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Trace analysis of persistent toxic substances in the main stream of Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River, China

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Abstract

Background, aim, and scope

The Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River is the downstream of the whole river, serving as an important drinking water source. Persistent toxic substances (PTS), from the industries such as automobile, textile, chemical, and electronic production, are not listed in the National Standard yet and not monitored and controlled. However, pollution of PTS can threaten the environment and human health. In order to understand the pollution status of the PTS contamination and recommend future rationalization of countermeasure, the PTS including organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), and phthalates (PAEs) were investigated.

Materials and methods

Samples were collected at 15 sites from five main stream sections of the Yangtze River in Jiangsu Province. PTS were extracted using solid phase extract method. The analysis of OCPs, PCBs was performed using GC/ECD and PAHs, PAEs was performed by GC/MS.

Results and discussions

The method detection limits are low and the recoveries are from 58.1% to 110.3%. The total concentrations of OCPs, PCBs, PAHs, and PAEs were 0.27∼2.15 ng l−1, <0.21∼44.4 ng l−1, 0.012∼3.576 μg l−1 and 0.178∼1.474 μg l−1, respectively. γ-HCH, PCB28, PCB101, phenanthrene, anthracene, di-n-butyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate are the major detected PTS. The concentration of most of the PTS was below the environmental quality standards for surface water of China.

Conclusions

The pollution status of OCPs, PCBs, PAHs, and PAEs were analyzed. PTS contamination levels of the five main stream sections were relatively low.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful for the financial support from Science & Technology Ministry of China (Grant No. 2008ZX07421-002) and the Key Projects in the National Science & Technology Pillar Program during the Eleventh Five-year Plan Period (Grant No.2006BAJ08B06).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of the Environment, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China

    Huan He, Guan-jiu Hu, Cheng Sun & Ming-na Yang

  2. The Environmental Monitoring Center of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing, 210036, China

    Guan-jiu Hu, Su-lan Chen, Juan Li, Yong Zhao & Hui Wang

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  1. Huan He
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  2. Guan-jiu Hu
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  3. Cheng Sun
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  4. Su-lan Chen
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  5. Ming-na Yang
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  6. Juan Li
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  7. Yong Zhao
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  8. Hui Wang
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Correspondence to Cheng Sun.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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He, H., Hu, Gj., Sun, C. et al. Trace analysis of persistent toxic substances in the main stream of Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 18, 638–648 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0414-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-010-0414-z

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