Distribution and ECo-Toxicological Risk Assessment of Legacy Persistent Organic Pollutants in Surface Water of Talar, Babolrood and Haraz Rivers

Abstract

In the outer Alborz Range in the Northern Province of Iran, the Haraz, Talar and Babolrood Rivers are the three largest rivers where most of the agricultural, aquacultural and industrial activities are found. Total indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (iPCBs) ranged ND–474, ND–273 and ND–559 ng/L in Haraz, Talar and Babolrood Rivers, respectively. Significantly lower (p < 0.05) concentrations of DDT, lindane and dieldrin were observed in the upstream stations than downstream stations of both Babolrood and Haraz Rivers. However, in Talar River, PCB residues in upstream was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than downstream. Furthermore, PCB-28 in Talar River and PCB-101 and PCB-153 in Bablrood and Haraz Rivers were high in water samples at all stations. A significant difference was observed among the stations. In October, November and December, there was negligible variations in total PCB concentration among the stations. Alarming levels of some of the legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may pose adverse effects on the aquatic species dwelling in the Talar, Babolrood and Haraz Rivers of Iran.