Distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in soils of a previous E-waste processing center

Abstract

Surface soil samples were taken from a previous electronic waste (E-waste) recycling centerin Taizhou area, Zhejiang province, China. Concentrations, profiles, and possible sources of 19 polychlorinated biphenyls and 7 poly-brominated diphenyl ethers were analyzed to assess their current state in the soil after phase out of massive dismantling of E-wastes. The concentrations of the 7 polybrominated diphenyl ethers ranged from 11 to 128 µg kg⁻¹ with an average of 41 ± 10 µg kg⁻¹ (dw), with 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromdiphenyl ether being the most abundant. These values were substantially lower than the levels in 2006. The concentrations of the 19 polychlorinated biphenyls ranged from 36 to 760 µg kg⁻¹, with an average of 181 ± 68 µgkg⁻¹ (dw) which was also lower than the levels in 1995 or 2006. However, the concentrations of some tetra-, penta- and hexa-chlorobiphenyls were comparable or even higher than before. Furthermore, the average concentration of 7 indicator polychlorinated biphenyls was 108 ± 41 µg kg⁻¹(dw) which exceeded the New Dutch List target value of 20 µgkg⁻¹. Principal component analysis indicated that polychlorinated biphenyls were mainly distributed into three groups in accordance with the number of chlorine atoms and anthropogenic source. Therefore, the impact of the historical dismantling of E-wastes is still significant.

Keywords:

• E-waste
• PBDEs
• PCBs
• profile
• soil

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 21107079]; Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation [grant number LY12B07003], [grant number Q14B030002]; Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education Department [Y201016193].