PAHs, PCDD/Fs, PCBs and HCB in leaves from Brisbane, Australia

The concentrations of SOCs in leaves of an evergreen Australian native tree (Melaleuca leucadendra) and grass collected in Brisbane, Australia were de termined. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PAHs in the leaf tissue were co mparable to those reported for urbanised areas in other industrialised coun tries. A distinct difference in the compound profiles between the leaves of the two species was observed, with higher concentrations of the lower mole cular mass PAHs and PCDD/Fs and lower concentrations of the higher molecula r mass PAHs and PCDD/Fs in the Melaleuca leaves relative to the grass leave s. The interspecies differences are explained on the basis of the larger si ze of the lipophilic compartment (for compounds with low K-OA) and the lowe r ratio of surface area to volume in the Melaleuca leaves. (C) 2001 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.