Mixtures of sediment chemical contaminants at freshwater sampling sites across Europe with different contaminant burdens

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2023-09, Vol.891, p.164280-164280, Article 164280
• Main Authors: Richardson, Samantha, Mayes, Will M., Faetsch, Sonja, Hetjens, Hanne, Teuchies, Johnny, Walker, Paul, Heitmann, Katharina, Welham, Kevin, Moore, Dean, Bervoets, Lieven, Kay, Paul, Duffus, Wayne, Smith, Nick, De Cooman, Ward, Elst, Raf, Ryken, Els, Rotchell, Jeanette M., Heise, Susanne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: chemical composition; Chemical mixtures; chemical pollutants; data collection; diclofenac; Emerging contaminants; environment; Europe; European Union; Forever chemicals; Fresh-water sediment monitoring; freshwater; perfluorocarbons; pollution; polychlorinated biphenyls; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; principal component analysis; sediments; toxicity; triclosan
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164280

Extended chemical analyses of fluvial sediments were undertaken to establish the key pollutant pressures and mixtures present across nine European Union inland waterways. A wide range of chemical components and physical parameters were investigated including substances from the EU Priority List and Watch List. The data set was examined for key indicator compounds, however it was found that a wide range of pollution pressures were present in the different sediments including organic hydrocarbons, metal(loid)s, nutrients, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) compounds, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and pesticides, some of which exceeded regulatory guidance at different sampling points. The presence of such a wide range of compounds underpins the complex chemical composition of sediments that have acted as sinks for many decades absorbing contaminants from urban, industrial and agricultural sources. This dataset has been used to describe average overall toxicity of the sediments sampled, a calculation which was based on key components identified by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and for those that had existing freshwater sediment regulatory values. A total of 33 components were used including PCBs, PAHs, metal(iod)s and pesticides. This analysis reflected the contamination of each site, with most indicating some level of toxicity during the sampling period. Watch List chemicals triclosan (TCS) and diclofenac (DIC) were also investigated; levels were relatively low, typically 10–100's ng L−1, however they were present at all sampling sites. The dataset is available as a resource for future chemical, and toxicological, sediment analysis comparisons. [Display omitted] •A gradient of pollutant mixtures is apparent across sites characterised by Principal Component Analysis.•Legacy contaminants present in all survey regions at elevated concentrations.•Watch list contaminants ubiquitous but at generally low concentrations.•Narrow analytical suites will not accurately characterise complex nature of contaminant mixtures in sediments.•Sediment size and contaminant relationship; fine material had high chemical loads.