Occurrence, spatial distribution, and risk assessment of novel brominated flame retardants in sediments from black-odorous rivers
HUANG Chen-chen1,2, ZENG Yan-hong2, GUAN Ke-lan2, LIU Yin-e1,2, LU Qi-hong3, WANG Shan-quan3, LUO Xiao-jun2, MAI Bi-xian2
1. School of Environmental Science & Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China; 2. State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Resources Utilization and Protection, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510640, China; 3. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Abstract：In the current study, the pollution characteristics of six novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) in sediments from 173 black-odorous urban rivers in 74 Chinese cities were comprehensively investigated. The results indicated that decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) was the predominant NBFR, with a concentration range of undetected-603.76ng/g dry weight and an average proportion of (99.49±0.82)%. However, the concentration proportions of hexabromobenzene (HBB) and pentabromotoluene (PBT) were very low. These concentration compositions of NBFRs in sediments were consistent with their production and use history in China. Although the concentrations of DBDPE, HBB, and PBT showed significant differences among various sampling cities, they generally followed similar distribution patterns, with higher concentrations in eastern regions (South, East, and Northeast China) and lower concentrations in western regions (Northwest and Southwest China). These distribution patterns of NBFRs were strongly associated with the industrial structure and urbanization of each city. Besides, the concentrations of DBDPE, the alternative of Deca-BDEs (BDE209), were generally lower than those of BDE209 in sediments. The concentration ratios of DBDPE to BDE209 were generally significantly negatively correlated with the gross domestic product and local industrial output. The results of ecological risk assessment suggested that DBDPE, HBB, and PBT in black-odorous urban river sediments had no risk to aquatic biota.
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