Bifenilos policlorados (BPCs) en vegetales y suelos del sudeste de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

The concentrations 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 tillage. Samples were also obtained from natural and industrial environments. PCBs levels in soils ranged from 0.9 to 11.5 ng/g wet weight near industrial! conventional farms respectively, indicating that vicinity of industrial areas and tillage practices are influencing factors on total PCBs residues of soils. No differences were found between products directly exposed to atmospheric depositiol1 (lettuce, tomato) and root crops (carrots). Unexpectedly, higher PCB pollution was found in organically cultivated crops. Such results could be due to the use of soil amendments like pine needles, which are known to bioaccumulate atmospheric pollutants. The predominance of di- and trichlorinated congeners suggests atmospheric transport as the main pollution pathway in all soils and products. Although PCB levels were below MRL suggested by WHO, the total amounts of the vegetables studied accounts for between 6 % and 14% of total daily 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.