Publication Abstract

PBDEs in sediments and biota downstream of potential sources in the UK

C.R. Allchin, R.J. Law and S. Morris

In a pilot survey samples of sediment and fish tissue have been collected both in the vicinity of and downstream of suspected sources of brominated flame retardant compounds,and these have been analysed for polybrominated diphenylethers by means of gas chromatography with electron-capture detection with the identity of residues in some samples being confirmed by coupled gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The concentrations of PBDEs were quantified both in terms of commercial formulations (DE-71, primarily pentabromodiphenylether; DE-79; primarily octabromodiphenylether; and DE-83, primarily decabromodiphenylether) and ofthree individual bromodiphenylether congeners, 2, 2', 4, 4'-tetrabromodiphenylether, and 2, 2', 4, 4', 5- & 2, 2', 3, 4, 4'-pentabromodiphenylethers. In total 52 samples were analysed, comprising 29 sediment samples and 23 fish and shellfish tissues, the samples being collected from the Rivers Nith, Great Ouse, Humber, Calder, Ribble, Tweed (control site), Tees, and their estuaries and adjacent coastal waters. Detectable concentrations of tetra- and penta-bromodiphenylethers were found in most samples. Decabromodiphenylether was also detected in a number of samples of sediment, but as in other studies was not found in any ofthe biota samples analysed. Particularly high concentrations were found in samples from the River Skerne/Tees system downstream of a plant manufacturing brominated diphenylethers, as well as in the sediments of the lower Tees estuary and in fish (dab, flounder and plaice) from Tees Bay. Detectable concentrations of tetrabromodiphenylether and one of the pentabromodiphenylether congeners were also found in fish livers from offshore reference sites. The concentrations found in the livers of fish (dab and flounder particularly) from Tees Bay were amongst the highest reported to date. High concentrations of decabromodiphenyl ether were found in two sediment samples from the River Calder and one from the River Ribble, which is suggestive of a local point source.

Reference:

C.R. Allchin, R.J. Law and S. Morris, 1999. PBDEs in sediments and biota downstream of potential sources in the UK.Environmental Pollution, 105(2): 197-207