Analysis and occurrence of emerging chlorinated and brominated flame retardants in surficial sediment of the Dalian costal area in China

Abstract

The concentrations and distributions of some typical chlorinated flame retardants (Dechlorane or Mirex, Dechlorane 602 (Dec 602), Dechlorane 603 (Dec 603), Dechlorane 604 (Dec 604) and Dechlorane Plus (DP)) and brominated FRs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) and 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE)) were analyzed in surficial sediment collected from the Dalian costal area in northeast China. Dec 603, Dec 604, and BTBPE were below their respective limits of detection (LOD) in all sediment samples, while Dechlorane, Dec 602, DP, ∑13BDE (tri- to hepta-BDEs), BDE 209, and PBEB were identified in the ranges <0.015–39.9 ng g⁻¹ dry weight (dw), <0.011–0.156 ng g⁻¹ dw, 0.69–7.00 ng g⁻¹ dw, 0.017–1.33 ng g⁻¹ dw, 3.94–103 ng g⁻¹ dw, and <0.073–1.9 ng g⁻¹ dw, respectively. Relationships between these chlorinated and brominated FRs were analyzed using Pearson's correlation and principal component analysis (PCA). DP, Dechlorane, ∑13BDE, and BDE 209 showed significantly positive correlation (p<0.05), and these relationships showed excellent agreement with PCA results. The spatial trends for Dechlorane, DP, BDE 209, and ∑13BDE showed that high concentrations were found in the industrial zone and lower concentrations in residential and garden zones. The results imply that these FRs are originating from a common source, and support the view that direct input from the effluent of sewage outlets is a major source of these compounds in Dalian sediment.