Characterization and Distribution of Heavy Metals, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Surface Sediment from the Dayan River, South China

Abstract

In this study, surface sediment samples were collected from 11 sites in the Dayan River near an electronic waste site in Qingyuan. Heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PBDEs) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were detected. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd ranged from 12.1 to 641, 47.1 to 891, 39.2 to 641, 0.12 to 2.07 mg/kg dw, respectively. Total PBDEs ranged between 0.052 and 126.64 ng/g dw. BDE-47 and BDE-99 were the predominant PBDEs. The concentrations of PFASs in sediments ranged between 0.01 and 3.72 ng/g dw. The perfluorooctane sulfonate was predominantly PFASs. The strong positive correlations among Cu, Zn, perfluorooctanoic acid and PBDEs indicate that these contaminants were associated with each other and may share a common anthropogenic source in the sediments of the Dayan River.

Health Status of Elderly People Living Near E-Waste Recycling Sites: Association of E-Waste Dismantling Activities with Legacy Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)

“…Elevated concentrations of PFOS have been reported in sediment from a river near an e-waste recycling site in South China (up to 3.72 ng/g dry weight) when compared with sediment from other water bodies in China. A strong positive correlation among Cu, Zn, PFOA, and PBDEs indicated that several contaminants were related to each other and originate from e-waste recycling activities . Furthermore, a recent study showed that soil from a fluoropolymer industry contained elevated concentrations of PFOA .…”

“…A strong positive correlation among Cu, Zn, PFOA, and PBDEs indicated that several contaminants were related to each other and originate from e-waste recycling activities. 45 Furthermore, a recent study showed that soil from a fluoropolymer industry contained elevated concentrations of PFOA. 46 Therefore, higher serum PFAS concentration in e-waste area residents than the reference population suggested that e-waste dismantling activities are a source of exposure to PFASs.…”

Cadmium and Cadmium/BDE (47 or 209) Exposure Affect Mitochondrial Function, DNA Damage/Repair Mechanisms and Barrier Integrity in Airway Epithelial Cells

“…Further, they are added to various materials such as electronic equipment, plastics, carpet liners and textiles [2,3]. Cd and BDEs coexisted in dust surface [4], sediment from river [5] and even in organisms [6]. The coexistence of Cd and BDE in the environment and biological systems poses a substantial risk to human health, but their potential joint toxicities remain so far elusive [7].…”

Evaluation of Single and Joint Toxicity of Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acids and Copper to Metal-Resistant Arthrobacter Strains

“…Furthermore, PFCAs always coexist with various contaminants in real aquatic environments. Zheng, et al [19] investigated some sediment samples collected from the Dayan River and found that heavy metals co-occur with PFCAs and they share a common anthropogenic source. Although most of these compounds are present at low concentrations, many of them raise considerable toxicological concerns, particularly when present as components of complex mixtures, which may interact and pose associated effects on aquatic environments [20].…”