Concentration profile, spatial distributions and temporal trends of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in sediments across China: Implications for risk assessment

• Published in: Ecotoxicology and environmental safety 2020-12, Vol.206, p.111205, Article 111205
• Main Authors: Yin, Hongmin, Tang, Zhenwu, Meng, Tong, Zhang, Minna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Organisms; China; Distribution; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Geologic Sediments - chemistry; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - analysis; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - chemistry; Lakes - chemistry; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs); Risk Assessment; Risks; Rivers - chemistry; Sediments; Spatio-Temporal Analysis; Spatiotemporal trends; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry
• ISSN: 0147-6513; 1090-2414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111205

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in sediments of China have been extensively investigated; however, most studies conducted to date have focused on specific locations, and the pollution and risk posed by these chemicals in sediments at the national scale remain unknown. Therefore, we analyzed the concentrations and risks of PBDEs in sediments in China and their spatiotemporal variations based on available literature. Overall, the sediments across China contain moderate to high levels of PBDEs, with BDE-209 being the dominant congener, followed by BDE-47 and BDE-99. The sediment concentrations of PBDEs were highest in southern China and lowest in northeastern China. Additionally, based on their PBDE concentrations, 18.4%, 30.0%, and 11.9% of sediment samples from rivers, lakes, and coastal waters, respectively, posed low to moderate eco-toxicological risks, but 6.90% of river sediments posed high risks. Between 2001 and 2017, the concentrations and risks of PBDEs in the sediments from rivers and coastal waters tended to decrease gradually. Additionally, there were low to moderate risks from PBDEs in lake sediments, and the risks in 2012–2017 were 3.30 times higher than those in 2006–2011. However, more studies about the spatial and temporal trends in PBDEs in sediment across China and their impacts on aquatic organisms are needed because there is still a general lack of relevant information. [Display omitted] •A national picture of PBDEs in sediments of China was provided.•Sediment PBDE pollution in China belong to moderate to high levels in the world.•In China, PBDE concentrations in sediments were the highest in southern waters.•Overall, PBDE concentrations in sediments showed a downward trend from 2001 to 2017.