Legacy and emerging flame retardants (FRs) in the freshwater ecosystem: A review

• Published in: Environmental research 2017-01, Vol.152, p.26-42
• Main Authors: Iqbal, Mehreen, Syed, Jabir Hussain, Katsoyiannis, Athanasios, Malik, Riffat Naseem, Farooqi, Abida, Butt, Ayesha, Li, Jun, Zhang, Gan, Cincinelli, Alessandra, Jones, Kevin C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biota; Ecosystem; Flame retardants; Flame Retardants - analysis; Fresh Water; Fresh water ecosystem; Regional trends; Sediment; Transport and fate; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.09.024

In this review article, we have compiled and reviewed the previously published available literature on environmental distribution, behaviour, fate and regional trends of legacy and emerging flame retardants (FRs) including brominated (BFRs), organo-phosphate (OPFRs), novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and dechlorane plus (DP) in the freshwater ecosystem. Transport and fate is discussed briefly with the evidences of de-bromination, sedimentation and accumulation in biota. De-bromination of BDE-209 is considered of concern because the lower brominated congeners are more toxic and mobile thus posing increased risk to the freshwater ecosystem. The available data on temporal and spatial trends as yet, is too few to show any consistent trends, enabling only general conclusions to be drawn. There is a lack of temporal studies in Asia, while, overall the trends are mixed, with both increasing and decreasing concentrations of BFRs and OPFRs. OPFRs and NBFRs have replaced classical BFRs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)) in some countries but the amount of PBDEs in the environment is still considerable. Knowledge gaps and recommendations for future research are discussed emphasizing on further monitoring, advanced analytical methodologies, and risk assessment studies to completely understand the science of flame retardants in the freshwater ecosystem. [Display omitted] •Available literature has been reviewed and discussed on FRs in freshwater ecosystem.•De-bromination of BDE-209 is considered of concern because the lower BDEs are more toxic and mobile.•Available data on temporal and spatial trends as yet are too few to show any trends consistency.•OPFRs/NBFRs have replaced classical BFRs but the amount of PBDEs in the environment is still considerable.