Atmospheric PCDD/F and PCB levels implicated by pine (Cedrus deodara) needles at Dalian, China

Environ Pollut. 2006 Nov;144(2):510-5. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2006.01.039. Epub 2006 Mar 20.

Abstract

Dalian is a seaside city situated in the northeastern monsoon area of China. For the first time, levels of PCDD/F and PCB congeners in pine (Cedrus deodara) needles of Dalian urban areas were investigated. Two sampling campaigns with 17 sampling points were performed in 2002. The summation of tetra- to octachlorinated PCDD/Fs and summation of 209 PCB congeners in Dalian pine needles averaged 127+/-40 ng/kg (dry) and 4389+/-1575 ng/kg (dry), respectively. Average toxic equivalence (TEQ) for PCDD/Fs and PCBs are 2.1 and 0.4 ng/kg (dry), respectively. The pine needles can differentiate spatial variation of the pollutants. The PCDD/F and PCB levels in Dalian pine needles are low or comparable with other international regions that were not impacted by evident point sources. The data can serve as a base for long-term spatial and temporal studies of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in China.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Incineration
  • Pinus*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry*
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / analysis*
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analogs & derivatives*
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / analysis
  • Refuse Disposal

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls