Levels and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the aquatic and terrestrial environment around a wastewater treatment plant

Abstract

The distribution and fate of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in a riparian ecosystem nearby a wastewater treatment plant effluent were investigated. Different aqueous and terrestrial samples such as soil, sediment, plants, and invertebrates were collected and analyzed for tri-to heptabrominated PBDEs. Furthermore, the food web structure was elucidated using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. The highest PBDE levels were found for sediment-and soil-dwelling invertebrates, such as earthworms (Σ 13 PBDEs 144 ng/g lipid weight), Tubifex tubifex (77 ng/g lw), and scarab larvae (49 ng/g lw). Differences in congener composition profiles among the different matrices show that the environmental distribution and fate of PBDEs in ecosystems can be very complex. Among the analyzed PBDEs in this ecosystem, the tetra-brominated BDE-47 was the dominant PBDE congener and followed by the penta-brominated BDE-99. A potential trend of increasing BDE-47/99 ratio with the increase of δ 15 N was observed for species with similar energy sources (δ 13 C), indicating a higher bioaccumulation potential for BDE-47 in this ecosystem. A significant correlation was also found between PBDEs and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), indicating similar sources and fate between the two compound groups in this area. The biota-soil or biotasediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) were somewhat different among the PBDE congeners and species, but were generally highest for those with log K ow values around 6.5-7.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl-Contaminated Freshwater Impacts Adjacent Riparian Food Webs

“…The gradient in δ 13 C suggests that a higher degree of aquatic signal in terrestrial consumers (Figure C) results in higher PFOS concentration. Isotope ratios of nitrogen and carbon between the aquatic and riparian system were well separated, which showed the usefulness of these isotopes for this research topic. ,,, …”

“…Hence, emergent insects provide important ecological services as food subsidy, when they become prey for a wide range of riparian consumers, such as predatory invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals . However, aquatic contaminants can accumulate and negatively affect emergent aquatic insect larvae, and after the insects emerge to land, the contaminants can be transferred from water to the riparian zone. − This transfer have been reported for several contaminants, for example, nitrogen, heavy metals, , pharmaceuticals, algal toxins, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). − For example, up to 6.13 g yr –1 total PCBs were found to be exported by emergent aquatic insects along a 25 km stretch of a contaminated stream in the US and accumulated in local riparian consumers such as spiders (180–2740 ng g –1 ).…”

“…Hence, contaminant concentrations in terrestrial consumers tend to increase with a greater aquatic diet, and studies have found positive relationships between the trophic position (i.e. δ 15 N) and internal contaminant concentrations. ,,,, For PFASs, uptake and bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms have been reported . Food-web studies found biomagnification for some PFASs and enrichment of linear PFASs in biota. , However, the potential transfer of PFASs from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems has so far not been systematically studied.…”

“…δ 15 N) and internal contaminant concentrations. 11,28,31,33,35 For PFASs, uptake and bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms have been reported. 36 Food-web studies found biomagnification for some PFASs and enrichment of linear PFASs in biota.…”

Photoelectrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 over CuBi2O4/TiO2‐NTs under Simulated Solar Irradiation

“…Since Halmann first reported the phenomenon of semiconductor p‐GaP photoelectrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 in 1978, photoelectrocatalytic CO 2 reduction has aroused great interest of many researches . Photoelectrocatalytic CO 2 reduction by using metallic oxide catalysts was perceived as a promising approach to convert CO 2 to useful chemicals such as methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, methane, etc. The approach could play a role in relieving the present environmental problems and generating fossil fuels.…”