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The total concentrations of 12 heavy metals in surface soils (SS, 0-20 cm), middle soils (MS, 30-50 cm) and deep soils (DS, 60-80 cm) from an acid-leaching area, a deserted paddy field and a deserted area of Guiyu were measured. The results showed that the acid-leaching area was heavily contaminated with heavy metals, especially in SS. The mean concentrations of Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Sn, Sb and Pb in SS from the acid-leaching area were 278.4, 684.1, 572.8, 1.36, 3,472, 1,706 and 222.8 mg/kg, respectively. Heavy metal pollution in the deserted paddy field was mainly concentrated in SS and MS. The average values of Sb in SS and MS from the deserted paddy field were 16.3 and 20.2 mg/kg, respectively. However, heavy metal contamination of the deserted area was principally found in the DS. Extremely high concentrations of heavy metals were also observed at some special research sites, further confirming that the level of heavy metal pollution was very serious. The geoaccumulation index (I) values revealed that the acid-leaching area was severely polluted with heavy metals in the order of Sb > Sn > Cu > Cd > Ni > Zn > Pb, while deserted paddy field was contaminated predominately by metals in the order of Sb > Sn > Cu. It was obvious that the concentrations of some uncommon contaminants, such as Sb and Sn, were higher than principal contaminants, such as Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb, suggesting that particular attention should be directed to Sn and Sb contamination in the future research of heavy metals in soils from e-waste-processing areas. Correlation analysis suggested that Li and Be in soils from the acid-leaching area and its surrounding environment might have originated from other industrial activities and from batteries, whereas Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Sn and Sb contamination was most likely caused by uncontrolled electronic waste (e-waste) processing. These results indicate the significant need for optimisation of e-waste-dismantling technologies and remediation of polluted soil environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light absorption properties of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) were investigated in the urban area of Guangzhou. The fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and size-segregated samples were collected in September and December of 2014 and January of 2015. The variation of absorption with wavelength of WSOC was characterized by the absorption Angström exponent (AAEabs). The AAE values of WSOC in PM₂.₅ were 3.72 ± 0.41 in autumn and 3.91 ± 0.70 in winter, which were lower than those in Beijing and north America. The mass absorption efficiency (MAE) of WSOC at 365 nm wavelength was 0.52 m² · g⁻¹ in autumn and 0.92 m² · g⁻¹ in winter, exhibiting distinct variations between autumn and winter. In winter, the MAEwsoc values exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing particle size, and all size-segregated MAE(WSOC) values in autumn were lower than those in winter, particularly for the particles < 0.95 µm, suggesting more contribution of the secondary formation to WSOC. Comparing the MAE values of elemental carbon (EC) and WSOC, it could be found that the contribution of WSOC to the light extinction of particles couldn't be ignored when the particles were mainly emitted from primary sources.

The concentrations of 144 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the river sediments from Luqiao were analyzed by GC-muECD. The objectives of this study were to understand the contents, spatial distribution and possible sources of PCBs. The Sigma PCBs concentrations detected in the river sediments were in the range of 1.66 to 5 930 ng x g(-1), with a mean of 763 ng x g(-1). Tri-CBs, tetra-CBs and penta-CBs were the primary PCB congeners in all samples, accounting for 2.63%-57.6%, 10.4%-54.6% and 7.82%-46.1%, respectively. Octa-CBs and deca-CBs were the minor PCB congeners in all samples, with the percentages of 0-8.57% and 0-11.0%, respectively. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed that 22 samples were mainly polluted by Ar1248, 9 samples were polluted by Ar1254, and 6 samples were contaminated by Ar1016, Ar1232 and Ar1242. The PCBs concentrations found in the present study were at an upper-middle level compared with those in other studies in the world. The PCBs pollution in the present area had a high ecological risk.

The concentrations of 144 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the soils from Luqiao were analyzed by GC-microECD. The objectives of this study were to understand the contents, spatial distribution and sources. The sigma PCBs concentrations in soils samples were in the range of 0.779 ng x g(-1) to 937 ng x g(-1), with a mean of 75.7 ng x g(-1), and the relatively high level of PCBs were mainly distributed in the south central area. Penta-CBs, hexa-CBs and tetra-CBs were the primary homologues in 38 samples, with the range of 13.0% - 61.1%, 4.59% - 48.8% and 10.1% - 31.5%, respectively. Di-CBs was the most predominant homologues in other samples, with the range of 47.1% - 75.2%. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed that most of samples were mainly polluted by Ar1254, few samples were polluted by Ar1221. Significant correlations were observed between sigma PCBs and TOC, which suggested PCBs were affected by TOC in soils. The correlation analysis also showed significant correlation among the PCBs homologues (except di-CBs and nona-CBs), which suggested PCBs might have the similar sources. Compared to other studies from different countries and regions, the PCBs concentrations in the present study were at an upper-middle level.

The concentration of 46 polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) in the agricultural soils from Luqiao was analyzed by GC-NCI-MS. The objectives of this study were to investigate the contents, spatial distribution and sources of PCNs. The total concentrations of PCNs (sigma PCNs) in soil samples were in the range of 0.062 to 2.92 ng x g(-1), with a mean of 0.630 ng x g(-1). Tetra-CNs and penta-CNs were the predominant homologues in most of the samples, accounting for 18.4% - 88.8% and 8.40% - 53.1%, with average values of 46.7% and 30.7%, respectively, followed by tri-CNs, accounting for 0 - 47.3%, with a mean of 10.6%. Cluster analysis and combustion marker analysis showed that the sampling sites were mainly polluted by Halowax 1014 and Halowax 1013, also possibly polluted by PCBs mixtures and e-waste combustion process. Compared to other studies, the PCNs concentration in this study was at a medium level.

The concentrations of 41 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the river sediments from Luqiao were analyzed by GC-NCI-MS. The objectives of this study were to understand the contents, spatial distribution and sources. The Sigma40 PBDEs (excluding BDE209) concentrations in sediments sampled were in the range of 0.177 to 161 ng x g(-1), with a mean of 22.5 ng x g(-1), and the concentrations of BDE209 were from 0.36 to 958 ng x g(-1), with a mean of 148 ng x g(-1). Deca-BDE was the most predominant in 9 PBDE homologues in most of samples, accounting for 38.4%-96.0%, with an average of 74.4% nona-BDEs and hepta-BDEs, accounting for 3.3%-25.8% and 0.01%-14.1%, respectively. Significant correlations were observed among all of PBDEs congeners, which suggested these PBDEs might have the similar sources. The homologue composition of PBDEs and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed that most of sampling sites were mainly polluted by deca-BDE formulation, and others polluted by deca-BDE and octa-BDE formulations. Compared to other studies from different countries and regions, the PBDEs concentrations in the present study were at a medium-to-low level. But it should be concerned that a few of sampling sites were highly contaminated by point sources.

Indoor dry deposition of eight homes and offices in the urban area of Shanghai, China were sampled with clean glass plate during July to August of 2008 to study the indoor deposition flux and congener profiles of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). 16 PBDEs congeners which including BDE-17, -28, -71, 47, -66, -77, -100, -99, -85, -118, -154, -153, -138, -183, -190 and BDE-209 were measured by GC-MS with negative chemical ionization (NCI) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The particulate deposition flux of PBDEs in homes and offices were (10.9 +/- 8.2) and (14.2 +/- 11.9) ng x (m2 x d)(-1) respectively. Deca-BDE (BDE-209) was the major compound, accounting for 88.2% -99.2% of the quantified PBDEs. The particulate deposition flux in the offices [(3.1 +/- 2.0) mg x (m2 x d)(-1)] was relatively lower than that of homes, but the concentration of PBDEs in the particles [(3361.6 +/- 1987.4) ng x g(-1)] was significantly higher than that of homes [(1169.1 +/- 647.1) ng x g(-1)]. The concentration of PBDEs in the indoor dry deposition of Shanghai ranked in the middle level comparing with other cities around the world. The indoor deposition flux of PBDEs was mainly correlated with the flux of particle deposition and the usage of electrical and electronic products, but not the interior decoration and the amount of furniture.