Spatial distribution of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organochlorines in bivalves from Japanese coastal waters

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2010-03, Vol.78 (10), p.1213-1219
• Main Authors: Ueno, D., Isobe, T., Ramu, K., Tanabe, S., Alaee, M., Marvin, C., Inoue, K., Someya, T., Miyajima, T., Kodama, H., Nakata, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied ecology; Applied sciences; Biological and medical sciences; Bivalvia - metabolism; Brominated flame retardant; Coastal water; Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution; Environmental Monitoring; Ethers; Exact sciences and technology; Exposure; Flame Retardants - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Geography; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers - metabolism; HBCD and PBDE; Hydrocarbons, Brominated - metabolism; Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated - metabolism; Japan; Lipids; Marine; Mussel and oyster; Mussels; Oysters; Pacific Ocean; Pollution; POPs; Risk assessment; Seafood; Seawater - chemistry; Spatial distribution; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.12.058

In order to elucidate the spatial distribution of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in the Japanese coastal environment, hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and organochlorines (OCs: PCBs, DDTs, CHLs, HCHs, HCB) were determined in bivalves (oysters and mussels) collected from Japanese coastal waters. HBCDs and PBDEs were detected in all samples analyzed. Concentration ranges of HBCDs were 12–5200 ng g −1 lipid wt., followed by PCBs (20–3100 ng g −1) > PBDEs (3.1–86 ng g −1 lipid wt.). The highest concentration of HBCDs was found in the Osaka region. This result indicates that HBCDs are ubiquitous and predominant compounds in bivalves from the Japanese coastal waters. Since no species differences between oysters and mussels were observed for the bioaccumulation properties of HBCDs and PBDEs, oysters could be utilized for BFR contamination monitoring worldwide as an alternative to mussels. Global comparisons between oysters and mussels showed that HBCD concentrations in Japan are among the highest levels reported from Asia and Europe. Estimated dietary exposures of HBCDs and PBDEs through seafood were 0.45–34 ng kg body weight −1 d −1, and 0.054–6.8 ng kg body weight −1 d −1, respectively. These exposure levels were more than 1000 times lower than the lowest observable effects or no observable adverse effects levels for HBCDs and PBDEs, respectively.