Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in Moscow soils

Data are given on the content of polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins (PCDD) and 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) with chlorine atoms in positions 2, 3, 7, and 8 in the upper horizons of Moscow soils, in the structure of profiles of congeners and their accumulation in the city top-soil. An average equivalent of toxicity of the totality of PCDD/PCDF is in the range of 48.66–0.27 ng of I-TEQ/kg, while for 2,3,7,8-TCDD, it reaches 1.78 ng of I-TEQ/kg, which is in accordance with permissible European norms. About half the stress of dioxins on urban topsoil-soil is determined by the most toxic congeners 2,3,7,8-TCDD, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF, and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD, which have a high ability to accumulate in adipose tissue of organisms. The concentration coefficients of PCDD/PCDF congeners in the soil are in tens of units.