title: Hexabromocyclododecane flame retardant in Antarctica: Research stations as sources.
abstract: Historical persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are banned from Antarctica under international treaty; but contemporary-use POPs can enter as additives within polymer and textile products. Over their useful lives these products may release additives in-situ. Indeed, we observed 226 and 109 ng/g dry weight (dw) of the total concentrations of α-, β- and γ-hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) in indoor dust from McMurdo Station (U.S.) and Scott Station (New Zealand), respectively. Sewage sludge collected from wastewater treatment facilities at these stations exhibited ∑HBCD of 45 and 69 ng/g dw, respectively. Contaminants originally within the bases may exit to the local outdoor environment via wastewaters. Near McMurdo, maximum ∑HBCD levels in surficial marine sediments and aquatic biota (invertebrates and fish) were 2350 ng/g (total organic carbon basis) and 554 ng/g lipid weight, respectively. Levels declined with distance from McMurdo. Our results illustrate that Antarctic research stations serve as local HBCD sources to the pristine Antarctic environment.
authors: Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory and Department of Zoology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA. Electronic address: dachen@siu.edu.
authors: Da
authors: D
authors: Chen
authors: Virginia Institute of Marine Science, The College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, USA.
authors: Robert C
authors: RC
authors: Hale
authors: Virginia Institute of Marine Science, The College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, USA.
authors: Mark J
authors: MJ
authors: La Guardia
authors: Virginia Institute of Marine Science, The College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, USA.
authors: Drew
authors: D
authors: Luellen
authors: Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, Moss Landing, CA 95039, USA.
authors: Stacy
authors: S
authors: Kim
authors: Virginia Institute of Marine Science, The College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, USA.
authors: Heidi N
authors: HN
authors: Geisz
mesh_terms: D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D000864:Antarctic Regions; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000737:chemistry; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis*; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000032:analysis*; D009520:New Zealand; D012106:Research; D012722:Sewage / Q000032:analysis; D014481:United States; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D005411:Flame Retardants; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D012722:Sewage; D062065:Wastewater; C089796:hexabromocyclododecane
keywords: Antarctica; Flame retardant; Hexabromocyclododecane; Research station