Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal: Science of the Total Environment

Volume number: 857

ISSN: 0048-9697

eISSN: 1879-1026

Open access status: Hybrid

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159228

Publisher: Elsevier

Abstract: 
Quaternary alkylammonium compounds (QAACs) are cationic organic compounds with amphiphilic properties that are widely used as surfactants and disinfectants in industry, households and agriculture. Several studies suggest that QAACs co-select for antibiotic resistant microorganisms and thus may contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment. Data on QAAC occurrence in soil are scarce and limited to soils that are prone to direct exposure to QAACs. Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive study on the occurrence of QAACs in soils of Hesse, a federal state in Germany, covering an area of 21,115 km2. Sixty-five soil samples that comprised different land uses (arable, grass-land, forest, vineyard) and area types (rural, agglomeration) were analysed for concentrations of alkyltrimethylammonium (ATMACs, with alkyl chain lengths C8-C16), benzylalkyldimethylammonium (BACs, C8 -C18) and dialkyldimethylammonium compounds (DADMACs, C8-C18) via HPLC-MS/MS after ultrasonic-assisted ex-traction with acidified acetonitrile. QAACs were detected in 97 % of the soil samples irrespective of land use and area type. The most abundant QAAC homologues were DADMACs > BACs > ATMACs. The highest total QAAC concentra-tions were detected in alluvial soils influenced by the deposition of suspended particles during flood events, with DADMAC-C16 and-C18 as the dominant homologues. The high abundance of long-chain DADMACs suggests that leg-acy pollution and accumulation govern QAAC concentrations in soils. The presence of QAACs in forest soils points to a potential input via atmospheric deposition. Our work highlights the widespread occurrence of QAACs in soils of Hesse and the need for more research on their entry paths and fate in the soil ecosystem.

Harvard Citation style: Jansen, K., Mohr, C., Luegger, K., Heller, C., Siemens, J. and Mulder, I. (2023) Widespread occurrence of quaternary alkylammonium disinfectants in soils of Hesse, Germany, Science of the Total Environment, 857, Article 159228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159228

APA Citation style: Jansen, K., Mohr, C., Luegger, K., Heller, C., Siemens, J., & Mulder, I. (2023). Widespread occurrence of quaternary alkylammonium disinfectants in soils of Hesse, Germany. Science of the Total Environment. 857, Article 159228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159228