Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) and metals in scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles from Eastern and Northern Europe: Spatiotemporal patterns, and potential sources

•Levels of dioxins were determined in pine needles in 3 different European countries.•Land use influences the spatial pattern of PCDD/F levels and profiles in needles.•Atmospheric level/seasonal uptake influence temporal PCDD/F levels in needles.•PCDD/F profile and principal component analysis were used to identify sources.•Metal markers/profiles in needles aided in distinguishing PCDD/F thermal sources.

Pine needles were sampled to determine levels of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and metals in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles at industrial, urban and background sites in Sweden (SW), Czech Republic (CZ) and Slovakia (SK). Spatial and temporal patterns of PCDD/Fs in pine needles were investigated and principal component analysis (PCA) used to determine spatial patterns, potential sources and transport of PCDD/Fs. Levels of PCDD/Fs in pine needles were generally greatest near to industrial sites (Ʃ2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs (lower bound (LB)): 6 ng kg−1 – 190 ng kg−1) compared to urban and background sites (Ʃ2,3,7,8-PCDD/Fs (LB): 0.90 ng kg−1 – 20 ng kg−1). Using metal contamination in pine needles helped to detect spatial patterns and separate local thermal sources of PCDD/Fs.