Occurrence and distribution of PAHs, PCBs, and chlorinated pesticides in Tunisian soil irrigated with treated wastewater

• 13 PAHs, 18 PCBs and 16 OCPs were analyzed in soil irrigated with treated wastewater.
• PAHs, PCBs, and OCPs were detected and accumulate in soil during the course of irrigation.
• 4 rings PAHs were dominant accounting for more than 74% of the total concentration.
• Six indicator PCBs (non dioxin-like-PCBs) were predominant in soil samples.
• OCPs content are higher in 10–20 cm depth compared to 0–10 cm, especially DDT; the latter being the predominant OCP detected in wastewater irrigated soil.

Treated wastewater (TWW) is a well recognized source of organic pollutants (OPs) that may accumulate during irrigation. For the first time, data on the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyles (PCBs) and organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs) in wastewater irrigated soil in Nabeul (Tunisia) are reported. 13 PAHs, 18 PCBs and 16 OCPs were analyzed in soil samples collected at 0–10 and 10–20 cm depth before each and every irrigation and after the irrigation period expanding from June to October. Soil was extracted with an accelerated solvent extractor and analyzed by a tandem gas chromatograph in selected reaction monitoring mode (GC/MS/MS/SRM). OPs residues were detected before irrigation and accumulated at the end of the season for some of them. The total concentration of PAHs varied between 120.01 and 365.18 μg kg−1 dry weight (dw) at 0–10 cm depth before and at the end of irrigation, respectively. The total concentration of PCBs varied between 11.26 and 21.89 μg kg−1 dw at 0–10 cm, being higher than those reported for 10–20 cm. The six indicator PCB congeners (28, 52, 101, 138, 153, 180) were predominant. OCPs concentrations ranged between 12.49 and 21.81 μg kg−1 at 0–10 cm and between 74.03 and 310.54 μg kg−1 at 10–20 cm depth. DDT was predominant accounting for more than 94% of the total OCPs. In view of the present results, OPs are relevant to the agricultural environment, calling for more research on their persistence and potential transfer to plants and/or groundwater while taking into account farmers’ practices.