Spatial distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in coastal marine sediments receiving industrial and municipal effluents in Kuwait

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) 2006-02, Vol.62 (7), p.1078-1086
• Main Authors: Gevao, Bondi, Beg, Mirza U., Al-Ghadban, Abdul Nabi, Al-Omair, Ali, Helaleh, Murad, Zafar, Jamal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Geologic Sediments - analysis; Industrial effluents; Industrial Waste - analysis; Kuwait; Marine; PBDEs; Persistent organic pollutants; Phenyl Ethers - analysis; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Pollution, environment geology; Polybrominated Biphenyls - analysis; Sediments; Sewage - analysis; Soil and sediments pollution; Water Movements; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.05.030

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations were measured in surficial sediments from coastal sediments receiving industrial and municipal effluents in Kuwait. The ∑PBDE concentrations varied by two orders of magnitude ranging from 80 to 3800 pg g −1 dw. The congener distribution was dominated by BDE 183, with minor contributions from BDEs 154 and 153. The similarity between the congener profile to that of the technical octa formulation (Bromkal 79-8DE) suggests a source of this product in Kuwait. The observed gradient in concentration distribution, with high ∑PBDE concentrations near the shore and an exponential decrease seaward, indicates that wastewater discharge from industrial activities in the study area is the primary source of these compounds in the sediments.