Regional dynamics of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the Pearl River Delta, China: Implications and perspectives

► Transport budgets of p,p′-DDT and BDE-209 in the Pearl River Delta were built. ► Dry aerial deposition is the dominant route to transport p,p′-DDT and BDE-209. ► Soil inventory of p,p′-DDT is much larger than that of BDE-209. ► Soil inventory of p,p′-DDT would decline to half of its current value in 22 years. ► Soil BDE-209 inventory is expected to reach an equilibrium value in ∼60 years.