Concentrations and possible sources of polychlorinated biphenyls in the soils of Hong Kong

A total of 66 surface (0–10 cm) soil samples covering the whole territory of Hong Kong were collected for analysis of the seven PCB congeners. The detectable concentrations of PCBs in the soils of Hong Kong ranged from 0.07 to 9.87 μg kg− 1, with a higher concentration in the urban area than in the countryside. PCB patterns were dominated by the low chlorinated congeners. PCB118, a dioxin-like congener, was found in samples from Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin and was assumed to be deposited from local sources. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the sources of PCBs were mainly associated with Aroclor 1242 and Aroclor 1248. A significant linear correlation between the concentrations of soil organic matter (SOM) and the sum of 7 PCBs and of SOM and PCB153 was observed. In total, PCBs were not a severe contamination in the soils of Hong Kong from the current results. However, long-term monitoring is still recommended to keeping, especially in the landfill deposits and some urban parks.