Assessment of persistent organic pollutants in soil and sediments from an urbanized flood plain area

This study investigated the presence and distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in soil and sediment samples collected from an urbanized flood plain area in Delhi, India. The researchers focused on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and phenolic compounds (PCs). Fifty-four samples, equally divided between soil and sediment, were analyzed to quantify thirteen priority PAHs, four OCPs, and six PCs. The methodology involved sample collection in 2018, followed by analysis to determine the concentrations of these pollutants. The study aimed to provide the first comprehensive assessment of these specific POPs in this particular region, utilizing various diagnostic tools to identify potential sources. The findings were then compared with existing reports globally and assessed against soil quality guidelines and consensus-based sediment quality guidelines to evaluate ecotoxicological health effects. The study revealed varying concentrations of these pollutants, with PAHs and PCs being dominant in sediments, and p,p'-DDT being the most prevalent OCP in soils.

This study investigated the presence and distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in soil and sediment samples collected from an urbanized flood plain area in Delhi, India. The researchers focused on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and phenolic compounds (PCs). Fifty-four samples, equally divided between soil and sediment, were analyzed to quantify thirteen priority PAHs, four OCPs, and six PCs. The methodology involved sample collection in 2018, followed by analysis to determine the concentrations of these pollutants. The study aimed to provide the first comprehensive assessment of these specific POPs in this particular region, utilizing various diagnostic tools to identify potential sources. The findings were then compared with existing reports globally and assessed against soil quality guidelines and consensus-based sediment quality guidelines to evaluate ecotoxicological health effects. The study revealed varying concentrations of these pollutants, with PAHs and PCs being dominant in sediments, and p,p'-DDT being the most prevalent OCP in soils. Research Background and Significance Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a critical environmental concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulative nature, and toxicity. This study focuses on the urbanized flood plain area of Delhi, India, a region subject to intense anthropogenic activities and thus vulnerable to contamination by POPs. The compounds of interest—polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and phenolic compounds (PCs)—are known for their environmental persistence and adverse ecological and human health effects. PAHs, generated mainly from incomplete combustion processes, and OCPs, legacy pesticides banned or restricted