Deposition of organochlorine pesticides, PCBs (Aroclor 1268), and PBDEs in selected plant species from a Superfund Site at Brunswick, Georgia, USA

Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2009 Apr;82(4):444-9. doi: 10.1007/s00128-009-9646-3. Epub 2009 Jan 28.

Abstract

Deposition of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were measured in Loblolly pine needles (Pinus taeda) collected in and around a Linden Chemicals and Plastics (LCP) Superfund Site at Brunswick, Georgia, USA. For the comparison, foliage of eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) was also collected to monitor contaminant levels. This study revealed that concentrations of OCPs, PCBs and PBDEs ranged from 0.75-10, 3.4-15 to 0.05-3, ng/g wet wt, respectively in both plant species. Total OCPs concentrations in pine needles decreased from 10 to 2.3 ng/g; and total PCBs decreased from 28 to 9.3 ng/g between 1997 and 2006. To our knowledge, this is the first report on PBDEs concentrations in pine needles and red cedar foliage samples from the Superfund Site at Brunswick, Georgia, USA.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aroclors / analysis
  • Aroclors / metabolism*
  • Chemical Industry
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis
  • Environmental Pollutants / metabolism*
  • Environmental Restoration and Remediation
  • Georgia
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / analysis
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / metabolism*
  • Juniperus / chemistry
  • Juniperus / metabolism*
  • Pesticide Residues / metabolism*
  • Pinus taeda / chemistry
  • Pinus taeda / metabolism*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Plant Leaves / metabolism
  • United States
  • United States Environmental Protection Agency

Substances

  • Aroclor 1268
  • Aroclors
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers
  • Pesticide Residues