Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in leaves and soil from typical electronic waste polluted area in South China

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in leaves and soil from typical e-waste polluted area in South China were investigated. The concentrations (ng/g dry weight) of PBDE congeners and Sigma PBDE of five leaf samples were much lower than those in soil sample. The general patterns of Sigma di-BDEs to Sigma hepta-BDEs percentage distribution in leaf samples were similar to those of the soil sample, except the percentage of BDE209 which were lower than in soil. The percentages of Sigma di-BDEs to Sigma hepta-BDEs in soil were in the range of those in leaf samples. The results showed that the contamination of PBDEs in the leaf samples had good correlation with the soil around them.