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Temporal change of the accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in lichens in Switzerland between 1995 and 2014

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the temporal change of atmospheric deposition patterns of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Switzerland between 1995 and 2014 by a passive biomonitoring with lichens. Lichen tissues sampled at 16 representative sites in the same season of 1995 and 2014 were analyzed for a total of 94 individual and 27 sum parameters of POPs and PAHs by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The comparative analyses showed a decrease of 40 to 80% (medians) for most of the POPs and PAHs concentration in lichens at all site categories. Reduction in tissue concentration of the polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/PCDFs), such as the highly toxic 2,3,7,8-TetraCDD and the TEQ according to WHO (2005) were 66% and 73%, respectively. For the dioxin- and non-dioxin-like PCBs, a decrease of 67% and 58% was found. The average decrease of 30 organochlorine pesticides and insecticides (OCPs) was 65%, with a 94% decrease for lindane. For the 27 PAHs and for benzo(a)pyrene, an average decrease of 58% and 59% was found. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) showed reduced concentrations in lichens at rural and agglomeration sites, but an increase of contamination was observed at industrial and road traffic sites. The direct comparison of changes of POPs and PAHs concentrations in lichens and of emissions between 1995 and 2014 revealed consistent results. The results of this study highlight for the first time in biota the positive effect of emission regulation of POPs in Switzerland.

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Acknowledgements

This work has been stimulated by cooperative lichen biomonitorings done in Switzerland (City of Berne) and the Principality of Lichtenstein since 1992 and follow-up studies for the Swiss Federal Office of Environment (FOEN) in 1993, 2003, and 2014. The initial study in 1995 was supported by the FOEN, the Cities of Berne and Köniz and Karl Kaufmann Recycling AG. Authors are grateful for financial support and thank Andreas Weber, Klaus Kammer, Karl-Heinz Gerber, Johannes Mayer, and Ivan Beranek for their support and especially Peter Straehl and Beat Achermann for initiating and supporting both studies in 1995 and 2014.

Funding

This study was funded by the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment FOEN.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Bioindikation, Umweltbeobachtung und ökologische Planung, Quartiergasse 12, 3013, Bern, Switzerland

    Rolf Herzig

  2. Eurofins GfA Lab Service GmbH, Hamburg, Germany

    Nina Lohmann

  3. Air Pollution Control and Chemicals Division, Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Bern, Switzerland

    Reto Meier

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  1. Rolf Herzig
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  2. Nina Lohmann
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  3. Reto Meier
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Correspondence to Rolf Herzig.

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Herzig, R., Lohmann, N. & Meier, R. Temporal change of the accumulation of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in lichens in Switzerland between 1995 and 2014 . Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 10562–10575 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04236-9

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