Anthropogenic organic contaminants incorporated into the non-extractable particulate matter of riverine sediments from the teltow canal (Berlin)

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities induce significant alterations of the macromolecular organic matter (MOM) in riverine systems mainly by emission of pollutants and their subsequent incorporation into geopolymers (bound residues). We have characterized the non-extractable residues of highly polluted riverine sediments (Spree River, Teltow Canal, Germany) in order to investigate the occurrence, alteration and distribution of several organic xenobiotics in situ, e.g. plasticizers, pesticides, and metabolites brominated and chlorinated aromatics, fragrances, technical additives and nitro compounds. Therefore this study intended a comprehensive characterization of riverine MOM combining different analytical techniques (pyrolytic analyses and chemical degradation techniques), in order to provide information concerning the incorporation mechanism and the mode of binding of a variety of organic pollutants with different chemical properties. © 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.