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Abstract: The atmospheric fate of six phthalate esters was investigated in the urban area of Paris (France). Total atmospheric levels (ng m−3) were as follows: DMP, 0.5; DEP, 10.7; DnBP, 22.2; BBP, 4.6; DEHP, 18.9; and DnOP, 0.5 ng m−3, showing a predominance of DnBP and next, DEHP. They are mainly present in the vapour phase, from 93.8% to 64.9%, particularly for the esters with alkyl chain length of less than six C. An inverse correlation was found between the vapour phase concentrations and the molecular weight and also a direct correlation between the vapour phase concentrations and the log [vapour pressure] of the compounds. Seasonal variations were displayed by principal component analysis (PCA), due to significant correlation between phthalate concentrations and air temperature. Rain water concentrations (ng L−1) were as follows: DMP, 116; DEP, 333; DnBP, 592; BBP, 81; DEHP, 423; and DnOP, 10. PCA analysis showed a seasonal variation of these concentrations correlated to the air temperature. The experimental water/air scavenging ratio was calculated and was in accordance with the theoretical one obtained from the vapour pressure and the Henry''s law constant for each phthalate ester. The global trend was a decrease of the washout coefficient in relation with the rise of alkyl chain length. Yearly balances for rainwater and bulk deposition allowed the estimation of dry deposits that represented about half of total. Our findings highlight the major part played by particles in atmospheric deposition processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) were investigated during 1999–2000 in the sewerage system to the Seine Aval treatment plant which drains the Paris area (France). Contamination of sludges from storage chambers indicated a local origin typical of motor car traffic with PAH concentrations (Σ16) ranging from 14 to 31 mg kg-1 of dry weight, pyrene/fluoranthene ratios ranging between 1.12 and 1.48 and PCB concentrations (Σ7) ranging from 0.07 to 0.65 mg kg-1 of dry weight. In the same way, sludges from sand removal tanks displayed PAH values related to the importance of traffic whereas PCBs were rather characteristic of a diffuse origin. Among the five sewers entering the Seine Aval treatment plant, Clichy Argenteuil, which drains a large industrial area, was the most polluted one (PAHs as Σ3, 10 kg year-1; PCBs as Σ7, 3.5 kg year-1). Seasonal variations were observed for PAHs with higher levels in winter in relation with the occurrence of combustion processes. Ninety-eight percent of the PAHs and 76% of the PCBs were extracted during the treatment plant processes, the primary clarifier of which retained 50% of the pollutants. Fluoranthene and PCB concentrations in the final dehydrated sludge (mean values) were 1.07 and 0.623 mg kg-1 of dry weight, respectively. For PCBs, a significant correlation was found (r=0.668, P<0.001) between wastewater and dehydrated sludge concentrations. Yearly measured amounts of PAHs (Σ3) were twice higher in sludges (76.3 kg) than in precipitations (37.7 kg) whereas those of PCBs (Σ7) brought by total atmospheric fallout (17.6 kg) and sludges (21.1 kg) did not differ significantly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The levels and fate of phthalate metabolites have been poorly evaluated in fish, despite their potential ecotoxicological impacts. The present study aims to characterize the levels of phthalate metabolites in muscle tissue of yellow eels ( Anguilla anguilla ) from two coastal Mediterranean lagoons, during three sampling periods. Nine phthalate metabolites were detected in > 70% of the samples. Slightly higher levels of phthalate metabolites were detected in March and June compared to October, suggesting possible seasonal variations in environmental release and/or phthalate metabolization process by eels. The large sample size (N = 117) made it possible to explore correlations between phthalate metabolites' levels and individual parameters, such as body length, age, body condition and hepatic histo-pathologies. Body length and estimated age poorly correlated with phthalate metabolites, suggesting that eels did not accumulate phthalates during growth, contrary to persistent compounds. Eels presented different grades of hepatic fibrosis and lipidosis. A negative correlation was found between the severity of these pathologies in the liver and the sum of phthalate metabolites levels, supporting the hypothesis that eels with damaged liver are less able to metabolize xenobiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent organic pollutants (PAHs and PCBs) in soil samples from seven sites across the Seine basin were analysed. Samples were taken from industrialized, urban, suburban and remote sites. Results showed spatial differences, in terms of concentrations and congener profiles. PAH (∑14 PAHs) and PCB (∑7 PCBs) concentrations ranged from 450 to 5650 μg kg−1 and 0.09 to 150 μg kg−1, respectively. A clear gradient from industrial to remote sites was highlighted, with a ratio of up to one order of magnitude for PAHs and two orders of magnitude for PCBs. Fluoranthene and pyrene were predominant, while the carcinogenic PAHs represented 15–46% of the total PAH content. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, soil samples profiles were compared and the influence of site location and potential sources were identified: automobile traffic, domestic heating, and industrial emissions were the prevalent PAHs sources in the Seine basin. PCB profiles suggested different transport patterns among congeners. For remote sites, the congener fingerprint showed a relatively higher proportion of the most volatile congeners, which were attributed to increased atmospheric residence times. Thus, PAH and PCB distributions in soils provided information on sources and evidence for short-range transport, and profiles of compounds reflected differences between regional and local emissions. This study demonstrates that soil sampling can be used to investigate spatial differences in atmospheric inputs of persistent organic pollutants based on differences in the mixtures of compounds, reflecting differences in regional and local atmospheric emissions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]