| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4408864 | Chemosphere | 2014 | 6 Pages |
•High concentrations of PBDE contamination are found in the Guiyu soil.•Much higher concentrations of PBDEs are distributed mainly in the residential areas of Guiyu.•BDE 209 and BDE 183 are the most abundant congeners, accounting for more than 79% of the total PDBEs.•Similar profiles and sources of PBDEs are found at different sampling areas.•The informal e-waste recycling has already introduced PBDEs into surrounding areas.
A detailed investigation was conducted to understand the concentration, distribution, profile and possible source of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in residential and agricultural soils from Guiyu, Shantou, China, one of the largest electronic waste (e-waste) recycling and dismantling areas in the world. Ten PBDEs were analyzed in 46 surface soil samples in terms of individual and total concentrations, together with soil organic matter concentrations. Much higher concentrations of the total PBDEs were predicted in the residential areas (more than 2000 ng g−1), exhibiting a clear urban source, while in the agricultural areas, concentrations were lower than 1500 ng g−1. PBDE-209 was the most dominant congener among the study sites, indicating the prevalence of commercial deca-PBDE. However signature congeners from commercial octa-PBDE were also found. The total PBDE concentrations were significantly correlated with each individual PBDE. Principal component analysis indicated that PBDEs were mainly distributed in three groups according to the number of bromine atoms on the phenyl rings, and potential source. This study showed that the informal e-waste recycling has already introduced PBDEs into surrounding areas as pollutant which thus warrants an urgent investigation into the transport of PBDEs in the soil-plant system of agricultural areas.
