Distribution and temporal variation of PCBs and PAHs in soils and sediments from an e-waste dismantling site in China

Temporal and geographical changes in the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils and sediments around a typical e-waste dismantling area in China were systematically investigated. Dated soils and sediments from contaminated sites in the e-waste dismantling area were analyzed for PCBs congeners (1983–2012) and total PAHs (2004–2012). The results showed that the total concentration of PCBs ranged from 20.22 to 491.92 μg/kg dry weight (dw); the total concentration of PAHs ranged from 77.4 to 20,167.7 μg/kg dw; the sum of 6-dioxin-like (CB-28, 52, 101, 118, 138 and 180) and ∑PCBs in all the soils increased gradually from the early stage of pollution to the peak of pollution (317.85 and 927.30 μg/kg dw, respectively), but decreased after the control period of pollution (166.3 and 458 μg/kg dw, respectively). This work can provide information on pollution sources and evidence for short-range transport of POPs in e-waste dismantling areas, and useful data for e-waste recycling in China and other countries in the world.