Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) are organic halogenated compounds originating from anthropogenic activities. These compounds have become ubiquitous in environmental and biological samples worldwide because of the persistence and long-range transport, which pose environmental and human risks.  

GE Jing under the supervision of Professor WANG Jun from Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden investigated the Occurrence, distribution and seasonal variations of 31 PCBs and 10 PBDEs in the surface water of the East Lake.  

Results revealed that the average PCB concentrations in the East Lake ranged from 3.17 to 6.09 ng L^-1 in winter and 0.19 to 0.99 ng L^-1 in summer. CB-44, 105, 118 and 179 were dominant in both winter and summer. The average PBDE concentrations in the East Lake ranged from 2.92 to 5.54 ng L^-1 in winter and 0.67 to 1.51 ng L^-1 in summer. BDE-47 was predominant in both winter and summer, which accounted for more than 37% of the total PBDEs concentration from all sampling sites. Independent-Samples t-test showed statistical significance of RPCBs and RPBDEs between winter and summer samples. The analysis of distribution, pattern and seasonal variations indicated the different potential sources of PCBs and PBDEs in the East Lake. The potential eco-toxicological risk was also discussed in the study. 

This study provides references for the pollution status of PCBs and PBDEs in this area and also provides data support for environment protection and restoration. 

Relevant results published in Chemosphere (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.12.014 )entitled “Occurrence, distribution and seasonal variations of polychlorinated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in surface waters of the East Lake, China”.