title: Combination of a fast cleanup procedure and a DR-CALUX® bioassay for dioxin surveillance in Taiwanese soils.
abstract: Our goal was to determine dioxin levels in 800 soil samples collected from Taiwan. An in vitro DR-CALUX® assay was carried out with the help of an automated Soxhlet system and fast cleanup column. The mean dioxin level of 800 soil samples was 36.0 pg-bioanalytical equivalents (BEQs)/g dry weight (d.w.). Soil dioxin-BEQs were higher in northern Taiwan (61.8 pg-BEQ/g d.w.) than in central, southern, and eastern Taiwan (22.2, 24.9, and 7.80 pg-BEQ/g d.w., respectively). Analysis of multiple linear regression models identified four major predictors of dioxin-BEQs including soil sampling location (β = 0.097, p < 0.001), land use (β = 0.065, p < 0.001), soil brightness (β = 0.170, p < 0.001), and soil moisture (β = 0.051, p = 0.020), with adjusted R2 = 0.947 (p < 0.001) (n = 662). An univariate logistic regression analysis with the cut-off point of 33.4 pg-BEQ/g d.w. showed significant odds ratios (ORs) for soil sampling location (OR = 2.43, p < 0.001), land use (OR = 1.47, p < 0.001), and soil brightness (OR = 2.83, p = 0.009). In conclusion, four variables, including soil sampling location, land use, soil brightness, and soil moisture, may be related to soil-dioxin contamination. Soil samples collected in northern Taiwan, and especially in Bade City, soils near industrial areas, and soils with darker color may contain higher dioxin-BEQ levels.
authors.affiliation: Emerging Compounds Research Center, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung County 912, Taiwan. p9831003@mail.npust.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Ding-Yan
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Division 5 of the Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Environmental Protection Administration, Zhongli, Taoyuan County 320, Taiwan. yplee@mail.niea.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Yi-Pin
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Division 5 of the Environmental Analysis Laboratory, Environmental Protection Administration, Zhongli, Taoyuan County 320, Taiwan. cplee@mail.niea.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Chiu-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Science, National Yang-Ming University, Beitou Dist., Taipei City 112, Taiwan. khchi2@ym.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Kai-Hsien
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.affiliation: Environmental Engineering Department Ⅱ, Sinotech Engineering Consultants, Ltd., Neihu Dist., Taipei City 114, Taiwan. powerl@mail.sinotech.com.tw.
authors.forename: Bo-Wei P
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: MWH Americas Inc., Taiwan Branch, Daan Dist., Taipei City 106, Taiwan. Adam.W.Liu@mwhglobal.com.
authors.forename: Wen-Yao
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: MWH Americas Inc., Taiwan Branch, Daan Dist., Taipei City 106, Taiwan. 174600@cpdce.com.tw.
authors.forename: Chih-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung County 912, Taiwan. susanalin@mail.npust.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Emerging Compounds Research Center, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung County 912, Taiwan. chen5637@mail.npust.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Ting-Chien
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Emerging Compounds Research Center, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung County 912, Taiwan. kjyeh@mail.npust.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Kuei-Jyum C
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology, Yanchao Dist., Kaohsiung City 811, Taiwan. pchsu@nkfust.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Ping-Chi
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Kun Shan University, Yongkang Dist., Tainan City 710, Taiwan. ychsu22@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Yi-Chyun
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Emerging Compounds Research Center, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung County 912, Taiwan. hrchao@mail.npust.edu.tw.
authors.forename: How-Ran
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.affiliation: Emerging Compounds Research Center, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Neipu, Pingtung County 912, Taiwan. tctsou@nhri.org.tw.
authors.forename: Tsui-Chun
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Tsou
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay; D004147:Dioxins / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D004147:Dioxins; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants