BIFENILOS POLICLORADOS EN VEGETALES Y SUELOS DEL SUDESTE DE LA PROVINCIA DE BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

GONZALEZ, M., MIGLIORANZA, K.S.B., GERPE, M.S., MENONE. M.L., AIZPÚN DE MORENO, J.E. Y MORENO, V.J.

SETAC LA (Proceedings del VI Congreso SETAC LA 2003)

SETAC Press

Año: 2006 p. 58 - 60

Abstract The concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have been determined in tissues of lettuce (L. sativa), tomato (L. esculentum), carrots (D. carrota) and soils from organic and conventional tillages. Samples were also taken from natural as well as from industrial environment. PCBs levels in soils ranged from 0.9 to 11.5 ng/g wet weight (near industrial/ conventional farm), indicating that vicinity to industrial areas and tillage practices are influencing factors on total PCBs residues of soils. No differences were found between produces directly exposed to atmospheric deposition (lettuce , tomato) and root crops (carrots). Conversely to the expected, higher PCB pollution was found in organically cultivated crops.  Such results could be due to use of soil amendments like pine needles, largely known by their ability to bioaccumulate atmospheric pollutants. The predominance of di- and trichlorinated congeners suggests atmospheric transport as the main pollution pathway in all soils and produces. Although PCB levels were below the maximum residues limits suggested by WHO, the total amounts of the studied vegetables accounts for 6 % up to 14 % of total diary intake of PCBs. Indicating that the study of PCB residues in edible vegetables from different classes, and tillage practices  is a topic of outgoing concern.