The occurrence and sources of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in agricultural soils across China with an emphasis on unintentionally produced PCBs

In addition to being historically intentionally manufactured as commercial products, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can be unintentionally released as by-products from industrial processes. Recent studies have emphasized the importance of unintentionally produced PCBs (UP-PCBs) and have even identified them as major contributors to atmospheric PCBs. However, little is known about contributions of UP-PCBs in current soils. In this study, all 209 PCB congeners were analyzed in agricultural soils on a national scale to investigate the influence of unintentional sources on Chinese soil. The concentration of Sigma(209)PCBs in soils across China was in the range of 64.3-4358 pg/g. Four non-Aroclor congeners, i.e., PCB11, PCB44 + 47+65, PCB68, and PCB209, were dominant among all PCBs, averagely accounting for 26.3%, 8.83%, 3.03%, and 2.80% of total PCBs, respectively. PCB11 and PCB209 were found to be higher in East China, while PCB44 + 47+65 and PCB68 were higher in South China. Their spatial distributions were largely dependent on local sources. The results of source apportionment indicated that the legacy of historically produced and used commercial PCB mixtures was the dominant contributor to seven indicator PCBs in Chinese agricultural soils, especially high-chlorinated congeners. However, unintentional sources (i.e., pigment/paint, combustion-related sources, and polymer sealant), which contributed 57.4% of the total PCBs, are controlling PCB burdens in agricultural soils across China. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

Recent studies have shown that unintentionally produced PCBs are major contributors to atmospheric PCBs and are controlling PCB burdens in agricultural soils across China. The dominant contributors to PCBs in Chinese agricultural soils are the legacy of historically produced and used commercial PCB mixtures, especially high-chlorinated congeners. Unintentional sources, such as pigment/paint, combustion-related sources, and polymer sealants, account for a significant portion of total PCBs in Chinese soils.