Organochlorine compounds in soils and sediments of the mountain Andean Lakes

• Published in: Environmental pollution (1987) 2005-07, Vol.136 (2), p.253-266
• Main Authors: Borghini, Francesca, Grimalt, Joan O., Sanchez-Hernandez, Juan C., Barra, Ricardo, García, Carlos J. Torres, Focardi, Silvano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Altitude; Andean range; Applied sciences; Chile; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Exact sciences and technology; Fresh Water; Freshwater; geographical distribution; Geologic Sediments - analysis; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - analysis; Lake sediments; lakes; latitude; Long range transport; longitude; mountains; Organochlorine compounds; polluted soils; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Pollution, environment geology; sediment contamination; Soil; Soil and sediments pollution; Soil Pollutants - analysis; soil pollution; soil temperature; Temperature
• ISSN: 0269-7491; 1873-6424
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2005.01.007

Semi-volatile organochlorine compounds (OC) were analyzed in remote Andean soils and lake sediments. The sampling sites covered a wide latitudinal gradient from 18°S to 46°S along Chile and an altitudinal gradient (10–4500 m). The concentrations were in the order of background levels, involving absence of major pollution sources in the high mountain areas. Significant correlations were found between log-transformed concentrations of hexachlorobenzene, α- and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane in soils and total organic content (TOC). In addition, TOC-normalized concentrations of the most volatile OC showed a significant linear dependence with air temperature. This good agreement points to temperature as a significant factor for the retention of long range transported OC in remote ecosystems such as the Andean mountains, although other variables should not be totally excluded. The highest concentrations of OCs were achieved in the sites located at highest altitude and lowest temperature of the dataset. Distribution of persistent organochlorine compounds in the Andean Mountain lakes is influenced by temperature.