Evaluation of mono- to deca-brominated diphenyl ethers in riverine sediment of Korea with special reference to the debromination of DeBDE209.
The measured concentrations of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in inland sediments, from mono- to deca-BDE congeners, ranged from 0.46 to 1760 ng/g dry weight (dw) with mean and median values of 55±230 ng/g dw and 12 ng/g dw, respectively. These concentrations were comparable to or lower than those reported in other countries. The large contributions of the nona- and octa-BDE congeners (14.6±5.0% of total PBDEs) in the present study highlight the necessity of examining these congeners. A high population density and wastewater discharge around the sampling sites are related to the high PBDE concentration. The most predominant congener was DeBDE209 (average proportion, 70.9±12.4%), which is in good agreement with the large amounts of commercial deca-BDE products used in Korea. Statistical analyses also confirmed the ubiquity of DeBDE209 in river sediment from the use of commercial deca-BDE products, such as Saytex-102E and DE-83R. On the other hand, the relatively large contributions of tri- to hepta-BDE congeners compared to the small quantities of commercial penta- and octa-BDE products used in Korea indicate the debromination potential for highly brominated congeners.
Marine Environmental Research Division, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI), 40-1, Sirang-ri, Gijang-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan 619-705, Republic of Korea.
In-Seok
IS
Lee
Kyoung-Soo
KS
Kim
Su-Jin
SJ
Kim
Jun Heon
JH
Yoon
Kyung Hee
KH
Choi
Sung-Deuk
SD
Choi
Jeong-Eun
JE
Oh
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D056910:Republic of Korea; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D062065:Wastewater / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D062065:Wastewater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical