Identification of specific halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface soils of petrochemical, flame retardant, and electronic waste dismantling industrial parks

Halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Cl/Br-PAHs) have received tremendous attention due to their high toxicity. To identify the emission pattern of Cl/Br-PAHs from various industrial productions, understand the formation mechanisms and the influence on the surroundings, this study investigated the surface soils of three typical industrial parks. Generally, traces of Cl-PAHs were much lower than Br-PAHs. The mean Cl-PAH concentrations followed the trend of petrochemical industrial park (3.12 ng/g), brominated flame retardant (BFR) manufacturing park (1.48 ng/g), and electronic waste dismantling park (0.26 ng/g). However, the BFR manufacturing park had the highest mean Br-PAH concentration (21.6 ng/g), significantly higher than the other two parks. Generally, higher levels of the chemicals were found in the parks than in their surroundings, except for the electronic waste dismantling park. The massive addition of chlorine additives in crude oil and its byproducts, plus the enormous quantity of brominated brines used in BFR productions, favor Cl/Br-PAH formation. Analyzing the homolog compositions of Cl/Br-PAHs suggested that 3- or 4-ring Cl/Br-PAHs were typically come from the petrochemical industrial park and electronic waste dismantling park. Contrarily, 4- or 5-ring Cl/

Automated summary

This study investigated the emission patterns of Cl/Br-PAHs in three typical industrial parks by analyzing surface soils. The results showed that Cl-PAHs were generally found in lower concentrations compared to Br-PAHs, with the highest Br-PAH concentration observed in the BFR manufacturing park. The levels of these chemicals in the parks were generally higher than their surroundings, except for the electronic waste dismantling park. The analysis of the composition of Cl/Br-PAHs suggested different sources for different industrial parks.