpus Christy Bay. Ph.D. dissertation, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX, USA

  • Park SU, Kim JG, Jeong MJ, Song BJ (2011) Source identification of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in industrial complex using diagnostic ratios and multivariate factor analysis. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 60:576–589

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajendran RB, Imagawa T, Tao H, Ramesh R, (2005) Distribution of PCBs, HCHs and DDTs, and their ecotoxicological implications in Bay of Bengal, India. Environment International 31 (4):503-512

  • Ren N, Que M, Li Y, Liu L, Wan X, Xu D (2007) Polychlorinated biphenyls in Chinese surface soils. Environ Sci Technol 41:3871–3876

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson T, Ali U, Mahmood A, Chaudhry MJI, Li J, Zhang G, Jones KC, Malik RN (2016) Concentrations and patterns of organochlorines (OCs) in various fish species from the Indus River, Pakistan: a human health risk assessment. Sci Total Environ 541:1232–1242

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Roy A, Perkins NJ, Buck Louis GM (2012) Assessing chemical mixtures and human health: use of Bayesian belief net analysis. J Environ Protect 3:462–468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakai N, Dayana E, Abu Bakar A, Yoneda M, Nik Sulaiman NM, Ali Mohd M (2016) Occurrence, distribution, and dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls and health risk assessment in Selangor River basin. Environ Monit Assess 188:592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanpera C, Ruiz X, Jover L, Llorente G, Jabeen R, Muhammad A, Boncompagni E, Fasola M, (2003) Persistent organic pollutants in little egret eggs from selected wetlands in pakistan. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 44 (3):360-368

  • Santiago EC, Rivas F (2012) Polychlorinated biphenyls in selected sites in Pasig River and Laguna Lake in the Philippines before and after a big flood event investigated under the UNU East Asia regional POPs monitoring project. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 89:407–411

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma CM, Rosseland BO, Almvik M, Eklo OM (2009) Bioaccumulation of organochlorine pollutants in the fish community in Lake Arungen, Norway. Environ Pollut 157:2452–2458

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Syed JH, Malik RN (2011) Occurrence and source identification of organochlorine pesticides in the surrounding surface soils of the Ittehad Chemical Industries Kalashah Kaku Pakistan. Environ Earth Sci 62:1311–1321

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Syed JH, Malik RN, Li J, Zhang G, Jones KC (2013) Levels, distribution and air–soil exchange fluxes of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the environment of Punjab Province, Pakistan. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 97:189–195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Syed JH, Malik RN, Li J, Chaemfa C, Zhang G, Jones KC (2014) Status, distribution and ecological risk of organochlorines (OCs) in the surface sediments from the Ravi River, Pakistan. Sci Total Environ 472:204–211

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Toan VD, Quy NP (2015) Residues of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sediment from CauBay River and their impacts on agricultural soil, human health risk in KieuKy area, Vietnam. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 95:177–182

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • UNECE, 1994. Standard statistical classification of surface freshwater quality for the maintenance of aquatic life. In: Readings in International Environment Statistics, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, United Nations, New York and Geneva

  • US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) (2004b). National Recommended Water Quality Criteria. Office Sci Technol (4304T). https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/documents/nrwqc-2004.pdf (accessed 24.05.17)

  • Van den Berg M, Birnbaum LS, Denison M, Vito MD, Farland W, Feeley M, Fiedler H, Hakansson H, Hanberg A, Haws L, Rose M, Safe S, Schrenk D, Tohyama C, Tritscher A, Tuomisto J, Tysklind M, Walker N, Peterson RE (2006) The 2005 World Health Organization reevaluation of human and mammalian toxic equivalency factors for dioxins and dioxin-like compounds. Toxicol Sci 93:223–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei S, Wang Y, Lam JCW, Zheng GJ, So MK, Yueng LWY (2008) Historical trends of organic pollutants in sediment cores from Hong Kong. Mar Pollut Bull 57:758–766

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wimmerová S, Lancz K, Tihányi J, Sovčíková E, Kočan A, Drobná B, Palkovičová L, Jurečková D, Fabišiková A, Conka K, Trnovec T (2011) Half lives of serum PCB congener concentrations in environmentally exposed early adolescents. Chemosphere 82:687–691

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamashita N, Tajima Y, Ludwig J, Kurita H, Ludwig ME, Tatsukawa R (1993) Embryonic abnormalities and organochlorine contamination in double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) and Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia) from the upper Great Lakes in 1988. Environ Pollut 79:163–173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yu Y, Li Y, Shen Z, Yang Z, Mo L, Kong Y, Lou I (2014) Occurrence and possible sources of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) along the Chao River, China. Chemosphere 114:136–143

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang ZL, Hong HS, Zhou JL, Huang J, Yu G (2003) Fate and assessment of persistent organic pollutants in water and sediment from Minjiang River estuary. Southern China, Chemosphere 52:1423–1430

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Q, Gao L, Zheng M, Liu L, Li C (2014) Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water samples from the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, China. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 92:585–589

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Huang Y, Wang X, Lin K, Wu K (2015) Environmental polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis of observational studies. PLoS One 10:e0142513

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao G, Xu Y, Han G, Ling B (2006) Biotransfer of persistent organic pollutants from a large site in China used for the disassembly of electronic and electrical waste. Environmental Geochemistry and Health 28 (4):341-351

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Mr. Muhammad Akhtar and Mr. Abdul Qadir for their assistance during extensive sampling program in the study area. We also like to extend our thanks to Ms. Uzma Ashraf (Research Scholar at the University of the Punjab, Lahore) for her guidance regarding GIS mapping. The authors also like to express their gratitude to“CAS Belt and Road (B&R) Initiatives No. 132744KYSB20170002” for the analysis of the work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 54590, Pakistan

    Mujtaba Baqar, Yumna Sadef, Sajid Rashid Ahmad, Abdul Qadir & Iqra Aslam

  2. Sustainable Development Study Centre, Government College University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan

    Mujtaba Baqar

  3. Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College Women University, Sialkot, 51310, Pakistan

    Adeel Mahmood

  4. State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    Adeel Mahmood, Jun Li & Gan Zhang

Authors
  1. Mujtaba Baqar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yumna Sadef
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sajid Rashid Ahmad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Adeel Mahmood
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Abdul Qadir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Iqra Aslam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jun Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Gan Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mujtaba Baqar.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Hongwen Sun

Electronic supplementary material

ESM 1

(DOCX 511 kb)

Supplementary data

Supplementary data

The supplementary data comprised of seven tables and one figure. Table S.1 provides the description of sampling sites, Table S.2 summarizes the sediments physical characteristics, Table S.3 provides overall PCB congeners profile, Tables S.4 and S.5 provide stream-wise PCB congeners profile in sediments and water samples, Table S.6 explains DL-PCB congeners and classes in water (ng/L) and sediments (ng/g) during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, and Table S.7 provides comparison of DL-PCBs TEQ values with previous studies. Whereas, Fig. S.1 depicts the spatial distribution of PCB homologs in studied area.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Baqar, M., Sadef, Y., Ahmad, S.R. et al. Occurrence, ecological risk assessment, and spatio-temporal variation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water and sediments along River Ravi and its northern tributaries, Pakistan. Environ Sci Pollut Res 24, 27913–27930 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0182-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-0182-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation