Polychlorinated Biphenyls in the Atmosphere of an Urban City: Levels,Distribution, and Emissions |
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Authors: | Laiguo Chen Xiaochun Peng Yumei Huang Zhencheng Xu Bixian Mai Guoying Sheng Jiamo Fu and Xinhua Wang |
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Institution: | (1) Center for Research on Urban Environment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection of the People’s Republic of China, 510655 Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China;(2) State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Protection and Resource Utilization, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 510640 Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China;(3) Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, 100012 Beijing, People’s Republic of China |
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Abstract: | Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations, profiles, and possible sources were determined in the atmosphere of Guangzhou,
the largest city in south China. ∑PCB concentrations ranged from 160 to 2720 pg/m3, which is comparable with values found by similar studies in North America, Europe, and Asia. The highest PCB concentrations
were found in the old industrial district, suggesting it to be the principal emission source. The most important PCB homologue
group was tetra-PCB, followed by tri- and penta-PCB. The PCBs’ homologue composition differs from that found in Chinese transformer
oils: Chinese PCB products (no. 1 PCB and no. 2 PCB), Aroclor1242, and Aroclor1254. However, it is similar in composition
to that found in sediments and soils subjected to arbitrary disposal of used electronic appliances in this region. Our results
suggest that volatilization from PCB-contaminated soils in the old urban center may be the major source of PCBs in the atmosphere
of Guangzhou. Additional studies will be required to characterize the geochemical cycles of PCBs from the contaminated environmental
“hot spots” during the typical subtropical climate conditions in the study regions. |
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