Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of bioavailable fraction of POPS in surface water bodies in Johannesburg City, South Africa, using passive samplers: an initial assessment

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, the semipermeable membrane device (SPMD) passive samplers were used to determine freely dissolved concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in selected water bodies situated in and around Johannesburg City, South Africa. The devices were deployed for 14 days at each sampling site in spring and summer of 2011. Time weighted average (TWA) concentrations of the water-borne contaminants were calculated from the amounts of analytes accumulated in the passive samplers. In the area of interest, concentrations of analytes in water ranged from 33.5 to 126.8 ng l−1 for PAHs, from 20.9 to 120.9 pg l−1 for PCBs and from 0.2 to 36.9 ng l−1 for OCPs. Chlorinated pesticides were mainly composed of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) (0.15–36.9 ng l−1) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloromethane (DDT) with its metabolites (0.03–0.55 ng l−1). By applying diagnostic ratios of certain PAHs, identification of possible sources of the contaminants in the various sampling sites was performed. These ratios were generally inclined towards pyrogenic sources of pollution by PAHs in all study sites except in the Centurion River (CR), Centurion Lake (CL) and Airport River (AUP) that indicated petrogenic origins. This study highlights further need to map up the temporal and spatial variations of these POPs using passive samplers.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allan, I. J., & Ranneklev, S. B. (2011). Occurrence of PAHs and PCBs in the Alna River, Oslo (Norway). Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 13, 2420–2426.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baxter, R. M. (1990). Reductive dechlorination of certain chlorinated organic compounds by reduced hematin compared with their behaviour in the environment. Chemosphere, 21, 451–458.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Booij, K., & Smedes, F. (2010). An improved method for estimating in situ sampling rates of nonpolar passive samplers. Environmental Science and Technology, 44, 6789–6794.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brandli, R. C., Bucheli, T. D., Ammann, S., Desaules, A., Keller, A., Blum, F., et al. (2008). Lipid containing semipermeable membrane devices for monitoring organic contaminants in water. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 10, 1278–1286.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cailleaud, K., Forget-Leray, J., & Souissi, S. (2007). Seasonal variations of hydrophobic organic contaminant concentrations in the water-column of the Seine Estuary and their transfer on a planktonic species Eurytemora affinis (Calanoida, copepoda). Part1: PCBs and PAHs. Chemosphere, 70, 270–280.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, L.A. (1996). A study of storm water runoff from Alexandra Township in the Jukskei River. MSc dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

  • Degger, N., Wepener, V., Richardson, B. I., & Wu, R. S. S. (2011). Brown mussels (Perna perna) and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) as indicators of organic pollutants in the South African marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 63, 91–97.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harding, W.R., Thornton, J.A., Steyn, G., Panuska, J. & Morrison, I.R. (2004). Department of Agriculture, Environment and Tourism of the North West Province Government, South Africa.

  • Harman, C., Tollefsen, K.-E., Boyum, O., Thomas, K., & Grung, M. (2008). Uptake of alkylphenols, PAHs and carbazoles in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and polar organic chemical integrated sampler (POCIS). Chemosphere, 72, 1510–1516.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hely-Hutchinson, J. R., & Schumann, E. H. (1997). Seasonal and inter-annual variability in the physical properties of Hartbeespoort Dam. South African Journal of Science, 93, 283–290.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huckins, J. N., Manuweera, G. K., Petty, J. D., Mackay, D., & Lebo, J. A. (1993). Lipid-containing semipermeable membrane devices for monitoring organic contaminants in water. Environmental Science and Technology, 27, 2489–2496.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huckins, J. N., Petty, J. D., & Booij, K. (2006). Monitors of organic chemicals in the environment: semipermeable membrane devices. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamens, R. M., Guo, Z., Fulcher, J. N., & Bell, D. A. (1988). The influence of humidity, sunlight and temperature on the daytime decay of polyaromatic hydrocarbons on atmospheric soot particles. Environmental Science and Technology, 22, 103–108.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karacık, B., Okay, O. S., Henkelmann, B., Pfister, G., & Schramm, K. W. (2013). Water concentrations of PAH, PCB and OCP by using semipermeable membrane devices and sediments. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 70, 258–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y. F., & Macdonald, R. W. (2005). Sources and pathways of selected organochlorine pesticides to the arctic and the effect of pathway divergence on HCH trends in biota: a review. Science of the Total Environment, 342, 87–106.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, A. X., Lang, Y. H., Xue, L. D., Liao, S. L., & Zhou, H. (2009). Probabilistic ecological risk assessment and source apportionment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from Yellow Sea. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 83, 681–687.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y., Beckingham, B., Ruegner, H., Li, Z., Ma, L., Schwientek, M., et al. (2013). Comparison of sedimentary PAHs in the rivers of Ammer (Germany) and Liangtan (China): differences between early- and newly-industrialised countries. Environmental Science and Technology, 47, 701–709.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, Y., Wang, Z., & Huckins, J. (2002). Review of the background and application of triolein-containing semipermeable membrane devices in aquatic environmental study. Aquatic Toxicology, 60, 139–153.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luo, X., Mai, B., Yang, Q., Fu, J., Sheng, G., & Wang, Z. (2004). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides in water columns from the Pearl River and the Macao harbor in the Pearl River Delta in South China. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 48, 1102–1115.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nyoni, H., Chimuka, L., Vrana, B., & Cukrowska, E. (2011). Membrane assisted passive sampler for triazines compounds-characterisation of environmental conditions and field performance. Analytica Chimica Acta, 694, 75–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ockenden, W. A., Breivik, K., Meijer, S. N., Steinnes, S. E., Sweetman, A. J., & Jones, K. C. (2003). The global re-cycling of persistent organic pollutants is strongly retarded by soils. Environmental Pollution, 121, 75–80.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quémerals, B., Lemieux, C., & Lum, K. R. (1994). Concentrations and sources of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in the St. Lawrence River (Canada) and its tributaries. Chemosphere, 29, 591–610.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quinn, L., Pieters, R., Nieuwoudt, C., Borgen, A. R., Kylin, H., & Bouwman, H. (2009). Distribution profiles of selected organic pollutants in soils and sediments of industrial, residential and agricultural areas of South Africa. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 11, 1647–1657.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rajendran, R. B., 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, 503–512.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rusina, T., Smedes, F., Koblizkova, M., & Klanova, J. (2010). Calibration of silicone rubber passive samplers: experimental and modelled relations between sampling rate and compound properties. Environmental Science and Technology, 44, 362–367.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sibali, L. L., Okwonkwo, J. O., & McCrindle, R. I. (2008). Determination of selected organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) compounds from the Jukskei River Catchment area in Gauteng, South Africa. Water SA, 34, 611–622.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sibiya, P., Cukrowska, E., Jönsson, J. Å., & Chimuka, L. (2012). Development and application of solid phase extraction (SPE) method for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water samples in Johannesburg area, South Africa. South African Journal of Chemistry, 65, 206–213.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sibiya, P., Cukrowska, E., Jönsson, J. Å., & Chimuka, L. (2013a). Hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction (HF-LPME) for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Johannesburg Jukskei River, South Africa. Chromatographia, 76, 427–436.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sibiya, P., Cukrowska, E., Tutu, H., & Chimuka, L. (2013b). Development and application of microwave assisted extraction (MAE) for the extraction of five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments samples in Johannesburg area, South Africa. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 185, 5537–5550.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Torien, D. F., & Walmsley, R. D. (1979). The chemical composition of the upper Hennops River and its implications on the water quality of the Rietvlei Dam. Water SA, 35, 77–89.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Rei, W.F. (1987). The Hartbeespoort dam—a magnet to millions? In: J.A. Thornton, R.D. Walmsley (Eds.), Hartbeespoort Dam—Quo Vadis, vol. 25, FRD Ecosysystem Programmes Occasional Report 83–93.

  • Vrana, B., Mills, G. A., Allan, I. J., Dominiak, E., Svensson, K., Morrison, G., et al. (2005). Passive sampling techniques for monitoring pollutants in water. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 24, 845–868.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vrana, B., Klucarova, V., Benicka, E., Abou-Mrad, N., Amdany, R., Horakova, S., et al. (2014). Passive sampling: an effective method for monitoring seasonal and spatial variability of dissolved hydrophobic organic contaminants and metals in the Danube River. Environmental Pollution, 184, 101–102.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z., Chen, J., Yang, P., Qiao, X., & Tian, F. (2007). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Dalian soils: distribution and toxicity assessment. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 9, 199–204.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J., Bi, Y., Pfiser, G., Henkelmann, B., Zhu, K., & Schramm, K. W. (2009). Determination of PAH, PCB and OCP in water from the Three Gorges Reservoir accumulated by semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD). Chemosphere, 75, 1119–1127.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wedemeyer, G. (1966). Dechlorination of DDT by Aerobacter aerogenes. Science, 152, 641–647.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Willet, K. L., Ulrich, E. M., & Hites, R. A. (1998). Differential toxicity and environmental fates of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers. Environmental Science and Technology, 32, 2197–2207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, W. Z., Schramm, K. W., & Kettrup, A. (1997). Study of sorption, biodegradation and isomerisation of HCH in stimulated sediment/water system. Chemosphere, 35, 1887–1894.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yunker, M. B., Macdonald, R. W., Vingarzan, R., Mitchell, R. H., Goyette, D., & Sylvestre, S. (2002). PAHs in the Frazer River basin: a critical appraisal of PAH ratios as indicators of PAH source and composition. Journal of Organic Geochemistry, 33, 489–515.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Z. L., Huang, J., Yu, G., & Hong, H. S. (2004). Occurrence of PAHs, PCBs and organochlorine pesticides in the Tonghui River of Beijing, China. Environmental Pollution, 130, 249–261.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the technical assistance rendered by Lenka Vaňková of RECETOX, Masaryk University, Czech Republic, and for financial support from the Czech Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic (LM2011028 and LO1214), National Research Foundation (NRF) and Water Research Commission (WRC) of South Africa

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Molecular Sciences Institute, School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, P/Bag 3, WITS, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa

    Robert Amdany, Luke Chimuka & Ewa Cukrowska

  2. Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, Kamenice 573/5, CZ-625 00, Brno, Czech Republic

    Petr Kukučka, Jiří Kohoutek & Branislav Vrana

  3. Water Research Institute, Nabr. Arm. Gen. L. Svobodu 5, 812 49, Bratislava, Slovakia

    Peter Tölgyessy

Authors
  1. Robert Amdany
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Luke Chimuka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ewa Cukrowska
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Petr Kukučka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jiří Kohoutek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Peter Tölgyessy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Branislav Vrana
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luke Chimuka.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Amdany, R., Chimuka, L., Cukrowska, E. et al. Assessment of bioavailable fraction of POPS in surface water bodies in Johannesburg City, South Africa, using passive samplers: an initial assessment. Environ Monit Assess 186, 5639–5653 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3809-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-014-3809-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation