Tracking polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediments and soils from the southwest of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina (South eastern part of the GRULAC region)

PCBs and PBDEs (7 and 10 congeners, respectively) were analyzed in four coastal surface sediments collected from the northern shore of Bahía Blanca estuary and in nine soils from different locations of Bahía Blanca city and the surrounding region (Southwest of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). Sediment samples showed PCBs_(Σ7) concentrations ranged from 0.61 to 17.6 ng g^{− 1} (dry weight = dw) and PBDEs_(Σ10) from 0.16 to 2.02 ng g^{− 1} dw, whereas in soil samples ranged from 0.04 to 1.67 ng g^{− 1} dw for PCBs_(Σ7) and 0.04 to 10.7 ng g^{− 1} dw for PBDEs_(Σ10). The highest concentrations of both chemicals were detected in the urban and industrial/port areas showing a dominance of the higher chlorinated PCB congeners: in sediments for PCB-180 (56 ± 33%) and PCB-153 (11 ± 6%); and in soils for PCB-138 (23 ± 3%), PCB-153 (22 ± 2%) and PCB-180 (18 ± 7%). In contrast, lower chlorinated PCB congeners were predominant at more distant sites; in sediments for congeners PCB-28 (33 ± 4%) and PCB-52 (14.5 ± 0.2%); and in soils PCB-28 (56 ± 14%) and PCB-52 (33 ± 19%). PBDE-209 (high brominated PBDE) showed the highest relative abundance in both sample types i.e., sediment (94 ± 7%) and soil (80 ± 12%). These findings can be considered lower or similar when compared with other sites of the world, and are likely associated with anthropogenic activities in their surrounding area, which has experienced a fast industrial growth in the last decade. This is the first investigation of PBDEs levels in the whole study area and of PCBs in soils from the Bahía Blanca city and surrounding region. This article provides new and useful information on POP levels in the South eastern part of the GRULAC region.