SummaryThe use of biosolids as a source of organic matter improves the physical and chemical properties of agricultural soils, resulting in an increase in crop yields. In previous studies, between 29-45% of sludge-borne carbon was recalcitrant a year after land application of biosolids from Buenos Aires City. Although high concentrations of some persistent organic pollutants have been worldwide reported to be present in this waste, this study has not been addressed in Argentina until now. Therefore, our aim was to characterize the organic compounds in Buenos Aires City´s biosolids. Different extracting solvents were evaluated for ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Results indicated that the combination of hexane: acetone (3:2, v/v) showed the highest extractability, allowing the identification of a wide range of organic compounds, without a clean-up or a pre-concentration step. The organic compounds mainly consisted of fatty acids, n-alkanes and steroids, with concentrations of persistent organic pollutants below detection limits. We conclude that the recalcitrant organic fraction reported in previous research is mainly due to the presence of stable sterols.

Palabras clave: biodegradación, antraceno, fenantreno, microorganismos, suelos, HAP RESUMENLos hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos (HAP) son compuestos orgánicos que pueden persistir en el ambiente debido a su hidrofobicidad y a su baja solubilidad en agua, lo que representa un riesgo de ingresar a la cadena trófica. Ciertos microorganismos edáficos son potencialmente capaces de degradarlos. La incorporación de nutrientes puede acelerar la tasa de biodegradación si las condiciones del suelo son favorables. Los objetivos del presente trabajo fueron estudiar el efecto disipador de los microorganismos edáficos nativos en un suelo contaminado artificialmente con dos HAP (antraceno o fenantreno), además de evaluar el efecto en la disponibilidad de macro y micro nutrientes. Adicionalmente, se estudió la influencia de la estructura química del contaminante en el proceso de biorremediación. Se realizó un ensayo de incubación con un suelo hapludol típico contaminado artificialmente con antraceno o con fenantreno. La actividad microbiana se estimó en forma indirecta través de la producción de CO2. La presencia de antraceno o de fenantreno no afectó la actividad microbiana edáfica inicial. Se observó un incremento en la emisión total de CO2 en los suelos contaminados comparado con los suelos sin contaminar debido a la degradación de los contaminantes. Al término de 60 días se analizaron los suelos por cromatografía gaseosa con detector de espectrometría de masas. Según los tratamientos, la concentración de antraceno y de fenantreno disminuyó un 75 -77 % o un 89 -91 %, respectivamente. Lo que indica la capacidad de los microorganismos nativos edáficos para degradar rápidamente ambos contaminantes. La disipación del fenantreno fue mayor que la correspondiente al antraceno, lo que fue atribuido a su diferente biodisponibilidad en el suelo. No se observaron diferencias significativas entre tratamientos con y sin nutrientes, por lo que se concluye que la disponibilidad de éstos no fue limitante para la actividad catabólica de los microorganismos edáficos.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of great environmental concern due to their widespread occurrence and persistence. Anthracene and phenanthrene (C14H10) are two priority pollutants that are found in high concentrations in PAHs-contaminated surface soils. The objective of this study was to analyze the capability of endogenous soil microorganisms of a pristine soil of the Pampas region, Argentina, to dissipate two isomers: anthracene and phenanthrene. Nutrient availability and the effects of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) on these PAHs´ dissipation were also evaluated. After 100 days, both contaminants were significantly degraded in root-free soils by autochthonous microorganisms. L. perenne significantly enhanced microbial degradation. The dissipation of both pollutants in the rhizosphere was accompanied by higher values of total bacteria counts at the end of the experimental period. No biostimulation effect was observed. In all cases, the dissipation of phenanthrene was significantly higher than anthracene. These results point to the important role of indigenous PAH degrading microorganisms, even present in a non-polluted soil. contaminantes en la rizósfera estuvo acompañada por valores más altos de recuentos de bacterias totales al final del ensayo. No se observó efecto de bioestimulación. En todos los casos, la disipación del fenantreno fue significativamente mayor que la del antraceno. Estos resultados indican el importante papel de los microorganismos autóctonos presentes en suelos no contaminados en la degradación de HAP.

The key comparison CCQM-K126 low polarity organic in water: carbamazepine in surface water was coordinated by Government Laboratory Hong Kong under the auspices of the Organic Analysis Working Group (OAWG) of the Comité Consultatif pour la Quantité de Matière (CCQM). Eight National Metrology institutes or Designated Institutes participated and participants were requested to report the mass fraction of carbamazepine in surface water study material. The surface water sample was collected in Hong Kong and was gravimetrically spiked with standard solution. This study provided the means for assessing measurement capabilities for determination of low molecular weight analytes (mass range 100-500) and low polarity (pKOW ⩽ −2) in aqueous matrix. Nine NMIs/DIs registered for the KC and one withdrew before results were submitted. Nine results were submitted by the eight participants. Eight results applied the LC-MS/MS method and Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry approach for quantification. BAM additionally submitted a result from ELISA that was not included in the key comparison reference values (KCRV) calculation as is provided in the report for information. One further result was not included as the participant withdrew their result from the calculation after further analysis. The assigned KCRV was the median of the seven results and was assigned a KCRV of 250.2 ng/kg with a combined standard uncertainty of 3.6 ng/kg, The k-factor for the estimation of the expanded uncertainty of the KCRVs was chosen as k = 2. The degree of equivalence (with the KCRV) and its uncertainty was calculated for each result. Seven of the participants were able to demonstrate the ability to quantitatively determine low-polarity analyte in aqueous matrix by applying LC-MS/MS technique at a very low level. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).