Characterization of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hydroxylated and methoxylated PBDEs in soils and plants from an e-waste area, China

Abstract

a b s t r a c tIn order to characterize polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and hydroxylated and methoxylated PBDEs (OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs) in the soileplant system, soil and plant samples were collected from an e-waste recycling area in China. Forty one PBDEs, twelve OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs were detected in the soil and plant samples. Concentrations of PBDEs in roots were significantly correlated to their concentrations in the soils, but the percentages of lower brominated congeners in the plants were higher than those in the soils. Significant positive linear relationships exist between concentrations of P OHPBDEs and P MeO-PBDEs with higher levels of P MeO-PBDEs than those of P OH-PBDEs in the soils, plant roots and leaves. A majority of the OH-/MeO-PBDEs had the hydroxyl or methoxy group at the ortho-positions to the biphenyl bond for most of the plant species. However the occurrence of meta-and para-substituted OH-/MeO-PBDEs in soils and plants were also confirmed.

Organohalogen pollutants in surface particulates from workshop floors of four major e-waste recycling sites in China and implications for emission lists

“…The recycling activities in Guiyu include dismantling e-waste and renovating e-waste components and are called "industrial chain extension" by the local government. Qingyuan was relatively recently reported to be an e-waste recycling city and houses N1300 dismantling and recycling workshops that dismantle approximately 1 million tons of e-waste annually (Wang et al, 2014;Wu et al, 2008). In this region, light e-waste (mobile cellphones, video recorders, and circuit boards) and heavy e-waste (electrical machines and transformers) are manually dismantled in small family-run workshops aiming to recycle metal materials.…”

Influences of artificial root exudate components on the behaviors of BDE-28 and BDE-47 in soils: desorption, availability, and biodegradation

“…Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous in the environment due to their wide use as flame retardants, and high levels of PBDEs in soils have been reported (Wong et al 2007;Sellström et al 2005;Wang et al 2014). Another important fact is that PBDEs are being phased out of use in many countries in recent years, and thus, soils may become an important secondary emission source of PBDEs to the environment (Li et al 2010).…”

Uptake, translocation and biotransformation kinetics of BDE-47, 6-OH-BDE-47 and 6-MeO-BDE-47 in maize (Zea mays L.)

“…Hydroxylated PBDEs (OH-PBDEs) and methoxylated PBDEs (MeO-PBDEs) have also been identified in various environmental media (Ueno et al, 2008;Wang et al, 2014) and biological samples (Kelly et al, 2008;Teuten et al, 2005). Their origin is far from clear, and increasing evidence has shown the existence of transformation of PBDEs to OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs (Stapleton et al, 2009;Sun et al, 2013a;Wang et al, 2012).…”

“…Soils represent a major sink for organic contaminants in the environment, and PBDEs have been frequently detected in soils (Tang et al, 2014;Wang et al, 2014). For example, a total concentration of PBDEs ranging between 65 and 6080 ng kg À1 dry weight was observed in UK and Norwegian soils in a survey of European soils (Hassanin et al, 2004).…”

“…Based on the knowledge of their adverse effects on the environment and human health, some PBDEs have been included on the Stockholm Convention list of priority persistent organic pollutants, and some technical products have been banned or voluntarily withdrawn from use in some regions of the world (California State Assembly, 2003;Cox and Efthymiou, 2003). However, owing to their high volume production, long-term use, and lipophilic and persistent properties, PBDEs are still frequently detected in various environmental media (Kim et al, 2014;Newton et al, 2015) and biotic samples (Shang et al, 2013;Wang et al, 2014;Zhu et al, 2009) in the environment. Therefore, there is considerable concern about their behaviors and fates in the environment.…”