Atmospheric deposition of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in coastal areas in Korea.
Atmospheric bulk samples were collected monthly, for one year, from urban, suburban, and rural sites located in the coastal areas of Korea, for the assessment of depositional fluxes and seasonal variations in atmospheric concentrations of PBDEs. Twenty individual PBDE congeners were found in atmospheric samples, and their depositional fluxes varied from 10.1 to 89.0 microg/m2/year. The highest depositional fluxes were found in two urbanized areas, with a strong urban-rural gradient. The relationship between PBDE and particulate depositional fluxes showed significant correlation for all locations, which suggested the association of PBDEs to particulate phase. Deca-BDE (BDE 209) was the predominant congener (>93%) in all deposition samples, which is consistent with a high consumption of deca-BDE for the flame-retardant market in Korea. Seasonal variability was observed in PBDE concentrations for the two urban sites, whereas no seasonal trend was found for either the suburban or the rural location.
Moon
Hyo-Bang
HB
Marine Environment Management Team, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, 408-1, Sirang-ri, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea. hbmoon@nfrdi.re.kr
Kannan
Kurunthachalam
K
Lee
Su-Jeong
SJ
Choi
Minkyu
M
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D007723:Korea; D010647:Phenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons
D000393:Air Pollutants; D010647:Phenyl Ethers; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls