Occurrence and Specific Congener Profile of 40 Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in River and Coastal Sediments from Portugal

Abstract

Forty polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), from mono- through hepta-brominated, were analyzed in river and coastal sediment samples of the eight main river basins of Portugal to investigate the occurrence, geographical distribution, and detailed congener profiles. Thirty-two sediment samples taken along the different rivers from inland to the open sea revealed an increase toward the river mouth with a total PBDE concentration of 20 ng/g-dw, and levels decreased to 0.5 ng/g-dw in coastal sediments. PBDEs were detected in all samples analyzed, indicating a diffuse source of pollution in the aquatic environments. Maximum levels were encountered in sediments collected close to urban and industrial areas. Of 40 congeners included in the analytical work, 17 congeners were detected in river sediments. BDE 47 was found in all samples analyzed whereas BDEs 100 and 99 were found in more than 26 out of 32 samples analyzed at concentrations from 0.03 to 10 ng/g-dw. This study is unique in showing the presence of previously nondescribed lower brominated PBDEs in riverine and marine sediments. BDEs 7, 11, 12+13, 15, 30, 32, 17, 25, 28+33, 49, 75, and 71 were identified in two to five samples with a median of 0.03−0.55 ng/g-dw. The analytical method developed consisted of the use of Soxhlet extraction with a novel cleanup method employing alumina cartridges and analysis by gas chromatography−mass spectrometry operated in negative chemical ionization mode.

New evidences in the complexity of contamination of the lagoon of Venice: polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) pollution

“…Dividing the PBDEs according to their bromination grade, tetra-brominated congeners were the most representative of the fingerprint, contributing on average 66%, followed by penta-BDEs (23%) and hexa-and hepta-BDEs (4%). This trend was similar to that obtained in other sediment samples from European (de la Cal et al 2003;Lacorte et al 2003), North American (Hale et al 2003), and Asian (Binelli et al 2007;Chen et al 2009) aquatic environments.…”

“…The current PBDE pollution of the lagoon sediments can be considered low to moderate. PBDE lagoon pollution was similar to that revealed in Asian coastal environments, as Minh et al (2007) in Tokyo Bay, Japan (with a range of 0.051 to 3.6 ng g −1 d.w.), and in China by Yang et al (2003) in the Quingdao near-shore (with a range of 0.1 to 5.5 ng g −1 d.w.), while it was higher than that revealed in the Yangtze River Delta (with a range of n.d. to 0.55 ng g −1 d.w.; Chen et al 2006).In regard to the European situation, Lacorte et al (2003) revealed that Portuguese river sediments are generally more polluted than coastal ones, and the latter presented concentrations perfectly comparable to those measured in the present study. In addition, a monitoring study of de la Cal et al (2003) identified similar levels (in the range of 0.86 to 2.49 ng g −1 d.w.) of seven BDE congeners (BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-100, in some river and marine sediments collected around Barcelona and Tarragona (Spain).…”

“…Moreover, in the case of PBDEs, we should bear in mind the possible debromination process that transforms the higher congeners to lower brominated BDEs, complicating the characterization of the pollution pattern. Lacorte et al (2003) demonstrated the possible presence of low brominated congeners such as di-BDEs and tri-BDEs in marine and river sediment samples, suggesting the possible degradation of BDE from the commercial mixtures to less brominated congeners. The presence of BDE-17 and BDE-28 in sediments of the lagoon, with average percentages much higher than those present in the penta-BDE formulation, can just indicate the occurrence of debromination processes of high brominated compounds.…”

Effect of decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 209) on soil microbial activity and bacterial community composition

“…With a structure that is similar to other environmentally persistent contaminants (i.e., polychlorinated dioxins, polychlorinated furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls), an intrinsic chemical stability, high recalcitrance to different types of degradation and high toxicity to living organisms (de Wit 2002;McDonald 2002), PBDEs have been recognized as an environmental contaminant of foremost concern. Because of their ubiquitous use and their lipophilic and inert characteristics, soil and sediment are very likely a sink for PBDEs (Lacorte et al 2003;Hassanin et al 2004). Microorganisms, existing in intimate contact with the soil, are very sensitive to low concentrations of contaminants and exhibit rapid responses to soil perturbation (Schloter et al 2003).…”

Minho River tidal freshwater wetlands: threats to faunal biodiversity

“…For example, previous studies reported total concentrations of 17 different polybrominated diphenyl ether congeners in sediments at 4 different sites located along the international river section (1 site located in the adjacent coastal area) ranging from 0.3 to 4.8 ng g -1 (Lacorte et al 2003). Recent data also showed low heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) measured in the sediments and Corbicula fluminea (Müller, 1774) tissues at 6 different sites (Sites 1, 4, 9, 11, 12 and 13; Fig.…”