title: Transformation of PBDE mixtures during sediment transport and resuspension in marine environments (Gulf of Lion, NW Mediterranean Sea).
abstract: Polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in superficial sediments from the Gulf of Lion were studied. They were largely predominated by BDE 209 (98.7% of all PBDEs) indicating that the main source of these pollutants was the commercial mixture deca-BDE. This compound and the less brominated BDE exhibited a southwestward decreasing concentration gradient following the dominant marine currents and bottom relief, e.g. the Mud Belt, the submarine canyons and the Open Continental Slope. All PBDEs exhibited statistically significant correlations confirming the common origin. However, a progressive transformation of the dumped BDE 209 was identified showing a depletion paralleled by increases of the less brominated BDEs (from 8.6% to 22%). These less brominated compounds were accumulated at about 100-140 km away from the Rhone prodelta, e.g., at the end of the submarine canyons, evidencing that these transformation compounds can be accumulated at long distances from the dumping sites in the marine system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Joan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Salvadó
authors.forename: Joan O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Grimalt
authors.forename: Jordi F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: López
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Durrieu de Madron
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Heussner
authors.forename: Miquel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Canals
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical