PBDEs in marine and freshwater sediments from Belgium: levels, profiles and relations with biota

Abstract

Sediments from the Belgian North Sea (BNS), the Western Scheldt Estuary (SE) and freshwater watercourses from the Scheldt basin were analysed for eight PBDE congeners, namely BDEs 28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183 and 209. Previously analysed biological samples from the same locations in the BNS and the SE have been shown to contain large amounts of PBDEs. Surprisingly, PBDE concentrations in the sediments were below the LOQ for samples from the BNS (except BDE 209), while in those from the SE the sum of PBDEs (not including BDE 209) were higher and ranged from 0.20 to 0.41 ng g⁻¹ dw. BDE 209 could be detected in 83% of the samples from the BNS and in all the samples from the SE. Concentrations up to 1200 ng g⁻¹ were hereby measured in the SE. Compared to the marine and estuarine locations, the sediments from the freshwater watercourses were relatively more polluted with the lower brominated PBDEs (<0.20–19 ng g⁻¹ dw). BDE 209 concentrations up to 320 ng g⁻¹ dw were measured in those sediments. However, the contribution of BDE 209 to the total amount of PBDEs varied much more at the freshwater locations than in the SE, which suggests a different input of pollutants. PBDE profiles observed in biological samples do not match the profiles of the sediments. BDE 183 and 209 could not be quantified in biota, although these congeners were undoubtedly present in the sediments. This raises questions about the bioavailability of these congeners in the environment.