title: Widespread polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) contamination of urban soils in Melbourne, Australia.
abstract: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been used as flame retardants in a variety of materials and products. PBDEs have been shown to accumulate in the environment and human populations while exhibiting a range of toxic effects. In this study, surface soil samples from 30 sites in the city of Melbourne, Australia, were analysed for PBDEs. Eight congeners of environmental concern (BDE-28, -47, -99, -100, -153, -154 -183 and -209) were assessed using selective pressurized liquid extraction (S-PLE) and gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). PBDEs were detected in 29/30 samples with Σ8PBDE soil concentrations ranging nd-13,200 ng/g dw and Σ7PBDEs (excluding BDE-209) levels of nd-70.5 ng/g dw. Soils from waste disposal sites (n = 6) contained the highest median Σ7PBDE and Σ8PBDE concentrations, followed by manufacturing sites (n = 18) and then non-source sites (n = 6). Electronics recycling facilities contained the greatest levels of Σ8PBDEs by a significant margin (p < 0.05) to indicate that these industries are a potential source of contamination. BDE-209 was the dominant congener, contributing an average of 75.5% to Σ8PBDEs soil concentrations, followed by BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-183 at 7.90, 5.64 and 4.31%, respectively. Congener profiles reflected global estimates of Deca-BDE, Octa-BDE and Penta- BDE commercial production, with the most significant congener correlation existing between BDE-47 and BDE-99 (p < 0.001, r = 0.943). This first assessment of PBDEs in Melbourne soils indicates widespread contamination of the urban environment, including locations where direct sources to soil are not clear.
authors: School of Science, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (ENSURE), RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
authors: Thomas J
authors: TJ
authors: McGrath
authors: School of Science, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (ENSURE), RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia; Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science (ACROSS), School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
authors: Paul D
authors: PD
authors: Morrison
authors: Australian Contaminated Land Consultants Association (ACLCA), PO Box 362, Malvern, Victoria 3144, Australia.
authors: Christopher J
authors: CJ
authors: Sandiford
authors: School of Science, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (ENSURE), RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
authors: Andrew S
authors: AS
authors: Ball
authors: School of Science, Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Remediation (ENSURE), RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia. Electronic address: bradley.clarke@rmit.edu.au.
authors: Bradley O
authors: BO
authors: Clarke
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002947:Cities; D059029:Electronic Waste; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers / Q000032:analysis*; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis*; D011786:Quality Control; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: C477694:2,2',4,4',5-brominated diphenyl ether; D005411:Flame Retardants; D055768:Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011075:Polybrominated Biphenyls; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; C511295:2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether; C483839:2,2',3,4,4',5',6-heptabromodiphenyl ether; C010902:decabromobiphenyl ether
keywords: Brominated flame retardants (BFRs); Land contamination; Persistent organic pollutants (POPs); Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs); Soil