Hexabromocyclododecane and tetrabromobisphenol A in tree bark from different functional areas of Shanghai, China: levels and spatial distributions

Abstract

The concentrations and spatial distributions of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) were measured in tree bark from different functional areas of Shanghai. ΣHBCDD (sum of α-, β-, and γ-HBCDD) concentrations ranged from 1.2 × 10² to 6.6 × 10³ ng g⁻¹ lw (median 5.7 × 10² ng g⁻¹ lw) and TBBPA concentrations ranged from 48 to 7.2 × 10⁴ ng g⁻¹ lw (median 2.8 × 10² ng g⁻¹ lw). The concentrations of ΣHBCDD and TBBPA all followed the order of industrial areas > commercial areas > residential areas. The mean percentage of α-HBCDD in bark samples (44%) from Shanghai was higher than that in technical HBCDD products, but comparable with that in air. The concentrations of TBBPA and individual HBCDD diastereoisomers between industrial areas and commercial areas were correlated. Based on the concentrations of HBCDD in the bark, the corresponding atmospheric HBCDD concentrations were estimated. Compared with the published data for HBCDD in urban air, the estimated atmospheric HBCDD concentrations in Shanghai had a relatively high level, and more attention should be paid to the pollution status of HBCDD in Shanghai.