Spatial distribution, sources identification, and anthropogenic effects of polychlorinated biphenyls in soils collected nationwide in South Korea

Abstract

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants as listed in the Stockholm Convention. In this study, 43 PCB congeners, including 12 dioxin-like PCBs and 7 indicator PCBs, were analyzed in soil samples collected at 61 national POPs monitoring sites at sub-urban, urban, and industrial areas of South Korea to understand the PCB concentrations, profiles, and to identify the PCB sources. The mean concentrations of Σ43 PCBs, Σ12 dioxin-like PCBs, and Σ7 indicator PCBs were 0.116, 0.057, and 0.015 ng/g for the sub-urban area, 0.296, 0.167, and 0.028 ng/g for the urban area, and 0.641, 0.336, and 0.121 ng/g for the industrial area, respectively. Profiles of the PCBs were dominated by heavy PCBs (penta- to deca-CBs) at most sites and similar those of Aroclor 1254 and 1260, indicating a leakage from these PCB commercial products to the sampling areas. In addition, concentrations of PCBs were statistically correlated with electronics power usage.