Phthalate Esters’ Content in Soils of Moscow

Abstract

The content and distribution pattern of phthalate esters in the top soil layers in Moscow have been determined. The total content of five of them (dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, din-butyl phthalate, and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) in city soils is within the range of 4.39–397.00 mg/kg (the mean is 62.70 mg/kg and the median is 31.22 mg/kg) and is characterized by a lognormal distribution. The participation of these compounds in the total content of phthalates is 0.6, 0.7, 14.2, 57.9, and 26.6%, respectively. A significant positive correlation between the contents of the phthalate esters in soil has been revealed. The total amount of phthalates in soil was the highest in the reserve and residential areas and the lowest in the residential-transport and park-recreational zones.