Organochlorine compounds in ice melt water from Italian Alpine rivers.
Organochlorine chemicals (OCs) (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes, hexachlorocyclohexanes, and hexachlorobenzene) were measured in ice melt water from five glaciers in the Italian Alps. Even though the data collected may not be sufficient for a precise description of persistent organic pollutant release patterns from glacier melting, they have, however, highlighted the potential for surface water contamination. Concentrations were of the same order of magnitude in all glacial streams, indicating comparable contamination levels in different glaciers of the alpine region. OC levels in nonglacial springs sampled in the same areas are usually lower. Even if differences during the melting season (from spring to autumn) have been identified, a regular seasonal pattern in OC concentrations was not observed. Risk for the aquatic environment is excluded through direct water exposure, but it is likely to occur through biomagnification and secondary poisoning exposure.
Villa
Sara
S
Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy. sara.villa@unimib.it
Negrelli
Christian
C
Finizio
Antonio
A
Flora
Onelio
O
Vighi
Marco
M
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D020387:Food Chain; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D007053:Ice; D046448:Ice Cover; D007558:Italy; D045483:Rivers; D014316:Tritium; D014867:Water; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D007053:Ice; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014867:Water; D014316:Tritium