Effect of sewage sludges contaminated with polybrominated diphenylethers on agricultural soils.
The fate of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sewage sludge after agricultural application was analysed. This study was based on the analysis of sewage sludge and sludge amended soil samples collected during 2005. PBDE concentrations in sewage sludge ranged from 197 to 1185ng/g dry weight (dw), being deca-BDE-209 the predominant congener. PBDE levels in soils ranged between 21 and 690ng/g dw, being BDE-209 also the predominant congener in all soil samples. Sewage-sludge amendment at the research stations increased concentrations of all BDE congeners 1.2- to 45-fold, with the highest increases for BDE-209. Results obtained evidenced the cumulative effect of the sludge application rates. Moreover, high levels found at soils four years after the last sludge application indicate persistence of PBDEs in soils, including deca-BDE-209.
Eljarrat
Ethel
E
Department of Environmental Chemistry, IIQAB, CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain. eeeqam@cid.csic.es
Marsh
Göran
G
Labandeira
Ana
A
Barceló
Damià
D
D000383:Agriculture; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis; D005843:Geography; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D012722:Sewage / Q000032:analysis*; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D013030:Spain
D005411:Flame Retardants; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D012722:Sewage; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants