Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, dechlorane plus, and polychlorinated biphenyls in tree bark near the upper Yellow River, China

Abstract

Willow tree bark samples from urban and rural sites in Inner Mongolia, Ningxia Province, and Gansu Province, in the Yellow River basin, were analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), dechlorane plus (DP), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) to compare their relative levels in air in these areas (i.e., treating bark as a passive air sampler). No difference was found between the pollutant concentrations in Salix matsudana and Salix babylonica bark samples. The mean concentrations of the total PBDEs, DP, and total DL-PCBs were 13000 ± 6400, 46 ± 44, and 26 ± 17 pg/g dry weight, respectively, with urban samples containing much higher concentrations (19000 ± 5700 pg/g, 51 ± 27 pg/g, and 37 ± 29 pg/g dry wt in PBDEs, DP, and DL-PCBs, respectively) than rural samples (10000 ± 5200 pg/g, 45 ± 53 pg/g, 22 ± 9 pg/g dry wt). A strong positive correlation between PBDEs and DP was found in all of the samples (r=0.712, p=0.006), but correlations between PCBs and the other pollutants were only found in the rural samples. The total DL-PCB concentration in the tree bark correlated with population density.

Dechlorane Plus as an emerging environmental pollutant in Asia: a review

“…Presence of DP in mangroves can be associated with the atmospheric sedimentation. Almost similar levels of DP has been reported in the barks of rural S. matsudana and S. babylonica in inner Mongolia (Wulateqianqi and Dengkou), Ningxia Province (Guyuan, Yinchuan, Yongning, Qingtongxia, Zhongning, and Zhongwei), and Gansu Province (Jingtai, Baiyin, Pingchuan, and Lanzhou), China (He et al 2014b). Another study reported the accumulation of DP in marine microalgae.…”

Environmental challenges in China: An introduction

“…Parallel to the dynamics of socioeconomic development, environmental research topics in China have also evolved. For example, of the 9 articles published in this special section [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12], 5 target halogenated flame retardants, a group of emerging organic contaminants typically used in consumer products such as electronic devices and appliances. Such an emphasis on emerging organic contaminants is apparently reflective of the importance of electronic/electric product manufacturing as the main driver of China's economy as well as the notion that China has presumably imported approximately 70% of e-waste produced globally [13].…”